04-06-2020, 01:48 AM
Monday, April 6th
Althea, Laeral
Crown Prince Texōccoatl adjusted his tie one last time, before tugging firmly on the lapels of his Xiuhtaca suit. His finger brushed gently over the Xiomeran flag pin on his lapel as Secretary for International Affairs Nōlinyauh went over the agenda for the first day of his visit to Laeral once more. “After being greeted by the Laeralite officials, we will tour the port - it’s their largest port by shipping volume, very similar to the role Huitzitaca fills for us back home - before we meet with corporate and NGO leaders to discuss trade matters. After that, we will be seeing a performance of the Althea Ballet later this evening. Althea is a significant Laeralite cultural and tourism center, so it would serve us well to ask questions related to those matters and make links to similar cities in Xiomera, such as Tlālacuetztla and Necuatexi, whenever we can.”
Texōccoatl nodded at the Secretary’s words, taking a final moment to make sure there was no lint on his finely tailored suit nor scuffs visible on his highly polished dress shoes. “I did read the briefing notes, Nōlinyauh,” he chided jokingly.
“Of course you did,” Nōlinyauh replied, sighing slightly and putting his tablet back into his suit pocket. “We just want to make sure we’re prepared. This is a very historic visit, after all.”
Texōccoatl laughed in response. The Secretary had become somewhat of a mentor to the Crown Prince since his unexpected elevation to being someone important after his mother had taken over as Empress. A career Xiomeran diplomat, Nōlinyauh had provided the Crown Prince with a reliable and experienced shoulder to lean on, one that Texōccoatl had greatly appreciated in the absence of his father. “It is indeed a historic occasion, and I, for one, am looking forward to fixing our relationship with the more democratic nations in the IDU. But don’t worry, I’m ready. We’re ready.”
By that we, Texōccoatl didn’t just mean the two men about to step off the plane. The Crown Prince meant that Xiomera was ready for the next chapter in its story - one where it was no longer a tyrannical state shunned and feared by its neighbors. Nōlinyauh caught the nuance in the Crown Prince’s tone of voice, and nodded with a smile in response. “We are indeed. After you, your Majesty,” he said, gesturing forward.
Texōccoatl nodded back to the Secretary, taking a moment to steel himself before stepping forward. With the Secretary in tow, the Crown Prince emerged from the plane, walking down the stairs to the ground below. Noticing a bevy of media nearby, the Crown Prince waved to them, his trademark smile flashing. Walking up to the Laeralite officials who were there to greet him, he gave a short, polite bow. “I am Crown Prince Texōccoatl. On behalf of the Xiomeran people, thank you for welcoming us to your great nation. It is an honor to be the first of my people to visit your country in such a visit.”
—-
Tlālacuetztla, Xiomera
Imperial Military Hospital
“I felt fine until yesterday, but then I developed this cough, and just feel really tired.”
Zalpalatli, the Secretary for Security, sighed and lay back down. The doctor and nurse examining him were fully gowned and masked, a fact which did nothing to alleviate the unease he was feeling. “You don’t think it’s that damned adenovirus, is it?”
“We doubt it, Secretary. Xiomera has done a superb job of keeping that situation under control and addressed, unlike other countries. We do want to take all necessary precautions, however....are you all right, Secretary?” the military doctor asked suddenly, as Zalpalatli seemed to lose focus.
“I’m not sure.....I’m having trouble breathing all of a sudden,” the Secretary said, gasping. He fell back onto the bed, his eyes closing. The doctor jumped forward in alarm and pressed the alert button on the wall. “Code Blue! We need a team in here now!” the doctor shouted into the intercom.
The Cauhloc, one hour later
“Secretary Zalpalatli appears to have contracted the AD14 Adenovirus,” the doctor told the three people displayed on the screen of the teleconference panel.
“How exactly could that have happened? Everyone has assured me that the virus has been kept well under control in Xiomera and that this sort of thing was impossible,” the Empress snapped. Yauhmi leaned forward, eyeing the screen in frustration.
“We don’t know, your Majesty, and that is the truth,” Cozamaquetzal, the Secretary of Health, looked as frustrated and concerned as Yauhmi did. “We have had no reports of community spread, we had locked down anyone who caught the virus through travel, there is simply no reason I am aware of that this could have happened.”
“Well, find out! It clearly happened somehow, and if there is a danger to the Xiomeran people, I need to know!” Yauhmi shouted.
“Of course, your Majesty,” Cozamaquetzal said, bowing. “We are already tracing the Secretary’s contacts and previous movements to see where the vector for his infection could have been, and will notify you the second we have more information.”
Yauhmi rubbed her temples slightly. “In the meantime,” the Empress said, turning towards the screen displaying the third person involved in the conversation, “you will need to assume the Secretary’s duties. I am sure you are prepared to keep ASI and the Security Secretariat running until Zalpalatli gets better.....assuming he does. Let us hope he recovers quickly.”
“Indeed, your Majesty,” Undersecretary Calhualyana replied calmly. “I will pray he recovers, but until then....rest assured, the security of the Empire is in good hands.”
The Empress nodded. “Doctor, keep me posted at regular intervals on the Secretary’s condition. Cozamaquetzal, keep me posted regularly as well on the results of your investigation.” After Yauhmi and the others signed off the conference call, Calhualyana leaned back in her chair, chuckling softly to herself.
ASI covert operations center, undisclosed location
One hour later
“So, how did you do it?” The man seated in front of Acting Security Secretary Calhualyana smiled.
“An agent never reveals their techniques,” Calhualyana replied smugly. “But poor Zalpalatli will be out of the office for the duration.”
The man laughed. “Indeed, and just in time. I was able to delay the opening of the Hall of Unity as you requested for a few days. Enough time to activate my colleagues, and for you and the good General Xōchhuitl to make sure your forces are in position. It was hard to fake that breakdown in the HVAC system.”
“But not beyond your abilities, clearly,” Calhualyana purred. “With Texōccoatl out of the country, and Zalpalatli out of the picture, everything should go perfectly to plan.”
Althea, Laeral
Crown Prince Texōccoatl adjusted his tie one last time, before tugging firmly on the lapels of his Xiuhtaca suit. His finger brushed gently over the Xiomeran flag pin on his lapel as Secretary for International Affairs Nōlinyauh went over the agenda for the first day of his visit to Laeral once more. “After being greeted by the Laeralite officials, we will tour the port - it’s their largest port by shipping volume, very similar to the role Huitzitaca fills for us back home - before we meet with corporate and NGO leaders to discuss trade matters. After that, we will be seeing a performance of the Althea Ballet later this evening. Althea is a significant Laeralite cultural and tourism center, so it would serve us well to ask questions related to those matters and make links to similar cities in Xiomera, such as Tlālacuetztla and Necuatexi, whenever we can.”
Texōccoatl nodded at the Secretary’s words, taking a final moment to make sure there was no lint on his finely tailored suit nor scuffs visible on his highly polished dress shoes. “I did read the briefing notes, Nōlinyauh,” he chided jokingly.
“Of course you did,” Nōlinyauh replied, sighing slightly and putting his tablet back into his suit pocket. “We just want to make sure we’re prepared. This is a very historic visit, after all.”
Texōccoatl laughed in response. The Secretary had become somewhat of a mentor to the Crown Prince since his unexpected elevation to being someone important after his mother had taken over as Empress. A career Xiomeran diplomat, Nōlinyauh had provided the Crown Prince with a reliable and experienced shoulder to lean on, one that Texōccoatl had greatly appreciated in the absence of his father. “It is indeed a historic occasion, and I, for one, am looking forward to fixing our relationship with the more democratic nations in the IDU. But don’t worry, I’m ready. We’re ready.”
By that we, Texōccoatl didn’t just mean the two men about to step off the plane. The Crown Prince meant that Xiomera was ready for the next chapter in its story - one where it was no longer a tyrannical state shunned and feared by its neighbors. Nōlinyauh caught the nuance in the Crown Prince’s tone of voice, and nodded with a smile in response. “We are indeed. After you, your Majesty,” he said, gesturing forward.
Texōccoatl nodded back to the Secretary, taking a moment to steel himself before stepping forward. With the Secretary in tow, the Crown Prince emerged from the plane, walking down the stairs to the ground below. Noticing a bevy of media nearby, the Crown Prince waved to them, his trademark smile flashing. Walking up to the Laeralite officials who were there to greet him, he gave a short, polite bow. “I am Crown Prince Texōccoatl. On behalf of the Xiomeran people, thank you for welcoming us to your great nation. It is an honor to be the first of my people to visit your country in such a visit.”
—-
Tlālacuetztla, Xiomera
Imperial Military Hospital
“I felt fine until yesterday, but then I developed this cough, and just feel really tired.”
Zalpalatli, the Secretary for Security, sighed and lay back down. The doctor and nurse examining him were fully gowned and masked, a fact which did nothing to alleviate the unease he was feeling. “You don’t think it’s that damned adenovirus, is it?”
“We doubt it, Secretary. Xiomera has done a superb job of keeping that situation under control and addressed, unlike other countries. We do want to take all necessary precautions, however....are you all right, Secretary?” the military doctor asked suddenly, as Zalpalatli seemed to lose focus.
“I’m not sure.....I’m having trouble breathing all of a sudden,” the Secretary said, gasping. He fell back onto the bed, his eyes closing. The doctor jumped forward in alarm and pressed the alert button on the wall. “Code Blue! We need a team in here now!” the doctor shouted into the intercom.
The Cauhloc, one hour later
“Secretary Zalpalatli appears to have contracted the AD14 Adenovirus,” the doctor told the three people displayed on the screen of the teleconference panel.
“How exactly could that have happened? Everyone has assured me that the virus has been kept well under control in Xiomera and that this sort of thing was impossible,” the Empress snapped. Yauhmi leaned forward, eyeing the screen in frustration.
“We don’t know, your Majesty, and that is the truth,” Cozamaquetzal, the Secretary of Health, looked as frustrated and concerned as Yauhmi did. “We have had no reports of community spread, we had locked down anyone who caught the virus through travel, there is simply no reason I am aware of that this could have happened.”
“Well, find out! It clearly happened somehow, and if there is a danger to the Xiomeran people, I need to know!” Yauhmi shouted.
“Of course, your Majesty,” Cozamaquetzal said, bowing. “We are already tracing the Secretary’s contacts and previous movements to see where the vector for his infection could have been, and will notify you the second we have more information.”
Yauhmi rubbed her temples slightly. “In the meantime,” the Empress said, turning towards the screen displaying the third person involved in the conversation, “you will need to assume the Secretary’s duties. I am sure you are prepared to keep ASI and the Security Secretariat running until Zalpalatli gets better.....assuming he does. Let us hope he recovers quickly.”
“Indeed, your Majesty,” Undersecretary Calhualyana replied calmly. “I will pray he recovers, but until then....rest assured, the security of the Empire is in good hands.”
The Empress nodded. “Doctor, keep me posted at regular intervals on the Secretary’s condition. Cozamaquetzal, keep me posted regularly as well on the results of your investigation.” After Yauhmi and the others signed off the conference call, Calhualyana leaned back in her chair, chuckling softly to herself.
ASI covert operations center, undisclosed location
One hour later
“So, how did you do it?” The man seated in front of Acting Security Secretary Calhualyana smiled.
“An agent never reveals their techniques,” Calhualyana replied smugly. “But poor Zalpalatli will be out of the office for the duration.”
The man laughed. “Indeed, and just in time. I was able to delay the opening of the Hall of Unity as you requested for a few days. Enough time to activate my colleagues, and for you and the good General Xōchhuitl to make sure your forces are in position. It was hard to fake that breakdown in the HVAC system.”
“But not beyond your abilities, clearly,” Calhualyana purred. “With Texōccoatl out of the country, and Zalpalatli out of the picture, everything should go perfectly to plan.”
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