10-15-2020, 06:52 AM
October 14th
10 miles east of Zapotlán
After the fall of Zapotlán, Imperial forces had fallen back to a defensive line east of the city. Imperial forces were rapidly being deployed (and in some cases, re-deployed) to this defensive line. Their orders were to hold that line at all costs. With allied forces now in control of Zapotlán, and the growing army of Empress Yauhmi slowly but surely clawing its way eastward, the defensive line was all that was preventing a headlong surge towards Tlālacuetztla itself.
Along with the Imperial Army, an increasing number of civilian "volunteers" were being sent to that line as well. Many of them were former Xiomeran police and military, members of the Servicepersons and Protectors Association who had hastily been re-armed and sent to the eastern defensive line. While he would not admit it to anyone, Emperor Xochiuhue was in a panic. Every available man and woman under the Emperor's command had a single order now: protect the Xiomeran motherland. Imperial and allied forces eyed each other uneasily across this defensive line, waiting for one or the other to make the first move.
Despite the outwardly confident and defiant pronouncements of the Emperor and other Xiomeran officials, the rest of the Xiomeran heartland was also beginning to slide into panic. In 600 years, no one had ever successfully invaded the Xiomeran Empire. The force that had gained a foothold at Zapotlán, though small, had just broken that remarkable streak, and badly damaged the Xiomeran public's already shaky confidence in their Emperor.
The panic beginning to envelop Xiomeran cities wasn't just because of the invasion, however. Despite the government's taking control of the juggernaut of Xiomeran industry and turning it to war production, the Xiomeran economy was collapsing. Sanctions and the lack of international trade, leading to surging unemployment and the value of the Xiomeran quetzal plummeting, had left many Xiomerans facing economic hardship for the first time in their lives. It was a very unusual feeling for Xiomerans, and one they were finding they did not like.
Xochiuhue had very few cards left to play. As he looked over his remaining options, he found himself drawn to the one card he had left that could dramatically turn the tide of the war.
Chuaztlapoc
With the Necatli and Itotemoc regions increasingly slipping out of Xochiuhue's control, Yauhmi decided that it was time to begin gathering those on her side of the front lines who were opposed to the faux Emperor. At the Hall of Chuaztlapoc, a very strange meeting was taking place.
The Empress sipped her customary coffee with chocolate, savoring the flavor of the drink as never before. There were times I thought I would never taste this again, back in that torture cell, Yauhmi thought. She had to suppress a smile at the memory of the ASI site she had been tortured at being blown to rubble as she watched. Now was not the time for smiles.
Around the table were representatives of all of the others currently fighting Xochiuhue in western Huenya. Huacue, the Necatli tlahtoāni, leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his lean stomach. He had stubbornly refused both refreshments and conversation, and appeared to be annoyed. Next to him sat the new Itotemoc cihuātlahtoāni, Sirua. She was in a much more pleasant mood than Huacue, and sipped her own coffee with pleasure while making conversation with Major Huatli. To their right, the representatives of the Xiomeran opposition sat in a line. Cozamalotl, Cuetzhual and Natcuhuacu mostly chattered among themselves. Etlahuatzitl, the Shorn One, represented the Xiomeran military (or at least the part of it defecting to the Empress). The representative of the religious community, High Priest Tlocuauhtoa of the Temple of Huītzilōpōchtli, rounded out the little group.
Looking over the group, Yauhmi had a vision of herding cats. Jaguars. Big ones, with lots of teeth and claws. She sighed inwardly and began. "I thank all of you for coming here today to have this discussion with me," the Empress began. "Our working together is the first step to rebuilding our country after Xochiuhue is defeated," she said, when a voice cut her off.
"Let us not be too hasty about that," Huacue said coldly. He leaned forward in his chair. "The Necatli have not committed to anything more than freeing our territory from the yoke of the Imperial military. We have certainly not yet agreed to swear allegiance to you, Yauhmi, nor to Xiomera."
At his words, and his marked lack of deference to Yauhmi, refusing to even call her Empress, the tension in the room rose. Major Huatli calmly placed her hands under the conference table so that Huacue couldn't see them tensed into a choking position. Etlahuatzitl, meanwhile, had to sharply bite her tongue to avoid challenging the Necatli leader right then and there. Even Cozamalotl seemed slightly shocked by Huacue's aggressive tone. Only Yauhmi remained calm. "I don't blame you for feeling that way, Huacue. Truly. But surely you can see that we are stronger together than apart. Separation does us no good, especially while we are still fighting Xochiuhue," the Empress said.
"That's funny. It seems to me that the Necatli have done well at fighting Xochiuhue off all on our own - while fighting Xiomerans trying to stick us in prison camps, I might add," Huacue said in an even colder tone. "We've regained control of our lands - the Imperial Army has been chased all the way back to Xiomera. You, on the other hand, are here in Itotemoc lands by the mercy of Sirua - and why you've chosen to allow that, Sirua, I have no idea," Huacue said with a sidelong glance at the Itotemoc leader. "We've regained our freedom, Yauhmi. Why should the Necatli - or the Itotemoc or any other tribe - fight to help Xiomerans? Why should we help you regain your throne? You're the ones who had your boot on your necks for 600 tear and blood-stained years. Many of my people say that we should stop now, and let Xiomera squabble over itself until Xiomerans are no longer a plague on the planet. You're going to have to do a lot better than platitudes to convince me they're wrong," Huacue said flatly.
The Xiomerans in the room were stunned into silence by Huacue's emotions, which were openly bordering on the edge of outright hatred for Xiomerans. Even Yauhmi, normally very eloquent, was clearly struggling for a rebuttal. A firm voice broke the silence. "I can answer that, Huacue." High Priest Tlocuauhtoa looked at everyone in the room. "You are very angry at the Xiomerans. And you have every right to be," the priest said. "The Xiomeran Empire has been a source of great evil and disharmony throughout its history, and I believe that this war is the punishment of the gods for the arrogance and shamefulness of Xiomera and its leaders," Tlocuauhtoa added with a pointed glance at Yauhmi, who turned red.
"However," the High Priest continued as the room turned completely silent, "I also believe that the gods have brought us to this point for a reason. And that reason is simple: the disharmony of the Huenyan people displeases them. This is their lesson to us, their demand, their command. The people of Huenya must unite, or the gods will ensure that we fall over the precipice of our own destruction."
"Oh, come on," Huacue scoffed. "You're trying to convince me that gods no one has seen for centuries are demanding my allegiance - and with Xiomerans, no less? Our oppressors? Where were your so-called gods when Xiomerans were subjecting us to tyranny and discrimination?" the Necatli leader demanded, only to stop as the High Priest stood up, his expression thunderous. "Do not mock the gods," the High Priest said in a firm and ominous tone. "You bring up the Xiomerans - if anyone was acting in an unholy way, wasn't it those very Xiomerans who oppressed you? And what is their fate now? They shed each others' blood, their wealth is disappearing, their Empire is collapsing around them. Everything they believe in is being turned to dust before our very eyes, like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Are you so proud that you think you can avoid the same fate, Huacue of the Necatli? I am quite sure Xochiuhue, in his fine palace, thought the same thing," Tlocuauhtoa finished grimly. "This one, in that same palace, undoubtedly did as well," Tlocuauhtoa added with another glare at Yauhmi, whose face was beginning to resemble the color of a tomato by this point. "What was her fate? Do not court the same punishment as the Xiomerans have received, prideful son of Necuatexi."
Huacue was shaken by the High Priest's confidence, but shook his head. "What are you suggesting, then?"
"It is not a suggestion. Not for you, or for anyone else at this table. It is a mandate from the gods - a true mandate, not the farcical mantle the Emperors of Xiomera threw on themselves to justify their tyranny. Huenya must be united. The people of the sun must come together, in this land they were blessed with, and reverse the crimes of the Xiomeran Empire. We are not fighting to save Xiomera," the High Priest added, "but to destroy it. For the united Huenya that is our destiny."
With Huacue staggered, Sirua took the lead. "I am prepared to agree to that," the Itotemoc leader said, "on the condition that there be a true sharing of power. Xiomerans have long held the reins of power alone. That must change. Each tribal domain must have its own autonomy from now on. Furthermore, we must have the right to choose our own leaders, and make our own laws, without interference from Xiomera."
"You're really ready to stay united with Xiomerans, Sirua?" Huacue said angrily.
"Not with Xiomerans. With Huenyans," Sirua replied. "I can accept Xiomerans as my fellow people born of the sun, and live with them in a united country, provided that they start treating us with the respect and humanity we deserve. We suffered as much under Xiomeran rule as you did, Huacue. If I can accept this for a greater vision, so can you."
Huacue sighed. "Is there an actual proposal for this, then?"
Yauhmi took that as her cue. "There is. I have been in discussions with Cozamalotl for some time, on the future of this country after Xochiuhue is deposed," the Empress replied. Cozamalotl nodded as the Empress gestured to him. "We have agreed in principle that the Xiomeran Empire must come to an end. A new state of Huenya shall emerge. Yauhmi will remain Empress," Cozamalotl said, raising his hand as Huacue was about to object. "However, the Huenyan Assembly that Yauhmi started will resume, and will be able to propose its own laws in consultation with the throne. Each tribal domain would have substantial autonomy over its own affairs; the central government under the Empress would mainly handle international diplomacy and trade, as well as defense and other matters of international import. A standing national military would be retained, but each tribal domain would be able to have its own defense force - no more Imperial Police or Imperial Army. There are many more details to work out, of course, but Xiomera would no longer be in charge of everything. Each tribal domain will be free to run itself in the manner it sees fit - culturally, educationally, socially, in every way that matters. This is a path to true change," Cozamalotl finished.
Huacue was still skeptical. "I can see why you're a fan of all this, Cozamalotl. But am I supposed to believe that you, and your son, will be true to these promises?" he said to Yauhmi.
The Empress looked down at the table, then back up. "I had a lot of time to think, recently, in seclusion," Yauhmi finally replied with a hint of her usual dry tone. Everyone knew what she meant; the scars on her hands were the reminder. "Let's just say.....I am much more convinced now that this country must change. Dramatically."
Huacue let out a low breath. "I am willing to discuss this. I will make no promises now," he said finally. "Not until I am truly convinced that you all mean what you say."
"I am already on board," Sirua said calmly. "Of course you are," Huacue snorted. "Leaving Yauhmi and her son as rulers paves the way for Tonauac - the son of an Itotemoc mother - to take the throne someday."
"Perhaps it does," Sirua replied with a grin. "But isn't that the path to what we want - a future where someday someone who isn't Xiomeran gets to sit on the Obsidian Throne?" Huacue grimaced. "We'll see," was his blunt reply.
"Then I suppose we have lots more to discuss," Yauhmi said calmly. "Shall we begin?"
South Xiomeran Sea
The Xiomeran Imperial Navy was treading water - literally.
Three fleets - the great bulk of the remaining Imperial naval force - were holding position in the waters between Eiria and Xiomera. They had been ordered to proceed eastward to closer positions to the Xiomeran mainland to prepare to defend the Xiomeran homeland and await further orders. They were, indeed, doing so.....but at a glacially slow pace. "Engine problems" had mysteriously developed aboard many of the ships, coupled with recurring "communications system issues" that kept the Xiomeran Admiralty from reaching them. It was clear that the Imperial Navy was in no hurry to get anywhere - the question that both the Xiomeran General Staff and foreign intelligence couldn't help but ask was why?
The Cauhloc, Tlālacuetztla
A somewhat haggard figure had arrived at ASI's front door.
Her motorcycle had broken down long ago, and she had abandoned it. Then, while trying to reach Tlālacuetztla, she had been caught in the disaster at Zapotlán, and had to lie low while trying to find a way out of the embattled city without being shot by either side. Finally, though, she had managed to reach the Xiomeran capital. As she approached the Cauhloc, a set of Imperial Army guards with an ASI agent stopped her well short of the building. Security in the Xiomeran capital, which had been paranoid even in good times, was now approaching dystopian levels of caution. As the soldiers pointed rifles at her, the woman calmly handed the ASI agent her ID badge.
"My name is Mariya Adema," she said in a cool tone. "Before you do anything dumb, you might want to let Secretary Calhualyana know I am here. I believe she will be pleased to see me."
10 miles east of Zapotlán
After the fall of Zapotlán, Imperial forces had fallen back to a defensive line east of the city. Imperial forces were rapidly being deployed (and in some cases, re-deployed) to this defensive line. Their orders were to hold that line at all costs. With allied forces now in control of Zapotlán, and the growing army of Empress Yauhmi slowly but surely clawing its way eastward, the defensive line was all that was preventing a headlong surge towards Tlālacuetztla itself.
Along with the Imperial Army, an increasing number of civilian "volunteers" were being sent to that line as well. Many of them were former Xiomeran police and military, members of the Servicepersons and Protectors Association who had hastily been re-armed and sent to the eastern defensive line. While he would not admit it to anyone, Emperor Xochiuhue was in a panic. Every available man and woman under the Emperor's command had a single order now: protect the Xiomeran motherland. Imperial and allied forces eyed each other uneasily across this defensive line, waiting for one or the other to make the first move.
Despite the outwardly confident and defiant pronouncements of the Emperor and other Xiomeran officials, the rest of the Xiomeran heartland was also beginning to slide into panic. In 600 years, no one had ever successfully invaded the Xiomeran Empire. The force that had gained a foothold at Zapotlán, though small, had just broken that remarkable streak, and badly damaged the Xiomeran public's already shaky confidence in their Emperor.
The panic beginning to envelop Xiomeran cities wasn't just because of the invasion, however. Despite the government's taking control of the juggernaut of Xiomeran industry and turning it to war production, the Xiomeran economy was collapsing. Sanctions and the lack of international trade, leading to surging unemployment and the value of the Xiomeran quetzal plummeting, had left many Xiomerans facing economic hardship for the first time in their lives. It was a very unusual feeling for Xiomerans, and one they were finding they did not like.
Xochiuhue had very few cards left to play. As he looked over his remaining options, he found himself drawn to the one card he had left that could dramatically turn the tide of the war.
Chuaztlapoc
With the Necatli and Itotemoc regions increasingly slipping out of Xochiuhue's control, Yauhmi decided that it was time to begin gathering those on her side of the front lines who were opposed to the faux Emperor. At the Hall of Chuaztlapoc, a very strange meeting was taking place.
The Empress sipped her customary coffee with chocolate, savoring the flavor of the drink as never before. There were times I thought I would never taste this again, back in that torture cell, Yauhmi thought. She had to suppress a smile at the memory of the ASI site she had been tortured at being blown to rubble as she watched. Now was not the time for smiles.
Around the table were representatives of all of the others currently fighting Xochiuhue in western Huenya. Huacue, the Necatli tlahtoāni, leaned back in his chair and folded his hands across his lean stomach. He had stubbornly refused both refreshments and conversation, and appeared to be annoyed. Next to him sat the new Itotemoc cihuātlahtoāni, Sirua. She was in a much more pleasant mood than Huacue, and sipped her own coffee with pleasure while making conversation with Major Huatli. To their right, the representatives of the Xiomeran opposition sat in a line. Cozamalotl, Cuetzhual and Natcuhuacu mostly chattered among themselves. Etlahuatzitl, the Shorn One, represented the Xiomeran military (or at least the part of it defecting to the Empress). The representative of the religious community, High Priest Tlocuauhtoa of the Temple of Huītzilōpōchtli, rounded out the little group.
Looking over the group, Yauhmi had a vision of herding cats. Jaguars. Big ones, with lots of teeth and claws. She sighed inwardly and began. "I thank all of you for coming here today to have this discussion with me," the Empress began. "Our working together is the first step to rebuilding our country after Xochiuhue is defeated," she said, when a voice cut her off.
"Let us not be too hasty about that," Huacue said coldly. He leaned forward in his chair. "The Necatli have not committed to anything more than freeing our territory from the yoke of the Imperial military. We have certainly not yet agreed to swear allegiance to you, Yauhmi, nor to Xiomera."
At his words, and his marked lack of deference to Yauhmi, refusing to even call her Empress, the tension in the room rose. Major Huatli calmly placed her hands under the conference table so that Huacue couldn't see them tensed into a choking position. Etlahuatzitl, meanwhile, had to sharply bite her tongue to avoid challenging the Necatli leader right then and there. Even Cozamalotl seemed slightly shocked by Huacue's aggressive tone. Only Yauhmi remained calm. "I don't blame you for feeling that way, Huacue. Truly. But surely you can see that we are stronger together than apart. Separation does us no good, especially while we are still fighting Xochiuhue," the Empress said.
"That's funny. It seems to me that the Necatli have done well at fighting Xochiuhue off all on our own - while fighting Xiomerans trying to stick us in prison camps, I might add," Huacue said in an even colder tone. "We've regained control of our lands - the Imperial Army has been chased all the way back to Xiomera. You, on the other hand, are here in Itotemoc lands by the mercy of Sirua - and why you've chosen to allow that, Sirua, I have no idea," Huacue said with a sidelong glance at the Itotemoc leader. "We've regained our freedom, Yauhmi. Why should the Necatli - or the Itotemoc or any other tribe - fight to help Xiomerans? Why should we help you regain your throne? You're the ones who had your boot on your necks for 600 tear and blood-stained years. Many of my people say that we should stop now, and let Xiomera squabble over itself until Xiomerans are no longer a plague on the planet. You're going to have to do a lot better than platitudes to convince me they're wrong," Huacue said flatly.
The Xiomerans in the room were stunned into silence by Huacue's emotions, which were openly bordering on the edge of outright hatred for Xiomerans. Even Yauhmi, normally very eloquent, was clearly struggling for a rebuttal. A firm voice broke the silence. "I can answer that, Huacue." High Priest Tlocuauhtoa looked at everyone in the room. "You are very angry at the Xiomerans. And you have every right to be," the priest said. "The Xiomeran Empire has been a source of great evil and disharmony throughout its history, and I believe that this war is the punishment of the gods for the arrogance and shamefulness of Xiomera and its leaders," Tlocuauhtoa added with a pointed glance at Yauhmi, who turned red.
"However," the High Priest continued as the room turned completely silent, "I also believe that the gods have brought us to this point for a reason. And that reason is simple: the disharmony of the Huenyan people displeases them. This is their lesson to us, their demand, their command. The people of Huenya must unite, or the gods will ensure that we fall over the precipice of our own destruction."
"Oh, come on," Huacue scoffed. "You're trying to convince me that gods no one has seen for centuries are demanding my allegiance - and with Xiomerans, no less? Our oppressors? Where were your so-called gods when Xiomerans were subjecting us to tyranny and discrimination?" the Necatli leader demanded, only to stop as the High Priest stood up, his expression thunderous. "Do not mock the gods," the High Priest said in a firm and ominous tone. "You bring up the Xiomerans - if anyone was acting in an unholy way, wasn't it those very Xiomerans who oppressed you? And what is their fate now? They shed each others' blood, their wealth is disappearing, their Empire is collapsing around them. Everything they believe in is being turned to dust before our very eyes, like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Are you so proud that you think you can avoid the same fate, Huacue of the Necatli? I am quite sure Xochiuhue, in his fine palace, thought the same thing," Tlocuauhtoa finished grimly. "This one, in that same palace, undoubtedly did as well," Tlocuauhtoa added with another glare at Yauhmi, whose face was beginning to resemble the color of a tomato by this point. "What was her fate? Do not court the same punishment as the Xiomerans have received, prideful son of Necuatexi."
Huacue was shaken by the High Priest's confidence, but shook his head. "What are you suggesting, then?"
"It is not a suggestion. Not for you, or for anyone else at this table. It is a mandate from the gods - a true mandate, not the farcical mantle the Emperors of Xiomera threw on themselves to justify their tyranny. Huenya must be united. The people of the sun must come together, in this land they were blessed with, and reverse the crimes of the Xiomeran Empire. We are not fighting to save Xiomera," the High Priest added, "but to destroy it. For the united Huenya that is our destiny."
With Huacue staggered, Sirua took the lead. "I am prepared to agree to that," the Itotemoc leader said, "on the condition that there be a true sharing of power. Xiomerans have long held the reins of power alone. That must change. Each tribal domain must have its own autonomy from now on. Furthermore, we must have the right to choose our own leaders, and make our own laws, without interference from Xiomera."
"You're really ready to stay united with Xiomerans, Sirua?" Huacue said angrily.
"Not with Xiomerans. With Huenyans," Sirua replied. "I can accept Xiomerans as my fellow people born of the sun, and live with them in a united country, provided that they start treating us with the respect and humanity we deserve. We suffered as much under Xiomeran rule as you did, Huacue. If I can accept this for a greater vision, so can you."
Huacue sighed. "Is there an actual proposal for this, then?"
Yauhmi took that as her cue. "There is. I have been in discussions with Cozamalotl for some time, on the future of this country after Xochiuhue is deposed," the Empress replied. Cozamalotl nodded as the Empress gestured to him. "We have agreed in principle that the Xiomeran Empire must come to an end. A new state of Huenya shall emerge. Yauhmi will remain Empress," Cozamalotl said, raising his hand as Huacue was about to object. "However, the Huenyan Assembly that Yauhmi started will resume, and will be able to propose its own laws in consultation with the throne. Each tribal domain would have substantial autonomy over its own affairs; the central government under the Empress would mainly handle international diplomacy and trade, as well as defense and other matters of international import. A standing national military would be retained, but each tribal domain would be able to have its own defense force - no more Imperial Police or Imperial Army. There are many more details to work out, of course, but Xiomera would no longer be in charge of everything. Each tribal domain will be free to run itself in the manner it sees fit - culturally, educationally, socially, in every way that matters. This is a path to true change," Cozamalotl finished.
Huacue was still skeptical. "I can see why you're a fan of all this, Cozamalotl. But am I supposed to believe that you, and your son, will be true to these promises?" he said to Yauhmi.
The Empress looked down at the table, then back up. "I had a lot of time to think, recently, in seclusion," Yauhmi finally replied with a hint of her usual dry tone. Everyone knew what she meant; the scars on her hands were the reminder. "Let's just say.....I am much more convinced now that this country must change. Dramatically."
Huacue let out a low breath. "I am willing to discuss this. I will make no promises now," he said finally. "Not until I am truly convinced that you all mean what you say."
"I am already on board," Sirua said calmly. "Of course you are," Huacue snorted. "Leaving Yauhmi and her son as rulers paves the way for Tonauac - the son of an Itotemoc mother - to take the throne someday."
"Perhaps it does," Sirua replied with a grin. "But isn't that the path to what we want - a future where someday someone who isn't Xiomeran gets to sit on the Obsidian Throne?" Huacue grimaced. "We'll see," was his blunt reply.
"Then I suppose we have lots more to discuss," Yauhmi said calmly. "Shall we begin?"
South Xiomeran Sea
The Xiomeran Imperial Navy was treading water - literally.
Three fleets - the great bulk of the remaining Imperial naval force - were holding position in the waters between Eiria and Xiomera. They had been ordered to proceed eastward to closer positions to the Xiomeran mainland to prepare to defend the Xiomeran homeland and await further orders. They were, indeed, doing so.....but at a glacially slow pace. "Engine problems" had mysteriously developed aboard many of the ships, coupled with recurring "communications system issues" that kept the Xiomeran Admiralty from reaching them. It was clear that the Imperial Navy was in no hurry to get anywhere - the question that both the Xiomeran General Staff and foreign intelligence couldn't help but ask was why?
The Cauhloc, Tlālacuetztla
A somewhat haggard figure had arrived at ASI's front door.
Her motorcycle had broken down long ago, and she had abandoned it. Then, while trying to reach Tlālacuetztla, she had been caught in the disaster at Zapotlán, and had to lie low while trying to find a way out of the embattled city without being shot by either side. Finally, though, she had managed to reach the Xiomeran capital. As she approached the Cauhloc, a set of Imperial Army guards with an ASI agent stopped her well short of the building. Security in the Xiomeran capital, which had been paranoid even in good times, was now approaching dystopian levels of caution. As the soldiers pointed rifles at her, the woman calmly handed the ASI agent her ID badge.
"My name is Mariya Adema," she said in a cool tone. "Before you do anything dumb, you might want to let Secretary Calhualyana know I am here. I believe she will be pleased to see me."
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