01-31-2022, 03:51 AM
January 30th
The daily broadcast of Huenyan National Television was interrupted by the bright, flashy graphics and dramatic tones of a news segment. "Good morning, I'm Quizlacui, and this is a breaking news update. The terrorist group Golden Blade has just placed a video online, responding to the recent operation against them by the government. We're going to play part of the video now."
The broadcast shifted to a video, showing the same three Golden Blade terrorists who had been in the earlier video, once again standing behind the hostages. The man in the center began speaking. "The government's operation against us has failed. We are still here, and still fighting against the illegitimate Huenyan regime as the Army of the State of Apozanolotl. The government has only succeeded in one thing, with their weak strikes against us. They have ensured the death of one of these two."
The terrorist on the left of the group of three began walking around to stand in front of the hostages, who were now blindfolded. Paul was seated next to Matzinena. The terrorist slowly and deliberately snapped open the cover to his holster, withdrawing a pistol, as his leader continued to speak.
"We warned the government not to attack us. They did not listen. And one of these people will pay the price for the government's disobedience." The terrorist with the gun raised his hand slowly, pointing it at both of the hostages.
At this point, the video froze, and the news anchor began speaking. "We are not showing the rest of the video, as it is extremely graphic. However, we can confirm that one of the hostages, a poll worker from the city of Chuantalte named Matzinena, was shot and killed by the terrorists. The other hostage, a man named Paul Ramirez from Lauchenoiria, remains unharmed to our knowledge. We will now play the audio only, with the statement from the terrorists."
The voice of the terrorist leader began playing again. "One person is now dead, and her blood is on the hands of Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli and the government. If they disobey us again, the other shall die as well. Any further attacks upon us will result in his immediate execution. However, in the interest of peace, we will extend our deadline two more weeks. If the government refuses to meet with us to discuss terms before then, there will be no further extensions and the other hostage will die. We would also urge the government of Lauchenoiria, if it wants its citizen back, to convince the Vice-Speaker and his administration to begin talks with us, seriously and in good faith. The life of Paul Ramirez may well depend on how convincing his homeland's government can be."
The anchor resumed speaking. "The video ends at this point. The government has not yet issued a response to the Golden Blade's latest demands. We will keep you updated with the latest news as it happens concerning these tragic events. This has been an HNTV breaking news update."
---
At the Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli silently watched the video. Unlike the viewers of the morning news, he had the unedited video, and made himself watch it.
When it was done, Tiacihitli put his head in his hands. His shoulders shook silently as tears slid down his cheeks. After a moment, he recovered his composure and wiped his eyes. As much as he was growing to hate the terrorists, they had just taught him a valuable lesson. In his new job, there was little margin for error, and little time for on-the-job training. For the sake of his country and its people, he had to get the government's next moves right. He picked up his desk phone and dialed a number. "Tell the Great Speaker his plan is a go," he said softly.
---
At Xochuaxte Palace, Texōccoatl and Tlalmaxxi had also watched the video. After a moment, Texōccoatl closed his laptop. His eyes were grim. Before he could say anything, the phone rang. He picked it up, listening. He then put the receiver back down. Texōccoatl looked at Tlalmaxxi, giving her a nod. Tlalmaxxi stood up, walking out without a word. An innocent woman had just died because she had dreamed of a free and democratic Huenya, and tried to help it become a reality. Now, another Huenyan woman was on her way to Ixtenco, to make sure the terrorists paid their own fair share.
The daily broadcast of Huenyan National Television was interrupted by the bright, flashy graphics and dramatic tones of a news segment. "Good morning, I'm Quizlacui, and this is a breaking news update. The terrorist group Golden Blade has just placed a video online, responding to the recent operation against them by the government. We're going to play part of the video now."
The broadcast shifted to a video, showing the same three Golden Blade terrorists who had been in the earlier video, once again standing behind the hostages. The man in the center began speaking. "The government's operation against us has failed. We are still here, and still fighting against the illegitimate Huenyan regime as the Army of the State of Apozanolotl. The government has only succeeded in one thing, with their weak strikes against us. They have ensured the death of one of these two."
The terrorist on the left of the group of three began walking around to stand in front of the hostages, who were now blindfolded. Paul was seated next to Matzinena. The terrorist slowly and deliberately snapped open the cover to his holster, withdrawing a pistol, as his leader continued to speak.
"We warned the government not to attack us. They did not listen. And one of these people will pay the price for the government's disobedience." The terrorist with the gun raised his hand slowly, pointing it at both of the hostages.
At this point, the video froze, and the news anchor began speaking. "We are not showing the rest of the video, as it is extremely graphic. However, we can confirm that one of the hostages, a poll worker from the city of Chuantalte named Matzinena, was shot and killed by the terrorists. The other hostage, a man named Paul Ramirez from Lauchenoiria, remains unharmed to our knowledge. We will now play the audio only, with the statement from the terrorists."
The voice of the terrorist leader began playing again. "One person is now dead, and her blood is on the hands of Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli and the government. If they disobey us again, the other shall die as well. Any further attacks upon us will result in his immediate execution. However, in the interest of peace, we will extend our deadline two more weeks. If the government refuses to meet with us to discuss terms before then, there will be no further extensions and the other hostage will die. We would also urge the government of Lauchenoiria, if it wants its citizen back, to convince the Vice-Speaker and his administration to begin talks with us, seriously and in good faith. The life of Paul Ramirez may well depend on how convincing his homeland's government can be."
The anchor resumed speaking. "The video ends at this point. The government has not yet issued a response to the Golden Blade's latest demands. We will keep you updated with the latest news as it happens concerning these tragic events. This has been an HNTV breaking news update."
---
At the Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli silently watched the video. Unlike the viewers of the morning news, he had the unedited video, and made himself watch it.
When it was done, Tiacihitli put his head in his hands. His shoulders shook silently as tears slid down his cheeks. After a moment, he recovered his composure and wiped his eyes. As much as he was growing to hate the terrorists, they had just taught him a valuable lesson. In his new job, there was little margin for error, and little time for on-the-job training. For the sake of his country and its people, he had to get the government's next moves right. He picked up his desk phone and dialed a number. "Tell the Great Speaker his plan is a go," he said softly.
---
At Xochuaxte Palace, Texōccoatl and Tlalmaxxi had also watched the video. After a moment, Texōccoatl closed his laptop. His eyes were grim. Before he could say anything, the phone rang. He picked it up, listening. He then put the receiver back down. Texōccoatl looked at Tlalmaxxi, giving her a nod. Tlalmaxxi stood up, walking out without a word. An innocent woman had just died because she had dreamed of a free and democratic Huenya, and tried to help it become a reality. Now, another Huenyan woman was on her way to Ixtenco, to make sure the terrorists paid their own fair share.
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