09-13-2021, 08:31 PM
(Joint Post With Xiomera)
Chancellor's Study, Geminus
September 12th
The Chancellor's desk was, in short, a mess. Day-old reports and poll results were stacked on top of one another, forming a small wall around the edges of the antique oak desk. Portfolios and pens were placed perfectly within reach, often being used to scribble notes. One single folder stood above the mess, laying open near the edge. The Chancellor had read and reread that report for several minutes, laser focused on every word.
Ava Christiansen, his ever-faithful chief of staff, stood awkwardly in the large study, watching the Chancellor's determined expression. The report on the assassination attempts in Huenya had been hastily compiled, the Chancellor having requested the information be sent to him as soon as possible.
He finally looked away from the paper, blinking twice, before looking up at Christiansen. "Could you get the Great Speaker's office, as soon as possible? If he's unavailable, please tell his office to have him call me at his earliest convenience." He picked up the phone as she walked back to her office, clearing his mind for the conversation to come.
At Xochuaxte Palace, the call was quickly routed to Texōccoatl. “Good evening, Chancellor. Good to hear from you. I would normally ask what the reason was for the phone call, but I think I know already,” Texōccoatl said in an effort to keep his usual composure. In another part of the office, Tlalmaxxi was quietly seething as she issued commands on Texōccoatl’s behalf over another phone line to various security forces.
Lancaster quickly cleared his throat, taking a pen from his desk and tapping it open and closed. "Are you and your wife okay? I was so startled to hear about those attacks. Is there still any immediate threat of second attempts?" He spoke fast, trying to not let his natural accent slip through into his English speech.
"We are both fine, but I thank you for your concern. I wish I was surprised by these terrorist incidents. The Golden Blade has been threatening to attack Huenyan political leaders and security forces for some time now. The number of attacks, and the widely separate locations involved, does concern us however. It is highly likely that the new Imperial Intelligence Agency is behind this somehow, but we aren't able to prove it yet."
"Hmm, I figured Xiomera would be involved in some way. Calhualyana's desperate to exploit any weakness she can find." Lancaster winced at his own phrasing, hoping the Great Speaker wouldn't interpret his statement as criticism. "I'm glad to hear you're both alright. Practically everyone in Eirian Politics was panicking after hearing about the attacks. It was chaos. I've been manning the phone for a few hours now, trying to get everyone calmed down." Lancaster sighed. "At least people care. How extensive were the attacks? I have a report in front of me, but I'm unsure of the validity or detail of it, and you know more than I do. Can Eiria offer her assistance in some way?"
Texōccoatl thought for a moment. "To be honest, if you're so inclined, you could help us track down these Golden Blade terrorists and get them out of the picture. I know you had previously offered Director Cuetlancaona help from EICA, and he was not exactly committal. But we've got elections coming very fast, and I need to ensure Huenya is stable enough to make it through them. At this point, I'll take any help I can get. As for the attacks themselves.....they're not as bad as they could have been, but bad enough. One of our Army generals was killed, as were a judge and a police commander. Two UP candidates also, sadly. I believe a mayor in a town in the southeast also. That's what we know so far."
The Chancellor pursed his lips. "I'm sorry to hear about the deaths. And we would absolutely be glad to help track these terrorists. Securing your elections is one of the most important things right now." He said, glancing at a note page of all the other 'Important Things' that needed to be taken care of. "I will get that squared away as soon as I can." The Eirian leader paused again, contemplating a phrasing. "Forgive me for asking this, but I've been asked this by a good number of people, and I need to know what to tell them. Many companies and high-ranking officials are concerned that Eirian and Laeralite citizens may be viewed as 'Foreign Influences' by the Golden Blade, and therefore be subject to attacks and violence. Some are questioning the rebuilding projects, and if they're worth the potential risk. I know it's an awful thing to ask right after a number of Huenyan citizens were killed, but some are considering issuing travel advisories or recalling their contractors working in Huenya. I want to know your opinion, if I could."
Texōccoatl mentally flinched at the question. If people decided that Huenya was too unstable to invest in, their nation would never recover from the Imperial withdrawal, much less develop into the future that he hoped for. And that was, naturally, exactly the outcome Calhualyana and her pet terrorists were hoping for. "I can't lie to you - it's a risk. Anyone helping us could become a potential target. But I promise that we will do everything to keep foreign nationals safe here. We are growing stronger every day, with our new Civil Guard and our growing strength in our military and our security forces. Stability will come to Huenya, if we stay our current course. But if the international community abandons us, it is entirely possible that Huenya will fail, and become a nexus of instability and violence for this entire part of the world. Or, worse, fall back under Imperial rule, and strengthen Calhualyana and her ambitions. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think the world can afford to abandon us anymore than we can afford to fail. We are.....not opposed to allowing international peacekeepers in Huenya to help secure the country for the elections."
Lancaster was silent for a few seconds, arranging his thoughts. "Alright. I'll maintain damage control as much as I can. Just understand that if a travel advisory gets a certain amount of support in the Senate.... There's only so much I can do." The Chancellor began tapping his pen again. "And I'm not sure how much military goodwill I have left with the Senate for peacekeepers. Especially with the situation in Auria developing like it is. We'll have no problem helping to capture these terrorists. But Peacekeepers... We'll have to see."
Texōccoatl nodded to himself. "If you can help us track down and eliminate the Golden Blade, peacekeepers will hopefully not be necessary at that point." I hope. "That alone will be a great help to us. Once these terrorists are shut down, Huenya will be in a much better position."
"Then we shall waste no time in assisting you. We shall put you in touch with EICA and other intelligence services, and they will be at your service for anything you may need. Well," Will added in a slight joking tone. "Anything within reason. The EICA will report back consistently with their findings." He trailed off, a thought occurring to him. "If the EICA finds a Golden Blade member, where should they send them? Would you like them immediately remanded to your custody, and if so, what branch of Huenyan Government would have authority in this scenario?"
Texōccoatl thought for a moment. “It would probably be best to remand them. The FIS would take custody of them. We are housing them in Huenyan detention centers for now, but are trying to find a location where they can be more safely kept.”
"Understandable." Lancaster sighed. "Well, again, I'm very glad to hear you and your wife are alright. If there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to let me know."
”Of course, and thank you for the call. We will be in touch soon,” Texōccoatl said, ending the call. Tlalmaxxi had arranged a meeting with Huenya’s top military, political and security officials. This latest attack by the Golden Blade required a firm response, and Texōccoatl was planning to ensure that happened.
---
The Chancellor placed his phone down and stood quickly, almost sprinting to his Chief of Staff's office. "Get Minister Park and General Hestia on the phone as soon as possible. They have a new assignment."
Chancellor's Study, Geminus
September 12th
The Chancellor's desk was, in short, a mess. Day-old reports and poll results were stacked on top of one another, forming a small wall around the edges of the antique oak desk. Portfolios and pens were placed perfectly within reach, often being used to scribble notes. One single folder stood above the mess, laying open near the edge. The Chancellor had read and reread that report for several minutes, laser focused on every word.
Ava Christiansen, his ever-faithful chief of staff, stood awkwardly in the large study, watching the Chancellor's determined expression. The report on the assassination attempts in Huenya had been hastily compiled, the Chancellor having requested the information be sent to him as soon as possible.
He finally looked away from the paper, blinking twice, before looking up at Christiansen. "Could you get the Great Speaker's office, as soon as possible? If he's unavailable, please tell his office to have him call me at his earliest convenience." He picked up the phone as she walked back to her office, clearing his mind for the conversation to come.
At Xochuaxte Palace, the call was quickly routed to Texōccoatl. “Good evening, Chancellor. Good to hear from you. I would normally ask what the reason was for the phone call, but I think I know already,” Texōccoatl said in an effort to keep his usual composure. In another part of the office, Tlalmaxxi was quietly seething as she issued commands on Texōccoatl’s behalf over another phone line to various security forces.
Lancaster quickly cleared his throat, taking a pen from his desk and tapping it open and closed. "Are you and your wife okay? I was so startled to hear about those attacks. Is there still any immediate threat of second attempts?" He spoke fast, trying to not let his natural accent slip through into his English speech.
"We are both fine, but I thank you for your concern. I wish I was surprised by these terrorist incidents. The Golden Blade has been threatening to attack Huenyan political leaders and security forces for some time now. The number of attacks, and the widely separate locations involved, does concern us however. It is highly likely that the new Imperial Intelligence Agency is behind this somehow, but we aren't able to prove it yet."
"Hmm, I figured Xiomera would be involved in some way. Calhualyana's desperate to exploit any weakness she can find." Lancaster winced at his own phrasing, hoping the Great Speaker wouldn't interpret his statement as criticism. "I'm glad to hear you're both alright. Practically everyone in Eirian Politics was panicking after hearing about the attacks. It was chaos. I've been manning the phone for a few hours now, trying to get everyone calmed down." Lancaster sighed. "At least people care. How extensive were the attacks? I have a report in front of me, but I'm unsure of the validity or detail of it, and you know more than I do. Can Eiria offer her assistance in some way?"
Texōccoatl thought for a moment. "To be honest, if you're so inclined, you could help us track down these Golden Blade terrorists and get them out of the picture. I know you had previously offered Director Cuetlancaona help from EICA, and he was not exactly committal. But we've got elections coming very fast, and I need to ensure Huenya is stable enough to make it through them. At this point, I'll take any help I can get. As for the attacks themselves.....they're not as bad as they could have been, but bad enough. One of our Army generals was killed, as were a judge and a police commander. Two UP candidates also, sadly. I believe a mayor in a town in the southeast also. That's what we know so far."
The Chancellor pursed his lips. "I'm sorry to hear about the deaths. And we would absolutely be glad to help track these terrorists. Securing your elections is one of the most important things right now." He said, glancing at a note page of all the other 'Important Things' that needed to be taken care of. "I will get that squared away as soon as I can." The Eirian leader paused again, contemplating a phrasing. "Forgive me for asking this, but I've been asked this by a good number of people, and I need to know what to tell them. Many companies and high-ranking officials are concerned that Eirian and Laeralite citizens may be viewed as 'Foreign Influences' by the Golden Blade, and therefore be subject to attacks and violence. Some are questioning the rebuilding projects, and if they're worth the potential risk. I know it's an awful thing to ask right after a number of Huenyan citizens were killed, but some are considering issuing travel advisories or recalling their contractors working in Huenya. I want to know your opinion, if I could."
Texōccoatl mentally flinched at the question. If people decided that Huenya was too unstable to invest in, their nation would never recover from the Imperial withdrawal, much less develop into the future that he hoped for. And that was, naturally, exactly the outcome Calhualyana and her pet terrorists were hoping for. "I can't lie to you - it's a risk. Anyone helping us could become a potential target. But I promise that we will do everything to keep foreign nationals safe here. We are growing stronger every day, with our new Civil Guard and our growing strength in our military and our security forces. Stability will come to Huenya, if we stay our current course. But if the international community abandons us, it is entirely possible that Huenya will fail, and become a nexus of instability and violence for this entire part of the world. Or, worse, fall back under Imperial rule, and strengthen Calhualyana and her ambitions. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think the world can afford to abandon us anymore than we can afford to fail. We are.....not opposed to allowing international peacekeepers in Huenya to help secure the country for the elections."
Lancaster was silent for a few seconds, arranging his thoughts. "Alright. I'll maintain damage control as much as I can. Just understand that if a travel advisory gets a certain amount of support in the Senate.... There's only so much I can do." The Chancellor began tapping his pen again. "And I'm not sure how much military goodwill I have left with the Senate for peacekeepers. Especially with the situation in Auria developing like it is. We'll have no problem helping to capture these terrorists. But Peacekeepers... We'll have to see."
Texōccoatl nodded to himself. "If you can help us track down and eliminate the Golden Blade, peacekeepers will hopefully not be necessary at that point." I hope. "That alone will be a great help to us. Once these terrorists are shut down, Huenya will be in a much better position."
"Then we shall waste no time in assisting you. We shall put you in touch with EICA and other intelligence services, and they will be at your service for anything you may need. Well," Will added in a slight joking tone. "Anything within reason. The EICA will report back consistently with their findings." He trailed off, a thought occurring to him. "If the EICA finds a Golden Blade member, where should they send them? Would you like them immediately remanded to your custody, and if so, what branch of Huenyan Government would have authority in this scenario?"
Texōccoatl thought for a moment. “It would probably be best to remand them. The FIS would take custody of them. We are housing them in Huenyan detention centers for now, but are trying to find a location where they can be more safely kept.”
"Understandable." Lancaster sighed. "Well, again, I'm very glad to hear you and your wife are alright. If there is anything else I can help you with, feel free to let me know."
”Of course, and thank you for the call. We will be in touch soon,” Texōccoatl said, ending the call. Tlalmaxxi had arranged a meeting with Huenya’s top military, political and security officials. This latest attack by the Golden Blade required a firm response, and Texōccoatl was planning to ensure that happened.
---
The Chancellor placed his phone down and stood quickly, almost sprinting to his Chief of Staff's office. "Get Minister Park and General Hestia on the phone as soon as possible. They have a new assignment."
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