05-14-2020, 09:34 AM
Tepetla Estate
Montelin
May 13th
"The stubborn refusal of certain people to accept reality is quite stunning," Secretary of Security Calhualyana said. "First the idiot Necatli decide to stage a revolt and make us send additional forces in there to pacify them. Then the Teyatia decide to waste even more of our time with their own nonsense. This is beginning to get out of hand."
"We knew some of the minor tribes would object to what we were doing. We can handle them easily enough," General Xōchhuitl replied calmly.
"Perhaps, but now other countries are getting involved. No one has quite gone so far as to present a credible threat yet, but the Eirians and Laeralites freezing our assets, and the widespread withdrawal of diplomatic staff, are a clear sign that the so-called democracies in the IDU are opposed to our actions," Calhualyana replied.
The General shrugged. "We knew that they would oppose us as well. The bleeding hearts of the world always feel the need to comment on affairs that are not their concern. We shall not let it frighten us. I have, however, issued a new Decree ordering a reciprocal freeze of any Eirian and Laeralite assets in the country. I have also prepared contingency plans in the event that any foreign nations should seek to escalate economic pressure further with sanctions or other seizures of our assets. We shall be prepared to respond accordingly if that happens."
Calhualyana nodded approvingly. "What of the Kerlians? They have essentially broken their alliance with us, probably because of their ill-advised affection towards Yauhmi. But they're so pathetically poor that they don't have anything in Xiomera worth seizing."
General Xōchhuitl laughed at that remark. "I have ordered the formal termination of all military and economic aid to Kerlile in the same Decree. Maybe having to go it on their own again, after we've carried them since the Haven Accords, will make the Council wake up and return to common sense. And if not, so be it. I am no more fond of charity to foreigners than I am to Xiomerans, so if we can finally end all of the handouts, so much the better."
Calhualyana made a noise of agreement as the two of them strode up the long, tree-lined path into the gardens of the Tepetla Estate. The Estate was one of the finest in Montelin, which meant that it was one of the finest anywhere in the Empire. The flowers in the gardens were already blooming, awakened by the warm temperatures and rainy weather that Xiomera had been experiencing lately. As the two of them neared the center of the gardens, they came upon a man tending to a rosebush. He was pruning off the less vibrant branches, so that only the finest roses would shine. Before the two of them could say anything, the man raised the hand holding the pruning shears. "Calhualyana and Xōchhuitl. I trust you have news for me," he said.
"We do, sir. And as always, I am astonished with how you know people are in your presence even when your back is turned," Calhualyana said admiringly.
"When one comes from an Imperial lineage, that is to be expected," the man replied, laying down the shears and turning around. The sunlight revealed him to be a man in his early fifties, with a stern visage and close-cropped, graying hair. "It would not befit me to lose my abilities in this regard."
"Indeed not, sir," General Xōchhuitl said, with a short salute. "We came as soon as you summoned us."
The man rose from the ground, nodding at them both. "Things are beginning to escalate sooner than we anticipated."
"Yes, sir. The General and I were just talking about that. We respectfully suggest that the timeframe for completion of the first phase of our program should be accelerated, before any more silliness from within our borders or outside of them threatens to disrupt it," Calhualyana said.
"I was thinking exactly the same thing. We need to move the timeframe for our Great Selection up. I want it to happen no later than the 16th. The sooner we get this done, the sooner Yauhmi will fade from everyone's memories, and the sooner we can get back on track and restore order." The man looked expectantly at Calhualyana and the General. "I presume this will not be a problem?"
"Not at all. The ihuicatl is already ready to be summoned. We will make sure there are suitable candidates to 'oppose' you, and make sure the vote goes exactly as required," Calhualyana replied.
"Very good. Has Yauhmi signed the Articles of Abdication yet?"
"Not yet, sir. She is remarkably stubborn and strong, especially given her age and isolation. We have been working on her extensively, but she still refuses to sign." Calhualyana's expression grew annoyed. "I'm thinking of tossing her to our pet Kerlian interrogators to see if they can break her."
"Let them have her, if you like. But I can't wait for her to sign the Articles anymore. Just fake her signature, so we have it on record that she 'abdicated' before I am appointed Emperor. And then, you can do whatever you want with Yauhmi. She will no longer be of any consequence." The man turned back to his rosebushes, snipping away at another less-than-perfect branch.
Taking that as their cue to leave, Calhualyana and the General departed. Behind them, in his perfect rose garden, Xochiuhue, the son of the former Emperor Xolōtl, hummed to himself as he returned to his work.
Montelin
May 13th
"The stubborn refusal of certain people to accept reality is quite stunning," Secretary of Security Calhualyana said. "First the idiot Necatli decide to stage a revolt and make us send additional forces in there to pacify them. Then the Teyatia decide to waste even more of our time with their own nonsense. This is beginning to get out of hand."
"We knew some of the minor tribes would object to what we were doing. We can handle them easily enough," General Xōchhuitl replied calmly.
"Perhaps, but now other countries are getting involved. No one has quite gone so far as to present a credible threat yet, but the Eirians and Laeralites freezing our assets, and the widespread withdrawal of diplomatic staff, are a clear sign that the so-called democracies in the IDU are opposed to our actions," Calhualyana replied.
The General shrugged. "We knew that they would oppose us as well. The bleeding hearts of the world always feel the need to comment on affairs that are not their concern. We shall not let it frighten us. I have, however, issued a new Decree ordering a reciprocal freeze of any Eirian and Laeralite assets in the country. I have also prepared contingency plans in the event that any foreign nations should seek to escalate economic pressure further with sanctions or other seizures of our assets. We shall be prepared to respond accordingly if that happens."
Calhualyana nodded approvingly. "What of the Kerlians? They have essentially broken their alliance with us, probably because of their ill-advised affection towards Yauhmi. But they're so pathetically poor that they don't have anything in Xiomera worth seizing."
General Xōchhuitl laughed at that remark. "I have ordered the formal termination of all military and economic aid to Kerlile in the same Decree. Maybe having to go it on their own again, after we've carried them since the Haven Accords, will make the Council wake up and return to common sense. And if not, so be it. I am no more fond of charity to foreigners than I am to Xiomerans, so if we can finally end all of the handouts, so much the better."
Calhualyana made a noise of agreement as the two of them strode up the long, tree-lined path into the gardens of the Tepetla Estate. The Estate was one of the finest in Montelin, which meant that it was one of the finest anywhere in the Empire. The flowers in the gardens were already blooming, awakened by the warm temperatures and rainy weather that Xiomera had been experiencing lately. As the two of them neared the center of the gardens, they came upon a man tending to a rosebush. He was pruning off the less vibrant branches, so that only the finest roses would shine. Before the two of them could say anything, the man raised the hand holding the pruning shears. "Calhualyana and Xōchhuitl. I trust you have news for me," he said.
"We do, sir. And as always, I am astonished with how you know people are in your presence even when your back is turned," Calhualyana said admiringly.
"When one comes from an Imperial lineage, that is to be expected," the man replied, laying down the shears and turning around. The sunlight revealed him to be a man in his early fifties, with a stern visage and close-cropped, graying hair. "It would not befit me to lose my abilities in this regard."
"Indeed not, sir," General Xōchhuitl said, with a short salute. "We came as soon as you summoned us."
The man rose from the ground, nodding at them both. "Things are beginning to escalate sooner than we anticipated."
"Yes, sir. The General and I were just talking about that. We respectfully suggest that the timeframe for completion of the first phase of our program should be accelerated, before any more silliness from within our borders or outside of them threatens to disrupt it," Calhualyana said.
"I was thinking exactly the same thing. We need to move the timeframe for our Great Selection up. I want it to happen no later than the 16th. The sooner we get this done, the sooner Yauhmi will fade from everyone's memories, and the sooner we can get back on track and restore order." The man looked expectantly at Calhualyana and the General. "I presume this will not be a problem?"
"Not at all. The ihuicatl is already ready to be summoned. We will make sure there are suitable candidates to 'oppose' you, and make sure the vote goes exactly as required," Calhualyana replied.
"Very good. Has Yauhmi signed the Articles of Abdication yet?"
"Not yet, sir. She is remarkably stubborn and strong, especially given her age and isolation. We have been working on her extensively, but she still refuses to sign." Calhualyana's expression grew annoyed. "I'm thinking of tossing her to our pet Kerlian interrogators to see if they can break her."
"Let them have her, if you like. But I can't wait for her to sign the Articles anymore. Just fake her signature, so we have it on record that she 'abdicated' before I am appointed Emperor. And then, you can do whatever you want with Yauhmi. She will no longer be of any consequence." The man turned back to his rosebushes, snipping away at another less-than-perfect branch.
Taking that as their cue to leave, Calhualyana and the General departed. Behind them, in his perfect rose garden, Xochiuhue, the son of the former Emperor Xolōtl, hummed to himself as he returned to his work.
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