09-06-2021, 08:30 PM
Federal Parliament of Lauchenoiria
August 31st, 9:30am local time
It was one o’clock in the morning in Lauchenoiria when Cozamalotl was executed. As soon as Lauchenoirian intelligence confirmed they’d gone through with it, Alvarez had sunk into the armchair in her office and begun crying. Her tears were caused only in small part by sadness, but in larger part by her fury with Calhualyana and her anger at herself for not doing something sooner to counter the threat that post-partition Xiomera posed to the whole world.
She should never have given Calhualyana the benefit of the doubt. It was clear to her now, as it was clear to everyone else far sooner, that Calhualyana did not deserve consideration of her views for a single second. For all that Alvarez had personal problems with Yauhmi, Calhualyana was a thousand times worse, as all tyrannical dictators were once you peeked beyond the propaganda curtain. And after all, her dislike of Yauhmi had originated in her support for Cozamalotl.
By morning, Alvarez had gone through her emotions, got them in check, re-written her own speech on the matter five times, and put on makeup to disguise the fact that she hadn’t slept in 72 hours and had spent several of them in tears. As she stood up in Lauchenoiria’s parliament to address the representatives – and the TV cameras which would broadcast the speech internationally – she looked calm, collected, confident… and furious.
“Good morning. Shortly after 01:00 Lauchenoirian time, 08:00 local time, the Xiomeran Empire executed opposition leader Cozamalotl by firing squad. This execution was scheduled in advance and followed a so-called ‘confession’ that our intelligence sources believe was made under duress. The government of Lauchenoiria wholeheartedly condemns this execution, and the persecution of opposition leaders and members in Xiomera.”
She formed her lips into a stern expression. Behind her, her cabinet ministers all sat, the picture of attention and agreement, including Pavía. To anyone watching, it would be immediately clear that there was no dissent within the Lauchenoirian government on the matter. They were united; and they were united against Xiomera.
“Since the signing of the Jinyu Peace Agreement, Empress Calhualyana has shown a blatant disregard for human rights both at home and abroad. From their scorched-earth policies during the withdrawal from Huenya, to her decision to build a brand-new torture complex, she has proven time and time again that she does not care about building a country where people can be free. This cannot be allowed to continue unchallenged.”
The parliament was deathly quiet. Nobody present was heckling or challenging the Prime Minister, the only people who might have would have been the Lauchenoiria First representatives, who wisely had decided not to show up for work today. For the first time since Lauchenoiria’s own war, the communists and the capitalists agreed.
“That is why, in light of these human rights abuses, I am today announcing that our government will be imposing a programme of economic sanctions on the Empire of Xiomera and on key figures in the Xiomeran regime. These include Empress Calhualyana herself, alongside Prime Minister Toquihu and other government figures. We do not take this action lightly, but we can no longer stand idly by, claiming to be neutral in a situation where neutrality is complicity in these abuses.”
Behind Alvarez, Sandra Pavía nodded her head in clear agreement, intending to prove that the rumours spreading about her, especially those the Milinticans were pushing, were nonsense designed to damage her government. Agramunt, across the room, took note of Pavía’s performance and frowned slightly, uncertain exactly what was going on there. While this silent series of gestures happened, Alvarez continued.
“Today, we send a clear message to Calhualyana: enough is enough. We will stand against you, and stand alongside our fellow democratic states who value freedom to promote the respect of human rights worldwide. The time for neutrality is over, thanks to this tragedy. Cozamalotl stood until the end for his principles, for freedom, and Xiomera rewarded him for that with death. May he rest in peace, and may his dream of a free Xiomera one day come to fruition. I would now like to ask those gathered to observe a two-minute silence in honour and memory of Cozamalotl.”
The parliament fell silent as the gathered representatives stood to observe the silence, as the cameras broadcast the image around the IDU. Alvarez knew fine well that if Calhualyana wasn’t watching live, she’d be watching later. And as she thought about what she’d known of Cozamalotl, and of everything that had happened since he first ran in that Great Selection almost two years ago, she welcomed it. Bring it on, Empress, for you have few allies and we have right on our side.
August 31st, 9:30am local time
It was one o’clock in the morning in Lauchenoiria when Cozamalotl was executed. As soon as Lauchenoirian intelligence confirmed they’d gone through with it, Alvarez had sunk into the armchair in her office and begun crying. Her tears were caused only in small part by sadness, but in larger part by her fury with Calhualyana and her anger at herself for not doing something sooner to counter the threat that post-partition Xiomera posed to the whole world.
She should never have given Calhualyana the benefit of the doubt. It was clear to her now, as it was clear to everyone else far sooner, that Calhualyana did not deserve consideration of her views for a single second. For all that Alvarez had personal problems with Yauhmi, Calhualyana was a thousand times worse, as all tyrannical dictators were once you peeked beyond the propaganda curtain. And after all, her dislike of Yauhmi had originated in her support for Cozamalotl.
By morning, Alvarez had gone through her emotions, got them in check, re-written her own speech on the matter five times, and put on makeup to disguise the fact that she hadn’t slept in 72 hours and had spent several of them in tears. As she stood up in Lauchenoiria’s parliament to address the representatives – and the TV cameras which would broadcast the speech internationally – she looked calm, collected, confident… and furious.
“Good morning. Shortly after 01:00 Lauchenoirian time, 08:00 local time, the Xiomeran Empire executed opposition leader Cozamalotl by firing squad. This execution was scheduled in advance and followed a so-called ‘confession’ that our intelligence sources believe was made under duress. The government of Lauchenoiria wholeheartedly condemns this execution, and the persecution of opposition leaders and members in Xiomera.”
She formed her lips into a stern expression. Behind her, her cabinet ministers all sat, the picture of attention and agreement, including Pavía. To anyone watching, it would be immediately clear that there was no dissent within the Lauchenoirian government on the matter. They were united; and they were united against Xiomera.
“Since the signing of the Jinyu Peace Agreement, Empress Calhualyana has shown a blatant disregard for human rights both at home and abroad. From their scorched-earth policies during the withdrawal from Huenya, to her decision to build a brand-new torture complex, she has proven time and time again that she does not care about building a country where people can be free. This cannot be allowed to continue unchallenged.”
The parliament was deathly quiet. Nobody present was heckling or challenging the Prime Minister, the only people who might have would have been the Lauchenoiria First representatives, who wisely had decided not to show up for work today. For the first time since Lauchenoiria’s own war, the communists and the capitalists agreed.
“That is why, in light of these human rights abuses, I am today announcing that our government will be imposing a programme of economic sanctions on the Empire of Xiomera and on key figures in the Xiomeran regime. These include Empress Calhualyana herself, alongside Prime Minister Toquihu and other government figures. We do not take this action lightly, but we can no longer stand idly by, claiming to be neutral in a situation where neutrality is complicity in these abuses.”
Behind Alvarez, Sandra Pavía nodded her head in clear agreement, intending to prove that the rumours spreading about her, especially those the Milinticans were pushing, were nonsense designed to damage her government. Agramunt, across the room, took note of Pavía’s performance and frowned slightly, uncertain exactly what was going on there. While this silent series of gestures happened, Alvarez continued.
“Today, we send a clear message to Calhualyana: enough is enough. We will stand against you, and stand alongside our fellow democratic states who value freedom to promote the respect of human rights worldwide. The time for neutrality is over, thanks to this tragedy. Cozamalotl stood until the end for his principles, for freedom, and Xiomera rewarded him for that with death. May he rest in peace, and may his dream of a free Xiomera one day come to fruition. I would now like to ask those gathered to observe a two-minute silence in honour and memory of Cozamalotl.”
The parliament fell silent as the gathered representatives stood to observe the silence, as the cameras broadcast the image around the IDU. Alvarez knew fine well that if Calhualyana wasn’t watching live, she’d be watching later. And as she thought about what she’d known of Cozamalotl, and of everything that had happened since he first ran in that Great Selection almost two years ago, she welcomed it. Bring it on, Empress, for you have few allies and we have right on our side.
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax