"Unfortunately, no. In my younger days, my campaigns took me much farther east and south, and afterward..." He paused. "There were other things to worry about."
"I understand. My apologies."
"It's nothing... It was a long time ago," the old firebender repeated. "So, what were you saying about Yu Dao?"
"The thing is, for many decades now, that city has been home to both Fire Nation citizens and natives of the Earth Kingdom. Yet not only are there no internal conflicts, but that situation has had an extremely positive effect on its economic and industrial development. The cooperation between firebenders and earthbenders produces remarkable results. It's a shame you never had the chance to see it for yourself."
"Hmm... Perhaps," Iroh nodded. "If the opportunity presents itself, I'll try to remedy that oversight." He let out a heavy sigh. "We've been standing around long enough, and the northern wind—and drafts in general—aren't quite as harmless to my body as they once were. I think I'll go sit by the fire and enjoy a cup of hot tea." Affecting the mannerisms of a frail old man, the general shuffled off downstairs.
Well, I should probably leave the balcony too and head for... the staff room. No point letting certain unpleasant admirals relax too much. Heh.
***
Half a day later.
When the admiral announced that he wanted to conduct a reconnaissance in force and had already prepared a ship full of expendable men for the task, I found myself thinking it over.
The action itself was necessary, no question there, but it seemed a shame to lose a vessel for nothing. Besides, I knew how to get more value out of the operation, even if my plan differed somewhat from the admiral's own ideas.
Hm... how could I convince him?
Oh, I've got it.
"Perhaps we should begin by issuing an ultimatum and demanding their surrender?"
"With all due respect, Herald, that's foolish," Zhao replied in surprise. Hell, even the peacemaker Iroh raised an eyebrow at me. "The Water Tribe won't surrender as long as they have even the slightest hope. Besides, from what I've heard, the Avatar may be at the Pole as well. They greatly overestimate the significance of that boy, but as a symbol and a morale booster, he's quite powerful."
"Of course, Admiral," I nodded. "But afterward, no particularly clever historian will be able to accuse us of pulling off some dishonorable bandit attack. Historians are a peculiar breed—they'll seize any opportunity to distinguish themselves with an original interpretation of well-known events and drag anyone's name through the mud.
"And after a grand gesture like this, nobody will be able to claim we didn't offer them a choice, or that we struck dishonorably, like thieves in the night. Wasn't it your wish to have your name remembered by history? People do love a dramatic gesture."
"Hm... Perhaps," the fleet commander admitted, wavering. "But what's in it for you?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I said it was the remnants of my conscience speaking, would you?" The admiral merely smirked at that. "No, of course not... In truth, my interest is entirely practical. First, news that we offered them a chance to surrender will inevitably reach the Earth Kingdom, and it may well shake their resolve.
"It's one thing to fight to the death when you know we take no prisoners and hope to bring as many of our soldiers down with you as possible. It's quite another to throw yourself into a suicidal attack while knowing that your family, left without its breadwinner, might soon end up joining you on the other side—whereas if you'd surrendered now, there might have been another way.
"Hope is a very treacherous thing, Admiral. Sometimes desperation drives people to do what would otherwise seem impossible."
"And secondly?" he asked.
"Secondly... After we take the Pole, the fact that we originally offered a bloodless solution will greatly assist the occupation administration. A few fewer rebellions, a few fewer escapes and acts of sabotage. And a few more of our soldiers returning home alive. To me, that's not a bad trade for ten minutes of waving a flag and an hour of waiting, don't you think?"
"All right. I still think it's a waste of time, but we can afford to lose a couple of hours. Miran," the admiral called to his adjutant, "give the penal troops a truce flag. The Herald will provide the text of the ultimatum."
"It will be done!" the aide snapped to attention. "Master Chan?"
"Yes, come with me..."
***
A little later.
As expected, the shouting, flag-waving, call for negotiations, and delivery of the ultimatum accomplished nothing.
"Are you satisfied now, Herald?"
"More than satisfied, thank you, Admiral," I replied. Everything was proceeding according to plan.
"Adjutant, signal the start of the operation," the fleet commander ordered.
Barely half a minute later, the first volleys from our sacrificial lamb were launched toward the Water Tribe city. That finally got a response. The moment the first shells struck the fortifications, a nomad flew out of the city atop his flying bison. Heh, so I finally got to see the Avatar in person. The distance was a bit too great, though... which, personally, I couldn't help but appreciate.
The kid neutralized the cruiser in barely two minutes, and the teams of saboteurs that literally emerged from beneath the water finished the job by encasing the ship in an iceberg.
"Response time to the attack: less than ten minutes. Impressive." I lowered my spyglass. The admiral, the general, and I were once again standing on the bridge, observing the events unfold.
"They had far more time to prepare. It's impossible to approach with an entire squadron unnoticed. And your attempt at negotiations..." Zhao glanced at me but chose not to pursue the topic. "Still, their stupidity is astonishing. Revealing their saboteurs when the Avatar had already dealt with the target..."
"The Northern Tribe hasn't fought a war in a very long time, especially not on the defensive," Iroh contributed. "They simply don't know what they're supposed to do."
"Their problem. Their inexperience works in our favor," the commander grunted.
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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