ATLA: Azlua

The meeting room was bathed in the warm light of afternoon, the glow reflecting off the polished wood of the long table that dominated the space. The walls were lined with maps of Fire Nation territories and newly acquired lands, each one marked with meticulous detail. Azula sat at the head of the table, her posture regal and her golden eyes sharp as she surveyed the room.

Gathered before her were Mai and the Fire Nation's top military minds: General Zaina, ever formidable with her steely gaze; Lieutenant General Zhen, a veteran strategist with silver-streaked hair; Lieutenant General Mei, whose analytical mind often cut straight to the heart of logistical challenges; and Lieutenant General Feng, a fiery presence with a sharp tongue to match his quick wit.

Azula didn't waste time with pleasantries. She leaned forward slightly, her voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. "This meeting will be about Project Phoenix."

The generals exchanged glances, their expressions stoic, while Mai, sitting to Azula's right, frowned. "What's that?" Mai asked, her tone calm but curious.

Azula's gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, her lips curled in a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "Don't take it personally, Mai," she said smoothly. "I decided not to inform you earlier because you already have enough on your plate. But thanks to that damned serpent, Jai Yu, I need to make a clear path forward."

Mai leaned back in her chair, exhaling through her nose. "I'm sure this will be good."

Azula ignored the remark, her tone growing sharper. "To put it simply, Project Phoenix is the expansion of the northern fleet."

The room shifted slightly, tension rising as the generals processed her words. Mai sighed, crossing her arms. "Expanding now is costly," she said. "We've already spent far too much establishing Phoenix City."

"I agree," Lieutenant General Feng added, leaning forward. "It's been hard enough getting the Fire Hawk outposts established. Rebels keep torching them before we can make real progress."

Lieutenant General Zhen adjusted his seat, his voice calm but firm. "The tribute we received from the other nations created a buffer for the treasury. Expanding the northern fleet isn't impossible, but we'll need to prioritize."

"The most pressing issue," Lieutenant General Mei interjected, "is human resources. After the war, the forced conscription act ended, and our army has been cut nearly in half as we've shifted to a more economic focus. We don't have the manpower."

General Zaina, seated directly across from Mai, raised a hand, her voice cutting through the mounting debate. "Enough. The Fire Lord is aware of these problems."

Azula inclined her head slightly, giving Zaina a brief nod. "Thank you, General. All your concerns are well-founded, but let me explain why this expansion is not only necessary but essential."

The room quieted, and all eyes turned to Azula. She rose to her feet, walking to the map on the wall behind her, tracing her finger along the northern coastline. "The new territories we've claimed are vast and largely uncontrolled. Even if we deployed all our current troops, we'd barely cover 80 percent of the region, leaving us exposed. Expansion of the northern fleet will allow us to patrol the coastline, establish checkpoints, and create secure footholds throughout the mainland."

She turned, her gaze sweeping across the room. "Once order is established, we can move forward with intelligence networks, trade routes, and infrastructure. The fleet will serve as the backbone of our efforts to stabilize and control these lands."

Mai, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. "Rebels?" she asked, her tone laced with both curiosity and concern. "Since when?"

General Zaina answered. "Since a month ago. But it's only recently that we've learned of their organization. As Lieutenant General Feng said, the Fire Hawk network is unstable. Lady Ty Lee was the one to inform us after her convoy to Phoenix City was attacked. She's unharmed, I assure you."