09-17-2019, 02:41 PM
Empress Camaxtica Military Headquarters Complex
Imperial Military Hospital
September 17th, 6:00 am, Xiomeran time
Lipilhitl slumped against the wall of his office. His entire posture was one of defeat.
The surgery had gone well enough; the three bullets had been removed from the Emperor without any undue complications. However, Topilpopoca's vital signs were stagnating. He was showing no sign of even waking up, much less recovering. His brain activity was regular, but slow; at this rate, he would be sitting in that hospital bed for the next few days, months, years....Lipilhitl had frankly no idea.
That was assuming, of course, that Topilpopoca even woke up.
The very thought of that outcome was like a sudden bath of cold water down the Chief Surgeon's back. Yauhmi had made it very clear, even if she hadn't said so outright....if her husband didn't live, Lipilhitl was as good as dead.
With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Lipilhitl walked back to his desk. Quietly, he took out his wallet, a set of fake identification a friend had supplied him, a set of syringes and a small revolver. He placed them in his suitcase, closing it; the soft click of the latches sounded, to the Chief Surgeon, like the sound of a coffin nail being hammered down. But if Topilpopoca didn't survive, Lipilhitl didn't plan to stick around and wait for Yauhmi's many minions to come seeking someone to blame.
---
The Cauhloc - Secretariat of Security headquarters
September 17th, 8:00 am, Xiomeran time
"I will not listen to this," Tepilcayotl said flatly. "Our Emperor is alive, and I will not talk about the man - my friend - as if he is already dead," he added, slapping the top of his desk for emphasis.
"Damn it, Tepilcayotl, now is not the time for us to sit around on our hands. We have to plan for what comes next if the Emperor dies - and is not a sin to talk about it," Xochiqui, the Secretary of Defense, said grimly. "I don't like to think about it either - I want to see him survive this as much as the rest of us. But Xiomera's security - its future - depend on us having a plan to make sure there is continuity for the future. Even if Topilpopoca dies, his mandate must carry on. You are the person best suited to do that. If Topilpopoca was here, he'd be telling you the same thing. He'd also be telling you that this is the exact time to be talking about this. Topilpopoca is not a man to put sympathy over the needs of the moment, and you can't afford to be either right now. He would say as much."
Tepilcayotl sighed. "He would, at that. I can imagine him over my shoulder now, telling me to stop being such a whiner and just get on with it," he added with a slight laugh. The Security Secretary steeled himself visibly. "So. What are you proposing?"
Cuicanan, the Secretary of Justice, spoke next. "We must begin now to reach out to the members of the ihuicatl who will decide on Topilpopoca's replacement, should it be required. I am certain that the reformers are already doing that, damn their lack of respect," he said bitterly. "We must make the case early, and often, that now is not the time to depart from proven leadership or our current course of action. With terrorists staging riots in front of the Palace, shooting the Emperor, and gods know what else they're planning, it would be madness to change course in the middle of all that. As Security Secretary, you are the person best positioned and experienced to ensure that we can defeat these terrorists and seditionists and make sure that Xiomera survives this craziness and remains strong and stable."
"Another step could help to make that argument," Xochiqui said. "You could begin a sweep of these radical elements - One Huenya, the opponents of the Manauia Island Project, and the foreigners who seem to be interfering in our affairs. By showing there is an active threat, and that you are dealing with it strongly and effectively in the Emperor's stead, no one could make the argument that you're not fit to lead the nation if Topilpopoca does die."
"What if Nopalliztli objects to that? He is technically in charge right now, after all," Tepilcayotl replied.
The other two men snorted at that. "Nopalliztli is a placeholder and knows it. He will stay out of the way if he is smart. If not....these are troubled times in Xiomera. Terrorists could very well assassinate Nopalliztli as well. That would be....expected," Cuicanan said quietly.
Tepilcayotl sat silently, pondering for a moment, "We will do what we must do. For Xiomera," he said finally. "Let us begin."
---
Malinalhuitl House
Official Residence of the Secretary of Trade
September 17th, noon, Xiomeran time
"Are you sure it is safe to speak here?" Cozamalotl, the Secretary of Scientific Development and Advancement, said as he reached for a cup of tea.
Tlanextia, the Secretary of Trade, laughed in response; her aged cackle bounced off the walls like a set of ball bearings. "I have this place swept daily for bugs and spy cameras; I did that just this morning again, before you all arrived. I also have my own security people. If any place is safe from the vigilance of the Security Secretariat, my home is. Calm down and have your tea; it's a special blend I had imported from Shen and is just superb."
"Did this special import go through the normal channels?" Cozamalotl asked.
Tlanextia made a pfft noise in response. "Being Secretary of Trade has to have some perks."
Cozamalotl looked at the walls of the richly decorated sitting room, a single eyebrow raised as a wry retort. "Oh, stop that, Cozamalotl. Am I not entitled to some comforts in my old age, after so many years of service?" Tlanextia responded, shaking her head.
"We can agree to disagree on that one," a third voice chimed in. Cuetzhual, the leader of the reformist group A New Xiomera, sighed as he took a cup also. "Although I won't lie, this is some of the best tea I've ever had."
Before Tlanextia could take further exception to being called out for her creature comforts, Cozamalotl decided to intervene. "So....how many of you think Topilpopoca is going to survive this shooting, as he's survived so many other things before? I personally think this time he's toast."
Tlanextia adopted a faux-outraged expression, literally clutching the pearl necklace she was wearing. "Such talk about our beloved, revered, sublime Emperor....shocking from a member of the Emperor's Cabinet," she said, before bellowing out her window-shaking laugh once more.
"I think we can all agree we are not horribly saddened that Topilpopoca got shot," Cuetzhual said calmly. "I am more concerned about what happens in the aftermath, if he dies. Someone will be chosen through the ihuicatl to replace him. We know who is likely to be picked. Someone like Xochiqui or Tepilcayotl, or Cuicanan, gods help us. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Xocolcōza threw his hat into the ring."
"A meathead, a spy, or another meathead. Or a cutthroat CEO. Gods help Xiomera," Cozamalotl said quietly, sipping his tea again.
"I don't believe in the gods, Cozamalotl. And I think we need to help ourselves," Cuetzhual said firmly. "You need to submit your name for Emperor, if Topilpopoca dies."
Cozamalotl almost choked on his tea, quickly putting the cup down; Tlanextia looked at him balefully as some of the tea got on the spotless white tile of the sitting room. "I'm a scientist. An academic. I am not an Emperor, Cuetzhual. There surely has to be someone else better you can dredge up for some overthrow-the-conservatives campaign."
"Who would be better? Huitzilhuani, maybe, but she's in Eiria right now, and she's also too young. She thinks you're a good choice, too, by the way," Tlanextia said, eyeing Cozamalotl sharply. "You're exactly what Xiomera needs right now, and can make a solid case. You're intelligent, well-educated, rational, sane, and most importantly, humane - something none of the other people running are likely to be."
"You're also a scientist, and by nature pragmatic and logical. You can pull away some of the votes from the business, educational and government members of the ihuicatl that might otherwise support a conservative candidate," Cuetzhual said. "Also, unlike someone like me, you're not stuck with the label of 'crazy radical terrorist' that Tepilcayotl and Cuicanan have slapped on groups like A New Xiomera."
"You can blame One Huenya for that. Idiots," Tlanextia snorted. "What great fools thought having a riot at the Palace right after an assassination attempt would be a good idea?"
"I won't criticize them for their fervor, for their desire to change this country now, rather than waiting. Xiomera is, inherently, an unjust place and does need to change," Cozamalotl replied with a shrug.
"That's exactly why you need to seek the throne," Cuetzhual replied. "You have the ability to listen to all sides, and tolerate all extremes, within this country. That's the kind of person Xiomera needs right now."
"Suppose I do embark with you on this crazy venture. How do we get to a majority of votes in the ihuicatl? Right now, the conservatives are in the ascendancy among those with the votes. It will be very hard for us to get enough support," Cozamalotl said with a shake of his head.
"It will be. But those are the things that are most important to do. We can change Xiomera, as we have always wanted to, if we gain the Obsidian Throne. That's worth taking a chance," Cuetzhual declared.
"It's more of a chance than that. If we fail....we will have declared ourselves open enemies to the forces of the status quo - people like Tepilcayotl, who are good at making problems disappear. Are you ready for that kind of risk?" Cozamalotl said quierly.
"We've been ready for that risk for a long time. The question is - are people who sit in fancy rooms like this ready for it? Are you ready for it? Are you ready to risk it all for the sake of finally making this country better? Or is this all just talk around tea and cookies?" Cuetzhual retorted. "You have to ask yourselves that - people like me answered that question a long time ago."
Cozamalotl sat for a moment, pondering, He finally raised his head, looking at Tlanextia and Cuetzhual. "Allright. I'm in."
Imperial Military Hospital
September 17th, 6:00 am, Xiomeran time
Lipilhitl slumped against the wall of his office. His entire posture was one of defeat.
The surgery had gone well enough; the three bullets had been removed from the Emperor without any undue complications. However, Topilpopoca's vital signs were stagnating. He was showing no sign of even waking up, much less recovering. His brain activity was regular, but slow; at this rate, he would be sitting in that hospital bed for the next few days, months, years....Lipilhitl had frankly no idea.
That was assuming, of course, that Topilpopoca even woke up.
The very thought of that outcome was like a sudden bath of cold water down the Chief Surgeon's back. Yauhmi had made it very clear, even if she hadn't said so outright....if her husband didn't live, Lipilhitl was as good as dead.
With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Lipilhitl walked back to his desk. Quietly, he took out his wallet, a set of fake identification a friend had supplied him, a set of syringes and a small revolver. He placed them in his suitcase, closing it; the soft click of the latches sounded, to the Chief Surgeon, like the sound of a coffin nail being hammered down. But if Topilpopoca didn't survive, Lipilhitl didn't plan to stick around and wait for Yauhmi's many minions to come seeking someone to blame.
---
The Cauhloc - Secretariat of Security headquarters
September 17th, 8:00 am, Xiomeran time
"I will not listen to this," Tepilcayotl said flatly. "Our Emperor is alive, and I will not talk about the man - my friend - as if he is already dead," he added, slapping the top of his desk for emphasis.
"Damn it, Tepilcayotl, now is not the time for us to sit around on our hands. We have to plan for what comes next if the Emperor dies - and is not a sin to talk about it," Xochiqui, the Secretary of Defense, said grimly. "I don't like to think about it either - I want to see him survive this as much as the rest of us. But Xiomera's security - its future - depend on us having a plan to make sure there is continuity for the future. Even if Topilpopoca dies, his mandate must carry on. You are the person best suited to do that. If Topilpopoca was here, he'd be telling you the same thing. He'd also be telling you that this is the exact time to be talking about this. Topilpopoca is not a man to put sympathy over the needs of the moment, and you can't afford to be either right now. He would say as much."
Tepilcayotl sighed. "He would, at that. I can imagine him over my shoulder now, telling me to stop being such a whiner and just get on with it," he added with a slight laugh. The Security Secretary steeled himself visibly. "So. What are you proposing?"
Cuicanan, the Secretary of Justice, spoke next. "We must begin now to reach out to the members of the ihuicatl who will decide on Topilpopoca's replacement, should it be required. I am certain that the reformers are already doing that, damn their lack of respect," he said bitterly. "We must make the case early, and often, that now is not the time to depart from proven leadership or our current course of action. With terrorists staging riots in front of the Palace, shooting the Emperor, and gods know what else they're planning, it would be madness to change course in the middle of all that. As Security Secretary, you are the person best positioned and experienced to ensure that we can defeat these terrorists and seditionists and make sure that Xiomera survives this craziness and remains strong and stable."
"Another step could help to make that argument," Xochiqui said. "You could begin a sweep of these radical elements - One Huenya, the opponents of the Manauia Island Project, and the foreigners who seem to be interfering in our affairs. By showing there is an active threat, and that you are dealing with it strongly and effectively in the Emperor's stead, no one could make the argument that you're not fit to lead the nation if Topilpopoca does die."
"What if Nopalliztli objects to that? He is technically in charge right now, after all," Tepilcayotl replied.
The other two men snorted at that. "Nopalliztli is a placeholder and knows it. He will stay out of the way if he is smart. If not....these are troubled times in Xiomera. Terrorists could very well assassinate Nopalliztli as well. That would be....expected," Cuicanan said quietly.
Tepilcayotl sat silently, pondering for a moment, "We will do what we must do. For Xiomera," he said finally. "Let us begin."
---
Malinalhuitl House
Official Residence of the Secretary of Trade
September 17th, noon, Xiomeran time
"Are you sure it is safe to speak here?" Cozamalotl, the Secretary of Scientific Development and Advancement, said as he reached for a cup of tea.
Tlanextia, the Secretary of Trade, laughed in response; her aged cackle bounced off the walls like a set of ball bearings. "I have this place swept daily for bugs and spy cameras; I did that just this morning again, before you all arrived. I also have my own security people. If any place is safe from the vigilance of the Security Secretariat, my home is. Calm down and have your tea; it's a special blend I had imported from Shen and is just superb."
"Did this special import go through the normal channels?" Cozamalotl asked.
Tlanextia made a pfft noise in response. "Being Secretary of Trade has to have some perks."
Cozamalotl looked at the walls of the richly decorated sitting room, a single eyebrow raised as a wry retort. "Oh, stop that, Cozamalotl. Am I not entitled to some comforts in my old age, after so many years of service?" Tlanextia responded, shaking her head.
"We can agree to disagree on that one," a third voice chimed in. Cuetzhual, the leader of the reformist group A New Xiomera, sighed as he took a cup also. "Although I won't lie, this is some of the best tea I've ever had."
Before Tlanextia could take further exception to being called out for her creature comforts, Cozamalotl decided to intervene. "So....how many of you think Topilpopoca is going to survive this shooting, as he's survived so many other things before? I personally think this time he's toast."
Tlanextia adopted a faux-outraged expression, literally clutching the pearl necklace she was wearing. "Such talk about our beloved, revered, sublime Emperor....shocking from a member of the Emperor's Cabinet," she said, before bellowing out her window-shaking laugh once more.
"I think we can all agree we are not horribly saddened that Topilpopoca got shot," Cuetzhual said calmly. "I am more concerned about what happens in the aftermath, if he dies. Someone will be chosen through the ihuicatl to replace him. We know who is likely to be picked. Someone like Xochiqui or Tepilcayotl, or Cuicanan, gods help us. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Xocolcōza threw his hat into the ring."
"A meathead, a spy, or another meathead. Or a cutthroat CEO. Gods help Xiomera," Cozamalotl said quietly, sipping his tea again.
"I don't believe in the gods, Cozamalotl. And I think we need to help ourselves," Cuetzhual said firmly. "You need to submit your name for Emperor, if Topilpopoca dies."
Cozamalotl almost choked on his tea, quickly putting the cup down; Tlanextia looked at him balefully as some of the tea got on the spotless white tile of the sitting room. "I'm a scientist. An academic. I am not an Emperor, Cuetzhual. There surely has to be someone else better you can dredge up for some overthrow-the-conservatives campaign."
"Who would be better? Huitzilhuani, maybe, but she's in Eiria right now, and she's also too young. She thinks you're a good choice, too, by the way," Tlanextia said, eyeing Cozamalotl sharply. "You're exactly what Xiomera needs right now, and can make a solid case. You're intelligent, well-educated, rational, sane, and most importantly, humane - something none of the other people running are likely to be."
"You're also a scientist, and by nature pragmatic and logical. You can pull away some of the votes from the business, educational and government members of the ihuicatl that might otherwise support a conservative candidate," Cuetzhual said. "Also, unlike someone like me, you're not stuck with the label of 'crazy radical terrorist' that Tepilcayotl and Cuicanan have slapped on groups like A New Xiomera."
"You can blame One Huenya for that. Idiots," Tlanextia snorted. "What great fools thought having a riot at the Palace right after an assassination attempt would be a good idea?"
"I won't criticize them for their fervor, for their desire to change this country now, rather than waiting. Xiomera is, inherently, an unjust place and does need to change," Cozamalotl replied with a shrug.
"That's exactly why you need to seek the throne," Cuetzhual replied. "You have the ability to listen to all sides, and tolerate all extremes, within this country. That's the kind of person Xiomera needs right now."
"Suppose I do embark with you on this crazy venture. How do we get to a majority of votes in the ihuicatl? Right now, the conservatives are in the ascendancy among those with the votes. It will be very hard for us to get enough support," Cozamalotl said with a shake of his head.
"It will be. But those are the things that are most important to do. We can change Xiomera, as we have always wanted to, if we gain the Obsidian Throne. That's worth taking a chance," Cuetzhual declared.
"It's more of a chance than that. If we fail....we will have declared ourselves open enemies to the forces of the status quo - people like Tepilcayotl, who are good at making problems disappear. Are you ready for that kind of risk?" Cozamalotl said quierly.
"We've been ready for that risk for a long time. The question is - are people who sit in fancy rooms like this ready for it? Are you ready for it? Are you ready to risk it all for the sake of finally making this country better? Or is this all just talk around tea and cookies?" Cuetzhual retorted. "You have to ask yourselves that - people like me answered that question a long time ago."
Cozamalotl sat for a moment, pondering, He finally raised his head, looking at Tlanextia and Cuetzhual. "Allright. I'm in."
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