06-11-2021, 07:46 PM
(Joint post with Lauchenoiria)
Calhualyana was waiting in the throne room once more for a visitor. She had been quite busy lately. Standing below her raised position on the throne, Loyalty Minister Quihichua was also waiting with an expectant expression. She had found out about this particular asylum request/job application from the new Imperial Intelligence Agency, who had a contact with this man. “Show him in,” Calhualyana said to her steward. Xiuhcatli stepped forward and opened the doors to the throne room, gesturing for the man waiting to enter.
Gabriel Fleming sauntered forward, a wide grin on his face as he took in his surroundings approvingly. The Lauchenoirian nodded to himself and then turned to the Empress, giving a rather theatrical bow. "Your Majesty," he smiled at her. "Thanks for seeing me. Your country is everything I had hoped it would be, from what I've seen so far."
The man has charm, I must admit, the Empress thought as she gave Fleming a courteous nod of the head in response. “I am glad you approve. Most Lauchenoirians are hardly as pleased with Xiomera,” she replied, beginning the conversation with a little bit of a feeler to test the former agent.
"Most Lauchenoirians have a tendency to be wrong," he replied. "It was exhausting, living in a country where people you meet seem to think they live in a children's fairytale and that nothing unpleasant has to happen. Then, of course, the war came, and unpleasantness reared its ugly head. Yet in response, my country decided instead of admitting their folly, they would bury the truth deeper. And then they decided to hang me out to dry because Alvarez needed a scapegoat. I mean, really!"
”Indeed, and that is why I agreed to meet with you. I am well aware that the Lauchenoirian government has labeled you a traitor. And normally, Xiomera has no tolerance for traitors. But the more I reviewed your situation, it seems to me that you were the one betrayed.” The Empress paused. “Is it true that it was your idea to accuse Yauhmi of cheating on Topilpopoca during her Great Selection?”
"Of course," he shrugged. "It was the obvious course of choice. Despite what some people continue to peddle, the court of public opinion will always judge infidelity harshly. Alvarez ordered me to sabotage Yauhmi and I did as ordered. Then Yauhmi overreacted - honestly, it's like she didn't understand politics at all - and cyberattacked Lauchenoiria, and Alvarez decided to lock me up for just doing what she told me to."
Calhualyana laughed, a pleased tone to her voice. “I thought it was a brilliant move, myself. But I despise Yauhmi, as I am sure you know. She was certainly a political harlot, changing her views whenever it suited her, so who knows if she was a real harlot or not? The rumor may not have even been a lie. Topilpopoca was not an attractive man, after all.” Calhualyana nodded in thought. “Yauhmi has always been prone to impulsivity and overreaction. That was her weakness. For Alvarez, the weaknesses are idealism, and lack of discipline. She talks a good game, but in the end, doesn’t have what it takes to lead. Not like we do. I am sure you know I was once an agent myself, so I know very well that we make the choices the politicians and the moralists are afraid to make. The choices that actually keep nations safe and strong.” The Empress looked down at Fleming. “So. From what Quihichua has told me, you wish asylum in my Empire and to enter our service.”
Fleming nodded. "Between Alvarez and Yauhmi, the pair presumably have people hunting me. I am confident in your ability to ensure my safety, and in return I'm willing to offer you my skills which Alvarez so foolishly rejected the use of. Do you know she forbade me to arrest Auroras? And then handed the lot back to Kerlile without so much as an interrogation in some cases? It was frankly absurd given how much damage Clarke was able to do in 2018."
”That was indeed absurd. Not quite as absurd as Yauhmi offering them sanctuary and freedom. But quite close.” Calhualyana grimaced at the mention of Auroras. “I am willing to consider your request. But I must ask. Other than the fact that we can protect you from the Lauchenoirian government and from Yauhmi’s minions - which we can most certainly do - what made you choose Xiomera? There are many places one of your skills can be of service.”
"I chose Xiomera because I believe in what you're trying to do," he replied. "You wish to create a state which is strong and secure, which will not be allowed to fall into degeneracy and ruin. I have spent too long being punished for trying to make my country stronger; I want to work for people who understand what needs to be done to ensure security."
”That is a sound answer. There is only one question that I have left for this little job interview, then. I now know what you want. But the last question is, what will you do? Even in Xiomera, we have had people who were too soft to do the needful things when necessary. I need to know that everyone in my service will do whatever is asked of them, without hesitation or question. I just made my own fiancé march into a restive and treasonous part of this capital and put down traitors with his own hand to prove his worth.” Calhualyana said it matter-of-factly, as if it was completely normal to ask a potential husband to commit mass repression and violence as a sort of reverse dowry. “So, Gabriel. How far will you go? Is there anything you will not do?” Calhualyana looked Fleming squarely in the eyes, not even blinking.
"If I was not willing to do what needs to be done, I'd have stayed in Lauchenoiria," he met the Empresses eyes easily. "So to answer the question: I will go as far as you wish me to go."
”That is the correct answer. In Xiomera, it is actually the only answer.” The Empress stood up, giving Fleming another nod. “Your request is accepted. Welcome to Xiomera, and the service of the Imperial Security Agency. I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish for us. And, frankly, to Yauhmi’s reaction when she finds out. Maybe she’ll finally have a heart attack and we’ll be rid of her once and for all,” the Empress said with a soft chuckle. “Quihichua will make the arrangements from here.”
Calhualyana was waiting in the throne room once more for a visitor. She had been quite busy lately. Standing below her raised position on the throne, Loyalty Minister Quihichua was also waiting with an expectant expression. She had found out about this particular asylum request/job application from the new Imperial Intelligence Agency, who had a contact with this man. “Show him in,” Calhualyana said to her steward. Xiuhcatli stepped forward and opened the doors to the throne room, gesturing for the man waiting to enter.
Gabriel Fleming sauntered forward, a wide grin on his face as he took in his surroundings approvingly. The Lauchenoirian nodded to himself and then turned to the Empress, giving a rather theatrical bow. "Your Majesty," he smiled at her. "Thanks for seeing me. Your country is everything I had hoped it would be, from what I've seen so far."
The man has charm, I must admit, the Empress thought as she gave Fleming a courteous nod of the head in response. “I am glad you approve. Most Lauchenoirians are hardly as pleased with Xiomera,” she replied, beginning the conversation with a little bit of a feeler to test the former agent.
"Most Lauchenoirians have a tendency to be wrong," he replied. "It was exhausting, living in a country where people you meet seem to think they live in a children's fairytale and that nothing unpleasant has to happen. Then, of course, the war came, and unpleasantness reared its ugly head. Yet in response, my country decided instead of admitting their folly, they would bury the truth deeper. And then they decided to hang me out to dry because Alvarez needed a scapegoat. I mean, really!"
”Indeed, and that is why I agreed to meet with you. I am well aware that the Lauchenoirian government has labeled you a traitor. And normally, Xiomera has no tolerance for traitors. But the more I reviewed your situation, it seems to me that you were the one betrayed.” The Empress paused. “Is it true that it was your idea to accuse Yauhmi of cheating on Topilpopoca during her Great Selection?”
"Of course," he shrugged. "It was the obvious course of choice. Despite what some people continue to peddle, the court of public opinion will always judge infidelity harshly. Alvarez ordered me to sabotage Yauhmi and I did as ordered. Then Yauhmi overreacted - honestly, it's like she didn't understand politics at all - and cyberattacked Lauchenoiria, and Alvarez decided to lock me up for just doing what she told me to."
Calhualyana laughed, a pleased tone to her voice. “I thought it was a brilliant move, myself. But I despise Yauhmi, as I am sure you know. She was certainly a political harlot, changing her views whenever it suited her, so who knows if she was a real harlot or not? The rumor may not have even been a lie. Topilpopoca was not an attractive man, after all.” Calhualyana nodded in thought. “Yauhmi has always been prone to impulsivity and overreaction. That was her weakness. For Alvarez, the weaknesses are idealism, and lack of discipline. She talks a good game, but in the end, doesn’t have what it takes to lead. Not like we do. I am sure you know I was once an agent myself, so I know very well that we make the choices the politicians and the moralists are afraid to make. The choices that actually keep nations safe and strong.” The Empress looked down at Fleming. “So. From what Quihichua has told me, you wish asylum in my Empire and to enter our service.”
Fleming nodded. "Between Alvarez and Yauhmi, the pair presumably have people hunting me. I am confident in your ability to ensure my safety, and in return I'm willing to offer you my skills which Alvarez so foolishly rejected the use of. Do you know she forbade me to arrest Auroras? And then handed the lot back to Kerlile without so much as an interrogation in some cases? It was frankly absurd given how much damage Clarke was able to do in 2018."
”That was indeed absurd. Not quite as absurd as Yauhmi offering them sanctuary and freedom. But quite close.” Calhualyana grimaced at the mention of Auroras. “I am willing to consider your request. But I must ask. Other than the fact that we can protect you from the Lauchenoirian government and from Yauhmi’s minions - which we can most certainly do - what made you choose Xiomera? There are many places one of your skills can be of service.”
"I chose Xiomera because I believe in what you're trying to do," he replied. "You wish to create a state which is strong and secure, which will not be allowed to fall into degeneracy and ruin. I have spent too long being punished for trying to make my country stronger; I want to work for people who understand what needs to be done to ensure security."
”That is a sound answer. There is only one question that I have left for this little job interview, then. I now know what you want. But the last question is, what will you do? Even in Xiomera, we have had people who were too soft to do the needful things when necessary. I need to know that everyone in my service will do whatever is asked of them, without hesitation or question. I just made my own fiancé march into a restive and treasonous part of this capital and put down traitors with his own hand to prove his worth.” Calhualyana said it matter-of-factly, as if it was completely normal to ask a potential husband to commit mass repression and violence as a sort of reverse dowry. “So, Gabriel. How far will you go? Is there anything you will not do?” Calhualyana looked Fleming squarely in the eyes, not even blinking.
"If I was not willing to do what needs to be done, I'd have stayed in Lauchenoiria," he met the Empresses eyes easily. "So to answer the question: I will go as far as you wish me to go."
”That is the correct answer. In Xiomera, it is actually the only answer.” The Empress stood up, giving Fleming another nod. “Your request is accepted. Welcome to Xiomera, and the service of the Imperial Security Agency. I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish for us. And, frankly, to Yauhmi’s reaction when she finds out. Maybe she’ll finally have a heart attack and we’ll be rid of her once and for all,” the Empress said with a soft chuckle. “Quihichua will make the arrangements from here.”
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