[Democratic Republic Of Eiria]

Xiomeran Embassy, Laeralsford
May 13th

Minister Alice Lancaster walked down the hall of the Xiomeran Embassy in Laeralsford, glancing at the doorways to try to find the repurposed Ambassadors office. Crown Prince Texōccoatl told her to met her there, and as she examined the hallway, she started to pity the Crown Prince. He was effectively exiled, his mother imprisoned, and he had to hide in an office on Another Continent. She couldn't imagine the stress he was going through.

She put her somber feelings aside once she found the Ambassador's office, and put on her diplomatic façade as she entered the room. "Your Majesty. It is great to see you in one piece!".

The Crown Prince stood up, a smile on his face, as he extended his hand to the Minister to shake. “I am very glad to see you, and to be in one piece as well,” Texōccoatl said with a slight laugh. “Please make yourself comfortable,” he added, offering her a chair. “Would you like tea, or perhaps coffee?”

"Tea would be lovely, thank you". She said, taking the offered seat. "I'm sure you are quite busy as of late, and I appreciate you meeting with me, as well as you invitation to Laeral. I'm excited to see our nations work together, although I was hoping under better circumstances".

”I agree....I wish the situation was different as well. To be honest, I had warned my mother that this kind of backlash was a possibility,” Texōccoatl said, seating himself behind the desk with a slight sigh. “But you know my mother....she’s never been one to let fear hold her back.” The Crown Prince’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Lancaster. “One way or another, though, I intend to ensure that Xiomera does not remain under the control of these tyrants.”

"Well, I can assure you that you'll have my, and the rest of Eiria's, support on that front. It would help, however, if we had some sort of cohesive strategy on what to do next. The Senate is pulling some risky maneuvers, and my dear brother can only hold them off for so long. How would you like to use our resources?".

”I suppose it depends on how much we could call upon, in terms of said resources.” Texōccoatl looked directly at Lancaster. “I don’t expect your country to commit militarily to any particular course of action. I know that’s a tall order. However, it would help me plan if I knew exactly what your government was willing to do to help us defeat the junta.”

"You'd be surprised on what the Senate is willing to commit to. We're united on this issue, which in no small part is credit to the Junta's resemblance to our own coup regime. I mentioned the risky Senate maneuvers?". She sighed. "The orders were to send a fleet of ships to sail the border of Xiomeran waters. If they were confronted, they were told to say they were allied with the true government of Xiomera, and that we recognize no other authority. It doesn't help that every other ship was ordered to fly the royal banner along with the Eirian flag".

Texōccoatl laughed at that disclosure. “I am impressed with the gesture. I will say, though, that unless your fleet actually enters Xiomeran waters, there’s little chance of a confrontation. The last thing the junta wants is foreign intervention. They won’t do anything that might provoke that, unless the General is overthrown himself and someone truly radical takes over.” Texōccoatl smiled. “As for my plans....I would like to restore the rightful authority over Xiomera with as little bloodshed as possible. So, the key is to convince as many people as possible to switch sides before I return. Any assistance you can provide to break the junta’s propaganda curtain over the country would be a great start. We need to get the real message out to my people about what the junta is doing, and what is happening in the country. And, also, to counter the lies they are spreading about my mother and this government.”

Alice smiled. "So, you want us to serve as the press, with a bit more espionage. I can't think of a better role for Eiria. I personally, and I'm sure the Senate agrees with me, support your decision on less bloodshed. There's been far too much already. And the espionage role was the reason why the Senate approved the naval plan. The plan was designed to anger them. It's an old magician's trick. If you shove one hand in someone's face and do something interesting, they won't notice what you do with the other hand. It's risky, but I hope it works. We had to get a few agents in somehow, and this provides a suitable distraction".

”That’s perfect. Helping us to publicize what is happening, and doing things from within to weaken the junta’s control, would be a huge help for us. Also, if you can help us hack around the barriers ASI and ISTC have put up to reaching the Xiomeran people, that would be another great asset. It helps that you’ll have Xiomerans helping you to get into those systems,” the Crown Prince said.

"I'll contact EICA and have them work on that. It should go quickly, given EICA's means and the reputation of Xiomeran hackers. I hope that reputation isn't overinflated. I have a few questions for you regarding ASI, just so our agents in the field know what they are up against. What do you know of ASI's agents and espionage style?".

Texōccoatl whistled softly. “That’s a big question to cover. ASI is a huge entity - far larger than most people realize. It serves both as our international espionage and surveillance agency as well as our domestic surveillance and control. The international side of ASI tends to be based out of embassies or entities masquerading as NGOs or businesses. We had to scan every inch of this embassy when we took control to ensure the complete removal of ASI surveillance devices - and personnel.” Texōccoatl sipped from his teacup before continuing. “As for their domestic presence, ASI has both an overt and a covert role. The overt role can be seen in places like the Cauhloc, and the stereotypical agents in their suits and sunglasses. They’re the ones who are openly watching everyone - and want everyone to know they’re being watched. They’re the open threat to ensure a compliant population.”

Texōccoatl’s expression darkened. “But the other side of ASI on the domestic level is far more hidden. They operate a vast network of black sites throughout the country, with varying levels of security, but none of them lax. If you’re at all familiar with the Restricted Region that Kerlile once operated....imagine that, but hidden, and scattered around an entire country, and operated with the utmost secrecy. Up until my mother took the throne, the ASI black sites were used to detain political prisoners and interrogate them. And, also, for extrajudicial punishments.” The Crown Prince shook his head. “Our plan was to eliminate the covert domestic side of ASI altogether once we took power, close all the dark sites, and punish those responsible. We never got the chance.”

The Crown Prince looked up at Lancaster. “Your agents don’t need to worry about the overt ASI agents, they’re one step up from the Imperial Police. The covert domestic agents, they are the ones you’ll never see coming.”

She sighed. "Sounds like Midgard, yet worse. I didn't think that was possible. Thank you for this information". She took a few notes in a journal. "And regarding Midgard, I take it you've heard of our scandal. I fear that Midgard may try to take advantage of the situation in Xiomera. I have no clue how, but I wouldn't expect them to sit by when they can profit off of your people's suffering".

Texōccoatl’s expression shifted to a curious demeanor. "Why do you suspect they may get involved? And more importantly, favoring which side? Us, or the junta?".

Alice closed her notebook and leaned forward in her chair. "This is highly classified information that hasn't reached the populace or press, for very good reason. I trust that you will keep this secret?". She went on. "Well, we found out recently that Midgard was responsible for our Civil War. That's how Darrin, our former dictator, rose to power so quickly. They took advantage of political instability for their own gain. And now that Xiomera has a regime with similar ideas, and that we are putting pressure on them by searching for them, the chances of them joining the Junta are extremely high".

Texōccoatl’s expression grew concerned. “That’s the last thing we need, especially since ASI is still not on our side. We will find it very difficult to track them down. And the last thing our enemies need right now is more help.”

"Exactly. We're doing as much as we can to hunt down Midgard, but unfortunately most of who we would of interviewed are either dead or missing. Midgard Agents are highly trained and very dangerous. Our only advantage is they're likely lacking in Agents right now. We have EICA and other forces looking into it. In the meantime, we've been getting agents into Xiomera, and we will start looking for holes in their firewall. A certain Senator once called the Eirian Intelligence operations 'The Bitch Slap of the Republic'." She chuckled. "Let's leave a red mark on the Junta".

Texōccoatl laughed uproariously at Lancaster’s remark. “I like that attitude. I plan to do much more to them than a slap, but a slap will be an excellent start. Also, if you want to put an extra-sharp twist to that slap, I could have our loyal fleet join your ships in joint maneuvers as you’re sailing by the Xiomeran coast.”

"That would be excellent, and I'm sure Admiral Circè would love the assistance. Let's make this hurt". She grinned. "The Junta is playing with fire. Who else has agreed to side with you?".

”No one formally, but we are speaking with several potential allies. No one wants to go on the record and anger the junta just yet. If you continue to support us openly, that may convince other countries to step up and do so as well.”

"I will write up a statement as soon as possible. My brother sends his sincerest regards, as well as this". She slid a manila file across the table. "This is all information we have to date on Midgard. Please do not share this with anyone else. This contains the names of sources who would be in mortal danger if this got exposed. Not to mention the scandal that would ruin both of our main sources' reputations permanently."

Texōccoatl raised an eyebrow as he accepted the file. “This is very helpful and appreciated. While our own intelligence is limited at the moment, we will share anything we discover with you as well. I think it would be wise for us to assign a liaison to your agency from my government to coordinate matters.”

She smiled. "I think I have someone in mind. I'll arrange for her transport and official station paperwork. She will be a grand ally for you. Will you be staying in Laeralsford?".

”For now, but not for long. I can’t sit here in comfort and safety while people are being slaughtered back home. I must eventually return to Xiomera and begin fighting back. But I will wait long enough to make sure we are properly prepared and not doing anything rash. I look forward to seeing who you send us,” Texōccoatl added with his own famous smile, which had become a rarity since the coup.

"Her name is Emily Rouchard. She is an impressive diplomat, and a wicked sharp strategist. My brother compares her to myself, actually. But I feel that's giving myself too much credit. A word of advice, as someone who speaks from experience: Never play poker against her."

”I may have to now, if only for the challenge,” Texōccoatl grinned. “When will she arrive here?”

"Well, If I draw papers up tonight, and she takes the first flight here, maybe midday to evening tomorrow. It's truly honorable, risking your life for your people, for your country, even when facing insurmountable odds". Alice said somberly. "What do you plan to do about the Shuellian Mercenaries?".

Texōccoatl’s expression grew sharper. “We did not know of the origin of the mercenaries before,” he finally said. “As you can imagine, our intelligence and analysis capability are a bit limited here. However....regardless of their origin, mercenaries work for money. They turn tail and run once things get really hard, and not as profitable.” A tinge of contempt entered the former soldier’s voice at the thought of people who fought for money alone, rather than country or cause. “If it comes to that....I will give them a taste of their own medicine. Why waste Xiomeran lives on them when others of their ilk can do the job for us?”

Alice raised her eyebrows. "That is certainly a decent course of action, however are you sure that if you hire another Shuellian mercenary group, that they would fire on their fellow Shuellians? I get that money is all that matters to those groups, but still. And Shuell is the biggest source of mercenaries in the IDU".

”Oh, mercenaries will shoot their own father if the price is high enough. And if worst comes to worst, there’s the simple expedient of hiring mercenaries from a different outfit than the ones you’re having trouble with.” Texōccoatl snapped his fingers. “I doubt we’ll have too much trouble convincing them. If nothing else....Shuell isn’t the [i]only[\i] place I can find hired guns. But that’s a last resort. The real goal is to convince Xiomeran soldiers to abandon the junta.”

”Now that is better news indeed. Although, that will certainly get the junta’s attention focused on Eiria, and not for the better. Laeral has taken similar steps to freeze their assets and transfer them to our control. I would anticipate some kind of retaliatory action on the junta’s part, perhaps sanctions or a similar freezing of assets.”

She stretched her arms. "Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. If we have nothing further you would like to discuss, I might turn in to rest for a bit. Even as a diplomat, jet lag is a menance. I'll write up the papers for Miss Rouchard's assignment here, which, due to some exhausting bureaucratic regulation, requires either your or Nōlinyauh's signature. Gotta love bureaucracy".

Texōccoatl laughed. “You should see Xiomeran bureaucracy. Our Civil Service seems to have departments whose sole purpose is to create new departments.” The Crown Prince signed the documents presented to him by Lancaster with a flourish. “I hope you enjoy your rest, madam Minister, and I hope to speak with you again soon. Thank you, and your people, for all of your help.”

She took the documents back."Just doing my moral duty, Your Majesty. It's an honor, to work with you. Let's take these imposters down."