06-04-2020, 08:43 AM
(Note: The following contains a flashback to the Tlālacuetztla uprising of 1977, an event described in the history of Xiomera.)
Tlālacuetztla
August 1977
"There are protesters in multiple cities. People occupying public squares, shutting down highways and public transport. The numbers are increasing," Paltec, the Secretary of Security, said.
Emperor Xolōtl sighed. "And why are you allowing this to happen?"
"We had deemed it unwise to act too aggressively to restrain the protests, your Majesty," Paltec replied. "Our forces are outnumbered, and - "
"You're a coward, Paltec. I have no patience for cowards. You're fired. Get out," the Emperor said, gesturing to two of his Shorn Ones. The two Shorn Ones quickly dragged Paltec out of the Throne Room, ignoring his protests. The Emperor turned to General Tetlimatlihua, the commander of Xiomera's General Staff. "Are you as incompetent as Paltec was, Tetlimatlihua?"
"No, sir," the General replied, with a sharp salute.
"Very good. What cities are these idiots protesting in?"
"In Tlālacuetztla, Xochiatipan, Acalan and Necuatexi so far. If this continues much longer, the protests will spread," General Tetlimatlihua replied.
"This will not continue one day longer. Send in your forces, General. Clear the streets. I have had enough of this nonsense," the Emperor said with a handwave of dismissal. As the General exited, a small boy ran into the Throne Room, running around the General. "Father, I came to see what was happening," he said breathlessly. Xolōtl smiled, putting his arm around the boy's shoulders. "It is good you are here, Xochiuhue. Come with me," Xolōtl said.
Xolōtl led his son to the top of the the main building of the Palace of Flowers, which provided a commanding view of the capital below. "I want you to watch what takes place now. Watch, and learn. When fools try to challenge an Emperor, there can only be one response. Swift and unyielding application of power. That is the only way our society and our country can remain in a state of order. There can only be one source of authority, and it cannot be questioned. Any other outcome leads to chaos."
As Xochiuhue watched, he could see tanks and soldiers beginning to fill the streets of Tlālacuetztla below. Soon, the sounds of gunfire and explosions, along with shouting, could be heard. Below the lofty foothills of the Palace grounds, a protest for democracy in Xiomera was meeting its inevitable end.
Tlālacuetztla
June 2020
General Xōchhuitl grimaced as he presented his report. "While the protests in Xiomera proper are still relatively small, they seem to be drawing inspiration from what is happening in the western half of the Empire, as well as Manauia Island. We're beginning to get the situation in the west under control, mostly. The idea of rounding up the worst troublemakers that the Shuellian mercenaries provided seems to be helping to pacify things in the former tribal domains. But ironically, that now seems to be stirring up unrest in the east. People are beginning to take to the streets and cause trouble."
"I see," Emperor Xochiuhue replied, leaning back on the Obsidian Throne and taking a sip from a glass of wine. "We can't have that. We need to bring that under control before it gets out of hand. Activate the citizens' groups. If any more of these protests happen in any Imperial city, have the citizens' groups go in and disperse them. If 'patriotic Xiomeran citizens' are the ones doing it, and not the military, that ought to take the wind out of the sails of our critics. We can't be faulted for the acts of loyal citizens, after all," the Emperor mused as he took another sip. "But if the citizens' groups can't handle the situation....keep your soldiers ready to move, just in case. Either way, I don't intend to let this absurdity go on any longer."
The General nodded, saluting his Emperor before leaving the Throne Room. Once outside, he began placing phone calls to the leaders of various groups. The Patriotic Youth Corps, the Xiomeran Students' Association, the Xiomeran Servicepersons and Protectors Association, and the Good Citizens League of Xiomera. The members of those groups had always helped rein in unrest in the past. Soon, they would do so again.
As General Xōchhuitl left, the new Emperor rose to walk to a window and look outside. Tlālacuetztla, the ancient Xiomeran capital, was spread out before him. I will not lose this city, or this Empire. We will not lose it. I will protect it and maintain its traditions - whatever the cost, Xochiuhue thought.
Tlālacuetztla
August 1977
"There are protesters in multiple cities. People occupying public squares, shutting down highways and public transport. The numbers are increasing," Paltec, the Secretary of Security, said.
Emperor Xolōtl sighed. "And why are you allowing this to happen?"
"We had deemed it unwise to act too aggressively to restrain the protests, your Majesty," Paltec replied. "Our forces are outnumbered, and - "
"You're a coward, Paltec. I have no patience for cowards. You're fired. Get out," the Emperor said, gesturing to two of his Shorn Ones. The two Shorn Ones quickly dragged Paltec out of the Throne Room, ignoring his protests. The Emperor turned to General Tetlimatlihua, the commander of Xiomera's General Staff. "Are you as incompetent as Paltec was, Tetlimatlihua?"
"No, sir," the General replied, with a sharp salute.
"Very good. What cities are these idiots protesting in?"
"In Tlālacuetztla, Xochiatipan, Acalan and Necuatexi so far. If this continues much longer, the protests will spread," General Tetlimatlihua replied.
"This will not continue one day longer. Send in your forces, General. Clear the streets. I have had enough of this nonsense," the Emperor said with a handwave of dismissal. As the General exited, a small boy ran into the Throne Room, running around the General. "Father, I came to see what was happening," he said breathlessly. Xolōtl smiled, putting his arm around the boy's shoulders. "It is good you are here, Xochiuhue. Come with me," Xolōtl said.
Xolōtl led his son to the top of the the main building of the Palace of Flowers, which provided a commanding view of the capital below. "I want you to watch what takes place now. Watch, and learn. When fools try to challenge an Emperor, there can only be one response. Swift and unyielding application of power. That is the only way our society and our country can remain in a state of order. There can only be one source of authority, and it cannot be questioned. Any other outcome leads to chaos."
As Xochiuhue watched, he could see tanks and soldiers beginning to fill the streets of Tlālacuetztla below. Soon, the sounds of gunfire and explosions, along with shouting, could be heard. Below the lofty foothills of the Palace grounds, a protest for democracy in Xiomera was meeting its inevitable end.
Tlālacuetztla
June 2020
General Xōchhuitl grimaced as he presented his report. "While the protests in Xiomera proper are still relatively small, they seem to be drawing inspiration from what is happening in the western half of the Empire, as well as Manauia Island. We're beginning to get the situation in the west under control, mostly. The idea of rounding up the worst troublemakers that the Shuellian mercenaries provided seems to be helping to pacify things in the former tribal domains. But ironically, that now seems to be stirring up unrest in the east. People are beginning to take to the streets and cause trouble."
"I see," Emperor Xochiuhue replied, leaning back on the Obsidian Throne and taking a sip from a glass of wine. "We can't have that. We need to bring that under control before it gets out of hand. Activate the citizens' groups. If any more of these protests happen in any Imperial city, have the citizens' groups go in and disperse them. If 'patriotic Xiomeran citizens' are the ones doing it, and not the military, that ought to take the wind out of the sails of our critics. We can't be faulted for the acts of loyal citizens, after all," the Emperor mused as he took another sip. "But if the citizens' groups can't handle the situation....keep your soldiers ready to move, just in case. Either way, I don't intend to let this absurdity go on any longer."
The General nodded, saluting his Emperor before leaving the Throne Room. Once outside, he began placing phone calls to the leaders of various groups. The Patriotic Youth Corps, the Xiomeran Students' Association, the Xiomeran Servicepersons and Protectors Association, and the Good Citizens League of Xiomera. The members of those groups had always helped rein in unrest in the past. Soon, they would do so again.
As General Xōchhuitl left, the new Emperor rose to walk to a window and look outside. Tlālacuetztla, the ancient Xiomeran capital, was spread out before him. I will not lose this city, or this Empire. We will not lose it. I will protect it and maintain its traditions - whatever the cost, Xochiuhue thought.
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