02-22-2021, 03:55 AM
February 18th
Zipacpepe neighborhood, Tlālacuetztla
Quenetzatl gripped his MR-1 tightly, gesturing with a single finger to the Xiomerans behind him. The Milintican activist with the Popular Freedom Militias had been sent to Xiomera in hopes of rallying domestic opposition to the regime. Playing Calhualyana's game with elections hadn't worked. With a fair ballot being denied Xiomerans, it was time to resort to the bullet.
Next to Quenetzatl, Tecaha gripped her own rifle. She was a member of the Huenyan Federal Intelligence Service, who had volunteered for an assignment assisting the Milinticans with their efforts in Xiomera. Regardless of anything else, the Huenyan Federation was still sworn to bring about the end of the Xiomeran Empire and the unification of Huenya, one way or another. Huenya couldn't force the issue with war, but could undermine Xiomera from within.
Quenetzatl and Tecaha nodded to each other, then Quenetzatl raised a second finger. That was the signal.
The group of Xiomerans, led by Quenetzatl and Tecaha, moved in the shadows towards the Imperial Police garrison in Zipacpepe. The group was a mixed bag: democratic activists, people still nursing resentments about how the civil war had gone, Zipacpepe residents who were used to clashing with the authorities, members of the criminal gangs that also clashed with the police for control of the poverty-stricken neighborhood.
They were hoping to get close enough to the building to catch the Imperial Police guarding it off-guard. A sudden shout from the walls, and the glare of spotlights, quickly dashed that hope. With a shout, the group charged the garrison, firing as they went.
February 19th
Palace of Flowers
"It seems as if King Hassan is needing an escape plan," Prime Minister Toquihu said with a soft chuckle.
Empress Calhualyana sighed, looking over the message that they had received from the former King and what was left of his followers. "Inform Hassan and his people that they will be granted asylum in Xiomera, should they wish it. We can use the leverage. Also....reach out to this new King of theirs....Ahmar?" the Empress said, looking back at her notes again. The revolving door of Mallacan rulers was beginning to resemble the repeated coups that Xiomera had undergone in its recent civil war, and was equally perplexing. "While we will allow Hassan asylum, we should still reach out to the new ruler. Upholding royal rule in Mallacaland, whoever wears the crown, and ensuring the continuance of the monarchy there should be our top priority. I don't like all these popular movements and revolutions....they do not help our own cause here at home." Calhualyana tapped her pen irritably. "If Ahmar will accept our help, great. If not, maybe we can find a replacement for him. Perhaps even the old king, Abdin. The last thing we want is for Mallacaland Rising to take power, especially if the Milinticans are behind them - how long did it take the Milintican and Huenyan we captured to reveal their identities, by the way?"
Quihichua, the Minister of Security, smiled. "Not long, after my people attended to them. It never does." Quihichua's brief humor became an irritated grimace. "We should put more pressure on the Milinticans to back off - or force them to, if need be."
"And start another war? We're not exactly ready to fight another one, just yet," Minister of Defense Chuanacoyo piped up.
"Indeed, which is why we will handle things in a more subtle way," the Empress replied. "While we're protecting our interests in Mallacaland, make sure we don't run afoul of the Slokaisians in any way. While I do not fear them, I don't want to pick a fight at the moment, either." Quihichua nodded, taking notes. "As for the Milintican we've caught here in Xiomera, and his Huenyan accomplice....send them back home. After they've visited the Huēyi Teōcalli. I am certain they will deliver the message that I want sent to our meddling neighbors."
Quihichua looked up sharply, before nodding firmly and making additional notes. "And the rest who stormed the garrison in Zipacpepe?"
"They don't need special treatment, just throw them into the Cauhloc," the Empress said. "And as for their accomplices among Xiomerans....I think it's time we finally reined in the disloyal opposition," she added with a slight smirk. "Even if the Unification Party isn't part of the Milinticans' meddling, strictly speaking, I was taught to never waste an opportunity."
The rest of the Cabinet laughed, as Calhualyana took her pen and signed an order.
---
February 20th
Unification Party of Xiomera headquarters, Tlālacuetztla
The Unification Party was discussing what to do about their increasingly tenuous position in the government. They had walked out of the Imperial Parliament in protest at the one-sided nature of the body, and its unquestioning approval of Calhualyana's agenda. It was during their debate that it happened.
Shouts of alarm rang out around the perimeter of the building as Imperial Police vans, backed by armored personnel carriers of the Imperial Army, surrounded the building. Party activists tried to stop the police and army from surging into the building, but it was a futile effort. Within minutes, the trap had sprang shut.
The lead Imperial Police officer in charge of the operation, flanked by more police and soldiers, slammed the doors of the meeting hall open. With a brisk stride, he stood in front of his target. "Cozamalotl, I hereby place you under arrest."
"On what charge?" Cozamalotl said, calmly standing up.
"High treason, conspiracy to commit insurrection against the Empire, and conspiring with foreign agents," the Imperial Police officer replied.
"That's quite absurd, and you know it. We have done no such thing," Cozamalotl said.
"Oh really? Do you recognize this man?" the Imperial Police officer said, quickly pulling out a tablet and activating it to show a mug shot. Quenetzatl, the detained Milintican, was pictured. "I don't recognize him at all, or know what he's done, but that hardly matters to you, does it?" Cozamalotl replied. "You're going to arrest us no matter what we say. So go ahead. Do it, and show us all what you truly represent. You don't really want to hide your tyranny, do you? Show the world that there is no democracy in Xiomera, and let Calhualyana's sham fall to pieces before the eyes of everyone."
With an angry grunt, the policeman punched Cozamalotl in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. The other police and soldiers quickly moved forward, handcuffs and restraints at the ready.
---
XIN evening news broadcast
"The Unification Party of Xiomera has officially been banned for conspiring with foreign powers to commit treason against the Empire," the news announcer said in a sober tone. "While the full details of the conspiracy are being withheld by the government for reasons of national security, officials with the Ministry of Justice have accused party leader Cozamalotl and other members of his party of working with an unspecified foreign power in a plot to cause a rebellion against the Imperial government. Further details will be released as the investigation proceeds and the suspects are brought to trial. To repeat, the Unification Party has been implicated in a plot to overthrow the government after its failure in the January elections and has been officially banned...."
---
February 21st
Milintican embassy
Chuaztlapoc, Huenya
Pita Te Uroa stood up quickly, reaching for her MR-1. A truck had just stopped in front of the Milintican Embassy, and whoever was in the back had ejected two boxes before the truck sped off. Raising the alarm, she sprinted towards the boxes, other embassy guards in tow.
"Wait!" a shout echoed. One of the Huenyan Federal Police officers who stood watch outside the embassy perimeter tried to wave her down. "It might be a bomb!"
"If it's a bomb, they wouldn't have dropped it so far from the embassy walls unless it's a really big-ass bomb," Te Uroa snorted. "And if it's that big a bomb, we're all dead already."
Ignoring the Huenyan policeman, she opened the first box - then recoiled in shock. Quenetzatl was inside the box. He would have appeared to just be sleeping, were it not for the empty cavity in his chest. Te Uroa, now much more queasily, opened the second box. Tecaha was in the other box, having been delivered in the same heartless fashion.
Suppressing the urge to vomit, Te Uroa reached for her radio. The Huenyan policeman was not as successful, retching into a nearby bush.
Zipacpepe neighborhood, Tlālacuetztla
Quenetzatl gripped his MR-1 tightly, gesturing with a single finger to the Xiomerans behind him. The Milintican activist with the Popular Freedom Militias had been sent to Xiomera in hopes of rallying domestic opposition to the regime. Playing Calhualyana's game with elections hadn't worked. With a fair ballot being denied Xiomerans, it was time to resort to the bullet.
Next to Quenetzatl, Tecaha gripped her own rifle. She was a member of the Huenyan Federal Intelligence Service, who had volunteered for an assignment assisting the Milinticans with their efforts in Xiomera. Regardless of anything else, the Huenyan Federation was still sworn to bring about the end of the Xiomeran Empire and the unification of Huenya, one way or another. Huenya couldn't force the issue with war, but could undermine Xiomera from within.
Quenetzatl and Tecaha nodded to each other, then Quenetzatl raised a second finger. That was the signal.
The group of Xiomerans, led by Quenetzatl and Tecaha, moved in the shadows towards the Imperial Police garrison in Zipacpepe. The group was a mixed bag: democratic activists, people still nursing resentments about how the civil war had gone, Zipacpepe residents who were used to clashing with the authorities, members of the criminal gangs that also clashed with the police for control of the poverty-stricken neighborhood.
They were hoping to get close enough to the building to catch the Imperial Police guarding it off-guard. A sudden shout from the walls, and the glare of spotlights, quickly dashed that hope. With a shout, the group charged the garrison, firing as they went.
February 19th
Palace of Flowers
"It seems as if King Hassan is needing an escape plan," Prime Minister Toquihu said with a soft chuckle.
Empress Calhualyana sighed, looking over the message that they had received from the former King and what was left of his followers. "Inform Hassan and his people that they will be granted asylum in Xiomera, should they wish it. We can use the leverage. Also....reach out to this new King of theirs....Ahmar?" the Empress said, looking back at her notes again. The revolving door of Mallacan rulers was beginning to resemble the repeated coups that Xiomera had undergone in its recent civil war, and was equally perplexing. "While we will allow Hassan asylum, we should still reach out to the new ruler. Upholding royal rule in Mallacaland, whoever wears the crown, and ensuring the continuance of the monarchy there should be our top priority. I don't like all these popular movements and revolutions....they do not help our own cause here at home." Calhualyana tapped her pen irritably. "If Ahmar will accept our help, great. If not, maybe we can find a replacement for him. Perhaps even the old king, Abdin. The last thing we want is for Mallacaland Rising to take power, especially if the Milinticans are behind them - how long did it take the Milintican and Huenyan we captured to reveal their identities, by the way?"
Quihichua, the Minister of Security, smiled. "Not long, after my people attended to them. It never does." Quihichua's brief humor became an irritated grimace. "We should put more pressure on the Milinticans to back off - or force them to, if need be."
"And start another war? We're not exactly ready to fight another one, just yet," Minister of Defense Chuanacoyo piped up.
"Indeed, which is why we will handle things in a more subtle way," the Empress replied. "While we're protecting our interests in Mallacaland, make sure we don't run afoul of the Slokaisians in any way. While I do not fear them, I don't want to pick a fight at the moment, either." Quihichua nodded, taking notes. "As for the Milintican we've caught here in Xiomera, and his Huenyan accomplice....send them back home. After they've visited the Huēyi Teōcalli. I am certain they will deliver the message that I want sent to our meddling neighbors."
Quihichua looked up sharply, before nodding firmly and making additional notes. "And the rest who stormed the garrison in Zipacpepe?"
"They don't need special treatment, just throw them into the Cauhloc," the Empress said. "And as for their accomplices among Xiomerans....I think it's time we finally reined in the disloyal opposition," she added with a slight smirk. "Even if the Unification Party isn't part of the Milinticans' meddling, strictly speaking, I was taught to never waste an opportunity."
The rest of the Cabinet laughed, as Calhualyana took her pen and signed an order.
---
February 20th
Unification Party of Xiomera headquarters, Tlālacuetztla
The Unification Party was discussing what to do about their increasingly tenuous position in the government. They had walked out of the Imperial Parliament in protest at the one-sided nature of the body, and its unquestioning approval of Calhualyana's agenda. It was during their debate that it happened.
Shouts of alarm rang out around the perimeter of the building as Imperial Police vans, backed by armored personnel carriers of the Imperial Army, surrounded the building. Party activists tried to stop the police and army from surging into the building, but it was a futile effort. Within minutes, the trap had sprang shut.
The lead Imperial Police officer in charge of the operation, flanked by more police and soldiers, slammed the doors of the meeting hall open. With a brisk stride, he stood in front of his target. "Cozamalotl, I hereby place you under arrest."
"On what charge?" Cozamalotl said, calmly standing up.
"High treason, conspiracy to commit insurrection against the Empire, and conspiring with foreign agents," the Imperial Police officer replied.
"That's quite absurd, and you know it. We have done no such thing," Cozamalotl said.
"Oh really? Do you recognize this man?" the Imperial Police officer said, quickly pulling out a tablet and activating it to show a mug shot. Quenetzatl, the detained Milintican, was pictured. "I don't recognize him at all, or know what he's done, but that hardly matters to you, does it?" Cozamalotl replied. "You're going to arrest us no matter what we say. So go ahead. Do it, and show us all what you truly represent. You don't really want to hide your tyranny, do you? Show the world that there is no democracy in Xiomera, and let Calhualyana's sham fall to pieces before the eyes of everyone."
With an angry grunt, the policeman punched Cozamalotl in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. The other police and soldiers quickly moved forward, handcuffs and restraints at the ready.
---
XIN evening news broadcast
"The Unification Party of Xiomera has officially been banned for conspiring with foreign powers to commit treason against the Empire," the news announcer said in a sober tone. "While the full details of the conspiracy are being withheld by the government for reasons of national security, officials with the Ministry of Justice have accused party leader Cozamalotl and other members of his party of working with an unspecified foreign power in a plot to cause a rebellion against the Imperial government. Further details will be released as the investigation proceeds and the suspects are brought to trial. To repeat, the Unification Party has been implicated in a plot to overthrow the government after its failure in the January elections and has been officially banned...."
---
February 21st
Milintican embassy
Chuaztlapoc, Huenya
Pita Te Uroa stood up quickly, reaching for her MR-1. A truck had just stopped in front of the Milintican Embassy, and whoever was in the back had ejected two boxes before the truck sped off. Raising the alarm, she sprinted towards the boxes, other embassy guards in tow.
"Wait!" a shout echoed. One of the Huenyan Federal Police officers who stood watch outside the embassy perimeter tried to wave her down. "It might be a bomb!"
"If it's a bomb, they wouldn't have dropped it so far from the embassy walls unless it's a really big-ass bomb," Te Uroa snorted. "And if it's that big a bomb, we're all dead already."
Ignoring the Huenyan policeman, she opened the first box - then recoiled in shock. Quenetzatl was inside the box. He would have appeared to just be sleeping, were it not for the empty cavity in his chest. Te Uroa, now much more queasily, opened the second box. Tecaha was in the other box, having been delivered in the same heartless fashion.
Suppressing the urge to vomit, Te Uroa reached for her radio. The Huenyan policeman was not as successful, retching into a nearby bush.
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