Episode 12: Taps, Traps, and Tips

At Camp:

Shizaku reads a letter from Nue, asking for guidance on whether to produce more SMLizard-mobiles or begin construction on the honey cannons. The honey cannons would require materials and sap to start designing and prototyping in-house. Shizaku writes back that the focus will be on the honey cannons.

Neila, Toji, and Moshi meet with one of the Fire-Nation soldiers inducted into the camp. The soldiers are concerned that the camp cannot meet the might of the oncoming Fire Nation Army. Toji and Neila are concerned, too, that they haven't done enough, and Toji wants to increase speed of dealing with their enemy. He also laments the loud alpha-build of the Screaming-Mongoose Lizard-mobile. Toji does, however, help talk the Fire Nation soldiers into staying.

The group has Tokala and Noya write back to the Northern Water Tribe via messenger hawk for some connection or help. Toji is eager to engage Captain Shan in the west, but Moshi manages to restrain his ambition and that they cannot keep chasing down refugees. 

Toji and Moshi go to see Shizaku, who is guarded by one of his work-aides, Monoichi. There is a large debate about the problems with the SMLmobile and planning and trust in the community. The group does come to a consensus on moving into the woods to the northwest to lay traps for Shan's oncoming army and tap tree-sap for continuation on the honey-cannons.

With Bhaga and Jang Tae, the group gets to work in the wilderness. Jang Tae moves off on his own and eventually draws the (f)ire of Fire Nation soldiers. Eager to fight, he gets into and causes a mild forest fire. This causes the group to scramble to protect Jang Tae and their operation. While Moshi and Bahga create a trench to stymie the flames, Toji scolds Jang Tae. He then asks Bhaga to arrest him. There is a tense moment where the group debates this -- Moshi abstains, asking if this is really what the camp has become among each other. Bhaga seeks to protect the camp and they return with Jang Tae, in danger of the camp's punitive or charitable whims....

At Taku:

Dharma is confronted by Etisha, the scroll artist. Etisha is upset that Dharma is an airbender and has slipped past her, but Dharma is willing to placate her if she keeps his bending a secret for all the obvious reasons. He looks to her for info and she mentions that Taku, being besieged, is going to start struggling with supporting itself. In the market, Nupiq informs Dharma that she wants to re-establish her information network, but to do requires reconnecting with a Fire Nation contact in Bozan's camp. Dharma suggests using someone to get into the camp and start opening the lines of communication, and Layi's former comrade, Chuko, comes to mind.

Chuko is suspicious of Dharma, wondering if Layi sent him. But Dharma uses his charm to convince her to continue to play sides for the good of Taku and continue playing a good girl for the Fire Nation. She debates the plan and they wait until later to enter Bozan's camp.

In the meantime, Dharma returns to Etisha to demonstrate some of his Airbending skill. Etisha spots it as amateurish and lacking the quality of a trained student, which causes Dharma to become insecure over his upbringing and lack of Air Nomad connections.

Later, Dharma works with Chuko to infiltrate Bozan's army, looking for a Fire Nation supply-coordinator who has helped Nupiq's network. Because Nupiq questions Chuko's loyalty, Dharma stays vigilant but Chuko seems to commit to the cause. While in the camp they learn that Okuru's army is consolidating back south around Pohuai after an attack a few days ago. Dharma brings this information back to Nupiq, and they question whether this leaves an opening to press against Bozan directly. Dharma returns to Major Harano to see if they should go on the offensive....