03-10-2021, 02:22 AM
March 7th
Xochuaxte Palace
The members of the Chamber of Executives sat staring at Yauhmi in stony silence. For the second time in as many days, they were hearing the cihuātlahtoāni tell them something they didn't want to hear, and somehow managing to not tell them everything at the same time.
"You say that we need to offer the two Auroras who met with you asylum," Huacue said. "Yet you state that you cannot tell us why. A day after we said that you could not continue to keep secrets from us. Do you understand why we are skeptical and also rather tired of this?"
"I do understand, but it is essential for national security that knowledge of the reason for granting them asylum be kept to as few people as possible. The information they possess cannot be allowed to reach the outside world."
"What information is so dangerous? And does it pose a threat to Huenya? We at least have a right to know that, and a need to know that, before we can accept this secrecy," Sirua, the leader of the Itotemoc, said.
"Director Cuetlancaona can confirm what I am saying. I have shared this information with him only, and no one else. Not even my son, who is as skeptical as the rest of you," Yauhmi replied. Next to her, Texōccoatl had an expression on his face that was indeed quite questioning. The fact that Yauhmi had not told even Texōccoatl the reason sharpened the interest of the Executives; it was well-known that Texōccoatl was Yauhmi's chief confidant. The Executives sat more upright, focused, as the Director of the Federal Intelligence Service stood up to speak.
"I have reviewed the files on the two Auroras and their asylum applications," Cuetlancaona said. "I can assure this Chamber that they, individually, pose no threat to Huenya, should we continue the old Xiomeran policy of not giving them a reason to pose a threat to us. Yauhmi's previous policy towards them, which I frankly find wise. One should not go looking for trouble when none exists."
"As for the specific reason they are asking for asylum - the two of them have information which gives them reason to believe that their lives would be in danger if they returned to Kerlile. Both from the government, and possibly from individual Kerlians. That, alone, qualifies them for asylum under the directives established this month by the immigration and Customs Service. However, this information also falls under the recent security guidelines established by the Directorate of National Intelligence regarding matters requiring restricted access to information for national security reasons. I cannot elaborate any further, precisely because this information is Level 1 restricted."
The members of the Chamber collectively widened their eyes at that; Level 1 was reserved for only the most sensitive information. Under Huenyan security guidelines, Level 1 information could only be provided to FIS agents with sufficient security clearance, the DNI, the Vice-Speaker, and to Yauhmi. In total, only four or five people in Huenya qualified for Level 1. Not even the members of the Chamber of Executives did.
"As to why this information is so sensitive, I can only say this: releasing it would cause grave harm to Huenya, and possibly to other nations as well. For that reason, I must ask the Chamber to understand our secrecy on this. I know you believe that the cihuātlahtoāni is being too secretive on matters. I can assure you, in this case, the secrecy is indeed warranted. If you don't trust her on this, I urge you to trust me. This is my job. And I can also say this: revealing this info to anyone else, and risking a leak, poses far greater threat to Huenya than keeping it secure. And there is nothing that can be done about the overall threat it poses now....that ship sailed decades ago, before Huenya even existed. There may be a time when this information is revealed due to circumstances completely out of our control. But for now, keeping it secret is absolutely essential for Huenya."
Director Cuetlancaona sat down, to stunned silence.
"And we just have to take your word for it," Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, sighed in frustration.
"That is why directors of national intelligence exist, sir. And intelligence agencies," Cuetlancaona replied. "To keep the secrets safe, and make sure they stay secret."
"So the information is dangerous. We have that information, now. Why compound the threat by letting the Auroras remain here?" Cusuyo tapped his fist on the table. "If they brought that information here, and it appears they did, they are the ones who have put us in this danger now. A danger so grave we can't even be told about it! Are they not a threat to Huenya themselves?"
"There are threats, and then there are threats," Cuetlancaona said firmly. "Rejecting and angering Auroras is something I would consider profoundly unwise - and in itself a grave threat to Huenyan security, especially when we don't need to cause even more headaches for ourselves."
In the ensuing silence, Yauhmi spoke up again. "The Auroras are not our enemy. We've proven that time and again. Let's not make them our enemy unnecessarily - that has worked out well for us in the past. General Huatli is a perfect example of that. Besides, we have sworn ourselves to be a refuge to those needing one. Are we really going to turn our backs on that promise now - within months after making it - out of fear?"
Cusuyo shook his head, still grumbling, but eventually assented.
In the end, the Chamber of Executives agreed to offer asylum to Riley Nelson and Nelichē, and also agreed to keep themselves in the dark as to why. As bad as those choices seemed, the other choices promised to be far worse.
Xochuaxte Palace
The members of the Chamber of Executives sat staring at Yauhmi in stony silence. For the second time in as many days, they were hearing the cihuātlahtoāni tell them something they didn't want to hear, and somehow managing to not tell them everything at the same time.
"You say that we need to offer the two Auroras who met with you asylum," Huacue said. "Yet you state that you cannot tell us why. A day after we said that you could not continue to keep secrets from us. Do you understand why we are skeptical and also rather tired of this?"
"I do understand, but it is essential for national security that knowledge of the reason for granting them asylum be kept to as few people as possible. The information they possess cannot be allowed to reach the outside world."
"What information is so dangerous? And does it pose a threat to Huenya? We at least have a right to know that, and a need to know that, before we can accept this secrecy," Sirua, the leader of the Itotemoc, said.
"Director Cuetlancaona can confirm what I am saying. I have shared this information with him only, and no one else. Not even my son, who is as skeptical as the rest of you," Yauhmi replied. Next to her, Texōccoatl had an expression on his face that was indeed quite questioning. The fact that Yauhmi had not told even Texōccoatl the reason sharpened the interest of the Executives; it was well-known that Texōccoatl was Yauhmi's chief confidant. The Executives sat more upright, focused, as the Director of the Federal Intelligence Service stood up to speak.
"I have reviewed the files on the two Auroras and their asylum applications," Cuetlancaona said. "I can assure this Chamber that they, individually, pose no threat to Huenya, should we continue the old Xiomeran policy of not giving them a reason to pose a threat to us. Yauhmi's previous policy towards them, which I frankly find wise. One should not go looking for trouble when none exists."
"As for the specific reason they are asking for asylum - the two of them have information which gives them reason to believe that their lives would be in danger if they returned to Kerlile. Both from the government, and possibly from individual Kerlians. That, alone, qualifies them for asylum under the directives established this month by the immigration and Customs Service. However, this information also falls under the recent security guidelines established by the Directorate of National Intelligence regarding matters requiring restricted access to information for national security reasons. I cannot elaborate any further, precisely because this information is Level 1 restricted."
The members of the Chamber collectively widened their eyes at that; Level 1 was reserved for only the most sensitive information. Under Huenyan security guidelines, Level 1 information could only be provided to FIS agents with sufficient security clearance, the DNI, the Vice-Speaker, and to Yauhmi. In total, only four or five people in Huenya qualified for Level 1. Not even the members of the Chamber of Executives did.
"As to why this information is so sensitive, I can only say this: releasing it would cause grave harm to Huenya, and possibly to other nations as well. For that reason, I must ask the Chamber to understand our secrecy on this. I know you believe that the cihuātlahtoāni is being too secretive on matters. I can assure you, in this case, the secrecy is indeed warranted. If you don't trust her on this, I urge you to trust me. This is my job. And I can also say this: revealing this info to anyone else, and risking a leak, poses far greater threat to Huenya than keeping it secure. And there is nothing that can be done about the overall threat it poses now....that ship sailed decades ago, before Huenya even existed. There may be a time when this information is revealed due to circumstances completely out of our control. But for now, keeping it secret is absolutely essential for Huenya."
Director Cuetlancaona sat down, to stunned silence.
"And we just have to take your word for it," Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, sighed in frustration.
"That is why directors of national intelligence exist, sir. And intelligence agencies," Cuetlancaona replied. "To keep the secrets safe, and make sure they stay secret."
"So the information is dangerous. We have that information, now. Why compound the threat by letting the Auroras remain here?" Cusuyo tapped his fist on the table. "If they brought that information here, and it appears they did, they are the ones who have put us in this danger now. A danger so grave we can't even be told about it! Are they not a threat to Huenya themselves?"
"There are threats, and then there are threats," Cuetlancaona said firmly. "Rejecting and angering Auroras is something I would consider profoundly unwise - and in itself a grave threat to Huenyan security, especially when we don't need to cause even more headaches for ourselves."
In the ensuing silence, Yauhmi spoke up again. "The Auroras are not our enemy. We've proven that time and again. Let's not make them our enemy unnecessarily - that has worked out well for us in the past. General Huatli is a perfect example of that. Besides, we have sworn ourselves to be a refuge to those needing one. Are we really going to turn our backs on that promise now - within months after making it - out of fear?"
Cusuyo shook his head, still grumbling, but eventually assented.
In the end, the Chamber of Executives agreed to offer asylum to Riley Nelson and Nelichē, and also agreed to keep themselves in the dark as to why. As bad as those choices seemed, the other choices promised to be far worse.
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