|
Post by saghani on Jun 19, 2007 15:21:20 GMT -5
It was around midday at the North Pole, with the sun shining from the apex of its route through the sky above. The weather was calm today, with a steady northwestern wind and there was scant a cloud to be seen. If one simply looked at the sky, one would think it a peaceful day, but if one looked down, one’s opinion would change considerably. Fire flew from catapults and trebuchets as an armada of massive Fire Navy ships advanced towards an ice field, occupied by a much smaller patrol fleet of Water Tribe ships. The former was the attack fleet of Commodore Dian Tun, and the latter was a patrol group under the veteran Water Tribe commander Injuquaq and his second in command, Saghani. In less capable hands, the Water Tribe ships may have been slaughtered or retreated immediately, but instead they were putting up a fight. Granted, nothing too spectacular, but a fight nonetheless.
Flitting through the field of icebergs thanks to the waterbenders distributed among the ships, the Water Tribe ships weaved around enemy fire before stopping next an iceberg briefly and having the waterbenders launch a substantial chunk of it towards the fire nation ships. Now, they had neither enough waterbenders or waterbenders of power enough to launch large enough icebergs to actually hope in sinking more than one of the massive steel beasts they were confronting before their waterbenders were exhausted beyond use, being just a patrol group. So, instead, these very large chunks of ice were aimed at the decks of the Fire Navy ships, or more specifically, at their catapults and trebuchets. So far, they had been relatively successful in this regard, taking out a decent number of the weapons and Fire Nation soldiers along with them.
The strategy, naturally, had been Saghani’s, as he was the tactician of the group. If they could eliminate enough of the Fire Navy’s long ranged capabilities, then the rest of the Water Tribe military would have an excellent window of opportunity to counter attack and drive off the attackers if not eliminate them completely. At least, if they didn’t act like idiots and not give them enough reinforcements from the nearby Shai City to complete the job…
“Signal ‘The Whaler’ and ‘Kuruk’s Spear’ to switch targets to the leftmost destroyer. It still has most of its firing capabilities, and we want to spread this damage around as much as possible,” Saghani ordered a flag bearer calmly. “Make sure they know to pull back and use the gull evasive pattern when getting into position.”
As the flagbearer carried out his orders, a much less calm and much more intense voice bellowed out across the ship, that of Injuquaq, “Evasive to starboard at the helm! Bender’s, give us a push and get in position to snag that iceberg of the port side as we pass! Hop to it!”
As everyone moved about in carrying out their orders, Saghani felt a smirk form on his face. They might not sink any ships, but they were most certainly causing a fair amount of damage for such a small fleet. At the very least, they would give that Fire Navy commander quite the headache…
|
|
|
Post by nokose on Jun 19, 2007 19:33:15 GMT -5
Eight men hurled their arms in unison. Into the air flew a chunk of a ice cleaved from a nearby iceberg. Quickly molded into a rough looking spheroid, the enormously spinning object arc its way onto a frigates deck. For a moment the eight men remained silent, curiously straining their ears through the surrounding noise to hear the missile's landing.
"This may be how we should have fought the first time," Nokoseuhbholke stated as if it were a matter of fact.
His tone grave as he watched then repositioned his body. A signal for his men to do likewise as they then swept an arm across the air in unison. Slicing, above and below the water, into the rapidly dwindling, multi-spire, iceberg they used for ammunition. Cutting pieces from the iceberg and launching them at the attack Fire Nation naval fleet. Yet rather than cleaving and throwing the chunks as they were, under Nokose's orders he and his crew quickly formed each piece into a ball before sending them spinning at the fleet. Hoping that each one that landed upon the enemy decks bound and roll about the decks before finally coming to a halt. Aiding the Northern Water Tribes attempts at destroying their foe's long range ability and further reeking havoc upon the Fire Navy's decks and crews.
Indeed a much better strategy he believed, unlike their last during the previous assault by the Fire Nation. Facing what seemed to be a hundred or so ships, the majority of the superior officers in the Northern Water Tribe's military decided to allow the late Admiral Zhao's forces to tread forward towards the Shai City's walls with minimally strong resistance, if at all. Merely one of what seemed to be many flawed tactics that failed them those two days months ago.
And how risky did it prove to hold out for nightfall? Adding strength to their waterbending and hoping that it would solely aid in an effective counterattack while the Fire Nation armada crept ever closer to the walls.
We were not allowed to even freeze so much as a perimeter around the harbor, Nokose kept grimace in check as he and his subordinates began lifting a mass of the depeleting iceberg out of the water. Not wanting to focus on the past and its failures. Instead, he tried to keep himself tied to now. Focuses on the task at hand. He and his crew waving their arms about in a circle before lobbing another frozen ball towards their invaders.
A smirk was gently and slowly tugging at the corner of Nokose's lips. Rather than a constant retreat they were putting the Fire Nation into evasive action and eventually the defensive. Ships of iron and steel being held in check by boats made from bone and hide.
He half looked at his crew and shifted his body again while steadying himself upon the rocking sailless catamaran. Another wordless signal for them to begin pushing off towards the next available iceberg.
|
|
|
Post by dian on Jun 19, 2007 19:37:12 GMT -5
Proudly Commodore Dian Tun inhaled the late morning's arctic air. Tasting its contents as if were tea, for him today would be the beginning of a victorious campaign in this barbarian ridden arctic landscape. Holding in the climates chill with his clothing, armour, coat and heavy cape.
Some nineteen ships total, the fleet sailed towards the Northern Water Tribe's icy capital of Shai City. The heart of the North Pole dwelling inhabitants. Maliciously they treaded into the tribe's fishing waters. The four ship vanguard of the single, rotating catapult corvettes sped away from the task force. Two as point with one as wing the vessels began terrifying, and nearly giving chase, to the fishers and whalers who were on the water today. Evading and ultimately sucessful in drawing the attention of the partol boats already at sea, and once they gave chase the vanguard drew back. Back towards the greater fleet they fled, communicating an unspoken signal for the three frigates that were next in line. Speeding forward, the four trebuchets bolted to their decks began to open fire upon the city first defenders. Pulling them into a skirmish while allowing the four ship vanguard the chance to turn about and flank the Northern Water Tribesmen.
Viewing from the bridge's telescope of his captial ship, a destoryer vessel, Dian was pleased. Not so much as with the clear victory of their first engagement in so much as he was pleased with the fleet's cohesiveness. So thoroughly coordinated that not one order was given from his ship, nor did he see one order pass from ship to ship. The plan, and brief conclusion to the first engagement left no need for the other ships to move in. The three, six trebuchet destroyers, five lightly armed transport barges and their two single catapult corvette escort tailed behind as they all made their way closer to the city.
The pridefully boasting features upon Dian's face slowly thawed into a scowl. The approach of his task force slowed then finally halted. Not by the expected field of icebergs that protectively floated before the city's walls but by the sudden sally forth of the city's defenders. True this time would have been different from last, as the Northern Water Tribe was not facing dozens of Fire Nation's naval ships of the line. Dian and his men knew beforehand that they could not expect to travel so deep into their territory with the minor resistance they faced last time. But that made the arctic barbarians sudden ferocity no less surprising.
Rather than surge as close as they could to their vessels and lift them out of the very water to leave them stranded upon shelves of ice, the tribesmen's counter-offensive instead had their waterbenders hurling whole and pieces of icebergs at their aggressors. The barbarians, he noted, were solely trying to sink the vessels with their new strategy but actually aiming their lobs onto the decks. Attempting to destroy the siege artillery outright and actually fighting the four corvette vanguard and their three frigate compliment head on as the rest of the fleet held back, safely away from the fighting.
The knuckles of his yellow brown skin began to lighten and whiten as he gripped the pommel of his jian in frustration at what transpired before him.
Remain calm! He told himself as the midday sun began to shown down upon them. Forcefully exhaling into the arctic air while a corvette was pulling out, retreating towards them and into the rear as its only catapult was smashed. Gritting his teeth later as one of the frigates began to pull back. Signaling it had sustained heavy injuries, both to its hull and crew. A glance through the telescope viewed him to two of the foremost trebuchets gone and a third trying to be salvaged as men were either strewn on deck or being carried off while a party of firebenders were busy melting a broken ball of ice that had landed onto their deck and came to a stop near the third trebuchet.
Without looking, Dian called to his second in command. Hastily demanding of the two war balloons stored on his ship (the other ten stored upon the five transport barges in the fleet's rear) and now on deck to be prepped for immediate launch. The two contraptions, all read would be tethered to his destroyer, giving the illusion that their distance was tied closely to the ship. Meanwhile the war balloon's crews would rain down whatever aid they could from above. Pelting the defenders with crossbow bolts and fireballs from above and hopefully adding some relief to forewardmost ships that were attempting to not be put on the defensive.
"Have the destroyer set out to greet them," he then ordered. Referring to a flotilla of two or three of the Northern Water Tribesmen's flat boat vessels that was attempting to flank their way past Dian's arbitrary line of scrimmage and make for the the destoryer on their leftmost side. "Tell the captain to give them a full broadside but use all six. Also signal to the corvette nearest to them. I want the barbarians forced back and then pressed."
"If the tide fails to return in our favor", his gaze returning to the telescope, "then we must form a defensive position where we are now. No use in pushing ourselves to far if that means loosing our entire artillery compliment! Let the barbarians believe they have us pinned for now."
|
|
|
Post by tsumao on Jun 19, 2007 23:15:35 GMT -5
The voyage north from Chameleon Bay had been a restful one for Mao, he had given one of the veteran engineers his position temporarily while he had rested below deck. During the trip he and the other non-combatant forces were trained to use a crossbow to further their usefulness to the navy. While the crossbow was new to Mao and the others, they didn't take much time to learn, and they soon were shooting quite accurately.
As they reached the frozen north all of the soldiers were instructed to put on warmer clothing, Mao wore thick layers of brown bear fur underneath his crisp new naval uniform, which was black and had a red fire nation insignia on the back. Over his head he wore a dark brown shapeless cap and his usual metallic face mask. Mao was freezing cold, but he was still happy to be here, he was making history. Today was the beginning of a new era of piece for the poor savages who had oppressive rulers that kept them locked away in this icy prison, his bomb would put an end to that rule...
Mao was given a surprising order to ready the two war balloons, the big ones, to be tethered on to the ship and engage the enemy from afar. It was a genius plan, so with no argument he and a crew of soldiers readied the balloons for action tethering them firmly to steel bearings on the ship. Mao got in the balloon that was to float to the west, it filled up quickly with three elite firebenders and eight soldiers with loaded crossbows. The east balloon filled up with five firebenders, four soldiers, and three engineers.
They flew up high in the air, high enough so that their distance would remain a mystery to the savages. They began advancing closer and closer to the battle field, their target was the waterbenders themselves. As they got within range of one of the small water tribe ships they began raining bolts and fire at the deck, if they could kill all the benders moving the ship along then it would be immobilized.
Mao brought his own bag of tricks with him, launching small smoke bombs from his crossbow as far as he could at the waterbenders who stood at a far distance on an iceberg, he hoped to obstruct their vision as best as he could, to provide his fellows on the ships bellow with at least some sort of cover. He fired into the air and many of them did not go off in the water, but the ones that landed on small sheets of ice went off and made plums of smoke as well as the ones that detonated in the air.
Mao's mind was racing, the last time he had this much fun was back when he was pioleting a tank, with Aran. He never thought he would make it this far without his friend by his side, but it looked as if maybe he had done alright for himself. After all, who else got to see things like this unfold from such a beautiful veiw?
|
|
|
Post by aden on Jun 20, 2007 15:50:55 GMT -5
The smoke of the Fire Nation fleet had been visible on the horizon for the past several days. The Water Tribe ships, despite the aid of bending, had not been able to close the distance quickly enough to catch the steam-powered fleet. And yet, as the air grew colder the further north they sailed, each man of the war party knew that they were drawing closer and closer to home.
By dawn of that day, the Fire Nation ships had all but reached the outskirts of Shai City. The icebergs floating around the frozen fortress had slowed them down somewhat, but they were still leagues away by the time the first blazing arcs of artillery fire became visible. At that point, every last bender on the dhows lent their strength into propelling the ships faster. All the while, Hissun was calling out orders to his men.
With only a few hundred yards between them and the relatively unguarded rear of the enemy fleet, the longboat that they had carried with them was lowered into the water and loaded with half a dozen waterbenders. Unfortunately, Aden was not among them men chosen for the task and was relegated to helping keep the dhows safe from enemy fire as they swung around the battle. The dhows would weave through the denser ice fields to the sides of the city's bay, and get safely behind the walls.
Aden remained at his post along the starboard side of the ship, lending speed to his dhow with rythmic sweeps of his hands as he watched his kinsmen do battle against the steel ships. However, his eyes were drawn skyward by the presence of a pair of massive red balloons hovering over the battlefield. Large baskets hung underneath their crimson hides, and Firebenders and bowmen had begun to rain fire down on the Northern defenders. The young waterbender's brow furrowed as he watched the scene, and he realized soon that the valiant men putting up a fight would be forced to retreat. There was no counter to an enemy who could claim the high ground on an open sea. They needed to put up a defense, he figured. Blockade the bay and wait for nightfall when they could deal greater damage.
**********************************************************************
Hissun himself led the small longboat full of benders as they sped quickly through the water. With such a small boat and so many bends powering it, it was practically a tuna fish swimming among manatee. Several large, unarmed ship sthat the war chief figured to be cargo vessels or transports were gathered at the center of the fleet's back line. Smaller warships flanked their side, but once they got in between the transports they would be immune to the artillery unless the Fire Nation disregarded the risk of friendly fire.
As they approached a few warning bells were rung, but the longboat was moving far too fast. They were upon the first vessel before an effective volley of artillery fire could be organized. With the practiced efficiency of an elite military unit, the waterbenders raised their arms in unison as the water beneath the ship began to crystalize and rise up into a layer of ice. The benders kept up they're efforts, lifting up and letting the ice spread until nearly the entire half of the ship was coated in a thick layer of ice that was beginning to tip the ship on its side.
Though they couldn't see it, the severe angle had already caused some unfortunate sailors to tumble right over the railing along with a few loose crates of supplies. However, as the ship was nearing a 30° tilt and preparing to capsize, crossbow bolts began peppering the water around the longboat. One of the benders let out a yell as a bolt struck him in the back, and Hissun immediately shouted for a defense. Another of the men raised up a wall of water around the boat and froze it into a solid barricade. Bolts contiued to rain down, and even a few fire blasts though they dissippated before reaching them. "We must retreat," Hissun ordered, "Straight through the fleet... Link up with the defenders."
The longboat sped off once more, moving easily around 30 knots through the water and presenting a nigh unhittable target to the soldiers that watched them pass from the rails of their ships.
|
|
|
Post by chamir on Jun 20, 2007 22:26:11 GMT -5
For Chamir Osahar, the voyage to the North Pole was one that mustered and stirred his emotions. Contentment, apprehension, sorrow and nostalgia alternated and wound around one another like twined rope.
Growing colder as the air did the further north they sailed, delighting in its frigid taste as each breath he took was visible before him, Chamir took part in an activity for a purpose he felt had not been done in ages. Donning on his arctic outerwear, fur-lined cerulean blue trousers and down stuffed cerulean blue anorak with its white trims, cuffs and shoulder tufts, not for the purpose of a substitue sleeping bag as he done during his journey back through the Earth Kingdom. But as actual clothing.
Even if the Northern Water Tribe was not his natal home, it was still a home of people much like him who for a few years he grew up with and grew to love. Return to them was as if a beacon was lit before him. Welcoming his coming return. But the peace offered him still had its remembered sorrows for him. Yet there would be tranquility nonetheless.
But for several days, clear in the days but no less there at nights, they followed an ominous cloud of smoke and soot that threatened the very ideal of a home Chamir held in his mind. Even with the use of waterbenders and the occasional wind at their backs, the two bone and hide dhows loaned from his natal kinsmen in the Southern Water Tribe could not overtake the enemy Fire Nation fleet.
Always trailing behind.
The continual sight as they raced onward slowly molded Chamir's dread to an outraged then righteous anger that swelled within him. At most times eating away in his mind as he stood watch at the bow, or front, of the dhow during his shift. His actions changing from a clench jaw to gnawing on the inside of his cheeks to opening and clenching his fists from time to time.
Now, Chamir was never one to consider himself vengeful person. Maybe holding a grudge (and against the Fire Nation there were more than a fair amount) at the most, but that often seemed to be it. However, ever since he joined Aden and his Nortern kinsmen, each affront he was able to bring against the Fire Nation felt like the fulfilment of some act of form of vengence. And he was beginning to enjoy it.
Even at the sight of the fiery arcs from afar, of the Fire Nation attacking Shai City, his feelings did not dwindle. Almost intensified. Though hurt at not being a bender, and thus not join Hissun on his brief mission to attack the enemy rear in the borrowed long boat while the dhows journeyed around the battlefield towards the city itself, Chamir still held optimism in his chance to fight. To avenge those of his people the Fire Nation had wronged.
And affront them yet again.
|
|
|
Post by ryota on Jun 21, 2007 0:19:42 GMT -5
The North Pole would be exciting, no doubt. His sister tribe, the cousins from the top of the world, so to speak. An exciting thought. But first came the assuredly epic battle. 'Twas the whole reason why they were there in the first place. Ryota stood by the stern of the dhow, near a good deal of tangle mines that probably would be of good use later on. Even devices of that minute a size could potentially take down one of the larger Fire Navy destroyers. Or perhaps more than one would be needed. He wasn't even sure if the other dhows had any on board, now that he thought of it.
Though the grand tiered city was well within view, the relatively slow movement of the dhows seemed to make time drag onward in an unpleasantly slow manner. Probably because anticipation for a good fight welled up within Ryota's mind, as well. White fur from his parka's hood tickled against his head as he sat. It had been a while since he wore the thick coat. He felt like a polar bear all clad in heavy clothing, but at least it prove to be of excellent use later on. Ryota never felt bothered by the cold for most of his life, but his lengthy stay in the much-warmer Earth Kingdom for the preceding year or two had made him partially forget true cold felt like.
Oval-shaped cerulean eyes glared upward, hardly veiled by a few wavy clumps of hair hanging down over his eyes. These could clearly see fragments of the grand tiered city, obscured by parts of large metal vessels or even fellow passengers standing in his way. This heightened his longing to enter into battle, but he had to be patient. Surely the returning Northerners would be valiant in battle, but he knew he, Chamir, and the other Southerners would get to fight. But he always kept a window of doubt open in the back of his head, allowing the breezes of uncertainty to drift inside. Even if he didn't have the opportunity to engage in battle, at least he would get to see the Northern Water Tribe's great city that he had heard so much about growing up. The ice fortress that no one could break through. But all he had to do was wait, for time would unfurl a much grander story.
|
|
|
Post by nati on Jun 21, 2007 6:22:32 GMT -5
Nati had little idea how she should feel on this day, the second Siege in mere months. The old wounds had hardly healed; the black sleet brought the memories flooding back, the cousin she had lost, and the uncle made blind. Kian was calm and aloof, sharpening his axe and daggers, and then spent a few hours alone meditating. Nati and her mother had spend most of the early morning packaging away their valuable belongings, and then burying them in the living area floor, lest the house fall to any thieves during this attack. Few words passed between the family members, Mother feared she would loose her beloved children and husband.
Nati and Kian could not look at each other, knowing their duties lay near the frontlines, and perhaps it was best they tired to separate themselves emotionally, so the impact of death was not so hard. But she could not do that. Next came the evacuation of Mother and the other females to safe house deep in the city. Nati managed to let go of her mother as fled the scene of weeping woman, lest she be brought to tears herself.
Nati and Kian prepared themselves in silence for the battle. Nati changed with shaky hands into loose deep blue trousers, tucking them into her thick boots. Her long hair was gathering into a low bun, so nothing could get in her face. Nati cared little for the exposed birthmark on her neck, focusing only getting ready. Her normally richly decorated robe was replaced by a plain cornflower robe, tied at the waist with a white sash. Nati then readied her water skin, packets of herbs and a large supply of wrapping.
She didn’t even shed a tear when Kian wrapped his strong arms around her, holding his sister for a long time, and finally they separated ,Kian report to the warrior’s station and receive his orders, and Nati to the healer’s hut to wait patiently for the first injured to arrive. There was a nervous air around the woman, some girls young as 17 were enlisted to help. Nati felt for the small vile of oasis water tucked into her waistband, some water she had wrongfully taken from the oasis, last time she had gone to pray.
Selfishly, she was going to save this water for her brother if he was injured.
|
|
|
Post by saghani on Jun 23, 2007 0:54:10 GMT -5
The three ship group, The Whaler, Kuruk’s Spear and the ship Saghani was on swung around to engage the destroyer ship, firing off an initial volley of ice balls as they closed the distance. One trebuchet went down immediately, and a second was knocked off balance, firing off its fiery payload as it swung around wildly. The out of control trebuchet took out a chunk of the ship’s side and sent a few soldiers flying, but the ship’s integrity was far from compromised. It retaliated furiously, nearly hitting Kuruk’s Spear full on and knocking the ship into a small iceberg with the shockwave, forcing it to pull back and recover before moving back into the fray. However, the ship was then riddled with projectiles, knocking several men to the deck or overboard as they were felled. Looking upwards, Saghani saw the cause of this rising high into the sky: the war balloons.
Saghani raised an eyebrow at the new flying contraptions that rose from the apparent flagship of the fleet. They looked rather odd. Despite their size, they didn’t seem capable of holding that many people. Still, their tactical advantage was obvious. Despite this, Saghani smiled. He had been wondering why this attacking fleet was so small compared to the last one, and this seemed to be the reason. This was the Fire Nation’s trump card. They were probably planning use them to drop blasting jelly onto Shai City from on high or some such thing. That they had revealed them so soon was a good sign of how successful he and his forces were doing. They’d backed them into a bit of a corner already. Not only that, but reinforcements seemed to have arrived out of nowhere. At first, he wondered where they could have come from, but suddenly it fit: it was the expedition force that Hissun had led, they had returned, and not a moment too soon. With this added element, they may be able to win. Injuquaq, however, did not seem to be sharing Saghani’s confidence in the matter, cursing loudly as the balloons rained projectiles down towards the Water Tribe ships.
“Change course! Pull back from the destroyer and prepare to retreat!” he barked furiously, igniting Saghani’s own emotions.
“Don’t be a fool, sir, we have to hold,” Saghani retorted with a decided edge to his voice. “This is them acting in desperation. If we endure this new assault and continue to deal them damage the day will be ours. Now is not the time for cowardice.”
“Hold your tongue, boy! I will not stand for your lip when I have given a direct order,” growled Injuquaq, getting in Saghani’s face with gritted teeth and fire in his eyes. “If you are wrong, then we will lose too many men, and even if you are right we could lose a good amount. The stakes are too high. Unless you can think of a way to attack those things, then we are retreating immediately!”
For a moment Saghani and Injuquaq had a something of a stare-down, but Saghani soon broke it and addressed their flag bearer, “We’re retreating. Signal The Whaler, Kuruk’s Spear and that longboat to follow us around the rear of their vanguard forces, we should have a clear path to it. Have some of the benders try to freeze their rudders and propellers as we pass to stall them, and signal the other ships to do the same.”
The orders were quickly relayed to the other ships, and the four vessels pulled away from the destroyer group and made their way speedily towards the rear of the Fire Navy’s vanguard group. As they passed, several benders on each vessel sent streams of ice towards the bottom of the ship’s stern, freezing most of their rudders and propellers. The firebenders would be able to melt them, but it would at least stall the ships for a time. As the group swung around the opposite flank of the Fire Navy vanguard, more signals were sent to the other ships and they began to pull back, each ship dragging an iceberg with them. Joining into a group, the benders sprang into action, using the ocean water around the icebergs to fuse them together and reinforce them, creating a crude but decently sized wall between them and the Fire Navy fleet. With that done, the benders refocused on powering the ships, moving at full speed towards Shai City and joining up with the two dhows as they neared the city gates.
The first phase of the battle had come to an end.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back at the Shai City military docks, the weary defenders tended to their wounds and equipment. Injuquaq, with Saghani right behind him, made his way towards Hissun and his group, who had just loaded the longboat back onto the dhow.
“Welcome back, Hissun. It seems like you were able to link up with our southern brethren after all,” Injuquaq greeted solemnly before gesturing to Saghani. “You may remember my lieutenant, Saghani…for better or worse.”
The younger officer merely nodded in response, hands behind his back and toneless expression on his face as per usual. Saghani had an amount of respect for Hissun, since he had actually take the initiative to give the Northern Water Tribe a more active role in the war. As such, he had tried to get himself onto the expedition, only to be denied by command. This had, after all, occurred shortly after his highly public demotion back down to lieutenant, and no one seemed to think that letting a potential loose canon like Saghani out of the sight of the big brass would be a particularly good idea.
|
|
|
Post by nokose on Jun 23, 2007 18:28:33 GMT -5
"Forward shield! Overhead!" Nokose demanded. His voice nearly shrieking over the yells of other men and roars of incoming balls of pitch. Slamming a foot forward and lifting his hands, palm upwards towards him before splaying his fingers.
Aided by two other men in his crew a panel of water arose before the sail-less catamaran's front, or bow, before arcing over their heads and soldifying into domed shield of ice almost resembling a turtle shell.
With the freezing of a crossbow bolt in place just as it traveled through the raised arc of water while its companions merely rebounded off the icy obstruction or pelted the water around them, Nokose and his crew quickly returned to their tasks at hand. Ignoring the tail end of crossbow bolts that out of their vessel's deck and a few that had made their into the parkas or overpants of their clothing. Nearly piercing or nowhere close to reaching the soft flesh of their wearers as they were bombarded from above.
The bombardment became even more dangerous as the latest iceberg they were using to lob volleys at the invading fleet was struck and began to smoke. Soon the smoke began to billow and obstruct their view of the battlefield. Covering a mildly wide swath of the area that was eventually peppered with stray shots from crossbows, benders and artillery.
Nokose's crew was quickly pushed into retreat, slowed as a nearby catamaran and crew were tossed overboard and another was struck with a direct hit. Spheres of ignited pitch bursting through the smokescream, roaring as they chased after the tribesmen. Seeking them out as Nokose and his men quickly drug water towards their vessel, pulling and crowding their single deck, twin-hulled, waterbending powered boat with surviving comrades thrown into the arctic waters before trying to speed off again.
Nokose and three men kept to the task of steering and defending their craft while the others tended to those fished out of the drink. Pulling water from their clothing to dry them, resuscitating or applying a sort of waterbending first aid learned in basic training; soothing burns or holding back the onset of hypothermia.
Pulling away from the battlefield before the signal was given for a full retreat, Nokose and his men unoccupied with the task of caring for the injured watched as rest of the nation's fleet followed them. Some trailing an iceberg around them they began using as some sort of barrier.
"This will not end well," speaking to himself as the catamaran made streamed its way under Shai City's wall.
|
|
|
Post by dian on Jun 23, 2007 18:31:23 GMT -5
"Marvelous," Dian admitted.
The scene playing before him through the telescope was making up for a sudden and unexpected intrusion as given by the incoming reports. A single, waterbender propelled longboat had somehow slipped around to the very rear of his fleet. Weaving inbetween the transports to nullify artililery less Dian's men risk friendly fire. Thankfully the assailant vessel was expediently chased away before it could cause any further damage. Only managing to partially tip the starboard, or right side, of a single transport out of the water. Rendering her motionless unless she tried scrapping her hull to pull herself off. As of now firebenders were being lowered along the side to melt the ice while other crewmembers sought to rescue those tossed overboard from the sudden tilt as a defending corvette attempted to give chase to the quickly fleeing longboat. Breaking off after the small enemy vessel was far enough away and rejoined the two dhow accompaniment before reporting back to the fleet.
It seemed that the attacking vessel was not from the barbarians they were facing before them but launched from the two sailing vessels spotted almost a week ago. Tailing them as Dian's fleet powered northward to here, Shai City. Commodore Dian Tun knew that those two vessels would eventually catch up to him but had never suspected that they would dare to even launch an attack. But his mind rested easy as the results of their assault was only miniscule at best. The single boat's minor accomplishment could not balance out the havoc his fleet was wrecking upon the belated barbarians' comrades.
Others would likely to disupte Dian's tactic. That he should have sent out another ship or two into the fray. But launching two war balloons stored on his personal, capital ship was a somewhat calculated intent on his part. Using two of the carried dozen and have them connected to ropes tethered to his ship. Let the barbarians guess at their number and believe that their overall distance depended on the ship if their minds were that easily swayed. He wanted to demoralize the arctic barbarians that called themselves the Northern Water Tribe. Instill her soldiers with apprehension that the Fire Nation had an even higher ground upon the seas with their newest invention. Feed her citizens with more further fear that they could not go back to their normal lives again as they faced a new siege only months after the first.
And what he watched now was only the beginning of that intent as he scanned about the Water Tribe vessels closest to his fleet. Waterbenders and nonbenders alike falling over or taking cover somehow. Their vessels thrown into evasive action or pulling back as fireballs and crossbow bolts rained upon them from above. For a moment his eyebrow raised in puzzlement, taking his eye away from the telescope and casting them upwards as smoke was obstructing his view.
"Well done, Chief," he stated, "clever idea it is." Covering his hand as he eyes squinted. Chief engineer Mao was also raining smokebombs upon the barbarian vessels as well. Aiming them at the vessels themselves or the icebergs they were using as ammunition against the fleet. Deadly the black smoke turned out to be as it obstructed the Water Tribesmen view. Not only making them targets for stray shots but also obstructing their view from incoming fire both from the war balloons above and the ironclads in front.
After minutes of this treacherous bombardment Dian storked the full length of his beard. A guffaw resonanted from his belly and a tide of cheers rose from the decks of his destroyer and washed onto the decks of the rest of his fleet. The arctic barbarians began to pull back and then recede from the battlefield in full retreat. Even the two corvette temporarily frozen dead in the water began to cheer and even laugh as the Water Tribesmen fled, towing with icebergs as they did.
"Clever little barbarians," eyes shifting to and from the telescope as he ordered for the war balloons to be brought in. Who may have been becoming a tad over eager as they were beginning to slowly chase after the fleeing enemy. Taking further potshots at them as they departed the fleet. With aided and naked eye, Dian watched almost in amazement at the tribesmen's delay tactic. Fusing the icebergs they towed with them to for a makeshift, crescent barrier some distance before the city wall.
"They're learning," sarcastically grinning as his comment was drowned out by the cheers of his crew. "The barbarians may actually have some true intelligence afterall. This may almost be fun," further commenting as he signaled for attention.
"Relay to all ships and their crews!" His voce rang loud enough to be heard across most of the ship's deck. "Despite the unexpected in this engagement, you have all handled yourselves well. My deepest condolences to those of our comrades lost during this engagement. Brave men without a doubt and their sacrifices must not be forgotten nor have been in vain. We must ensure that. And above all, I am no less than estatic to you all fighting by my side. Victory Fire Nation!"
An applause of cheers and bouts of flame shot into the air as response. Patiently, Dian stood until their emotions begin to subside.
"Consider this victory the first in winning streak for our campaign," he continued. "And with that we must get ourselves in order--AT ONCE!" Beginning to issue commands.
"We set up 'camp' here. But do not drop anchors just yet! I want as many firebenders as can be spared to unfreeze the ships left dead in the water. Proceed to move all transport barges here, as central location and form a crescent perimeter around them. Three tiered with corvettes on the furthest edge followed by the frigates then destroyers as our innermost perimeter. Begin hauling forth from below decks and transports' supplies to begin whatever repairs are needed, especially to your artillery. Start with what can be repaired for now then work on replacements," he then pointed to the Northern Water Tribe's crude secondary wall.
"Within the next hour I want an available corvette to scout along that wall. While they're at it, have them estimate an accurate distance from that wall to the city's wall. Before sundown I want rotating shift to bombard the city walls while being still being a safe distance from that iceberg wall. And..." lifting a finger before sending his messengers to work in relaying all of this to the fleet.
"Tell the transports to prep the war balloons and their crews. Ready at a moment's notice."
|
|
|
Post by tsumao on Jun 23, 2007 21:00:56 GMT -5
Mao grinned at the fleeing water tribe members as they were pulled into the ship. They were like cowardly little worms retreating into their hole as the bird came to devour them. Mao had fallen in love with this new weapon, it was his pride and joy, and he was honored that he was one of the first of the Fire Nation to get to fight in one. Flying itself was fascinating to him, being so high up in the air inspired him with awe. Mao decided that when he got back home, he was going to try to further his nations dabbling in aerodynamics.
Once they where pulled in the two war balloon parties where greeted with a roar and applause. They had driven back the savages and they where heroes. As Mao pulled his mask up they could see his proud and somewhat goofy smile. The soldiers lined up to give them handshakes and pats on the back. Their fame was short lived however, as the commodore took the spot light, Mao felt great all the same.
The commodores speech was small and direct, Mao and the others had to be ready as soon as possible to leave. That meant that the five balloon formation would come to the flagship soon and the bomb would be loaded into the center. The balloons landed steadily on the deck of the ship, they where the small version that could fit maybe four or five people. The crew landed and went to go eat some food while they waited to depart.
Mao, however did not stop to eat. He went downstairs into the room where he kept his precious little baby, his bomb. He polished it lovingly and began adding a fresh coat of paint to the black Fire Nation symbol on the front. Pride radiated from Mao as he stood alone wit his bomb, he had spent many nights working on this bomb to end all bombs. He was shocked that he would finally be saying goodbye to it. Mao spent about half an hour down their with a silent stare at the bomb, he would be the one to deliver this little beauty right on that tyrants doorstep, ending the evil regime that plotted to destroy the fire lord. But Mao would share this honor, or he would try to at least.
He headed up the stairs and made his way to the commodore. He was in a cheerful mood and so a big grin was on his face. He saluted the commodore respectfully.
"Sir, it would be an honor if you would share with me the delight of dropping the bomb on the palace sir." He spoke loudly,"and I was wondering if you would like to come downstairs and celebrate our victory with the rest of the crew." he said informally, hoping he wouldn't get in trouble.
|
|
|
Post by aden on Jun 23, 2007 23:36:46 GMT -5
“You may remember my lieutenant, Saghani…for better or worse.” Hissun bowed to his fellow commander Injuquaq and then toward the younger officer. Saghani's reputation preceded him, though Hissun was unwilling to underestimate the boy's cunning. As he stood on the edge of the dock behind the city walls, men were busily unloading the dhows all around him and finding ways to make themselves useful.
"Always a pleasure," Hissun said, standing up straight and stepping one foot out wide so he could turn himself to look towards the city wall and the trails of smoke visible beyond them. "Though pleasantries seem a bit moot at this point... What is state of the army? Are we prepared for a siege?"
********************************************************
Aden and the other returning members of the war party made swift work of the task of unloading the dhow. They formed a line of warriors and began handing off their cargo from one to the other before dropping them onto a ramp of ice that guided them onto solid ground where another would carry them to another destination or simply store them off to the side to decide on a final location some other time.
All the while, he kept stealing glances deeper into the city. His gaze flitted around the houses and avenues along the base of the city's rising slopes. Somewhere down there was his home, and perhaps still inside were his parents. He could see the trails of citizens making their way towards the underground shelters that were buried deep under the ice. His mother might be among them, but he suspected his father was somewhere else, perhaps consulting with one of the warchiefs. In the previous siege, Aden recalled his father working nonstop with the other utility benders to repair damaged canals, walls, and buildings.
Within minutes, the dhow he had sailed in on had been unloaded of all its useful cargo and the warriors had begun to disembark the vessel after securing it to the dock with a combination of rope and ice. Aden started off the ship and began meandering his way toward the edge of the crowd, still looking toward his home. He stopped on the fringe, though, realizing that he should at least find out if he was still needed before going AWOL. Turning back, he caught sight of one of Hissun's lieutenants and started towards him.
"Sir," he said, stopping a few feet away and barely managing a bow in his hurry, "Are we needed further?"
The officer tore his glance away from the actions of the rest of the war party for a moment to face Aden. After a moment of looking between Hissun and the dhows, the officer spoke, "Wait for orders from Hissun. Our unit may be divided and used to reinforce the existing ones here."
Aden allowed a slight groan to escape, signaling his frustration, though he nodded his understanding and said, "Sir..." before moving off to go stand elsewhere. Nearby, he managed to catch sight of Chamir and Ryota and decided to occupy himself by making sure the Southern vistors were finding their place in this battle as well.
|
|
|
Post by chamir on Jun 24, 2007 20:35:22 GMT -5
"Good afternoon men and gentlemen from down south!" Chamir cuffed his hands as he stood at the bow belonging to one of the two Southern Water Tribe dhows on loan. His voice echoing through the walls of the sheer ice tunnel underneath Shai City's main wall, leading into the city's interior. As the combined, thought small, force of Northern and Southern Water Tribesmen gathered from the Earth Kingdom sailed towards the city's docks, ahead of the now retreating Northern Water Tribe fleet, Chamir cheerfully attempted to lessen the mood of present.
"My name is Chamir Chandrakant Osahar! Yes, that Chamir--fabled azure clad warrior, brown skin charmer. Grinning heart warmer and Southern bred lover," he was also attempting to brighten himself as well. "But for today I will be your guide in this home away from home. And with that allow me to welcome you to the Northern Water Tribe capital of Shai City!" Hoping his voice could be well heard on the second dhow as he attempted to make light of what seemed to be a dire situation. At least outside the walls for now.
"A place with almost as much grace and luxuriance as its women!" He then paused for a moment to let loose a rumbling growl. Reminiscent to that of the tiger-seals from the South Pole but with a suggestively flirtratious undercurrent to it.
As the city's waterbenders operating the canal locks went to work, Chamir pointed and talked the two dhows in a brief introductory tour of the sloping upwards city crafted of ice and snow. Pointing out various landmarks from the main palace to even the plain avenues and canal that they Northern Tribesmen took for granted. The North Pole's Shai City was a vastly different place compared to what remained of the South Pole's Shuen City.
And they were here fighting to make certain it would stay that way. Ensuring that Shai City would not become like their home in the South Pole as they stood in the presence of another Fire Nation siege. No sooner did they begin a minor part of that great task once the both dhows had docked. Swiftly unloading useful cargo for possible use elsewhere, making certain the Northerners who had not sailed with them were quite careful in their handling of the tangle mines both ships brought with them. The task and anixious milling about afterwards almost draining whatever cheer Chamir could encourage among his comrades from both tribes.
"Well," nudging Ryota beside him and trying to remain upbeat even as he glimpsed the faint trails of smoke that rose over the city walls. "Now the fun and heroics can begin now, eh?"
|
|
|
Post by ryota on Jun 25, 2007 1:03:58 GMT -5
Though struck with a certain awe during the entrance into the city, while going under the frozen tunnel which soon revealed multitudes of ice structures layering the tiered city, Ryota was conspicuously quiet. His eyes were drawn toward everything in sight, amazed at the glory of Shai City. Chamir was talking his head off, but while his fellow kinsman chattered away, Ryota stood by the dhow's railing, utterly absorbed in his surroundings and hearing virtually nothing Chamir was saying to those aboard the vessel. It was probably nothing too important anyway...
The city was astonishing through Ryota's oval-shaped eyes, but now was not a time to let one's mind dawdle with such things. Battle was indeed imminent, and Ryota tried his best to shift back into focus. The dhows docked and the warriors exited, with assistance from local men who helped unload the vessels.
He chuckled softly at Chamir's remark as he stepped off the dock, followed by a simple "Yeah..." However, once the sole of his mukluk hit the ice, his foot seemed to fly out from under him. His balance gone entirely, he plummeted onto the ice, right onto his posterior. In a daze, he sat for a few seconds and chuckled again while some warriors stole short, confused glances at the chubby Southerner.
He realized it had been a while since he walked on a packed ice floor. He was reminded of home, but only the fondest of thoughts graced his mind. He tucked his legs inward so that he wouldn't be much more trouble, and raised his eyes upward to the six-foot-tall Chamir. "Wow, that brought back memories..." he said as a smile endowed his round face, his eyes squinted whimsically. "Can I get a hand?" escaped his lips in a friendly tone, his hand raised toward the storytelling lothario, hoping for help with this most insignificant of ordeals. Interrupting his own train of thought, he saw his Northern friend Aden approaching, the teenager with his usual expression like a lifeless mask carved from ice. He waved the very hand at Aden while still on the floor, exclaiming "Hello, Aden!"
|
|