18 Zar'un

I was in my office when a letter slipped under the door telling me to come to the infirmary. I didn't know who was giving me order considering I was the highest ranked official in Citadel, but I elected not to take my chances. I hadn't yet dressed into nightwear despite the time so I left the office a good 3 minutes after to ensure I didn't run into the courier.

I made my way right and down the stairwell to the second level that housed the barracks and infirmary. At the exit of the stairwell, it took the left to the infirmary as indicated by the sign and walked in to find what seemed like usual, being a few sick or undernourished troops here and there save for one anomaly. A group of three soldiers sitting near each other, being attended to by actual doctors rather than just physicians. I made my way through, but immediately regretted it as I had just forced all soldiers in the room, including those in no physical shape, to stand up and salute we, including the three injured who put all effort possible into their signs of respect.

"At ease" I said loud enough for all in the room to hear. I turned to the group of three. "What are your ranks?"

As was Fire Nation military discipline, they never spoke above each other, having the highest-ranking official speak first who said "Corporal" followed by another saying "Private" and the last, lying in bed who still managed to salute barely managing to say "Private" as well.

I turned to the Corporal who had a sizable wound placed on his right cheek. "What happened to you?"

"We were on Caravan duty, sir, bringing food on the grain road when we were ambushed."

"By who?"

"kids, sir."

"In a gang?"

"Looked like it."

I sighed. I thought they were all briefed.

"Are you new here."

"Yes sir. We came from Outpost "Sing-watch"

"You're Commander Singh's troops?"

"Yes sir!"

Damn it. I didn't tell them. Did I?

I sighed. "This is my fault. I didn't tell you."

The looks on their faces were all the confirmation I needed that they truly had no idea what I was talking about.

"We have a deal with a particular gang in the slums, the Hornets. They make sure insurrectionist activity doesn't occur on the streets and they get to steal from us every now and then for payment as to not raise questions. A few weeks ago, some idiot kid transported Fire Nation supplies in full view of the city and we had to cover it up to make him look like a thief rather than a courier."

The way they looked to the floors showed the regret they had over the handling of the situation that had occurred earlier that day.

"Sir?" one of the privates asked. "How much were they permitted to take?"

"Of food? A few bags. Why?"

They 2 standing soldiers looked between each other, debating who would speak up. The corporal stood up. "They stole the entire cart."

I didn't know what exactly to think at that. No. I knew exactly what to think about that. I left. I was almost out of the infirmary before I managed to pull aside a nurse and asked, "What's the status of the soldiers who were beat on?"

"They're pretty beat up, but the one in bed got it the worst. He was hit in the back of the head with a sword hilt. It rattled him pretty bad. He may be concussed."

"Okay. Okay." I said before I raced back up to my office. I would need any justification I could get for what I was going to do.

I opened the door to my office and slammed it shut behind me, immediately sitting down, going through my desk's cabinets for pen and parchment.

I set it down atop the desk. They tried turning the tables. They tried taking authority for themselves. They assaulted our men and that wouldn't go unpunished.

I began the writing of order. I don't know how many drafts I went through, but got to the point where it read out what I considered to be satisfactory.

As of mere moments, ago, Fellow Fire Nation soldiers were assaulted in the slums by upstart gang members who attacked and injured our men and stole vital supplies. Because of their actions, we are deprived of the basic needs such as food and water that are so hard to come by in these dire times. On the morrow, under my personal command, we will march on their so called "Hive" to retrieve our equipment and imprison those involved in the attack.

But that was when a knock came on my door. I waited for the letter to be slid underneath, but when it didn't come only to be replaced by more knocking, I opened it to find the same nurse. She looked a lot different from when I saw her last. More tired. I looked behind me at the clock that hung on the far wall. 4 hours had passed. It was already morning.

"What?" I asked

"Sir." She said. "I thought you should know. The soldier's wounds were my severe than we expected. He passed away 15 minutes ago. I thought you should know.

There was a pause. So, they killed one of us. This changed things. "What was his name?" I asked.

"Sir?"

"His name?"

"Oh. Uhh. Private Li Senzah."

I sighed. There was a pause.

"Well shit. Thank you. You can go."

She went.

This changed things. This changed things a lot. I kept track of time this time. 2 hours later, a final draft was made.

"Soldiers of Citadel. Yesterday evening, on a mission to bring food to provide us with the basic necessities of survival, our comrades were ambushed by the Hornets. We know the Hornets as the gang that oversees the slums in our name, but we have been betrayed. Private Li Senzah, soldier of Sing-Watch Outpost has been murdered by members of the Hornets. It is clear that there has been a misunderstanding between our groups, but such violent action will not be tolerated. On the morrow, under my command, we will march on their so called "Hive" and recover all stolen food, water, and medicine. As well as that, any involved in the fatal attack will be publicly executed as to dissuade any further outrages. For the Fire Nation. For the Fire Lord."