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Post by nati on Jul 16, 2007 13:46:42 GMT -5
Nokose gives a curt nod as an answer to her question, and Nati is then left to stand for a moment. Her eyes dart to study the boat when he started to talk about keeping her head even. She listened; about to open her mouth to make a comment, then shut it at the last moment, thinking it best not to sour the already low mood. Nati managed to nod in slight agreement with Nokose’s belief. But deep down, she felt the purging of emotions was terrifying, the thought of not feeling, when she had great capacity to feel was a unsettling one.
Nati felt that if he went on speaking in such a monotone voice, her eye lid would threaten to droop, and the slight annoyance that this man, having never met her was giving her a lecture on how she should be behaving! But, she was too sick with worry to be affronted on what was such a trivial matter, and he did in fact have a good point.
A loud, shrill whistle startled Nati, her body momentarily tensing, her dark eyes flashing with fright, before her head told her it was nothing, simply another command being relayed. She took that moment as Nokose stood from his kneeling position to let her eyes skim over his physical appearance, and had decided he wasn’t the conventional handsome that was fashionable, but different enough to be attractive, though she wasn’t in the correct mindset to admire.
Her brother’s name was boomed in a loud voice, quickly making her realise that this was the Nokose under which her brother served. Her brother had relayed vague details about his superior, also making Nati remember that she had in-fact seen Nokose about on his gondolier.
“They’ve fared well under your command, I am glad my brother is on your crew, it appears your quick defence-“ Nati gestured to the turtle like shape of ice frozen over the boat. “-saved a few from serious injury.
"I keep telling my crew it would be far more fetching if it had a woman's touch."
And despite the tone of voice Nokose spoke in, Nati caught hold of the meaning, and slight dry sense of humour present by Nokose. She manages a grim smile, her features softening a little before she made her reply.
“I rather doubt there is much a woman’s hand may do for such a vessel, other than to add a new rug or paint it a garish colour.”
Nati suddenly hears someone call her name, to which she turns her head sharply to see a fellow healer waving a hand in the air. She bows her head to Nokose.
“Forgive me, the Healer’s duty calls, I am needed at the infirmary.”
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Post by saghani on Jul 17, 2007 14:29:29 GMT -5
The expressions of the Southerners did not go unnoticed as Saghani listened to the other Northerner's suggestion. He did nothing to hide his displeasure, a small frown showing on his face as the other party spoke. Of course the smell would be bad and making new mines would be preferable, that was obvious to anyone (albeit Saghani wasn't sure what would be stopping them from simply plugging up their noses). If they weren't facing attack right now in the present, that would have been his first suggestion. As it stood, however, time was of the essence, and creating new shells quickly enough to be of use would be a task in itself. Still, there would be no helping it if the Southerners did not approve, as they would be absolutely necessary for either method of creating the weapons.
Unfortunately, before anyone could continue, the Southerners and those with them were called away to be reassigned. Scoffing, Saghani did an about face and scanned the area for Injuquaq. Finding him, he strode up to his commanding officer and adressed him.
"Injuquaq," he greeted prompting a growl from the man, as often happened when Saghani neglected to adress him more formally. "It is absolutely vital that we get those Southerners in our unit."
"Vital? How so?" the man questioned skeptically.
"They brought with them some unique weaponry and skills, and if they are assigned anywhere else they may not be used properly,"continued Saghani. "Do all in your power to get them into our unit."
After a moment of pause to study his subordinate, Injuquaq sighed, "Very well, I'll see what I can do."
"I will also be acquiring some supplies," Saghani said, met with a few moments of silent glowering before adding. "With your permission...sir."
Recieving a grudging affirmative from Injuquaq, Saghani again strode off, this time looking for the unit's representative to the quartermaster. Finding him checking the weapons supply, Saghani approached.
"See those devices?" he said, pointing to some of the mines left behind in the rush. "Find out what those shells are made of. Then, bring as much of those materials you can acquire along with an equal amount of whale oil, and any kind of sharpened pieces of bone and metal you can get from the armory brought to warehouse twelve. It will be empty for you."
The man gave a puzzled look, but when it was met with nothing but seriousness, saluted and went about his task. If the man managed to get enough material, and the southerners were brought into the unit, there was a chance this idea still might work. In fact, it could work even better than before with the whale oil instead of the skunkfish oil. After all, skunkfish oil might smell foul, but whale oil had a fairly potent property of its own. Saghani allowed himself a small smile. The Fire Nation wouldn't know what hit them...literally.
With that, he set about organizing the unit as Injuquaq left to where the soldiers were being reassigned in an attempt to get the Southerners into his unit.
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Post by nokose on Jul 21, 2007 0:59:17 GMT -5
“Forgive me, the Healer’s duty calls, I am needed at the infirmary.”
"Understood," congenially bowing to her. "My apologies for keeping you," letting her go on her way.
Scant moments passed while Nokoseuhbholke vacantly watched Nati hustle off towards the infirmary, his ears far more attentive to the background noise about him than his eyes were towards her. Eventually, his attention was turned fully towards matters currently at hand, one of the warriors running back and forth amongst everyone about the docks spoke to Nokose in turn. Announcing news of a general meeting and reassignments that was to take place within the city's barracks, to which Nokose was amongst those that would have to report in for.
Casually he called forth the remaining members of vessels by name, his eyes cast upon the ramparts atop Shai City's wall as he did so. Nokose began to surmise that with the Northern Water Tribe's navy moored to the docks behind the city's thick ice walls in the face of the Fire Nation's navy once again, he and his men would likely be placed either atop the walls or behind them. Retaliating or shoring repairing defenses once the wall comes under the continous salvo of siege artillery as it did during the last Fire Nation siege just months ago. Though the force they were facing was smaller than the last he preferred staying behind the walls, even if this fleet was not some hundred strong and offering a bleak view of his tribe's future.
The remaining members of crew not sent to escort Colonel Hissun, Nokose began to lead towards Shai City's main canal. Instructing each of them them, including himself, to occupy any unused canal vessel. They would eventually meet up later but first he wanted them to tranport as many warriors, especially the nonbending ones, and any other personel to the barracks. Lessening the travel time of a full walk and hastening plans for a hopeful counteroffensive against the intruding Fire Nation fleet.
And without the aid of the Avatar to pull them out of the drink like last time, Nokoseuhbholke craved that his higher ranker officers had lost their amateurness and would not throw their tribe back in the drink again.
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Post by dian on Jul 21, 2007 1:00:56 GMT -5
Vacantly, Dian stared across the sea at the walls of Shai City. His vision glazing over as he statuesquely stood, patiently watching, waiting. If only tonight would come sooner, remotely telling himself. He was used to being patient with his quarry before, but that never involved just sitting there. It was always on the prowl, stalking. Slowly giving chance until the right moment.
Instead his task force just sat, repairing themselves or patrolling the perimeter. He was just almost beginning to wish the Northern Water Tribe's navy of little ships would have put up a better fight. Or would at least sortie.
But that thought receded one he blinked his eyes. Clearing the fog in his head as he returned to where he was in the now. Surrounded by cold metal inside the flagship's bridge, listening to one of the two scribes within his fleet mouth off. Pretentiously enunciating his dictation of Dian's "request" for the Northern Water Tribe's surrender. Dian was only hardly even half listening to the mousy non-combatant who was acting as if his role was of some great import to the war effort. He who did nothing but write, if he did anything, all day. Mentally the commodore noted to have his two scribes' records discretely gone over after this operation was completed.
Eventually he answered the scribe's question, realizing that he was now finished.
"No." Heavily, coldly intoning. Shutting the scribe into silence as his back was still turned towards him. "Even come tomorrow morning. I fail to believe they will. But despite their pride, they will still be given into pause.
"Surely they will not say I did not give them fair chance to surrender as their city is reduced to piles of snow and ice," nodding to himself. Tonight would be one more notch of victory for the Fire Nation. One more blow to the moral of the Northern Wataer Tribe.
And that time was fast approaching. Not fast enough for Dian's liking as he tried to be patient until the coming nightfall as his men prepared. Already the war balloon crews were informed of tonight's attack. Of their standby status immediately after evening mess as ground crews aboard the ships prepped the machines and their loadouts for launch.
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Post by tsumao on Jul 22, 2007 0:56:39 GMT -5
Mao sat quietly in his room and remained quiet during much of his downtime. He had been thinking about the joy he had felt seeing the savages getting murdered from above, but after the celebration and when things quieted down a strange sense of sorrow came over Mao.
Did he pity the poor wretches he had helped to cleanse the world of, no. But alas he felt uneasy. The fact that he had felt so good doing so was what bothered him, he had never been the one on the front lines killing, he either had a partner or always to busy driving to know what went on. Mao was sickened by his own desire to shed more blood, and it didn't have anything to do with his pride for the fire nation, he had enjoyed killing them. He felt sick to his stomach, he was eager to get going.
Later Mao was given the message to get prepared, and nearly instantly he was barking orders at his crew to get the balloons ready. From a detached perspective he knew he was wrong, that what he felt was unnatural, but the overwhelming feeling of blood lust was to powerful for him to ignore.
The engineers were quick at working filling up the balloons and getting weights ready, all that was left to wait for was the signal of their commodore.
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Post by aden on Jul 24, 2007 19:15:43 GMT -5
"It's a necessary risk," Hissun remarked as he stood among the other high-ranking officers on a slightly raised platforjm of ice at the end of one barracks building. He'd only arrived shortly befrore hand, but he was immediately caught up in a lively exchange of tactics and ideas that the other commanders were contemplating. Anotherwarchief had mentioned the need to maintain an offensive presence outside the walls, and he had taken to defnding that proposal. "The enemy's numbers are fewer than the last siege, but so are ours... Such a well-supplied force could besiege us for months, and they can now attack us from the skies. If we are to survive, we must destroy their ability to wage war."
One of the other men present verbalized his agreement while another simply nodded slowly. However, there was one among them who still wore a cautious expression. "Make your plans," he warned them, "but know the full scale of our enemy before sending our men against their machines of war."
"Time is not on our side," another warchief countered, "With each passing day the nights grow shorter, and Moon's borrowed strength will not keep the Fire Nation at bay forever."
Hissun glanced around and spotted injuquaq approaching from the direction of the docks. "Peace, brothers," Hissun said to his comrades, "Tactics aside, have we decided on the division of troops?"
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Aden found himself standing amidst a crowd of warriors in the courtyard of a barracks. It was one of the training grounds adjacent to one of several housing structures where full-time warriors in training learned their deadly craft. At the head of the assembled crowd, which had organized itself into almost-recognizeable rows, stood the handful of higher ranking officers that commanded the tribe's military.
The young waterbender occasionally stood on his tiptoesas he looked over the heads of those assembled in an attempt to spot a familiar face. Aden hadn't seen his father in months, and he remembered that during the last siege he was in contact with some of the officers. Though at the moment, this attack seemed fundamentally different than the last. Perhaps his father's skills as a utility bender weren't necessary? Or maybe he was already making himself useful somewhere else in the city? Aden wasn't sure, but as he waited quietly among the throng of warriors, he couldn't help but bounce a little on his toes from sheer anticipation of what was to come. Ryota and Chamir were still nearby, though he'd almost completely forgotten about the two Southerners.
"Attention!" came the call of one of the warchiefs over the slight din of the seembled warriors. "Listen up, all who do not know your commanding officer... Warriors of barracks One from my division are now under the command of warchief Injuquaq. Any unassigned warriors are to report directly to me. Warchief Hissun will be commanding a small force of waterbenders for potential strikes against the enemy fleet."
Aden's heart quickened its pace slightly, and he stood up high on his tip-toes to try and get a better view. However, he could still hear Hissun's voice clearly. "For all those who accompanied the war party to the Earth Kingdom... All benders shall report to me-" Aden couldn't help the slightest grin from crossing his face. The promise of actually striking against the Fire Nation instead of waiting for them to break in was a most pleasing notion indeed. He almost missed it when his leader went on to say, "Our kinsmen from the Southern Tribe will be assigned to warchief Injuquaq. All other warriors will assist commander Shuqt."
The final officer on the platform went onto list a pair of boat captains who were to report to Hissun. One of them was named Nokose, though Aden had not heard the second. After hearing all that concerned him, he had quickly tried to seek out Ryota and Chamir before the crowd started to become too bustled in order to say goodbye.
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Post by chamir on Jul 24, 2007 21:38:43 GMT -5
Upon arrival to the city barracks, most of the Southern Water Tribesmen kept close to the northern tribesmen they sailed alongside. Some uncertain as they traveled deeper into Shai City, others captivated if not smitten as the gondolas whisked them towards the barracks.
It would have been far lovelier, Chamir mused, if the city was not under siege. Quietly he gazed into the empty city that was once a second home to him. Much of its population not taking part in this battle safely tucked away in shelters throughout the city. Save for the warriors and what healers resided outside of the shelters for the time being, the city felt still. Sorrowfully quiet in his ears. No doubt its silence was even more eerie to the northern men who did just arrive home today, like Hissun and Aden with southerner comrades in tow.
Arriving at the city's military courtyard, the southerners were effortless in intergrating with the loitering crowd of assembled warriors. Far too easy, sharing the same brown skin and blue clothing of varying hues and tints despite living on opposite poles of the planet. Yet they could be discerned nonetheless. Their attire and visage resembling that of weapon toting civilians than uniformed and war painted soldiers. Along with the likes of Aden and Hissun who traveled with them from the Earth Kingdom's eastern shores, such a thing was certainly excusable due the timing of their arrival if not sharing the same northern arctic culture.
"I am really hoping that that Injuquaq guy is not Mr. Empty The Tanglemines," Chamir muttered as the warchiefs were passing out assignments. Rather saddened upon realizing that he and Ryota would be seperated from the kid.
"'ey Ryota," hoping his rotund compatriot was within earshot. "You see the pup anywhere?" Scanning the slowly dispersing crowd for Aden. Trying to hold back any sign of worry in his voice of features upon understanding that Aden would be departing with a 'small force' of other waterbenders against the Fire Naval fleet gathered outside Shai City.
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Post by ryota on Jul 25, 2007 0:32:55 GMT -5
It was all so new, yet it went by like a blur. Lofty, tiered neighborhoods carved from ice, catching more unfamiliar and amazing sights as quickly as he could on their brief sojourn down the canals of the near-desolate city. His breaths visible like smoke as his gaze flitted from spectacular sight to spectacular sight. Almost like a young child with all his vaguely subdued amazement.
Soon, he wound up in the barrack with all the other warriors and assignments were granted. Ryota blended in with them all, perhaps a bit more round than the average warrior, but he stood around the same height. But all in the military, be they native or visitors, were unified in purpose albeit in varying degrees. A twinge of excitement emanated through Ryota's entire being with such grand prospect. And had full confidence that they would win against the Fire Nation.
As the assignment was given, to go along with Injuquaq along with the other southerners, his attention was soon grabbed by Chamir. As the taller fellow questioned where 'the pup', presumable Aden, was, Ryota shrugged and muttered something vaguely resembling "I dunno." He looked around the crowds, but to little avail. Aden was not the sort to stand out in this sort of situation, so it was unlikely he would be found soon unless he found them...
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Post by nati on Jul 25, 2007 15:57:01 GMT -5
Nati was left very little to think about as she made her way to the temporary infirmary, a long building made up from the structure of animal bone and sinew, this framework covered by ice and animal pelts to keep in the warmth. The ceiling was a little low as she stooped to avoid hitting her head in the entrance. Nati’s senses were engulfed by the slight moans and coughs of injured, the strong acidic smell of vomit and blood mixed together.
There were only about a dozen, maybe more men actually lying down swathed in furs, the odd healer here and there attending to warriors. Nati let her gaze sweep past a couple of the faces she knew, before making her way to the end of the hall to report to one of the healing masters. She was given the task of looking after a man pulled from the sea, to keep his symptoms in check and deal with any fever that may arise. Nati gave the man a drink to help induce a restful sleep.
Nati herself suddenly felt tired, and with the man resting she was excused to take a short break, which she spent stood by the entrance of the infirmary, craning her neck to stare into the sky, blinking away black snow from her eyes. She found herself praying, not specifically praying for anything, just something to turn the tides, perhaps something to draw the avatar back to the North Pole. Her hand went to the tiny vial of water hidden in her waist band, the tiny amount of Oasis water she’d taken with no-one knowing. Of course there were worse crimes, but a simple war had reduced her to this act.
It was the next step she feared she could take, one she had often thought of, using a man’s bending to defend herself, or the ones she loved. It was in the this sullen mood of war, did her innocent secret suddenly seem so burdensome, but…war brought out the worst in everyone, she shook away these gloomy thoughts, and managed to smile to a pair of healers who entered the tent.
The day was slowly drawing on, and her young body suddenly felt exhaustion. She stared at the wall with a slight longing, and wished herself elsewhere. Nokose’s words still rang in her ears, affecting her more than they ought to have done. It was best she put all thought out of her head, and just get on with the job. She performed a basic breathing exercise, closing her dark eyes and simply letting the dread and worry float away.
The feeling was dampened enough for her to carry on working for the next few hours, until she was allowed to find a warm bed in the corner and get some sleep. She lay awake for a while, staring out of a tiny gap in the roof, watching day fall to night.
”Tui and La protect us.” She whispered a final pray.
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Post by saghani on Jul 27, 2007 0:38:32 GMT -5
Saghani had caught up to Injuquaq in the barracks, right after the man confirmed that he had secured the Southerners as members of their unit. It wasn’t hard to do, since, after all, their unit had lost a number of men fighting the Fire Navy and the Southerners provided quick replacements. Naturally, the veteran wanted an explanation from his second, and the plan was given in detail in low tones without eye contact. Saghani knew he could trust his commanding officer, even with some of his...less than regulation methods. Injuquaq didn’t approve of these actions, and often would stop them to go a more appropriate route, but in some cases he would let them slide if they did more good than harm. Even so, after hearing what Saghani had planned, his brow was furrowed and his gaze stern once the explanation was over, though he did not look at the man.
“In theory, an excellent plan, but in practice difficult to achieve,” Injuquaq said. “Even assuming the Southerners work fast enough, the logistics of transporting the spoils are impossible.”
“I do not need a lecture on things I already know. What I need is a solution.” Saghani replied calmly, but added after a glare from Injuquaq. “If you’re willing to provide one, sir.”
The veteran smiled triumphantly. As a strategist on the battlefield, Saghani was brilliant. Off it, however, he often ran into trouble. Politics, diplomacy, and subterfuge were not areas he was strong in. Injuquaq, on the other hand, had enough experience dealing with military and noble bureaucracy to be quite skilled at these things, and so when confronted with them, Saghani had no choice to rely on his commanding officer. Oh, how Injuquaq relished these moments.
“The solution is already in motion, or did you think I gave up a captain like Nokose to Hissun because he was too competent?” he said with a smirk. “I just like hearing you come groveling to me for help.”
Saghani snorted, but said nothing further as Injuquaq practically glowed with satisfaction at turning the tables on his snarky subordinate. The silence lasted until they were out in the courtyard and the new unit assignments had been announced. Once the warchief in charge had finished speaking, Injuquaq stepped forward to address his new “recruits”.
“Attention! I am your new commanding officer, Injuquaq.” he barked in a loud, authoritative voice. “You Southerners are to be assigned to a critical task in the war effort. However, I myself will not be able to oversee it, having a responsibility to the rest of my unit, so you will be under the direct command of my second, Saghani. Treat his orders as my own.”
With that, Injuquaq stepped back, and Saghani stepped forward. He ordered them to form up and follow him, and then sharply turned on his heel and lead them through the streets of Shai City. After a short march, they arrived at a large, thick walled building, where two bender guards opened a door for them and shut it behind them. The building was a large, rectangular warehouse, with animal pelts for sitting in part of the room, and a great deal of supplies and tools opposite it. Ordering the men to a halt, Saghani walked in front of the supplies and then turned to face the Southerners.
“You will be constructing a new weapon, one based on the tangle mines of your own invention, meaning that you, and only you, can be trusted with its construction,” the lieutenant said. “However, these will not be mines, but rather, a kind of…bomb.”
At this point, Saghani reached down to the hilt of his jian with his right hand, and unsheathed it. He didn’t really intend for it, but he wondered if this would have any real effect on the men before him. They’d seen swords like this before, so they would know where he got it. It didn’t really matter that much, though, and Saghani continued without pause, pointing his jian at a group of containers among the supplies.
“Those are the materials necessary to construct the shells, virtually identical to the ones you used on the tangle mines. These will therefore be constructed just like the shells you are used to. However, what is inside will be different,” he pointed his sword towards another group of containers. “Those contain shrapnel of either bone or salvaged metal, replacing the weeds in the design. Upon impact, these will shoot outward and kill or maim any Fire Nation soldier near them,” he then moved his sword to a final group of containers, these obviously containing liquid. “These contain whale oil, the replacement for the skunkfish oil. As you should be aware, this is highly flammable. When coated in this, their benders will not be able to bend without hurting themselves, their comrades and their ship. Should it strike flame, either from their projectiles or an existing fire, the result would be the same.”
Here, he sheathed his sword and paused, looking over the Southerners. He spotted the ones from earlier. Remembering that they had been skeptical, Saghani decided to add on something extra. He needed them to work quickly, and convincing them that this was indeed an important and necessary task would help in that respect.
“We must work quickly, for the Fire Navy is at out doorstep, and this is an opportunity that cannot be missed,” he said, still speaking in an even tone. “For the first time, we have a chance to put the Fire Nation on the receiving end of an unknown and deadly weapon, a fear they have never been forced to experience before. The mere presence of this weapon on the battlefield will inspire panic, fear, and confusion among them. It could change the very tides of battle. We can therefore afford no mistakes. Now, get to work.”
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Post by aden on Jul 27, 2007 21:04:57 GMT -5
The assembled mass of warriors began to break apart, and in the flowing crowd Aden found it nigh impossible to catch a glimpse of Chamir and Ryota. However, he did manage to see Hissun stepping off the raised platform of ice before striding somewhere out of sight. Glancing back into the fray, and then in the general direction that Hissun had gone, he decided it was more prudent to follow his commanding officer. The others would be fine on their own.
And yet, even as he resolved to let the Southerners find their own way to their commander, Aden managed to walk right into their path. Chamir and Ryota were standing still, apparently trying to catch sight of whoever it was they'd been assigned to. He took a few quick steps toward them to avoid being obstructed by a cluster of passing warriors, and started to call out a farewell of "Looks like we'll be seperating fo-" though the arrival of Saghani and Injuquaq cut him off. The older warchief and the rather straight-forward Lieutenant launched right into a description of the mission he had in mind for the two visiting Southerners.
Aden hung back, managing to stay on the fringe of their dscussion, and only managed to chime in a quick last word during a momentary break in their orders. "Good Luck..." he said, quietly enough so as not to break the officer's conversation, but loud enough so that Chamir and Ryota could hear him. He offered a final salute to them in the form of a closed fist thumping his chest, and then started swiftly away to find Hissun.
His commander was waiting closer to the canals that ran adjacent to the training grounds. There were numerous men around him, and he realized that even the unfamiliar men who had been assigned from a separate division appeared to be almost entirely benders. Apparently whatever mission was being plotted, it called for plenty of waterpower. That thought was very promising. Aden was well aware of the power that the ocean could exert on unwary ships. Putting so many benders together meant that he was all but garunteed to be involved in an effort to deal serious damage to the Fire Nation fleet.
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Post by ryota on Jul 27, 2007 21:47:28 GMT -5
His assignment was to construct the new tangle mines. A simple task, for he had done it plenty of times before. The only reason why Ryota stood back for the time being was because of the rapidly-dispersing crowds. Beside his comrade Chamir and some other warriors, he waited somewhat impatiently, as demonstrated by the tapping of his foot in wait. Arms crossed while his eyes faced the ceiling, his face tilted upward slightly.
Aden caught his attention out of the blue, since Ryota had given up his brief search for the youngster minutes after he started. Ryota was about to wave, but both of their lines of sight were interrupted and his hand was left lingering in midair. Soon after, Aden offered a brief statement in a somewhat defeated manner, saluted, then walked off abruptly before Ryota could wave again. Thus, he simply smiled.
The crowd lightened up slightly and Ryota headed for the mine constructing area. Grabbing a number of skins and other supplies for the task, he got to work promptly. This would be a task a little different from what he was accustomed to in making normal tangle mines, but it would be relatively similar from what he could tell as he began to move the hides together to make the outer shell.
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Post by chamir on Jul 28, 2007 22:20:54 GMT -5
"Good luck..." the words words crossed over Chamir's ears. Nowhere near enough to overcome this Saghani's pompous bark as he gathered the Southerners like a mother arctic hen in the dispersing crowd. A voice they heard more so as the Southerner's vaguely understood the meaning of 'form up,' let alone attempted it, having not growing up under an oraganized military tradition much like the one their Northern kin were obviously accumstomed to. Yet the voice was still close enough to be heard over the sub-warchief. Or maybe it was because Chamir did not pay that great of an attention to Saghani's voice.
Aden did not give time for any more words to travel between the three of them, as Ryota also managed to hear Aden.
Until now the fact that Aden was indeed a warrior was often lost upon Chamir. In the time he had to know the youth Chamir had often took him for a boy, a boy who had achieved manhood yes but one still maturing into adulthood. Now, watching Aden a closed fist to his chest in salute erased all of those preconceptions of someone who was still too young to be so serious. Easy laughter, occasional fooling off, banter and pondering upon the female gender was what Aden should have been about at his age. But Aden was more of a man and a warrior at that, and though returning his comrade's salute, Chamir felt more disappointed than proud of that fact. Wondering fully why while Aden marched off...
Tugged on his parka's sleeve. Tugged from his reverie, Chamir quickly caught up with the marching Southerners as Saghani led them down the darkening streets of Shai City. Arriving at the warehouse, doing such almost helped. Easing Chamir's mind a little. Almost beginning to give a great amount of respect towards Saghani as he unsheated a sword that indeed was the blade of a Fire Nation jian.
Then Chamir wondered how he actually got a hold of the blade. The man shook his head and chuclked after the speech, rolling up the sleeves of his parka and went to work.
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Post by nokose on Jul 28, 2007 22:22:10 GMT -5
As the meeting came to an end Nokoseuhbholke's hands glided into the sleeves of his parka. His right leg began to rise as his left knee bent. Right ankle atop his left knee, Nokose lowered himself to the snow packed ground. For moments on end he sat there. Unmoving as the crowd dispersed around him. Dividing themselves into the prescribed units.
Members of his own crew, including those who did not find him when the meeting again, milled around him. Even the newest member, Kian, who almost tripped over Nokose stayed put rather than manuever through the mass of warriors to find Hissun. Together they all either sat down beside their captain or stood with some amount of patience.
Pointed out to him, through breaks in the waning crowd, Nokose caught sight Saghani. Wanting to get a look at the Southerners that sailed to Shai City with Hissun, that were now under Saghani's command. A few of his men commented on the looks and appearance of their kin from the other side of the world. An amused smirk crossed Nokose's own face as he watched the Southerners attempt to form up. The less than two dozen or so of them having about as much success as a platoon of fresh recruits.
"Surely," he began. "Ability will make up for organization..." tilting his head in a shrug as he spoke to his crew as they watched the Southerners be led off.
Like the waning of day, the crowd and press of warriors was dying down as evening approached. Almost everyone seperated into their alotted divisions, Nokose began to stand as easily as he sat. Along with one of the younger warriors, whom they saw speaking to the Southerners, they marched towards the canals nearest the training grounds where Hissun was gathering them. Amidst the cold air with hands still in his sleeves, Nokose's tongue glided over his lips. What was taking place was truly an intriguing prospect. He welcomed it. A chance to strike back. A chance to actually fight the Fire Nation outisde of his home.
Just so long as this was not another running battle of one long retreat again.
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Post by dian on Jul 28, 2007 22:23:37 GMT -5
Slow. Ponderous. Repeated, came the knocks upon the iron door.
Lethargically Dian awoke from his nap. Upon full consciousness he blasted up from his cot. Hurriedly grasping his heavy scarlet cape. Flinging open the door to his quarters he was greeted by the skull-faced salute from one of his sailors. Sloppily he returned the salute brushed past the firebender into the hall. Hurriedly he was clasping the cape around his collar he spryly marched down the metal hall. The sailor briskly walking after the commodore, Dian could hear a clamor as he reached the stairs leading towards the deck outside. Cheers and snatches of song rang in his ears. Himself unable to help the smile tugging at his lips.
Dian came on deck to greet the quickly enroaching darkness. All around him dusk was giving way to night and upon the decks of his fleet lit laterns hung from posts and ignited fist hung in the air. Some forcing bouts of flame into the sky as cheers erupted and various songs were bellowed forth while others stamped their feet or banged polearms upon the metal ground beneath them.
Upon the deck of his own flagship, one of the war balloons slowly rose into the air. Chief Engineer Mao in the basket, Dian watched as the war balloon take its place. A full smile swept his face as he watched the five war balloons in the air take up the 'X' formation prescribed by Mao while the firebender that followed him yelled over the boisterous din about an officer on deck. Dian's gaze swept out to the sea as another part of his last change in plans came to fruition. Even more so at his greater strategy all together. A well oiled machine and without interruption or hinderance everything with smoothly like the running of an oragnized ship. Just the way he appreciated it.
Almost to the best of his abilities, the commodore did his best to hold back the swelling tide of excitement within him as the crowd quieted down to salute him. Inside his head the first part of his plan played out flawlessly. Following below at sea level where three corvettes in a right echelon formation. Arranged diagonally, resembling a staircase even, the trio would approach the walls of Shai City and open fire. Continously rotating as they attacked as far up the city's main wall as they could for as long as possible. Granting the quintet of war balloons cover fire, preoccupying defenders atop the wall, while the new contraptions sailed the sky almost unscathed. Occasionally the corvettes were to take shots upon the crude secondary wall to bring it tumbling down. Spariingly the war balloons themselves would offer a token destruction of the both walls well as they flew into Shai City proper. Moving in as far into the city as they could. Before the mission all crews had been thoroughly briefed on information gleamed from the last siege of where canals, docks and buildings were located. However the Northern Water Tribe could have changed most of that upon rebuilding their city but that was only a secondary problem to the bombers aiming in the dark. Instead Dian settled for all crew to have two main priorities in their bombing runs.
Defeating the barbarians' military would mean little compared to defeating their population. He would reduce them to scratching out a meager existence upon the ice if they continued to fight. Much akin to their counterparts in the opposite pole. It was either that for their future or surrender. And this first bombing, this first night of bombing in fact, would help to hint at the choices for their future. And as such he wanted all war balloon crews to target two locations above all. Secondary was behind the city's main walls, where he assumed a sizeable collection of their ground and naval forces would harbored. Waiting to attack on sea or relieve those on the wall. The primary target was the city's interior, where the population and their residences were denser. Even if the civilians where in hiding, all clustered in some cold bunker, would not take away from the fact they were under siege. A siege that they would become more intimate as if they were actually fighting it while the bombs tore their homes asunder and reduced their lives to rubble.
Defeat or surrender, were the only choices he had in mind for them.
Returning from his reverie, Commodore Dian Tun called for attention. Relayed to the other ships, all hands gave attention to the war balloons that hung in the air. The sailors followed Dian's example as he saw the five war balloons off. His right hand closed into a fist, covered by his left hand and held forward at chest height. The commodore bowed his head kneeled upon one knee in a gracious salute.
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