11-26-2019, 08:13 PM
The Cauhloc
Secretary of Security's office
"We don't know. Yet."
The statement of fact from the Secretary of Security caused a single eyebrow to raise on the face of the woman sitting across from him. Yauhmi, Empress of Xiomera, did not seem impressed with the answer....nor amused by its brevity. "I assume there is more to your report than this?" she said blandly. Tone of voice notwithstanding, it was clear that the answer was expected to be yes.
"Of course, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said, slightly nervous. "We do have a theory. We just haven't confirmed it yet."
With the silence from the other side of the desk growing, Zalpalatli quickly passed a tablet over to the Empress.
"Since the inception of this so-called Aurora Program, it is highly likely that the Kerlians would have found it necessary to keep tabs on its neighbors as a matter of self-preservation. Therefore, it is certain that there will be Auroras present in Xiomera. We just don't know how many, or where. We have made locating them our top priority. ASI and Military Intelligence are both devoting all available manpower and computer power to track down possible leads. We are beginning by checking for any discrepancies or anomalies in birth records, educational and career history. We are focusing on individuals who have risen high in our society; the Kerlians behind this program would have wanted people high up in our ranks either to influence us or control us if needed."
"Good. You will inform me at once of any results," Yauhmi replied.
"Of course, your Majesty. This does, however, raise a delicate question. What do you want us to do with any Auroras we find?" Zalpalatli said with slight hesitation.
The question caused Yauhmi to sit back in the ridiculously uncomfortable chair the Security Secretariat had placed in this office and think for a moment.
The relationship between Xiomera and Kerlile had been nonexistent for most of history. It had been her husband, Topilpopoca, who had made the first overtures to Kerlile. Many of his advisors had questioned that, at the time. The Kerlians were so profoundly distrustful of the outside world that much of the Xiomerans' energy in maintaining the relationship was expended in repeatedly having to prove to the Kerlians that Xiomera could be trusted. Kerlile is a small, poor country. Why are we trying so hard, when there are other countries out there who could be more profitable and less skeptical allies? some fool advisor would ask occasionally, at the beginning of that effort.
Topilpopoca had always shut down such arguments quickly and firmly, by reminding them that being a small, poor country that was not trusted by others was a situation that Xiomerans should be able to relate to all too well. Xiomera was, thankfully, no longer small or poor. But it was, even now, not greatly trusted or liked by many of its neighbors.
Xiomera's wealth and power, however, gave it the ability to be a friend to countries that were struggling and mistreated - a favor no one had ever done for the Xiomerans, it was worth noting. Topilpopoca's predecessor, Xolōtl, had firmly believed in that idea; it had led the Xiomerans to involvement in Bjeorg. Topilpopoca also believed in that mission; that had led him to Kerlile.
Yauhmi was also quite the believer in that mission. Even as difficult as the relationship with Kerlile could sometimes be, she admired the Kerlians, much as her husband had. Xiomera also had a vested interest in maintaining the alliance with Kerlile. That would influence her decision.
"Is there any evidence that these....Auroras would have been established in Xiomera with malicious intent, or that they have done anything maliciously in Xiomera?" the Empress asked. "None, so far...but it is still early in our investigation, your Majesty."
"You will continue to search. But if you find any Auroras....they will be given a choice. They will be allowed to return to Kerlile, or they can continue to live in Xiomera, if they agree to serve the Xiomeran Empire," Yauhmi said.
"But don't these Auroras present a risk to Xiomera?" Zalpalatli said, stunned.
"The Auroras will not pose a threat if we manage the situation correctly. Not threatening them is the best way to start," Yauhmi said calmly.
"And how will the Kerlians take it if some of their Auroras decide to stay in Xiomera? Zalpalatli said with concern.
"The Kerlians may not be entirely pleased. Since they placed these agents on our soil without our permission, however, I do not intend to offer it as a choice to them. Our returning the other Auroras to Kerlile safely, and not taking exception to their presence here in the first place, should be sufficient to address their concerns," Yauhmi replied. "But if need be, I will find other ways to make our Kerlian allies happy. After the deals we have been striking with other countries, they may be feeling a touch neglected by the Empire. I shall have to rectify that. If I must add a little more to mollify them over this Aurora matter....so be it. We can certainly afford it, after all."
"As you say, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said as Yauhmi stood and walked out of his office. Once the Empress had left, the Secretary quickly placed a phone call. "Tōpillnao? Get with Yāotlah'lotl and get moving quickly on this Aurora thing. I have a feeling the Empress will not be pleased if we don't have something concrete for her next time she is in this office."
Secretary of Security's office
"We don't know. Yet."
The statement of fact from the Secretary of Security caused a single eyebrow to raise on the face of the woman sitting across from him. Yauhmi, Empress of Xiomera, did not seem impressed with the answer....nor amused by its brevity. "I assume there is more to your report than this?" she said blandly. Tone of voice notwithstanding, it was clear that the answer was expected to be yes.
"Of course, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said, slightly nervous. "We do have a theory. We just haven't confirmed it yet."
With the silence from the other side of the desk growing, Zalpalatli quickly passed a tablet over to the Empress.
"Since the inception of this so-called Aurora Program, it is highly likely that the Kerlians would have found it necessary to keep tabs on its neighbors as a matter of self-preservation. Therefore, it is certain that there will be Auroras present in Xiomera. We just don't know how many, or where. We have made locating them our top priority. ASI and Military Intelligence are both devoting all available manpower and computer power to track down possible leads. We are beginning by checking for any discrepancies or anomalies in birth records, educational and career history. We are focusing on individuals who have risen high in our society; the Kerlians behind this program would have wanted people high up in our ranks either to influence us or control us if needed."
"Good. You will inform me at once of any results," Yauhmi replied.
"Of course, your Majesty. This does, however, raise a delicate question. What do you want us to do with any Auroras we find?" Zalpalatli said with slight hesitation.
The question caused Yauhmi to sit back in the ridiculously uncomfortable chair the Security Secretariat had placed in this office and think for a moment.
The relationship between Xiomera and Kerlile had been nonexistent for most of history. It had been her husband, Topilpopoca, who had made the first overtures to Kerlile. Many of his advisors had questioned that, at the time. The Kerlians were so profoundly distrustful of the outside world that much of the Xiomerans' energy in maintaining the relationship was expended in repeatedly having to prove to the Kerlians that Xiomera could be trusted. Kerlile is a small, poor country. Why are we trying so hard, when there are other countries out there who could be more profitable and less skeptical allies? some fool advisor would ask occasionally, at the beginning of that effort.
Topilpopoca had always shut down such arguments quickly and firmly, by reminding them that being a small, poor country that was not trusted by others was a situation that Xiomerans should be able to relate to all too well. Xiomera was, thankfully, no longer small or poor. But it was, even now, not greatly trusted or liked by many of its neighbors.
Xiomera's wealth and power, however, gave it the ability to be a friend to countries that were struggling and mistreated - a favor no one had ever done for the Xiomerans, it was worth noting. Topilpopoca's predecessor, Xolōtl, had firmly believed in that idea; it had led the Xiomerans to involvement in Bjeorg. Topilpopoca also believed in that mission; that had led him to Kerlile.
Yauhmi was also quite the believer in that mission. Even as difficult as the relationship with Kerlile could sometimes be, she admired the Kerlians, much as her husband had. Xiomera also had a vested interest in maintaining the alliance with Kerlile. That would influence her decision.
"Is there any evidence that these....Auroras would have been established in Xiomera with malicious intent, or that they have done anything maliciously in Xiomera?" the Empress asked. "None, so far...but it is still early in our investigation, your Majesty."
"You will continue to search. But if you find any Auroras....they will be given a choice. They will be allowed to return to Kerlile, or they can continue to live in Xiomera, if they agree to serve the Xiomeran Empire," Yauhmi said.
"But don't these Auroras present a risk to Xiomera?" Zalpalatli said, stunned.
"The Auroras will not pose a threat if we manage the situation correctly. Not threatening them is the best way to start," Yauhmi said calmly.
"And how will the Kerlians take it if some of their Auroras decide to stay in Xiomera? Zalpalatli said with concern.
"The Kerlians may not be entirely pleased. Since they placed these agents on our soil without our permission, however, I do not intend to offer it as a choice to them. Our returning the other Auroras to Kerlile safely, and not taking exception to their presence here in the first place, should be sufficient to address their concerns," Yauhmi replied. "But if need be, I will find other ways to make our Kerlian allies happy. After the deals we have been striking with other countries, they may be feeling a touch neglected by the Empire. I shall have to rectify that. If I must add a little more to mollify them over this Aurora matter....so be it. We can certainly afford it, after all."
"As you say, your Majesty," Zalpalatli said as Yauhmi stood and walked out of his office. Once the Empress had left, the Secretary quickly placed a phone call. "Tōpillnao? Get with Yāotlah'lotl and get moving quickly on this Aurora thing. I have a feeling the Empress will not be pleased if we don't have something concrete for her next time she is in this office."
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