36 Zand

"No, Sergeant. The older plans don't apply anymore." I scolded Sergeant Azdun, my assigned second in command after he continued to ask stupid questions I had answered hundreds of times prior. It took me taking the initiative to shut him up before he made me do something stupid out of anger.

"Because, sergeant." I continued. "We are miles north of our intended target." I referred to the map, pointing lividly as I made my next statement. "We are here. Not there or there or there, but right fucking here."

"Okay sir, but our orders are to arrive at coordinates S2, I7. Our orders don't apply if those coordinates are wrong."

"That's why we're having a fucking briefing, sergeant. To get organized before the Earth Kingdom fucks us in the ass."

"But shouldn't we relocate if the coordinates are incorrect?"

"Oh for the love of Raava. How old are you, sergeant?"

"21, sir."

"Then since you're a bit too young to understand, your commanding officers will rarely ever admit they were wrong, especially when it's too late to go back and fix it. The camp is set up, right location or wrong, who gives a shit. Those bodies we dug up last night were from the 106th division, our predecessors, and we're going to end up just another layer in this soil if we don't get our shit together. So go to your squad commanders and rally them now!"

He left. I had my orders from the Lieutenant-General. He was assigning infantry to finish the camp and armored to scout. I was now faced with deciding where the scout parties went. I had 30 tanks squadrons, 5 tanks a piece, so 150 in total, unit number beginning at 300. I would have started at 100, but some of the Dragon's tanks units had started at 0 so his numbers went far higher than 200 so it would have been confusing if we ended up meeting one another. A decision I was fine with making, but back to the tanks. Zahckrael wanted at least 1 squadron checking on the listening post between our host and the Dragon of the West who was besieging the Southeast of the city. Being on the complete opposite side of the city as him, it would be a longer journey to the listening post. We had sent out a raven last night for the Dragon, but had received no answer as of yet, pointing out potential problems with our checkpoints. It would be my job to check it out, or, more accurately, send the real soldiers to check it out.

I didn't want veterans on the job, but I didn't want newbies either. The newbies would be better for checking our flank and the veterans would be more suited to checking the North, but I needed a good squad or two to check up on that listening post. No. I had plenty to spare. I could send at least 10 squadrons to check up on that listening post. It might be overkill, but if the post was in jeopardy, then it would be worth it. 50 tanks would definitely be able to take it and hold it.

I looked at the coordinate grid for this area of Ba Sing Se. We had to use a less updated one as we had made the most recent maps for the square south of us rather than this one, but considering we were off target, we didn't have that much of a choice. I used the grid to create lines for our patrols. I didn't expect any combat this early on, but I was taking precautions. I sent the veteran units north as far as the Northern Earth Kingdom coast. They would be strictly assigned to report any Water Tribe movements. I needed to know if we would have to bolster our northern defense line that would otherwise have been covered by the wall, but here we were, no point dwelling on it now.

Soon enough, all 1000 of my men were present. 450 tanks crews and 550 engineers, mechanics, medical crew, and logistics. They would be staying behind to work on the camps defenses and really expand our reach while the drivers would work to make sure they didn't get killed by some surprise attack while doing so.

I wasn't used to giving briefings but didn't have much of a choice at the moments.

"All right, men. At ease. If you haven't noticed yet, we've made it to Ba Sing Se." That earned a few chuckles from the audience, taking them out of the stressful state that had plagued them through the night considering the task they had to complete the last night. It wasn't pretty work. "You may not have noticed, but the camp isn't looking to pretty right now. Naturally, we're going to be busy with housekeeping work. Now, drivers, I wouldn't dare bore you with the tedium of housework but will rather send you to make sure we don't get killed while doing so. You will be assigned per squadron, so squadron commanders will be asked to meet with me following the briefing and copy down their route patterns with pencils on our maps. I recommend pencils and not pens as we are short on maps at the moment. Drivers, break fast and be ready to head out. Medics, Engineers, and Logistics, you will stay behind and report to the Lieutenant General for re-assigning within the camp. Dismissed!"

The men saluted be as befit my ranks and headed out as the drivers made their way to eat, the support made their way to the head of our host, and my 30 squadron commanders made their way up to me. I remembered learning that Captain Zaedra was amongst the men I was leading. Higher ranking that me, but still under my command. Felt like it would be more embarrassing than simply being demoted. The man was a legend. I pitied him for the fall he had experienced from the days of glory of the "Iron Gauntlet."

Nonetheless, I had orders to distribute, and among my veterans, Zaedra's crew would undoubtedly be heading north. I needed veterans like him keeping the Water Tribe away from us.