07-15-2021, 06:08 AM
Xochuaxte Palace
July 14th
With the election campaigns in Huenya now in full swing, and the business of building their respective parts of the Huenyan Federation likewise in full swing, the various members of the Chamber of Executives had decamped to their respective regional capitals. Texōccoatl and Tiacihitli were now leading the meetings of the one established and functioning chamber of the Huenyan legislature by video call, rather than in person.
The distance was not proving to make the experience any less annoying.
"So, do we now agree that we should provide an official statement of support for Queen Sophie and the Aurian government against the coup?" Texōccoatl asked, his voice weary with the tone of someone asking a question once again after multiple times.
"I am still uncertain," Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, said nervously. Texōccoatl stifled a sigh, forcing himself to retain a calm and polite expression on his face as the other tlahtoāni dithered yet again. "I am not sure we should draw further attention to ourselves before we've even completed elections here and finished building our government. Whoever is behind this coup will not appreciate our interference, and we're not stable enough to deal with retaliation yet. What happened at the FIS headquarters proved that all too well."
"I cannot agree. Of all nations, we should be the ones speaking out against a coup," Texōccoatl said. "It was a coup which caused the entire civil war that we just experienced."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Huacue, the tlahtoāni of the Necatli, laughed. "As far as my people are concerned, the civil war was the best thing that could have happened to us. It won us our independence."
"At the cost of thousands of lives, and great destruction," Texōccoatl countered. "Whether the outcome was what was desired or not, we can't forget the loss involved. And the Aurians may be about to experience the same kind of tragedy. We, of all people, have to respond to that."
"I agree. We need to support the legitimate government, and do so openly. And vocally." Sirua, the tlahtoāni of the Itotemoc, had a grim look on her face. "Especially with the information the Great Speaker has provided to us indicating that the Aurian coup plotters were equipped with Imperial weapons. Calhualyana is either behind the Aurian coup herself, or is providing material assistance to those who are in hopes of gaining influence. If she succeeds in Auria, she will use that as a template to flip other countries to favoring the Empire. Manauia Island, the Netlcoātl Islands, even Huenya itself could be at risk. She could easily manipulate ethnic Xiomerans in all those places to revolt and give them arms. She won't stop there, either. Other unstable states like Mallacaland could also be at risk if she sees this as a successful path to increasing Imperial influence. We have to speak up now, and get the world to put a stop to it now, before Calhualyana succeeds."
"Sirua, I don't care about any of those places except for Huenya," Huacue retorted angrily. "Calhualyana can make all of them her playground if she wants. But we cannot - must not - do anything that may provoke her or anyone else to retaliate against Huenya. We must stay out of the world's unrest. Doing anything else puts my people at risk, since we are part of this Federation. Cusuyo, you agree with me, don't you?"
On his screen, Cusuyo looked down. "I am not sure. Calhualyana does pose a danger, but which is the greater danger? If we provoke her, or if we ignore her while she strives to increase her reach and her power?"
"Option 2. It's definitely option 2 which is worse," Tiacihitli said, growing exasperated. "We must oppose Calhualyana's ambitions and ensure that the world is aware of the danger those ambitions pose. Ignoring them will only ensure that she fulfills them."
"We should vote as a Chamber, and make a decision on our official stance now," Texōccoatl said.
"Before the elections? You want to commit us to a major foreign policy stance before we even have our elected government established? So this Chamber is ruling by decree now? Is the Great Speaker taking a page out of his mother's playbook now - unilateral decisions and commitments for the entire nation, and to hell with the consequences?" Huacue demanded.
Texōccoatl stared impassively at Huacue, maintaining his outward calm despite the jibe at his deposed mother. "I somehow doubt this crisis, nor the others which may arise before the elections, will conveniently wait until January 2022 for us to make a decision and act," the Great Speaker said. "Although, I suppose you could ask the people who just executed Auria's elected leaders in cold blood if they're the patient sort." Huacue's face turned bright red in anger at the cool sarcasm underlying Texōccoatl's even tone.
Before Huacue could say anything further, Tiacihitli called for a vote. "I vote in favor of supporting the legitimate Aurian government by whatever means we can," Texōccoatl said. "As do I," Sirua added.
"No." Huacue's voice was sharp.
After a long pause, Tiacihitli waved at Cusuyo. "Your vote is all that remains." Huacue stared daggers at Cusuyo, but after a deep sigh, Cusuyo simply nodded assent.
"The vote is three to one. This Chamber votes in favor of support for the legitimate Aurian government. I recommend that we have the nantzintli, Yauhmi, make an outreach to Queen Sophie while we make a formal statement of support - "
Tiacihitli's words were cut off by a sharp clatter. Huacue had risen from his chair, in such a fury that it had fallen to the floor. "If my words do not matter to this Chamber, then why am I here? If my concern for the fate of my people matters so little to you that you will override me and risk them so you can thumb your nose at Calhualyana and stand and preen on the world stage, why are we in this Federation? I am warning you all - you continue to ignore my words at your peril. The Necatli will not be ignored."
With a sharp gesture, Huacue jabbed a button on his desk, and his screen went blank.
"That went well," Sirua said with a whistle. "I am fine with your plan, Vice-Speaker. Do let me know if we need to meet again soon, gentlemen. These sessions are always so enjoyable." Her screen winked out. Cusuyo, with a sharp sigh, also agreed to the Vice-Speaker's plan before signing out.
Texōccoatl and Tiacihitli looked at each other. "That was.....urrgh."
Tiacihitli simply looked at the wall. After a moment, he stood up. "Could you walk with me, Texōccoatl?" he asked, gesturing to the door. Slightly confused, Texōccoatl nodded.
The two of them walked silently to the private offices of the Vice-Speaker, where Tiacihitli dismissed everyone from the offices before walking with Texōccoatl into his own private chamber. "We can speak here. I had FIS ensure there are no listening devices here. And now there are no inconvenient ears to listen either." Sitting down, he opened a wooden box on his desk and took out a cigar. He then poured a glass of brandy. He offered both to Texōccoatl. Normally, Texōccoatl didn't drink or smoke often, being a bit of a health nut. However, after going yet another round with Huacue, both were sorely needed and appreciated.
Settling down with his own cigar and glass of brandy, Tiacihitli looked directly at Texōccoatl. "Something has to be done about Huacue."
Texōccoatl took a sip from his glass. "I thought we didn't do that sort of thing anymore."
"I am not saying this lightly. But Huacue will destroy this Federation before it's even born. He keeps threatening to pull the Necatli out of Huenya. If he does that - and he will, eventually, if he doesn't get his way - then this entire country could fall apart. The Itotemoc and the Tepiltzin could withdraw also. Then the ethnic Xiomerans would resist. We could lose Huenya, and gain civil war and ethnic violence instead. All the things we are trying to avoid by creating Huenya in the first place. If we have to be rid of Huacue somehow, to save the Federation....so be it." Tiacihitli took a deep gulp from his own glass.
"And how exactly do you propose to do that? I don't like Huacue any more than you do. I also worry about what damage he could do. He's already done enough damage, and I am now the Great Speaker because of his antics. But I will not plot to harm another leader of this state, nor plot a coup against them. And he's a noble, so he can't be voted out. So you'd better have another suggestion, Tiacihitli. One that does not require me to sell my honor to gain a political end."
Tiacihitli shook his head vehemently. "I don't mean anything like that. But I have been speaking with Cuetlancaona. He has been investigating rumors that Huacue may have committed war crimes during the civil war. Crimes by his own hand, specifically. If we can prove that he did, and take that to the CNRR, they will remove Huacue themselves and have him face trial. He will be finished, and out of our hair, and someone who isn't a damned domestic terrorist can take over leadership of the Necatli. And we can keep Huenya from falling apart before elections even happen."
The CNRR, the Huenyan TRC, had in fact been bringing many people to trial since the war had ended. But no one as high-profile as Huacue had been brought before the CNRR, and Texōccoatl was well aware of that. "For someone as important as Huacue, any case brought before the CNRR would have to be absolutely airtight and beyond question. Can you guarantee that?"
"Not yet. Cuetlancaona is still investigating. But he has leads he says are very significant. If FIS can build a case that strong against Huacue, will you back my lead when I move against him?"
"Of course. If the man has committed war crimes, he must face punishment as any war criminal would. And I would also, truthfully, be glad to be rid of him. But I have one stipulation. The charges must be true, and must be proven. If you or Cuetlancaona, or FIS, fabricate a case against Huacue just so we can be rid of him, I will expose you myself," Texōccoatl said in a voice as sharp as an obsidian blade. "But if he is a war criminal, I will drag him myself to the CNRR and take great pleasure in doing so."
With those words, the two highest leaders of Huenya shook hands, before continuing to enjoy their cigars and brandy.
July 14th
With the election campaigns in Huenya now in full swing, and the business of building their respective parts of the Huenyan Federation likewise in full swing, the various members of the Chamber of Executives had decamped to their respective regional capitals. Texōccoatl and Tiacihitli were now leading the meetings of the one established and functioning chamber of the Huenyan legislature by video call, rather than in person.
The distance was not proving to make the experience any less annoying.
"So, do we now agree that we should provide an official statement of support for Queen Sophie and the Aurian government against the coup?" Texōccoatl asked, his voice weary with the tone of someone asking a question once again after multiple times.
"I am still uncertain," Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, said nervously. Texōccoatl stifled a sigh, forcing himself to retain a calm and polite expression on his face as the other tlahtoāni dithered yet again. "I am not sure we should draw further attention to ourselves before we've even completed elections here and finished building our government. Whoever is behind this coup will not appreciate our interference, and we're not stable enough to deal with retaliation yet. What happened at the FIS headquarters proved that all too well."
"I cannot agree. Of all nations, we should be the ones speaking out against a coup," Texōccoatl said. "It was a coup which caused the entire civil war that we just experienced."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Huacue, the tlahtoāni of the Necatli, laughed. "As far as my people are concerned, the civil war was the best thing that could have happened to us. It won us our independence."
"At the cost of thousands of lives, and great destruction," Texōccoatl countered. "Whether the outcome was what was desired or not, we can't forget the loss involved. And the Aurians may be about to experience the same kind of tragedy. We, of all people, have to respond to that."
"I agree. We need to support the legitimate government, and do so openly. And vocally." Sirua, the tlahtoāni of the Itotemoc, had a grim look on her face. "Especially with the information the Great Speaker has provided to us indicating that the Aurian coup plotters were equipped with Imperial weapons. Calhualyana is either behind the Aurian coup herself, or is providing material assistance to those who are in hopes of gaining influence. If she succeeds in Auria, she will use that as a template to flip other countries to favoring the Empire. Manauia Island, the Netlcoātl Islands, even Huenya itself could be at risk. She could easily manipulate ethnic Xiomerans in all those places to revolt and give them arms. She won't stop there, either. Other unstable states like Mallacaland could also be at risk if she sees this as a successful path to increasing Imperial influence. We have to speak up now, and get the world to put a stop to it now, before Calhualyana succeeds."
"Sirua, I don't care about any of those places except for Huenya," Huacue retorted angrily. "Calhualyana can make all of them her playground if she wants. But we cannot - must not - do anything that may provoke her or anyone else to retaliate against Huenya. We must stay out of the world's unrest. Doing anything else puts my people at risk, since we are part of this Federation. Cusuyo, you agree with me, don't you?"
On his screen, Cusuyo looked down. "I am not sure. Calhualyana does pose a danger, but which is the greater danger? If we provoke her, or if we ignore her while she strives to increase her reach and her power?"
"Option 2. It's definitely option 2 which is worse," Tiacihitli said, growing exasperated. "We must oppose Calhualyana's ambitions and ensure that the world is aware of the danger those ambitions pose. Ignoring them will only ensure that she fulfills them."
"We should vote as a Chamber, and make a decision on our official stance now," Texōccoatl said.
"Before the elections? You want to commit us to a major foreign policy stance before we even have our elected government established? So this Chamber is ruling by decree now? Is the Great Speaker taking a page out of his mother's playbook now - unilateral decisions and commitments for the entire nation, and to hell with the consequences?" Huacue demanded.
Texōccoatl stared impassively at Huacue, maintaining his outward calm despite the jibe at his deposed mother. "I somehow doubt this crisis, nor the others which may arise before the elections, will conveniently wait until January 2022 for us to make a decision and act," the Great Speaker said. "Although, I suppose you could ask the people who just executed Auria's elected leaders in cold blood if they're the patient sort." Huacue's face turned bright red in anger at the cool sarcasm underlying Texōccoatl's even tone.
Before Huacue could say anything further, Tiacihitli called for a vote. "I vote in favor of supporting the legitimate Aurian government by whatever means we can," Texōccoatl said. "As do I," Sirua added.
"No." Huacue's voice was sharp.
After a long pause, Tiacihitli waved at Cusuyo. "Your vote is all that remains." Huacue stared daggers at Cusuyo, but after a deep sigh, Cusuyo simply nodded assent.
"The vote is three to one. This Chamber votes in favor of support for the legitimate Aurian government. I recommend that we have the nantzintli, Yauhmi, make an outreach to Queen Sophie while we make a formal statement of support - "
Tiacihitli's words were cut off by a sharp clatter. Huacue had risen from his chair, in such a fury that it had fallen to the floor. "If my words do not matter to this Chamber, then why am I here? If my concern for the fate of my people matters so little to you that you will override me and risk them so you can thumb your nose at Calhualyana and stand and preen on the world stage, why are we in this Federation? I am warning you all - you continue to ignore my words at your peril. The Necatli will not be ignored."
With a sharp gesture, Huacue jabbed a button on his desk, and his screen went blank.
"That went well," Sirua said with a whistle. "I am fine with your plan, Vice-Speaker. Do let me know if we need to meet again soon, gentlemen. These sessions are always so enjoyable." Her screen winked out. Cusuyo, with a sharp sigh, also agreed to the Vice-Speaker's plan before signing out.
Texōccoatl and Tiacihitli looked at each other. "That was.....urrgh."
Tiacihitli simply looked at the wall. After a moment, he stood up. "Could you walk with me, Texōccoatl?" he asked, gesturing to the door. Slightly confused, Texōccoatl nodded.
The two of them walked silently to the private offices of the Vice-Speaker, where Tiacihitli dismissed everyone from the offices before walking with Texōccoatl into his own private chamber. "We can speak here. I had FIS ensure there are no listening devices here. And now there are no inconvenient ears to listen either." Sitting down, he opened a wooden box on his desk and took out a cigar. He then poured a glass of brandy. He offered both to Texōccoatl. Normally, Texōccoatl didn't drink or smoke often, being a bit of a health nut. However, after going yet another round with Huacue, both were sorely needed and appreciated.
Settling down with his own cigar and glass of brandy, Tiacihitli looked directly at Texōccoatl. "Something has to be done about Huacue."
Texōccoatl took a sip from his glass. "I thought we didn't do that sort of thing anymore."
"I am not saying this lightly. But Huacue will destroy this Federation before it's even born. He keeps threatening to pull the Necatli out of Huenya. If he does that - and he will, eventually, if he doesn't get his way - then this entire country could fall apart. The Itotemoc and the Tepiltzin could withdraw also. Then the ethnic Xiomerans would resist. We could lose Huenya, and gain civil war and ethnic violence instead. All the things we are trying to avoid by creating Huenya in the first place. If we have to be rid of Huacue somehow, to save the Federation....so be it." Tiacihitli took a deep gulp from his own glass.
"And how exactly do you propose to do that? I don't like Huacue any more than you do. I also worry about what damage he could do. He's already done enough damage, and I am now the Great Speaker because of his antics. But I will not plot to harm another leader of this state, nor plot a coup against them. And he's a noble, so he can't be voted out. So you'd better have another suggestion, Tiacihitli. One that does not require me to sell my honor to gain a political end."
Tiacihitli shook his head vehemently. "I don't mean anything like that. But I have been speaking with Cuetlancaona. He has been investigating rumors that Huacue may have committed war crimes during the civil war. Crimes by his own hand, specifically. If we can prove that he did, and take that to the CNRR, they will remove Huacue themselves and have him face trial. He will be finished, and out of our hair, and someone who isn't a damned domestic terrorist can take over leadership of the Necatli. And we can keep Huenya from falling apart before elections even happen."
The CNRR, the Huenyan TRC, had in fact been bringing many people to trial since the war had ended. But no one as high-profile as Huacue had been brought before the CNRR, and Texōccoatl was well aware of that. "For someone as important as Huacue, any case brought before the CNRR would have to be absolutely airtight and beyond question. Can you guarantee that?"
"Not yet. Cuetlancaona is still investigating. But he has leads he says are very significant. If FIS can build a case that strong against Huacue, will you back my lead when I move against him?"
"Of course. If the man has committed war crimes, he must face punishment as any war criminal would. And I would also, truthfully, be glad to be rid of him. But I have one stipulation. The charges must be true, and must be proven. If you or Cuetlancaona, or FIS, fabricate a case against Huacue just so we can be rid of him, I will expose you myself," Texōccoatl said in a voice as sharp as an obsidian blade. "But if he is a war criminal, I will drag him myself to the CNRR and take great pleasure in doing so."
With those words, the two highest leaders of Huenya shook hands, before continuing to enjoy their cigars and brandy.
<t></t>