Fic: Only a Moment
Title: Only a Moment
Characters: Lieutenant Lei (OC), Captain Ishi (OC)
Note : I’m merely testing the waters with this piece, as I’m as unfamiliar with these characters as anyone right now.
Lieutenant Lei of Team One walked atop the outer wall of Pohuai Stronghold. Stars just beginning to fade, the young officer scanned the surrounding forest. The only movement came from the wind swaying the trees. Moka and Cheyro were posted at the east and west towers along with the regular gaurd. Colonel Shinu had ordered the Yu Yan to join the lookout detail after four men from an Earth Kingdom ambushed platoon arrived.
No doubt they were in the mess hall, regaling the others of tales from the front lines. Team Three was probably trying to blend into the background pretending they weren’t really that interested. Hopefully, Lieutenant Xingyi would keep Team Two away from the visiting soldiers. And Captain Junjie away from Captain Mzia.
Good luck to him. Mzia protested Junjie with far too much passion, but that didn’t stop the enamored captain from trying to woo her, in his odd, little way. Most of the military, even from the other nations, thought very highly of the Yu Yan. A scene between Mzai and Junjie getting out to others would bring their respectability way down.
“Lieutenant.”
Lei barely flinched but knew the Captain saw it. The Captain saw everything. Practically speaking, the older the Yu Yan, the less reliable. Captain Ishi disproved that concept.
“Sir. East perimeter secure.”
Senior Captain Ishi stood at ease, staring out toward the horizon as a flock of black birds scattered into the air.
“The platoon might have been followed.”
The younger officer had never looked away from the forest, and his eyes tracked the bird’s flight to where they originated. It seemed to be quite a ways in, some miles before the river.
“About thirty miles. Did the survivors say anything about earthbenders, sir?”
“Maybe ten. Team Two should be back soon with a scouting report.”
Lei rolled his eyes. Captain Junjie’s practice of making his team sneak out for missions was very typical of him. Team Two was the best scouting party at the stronghold. At least, one would assume so considering how frequently they were assigned those missions. Those who were in the loop, however, knew that Colonel Shinu just wanted Junjie and his team away from him.
“How soon will we move out, sir?”
“Not us. Teams Two and Three will go.”
“Are you sure about-“
The Captain gave him a look. The fact that stealth and silence being almost synonymous with Yu Yan came from them being able to convey so much with a single glance.
“Sir. Yes, sir.”
He should know better than to question the Captain. He’d been a Yu Yan longer than Lei’s twenty-six years. While the Captain didn’t lord his authority over any of his men - most times - he had a certain expectation of them. That is, shut up, do as he says, and don't bother him with stupid questions.