02-21-2022, 08:58 AM
State Government Complex
Xonacatlán, State of Apozanolotl (formerly Xonacatlán Municipality, Huenyan Federation)
February 21st, 7:45 am Huenyan time
With the standoff between the Golden Blade and the Huenyan government rapidly spiraling into a full-on civil conflict, Commander Mictlāntēcutli had come to a decision. The second hostage that they had taken no longer had any value.
The Lauchenoirian government, to his irritation, had not interceded as forcefully with their Huenyan counterparts as he had wanted. They had not convinced Tiacihitli to come to the negotiating table. In fact, Lauchenoiria had sent a team of anti-terrorist specialists to help the Huenyans. His eyes in Ixtenco had reported as much. And with the Huenyan government poised to launch everything it had at his breakway state, it was clear that the time for discussion had passed.
He cheerfully whistled a Xiomeran nationalist song, which the State of Apozanolotl had adopted as its anthem, as he walked with two of his trusted guards. It was not a long walk. What his breakaway state was grandly calling the "State Government Complex of the State of Apozanolotl" was, before the revolt, the government palace and related facilities of the municipality of Xonacatlán. The small city hall was now the "Capital Building"; the former municipal police and court building was now the "State Justice Center". They were separated by a few hundred feet across a small courtyard.
Commander Mictlāntēcutli and his guards walked into the "justice center", descending to the basement where the detention cells were. They soon arrived at the cell holding Paul Ramirez. One of the jailers opened the door, and the other three men walked inside. Ramirez was shackled to his bunk. He looked up, eyes widening, as the three stopped in front of him. At a gesture from Mictlāntēcutli, one of them took his pistol from his holster. Paul realized, with shock, that it was the same terrorist who had shot Matzinena, the other hostage, in front of him. He raised the pistol until it was pointed squarely at Paul's head.
"Stop!" Another person had walked into the detention block, shouting and raising her hand. The three men turned, ready to attack, but stood down when they saw who it was. "We need to talk," she said, gesturing for Mictlāntēcutli to follow her. The Commander gestured for his men to wait, as he followed the new arrival outside the detention block. "What is this?" he demanded sharply.
"You cannot execute Ramirez. The Empress has made a deal with the Lauchenoirians. I am here to take him into custody." Calxochitli, the Golden Blade's liaison with Xiomeran Imperial Intelligence, handed a document to Mictlāntēcutli. The terrorist leader frowned. "The Lauchenoirian is my prisoner. His death will warn the Lauchenoirians, and the other foreigners, to stay out of our fight. And I made no deal with the Lauchenoirians, or anyone else. He will stay here."
Calxochitli raised an eyebrow. "You did make a deal with someone. Empress Calhualyana. And you know as well as I do how she reacts to people who break their word." The Imperial Intelligence agent smiled. "It would be a shame if we had to stop supplying you with the intelligence, money, arms, and provisions you're currently using to push the Huenyans' army back. You saw Tiacihitli beating his chest on television; you know what is coming. How will you fare when the airstrikes come, without the anti-air missiles we're providing you? How will you hold back the Huenyans' armor without the anti-tank weapons we supply? How will you supply your army without the guns and ammunition we send you? Or, for that matter, without the fine 'volunteers' from CSSC and the XCP that are bolstering your ranks and helping push the Huenyans back?" As Mictlāntēcutli frowned even more, Calxochitli smiled more sympathetically. "Let's be reasonable. If you kill the Lauchenoirian, you'll just bring Lauchenoiria into this fight against you. That's trouble you don't need. The Empress does value the.....cooperation that exists between the Empire and its kin in the State of Apozanolotl. Hand over Ramirez, and I am sure we can find more support for you as you fight the Huenyans."
Mictlāntēcutli laughed slightly when Calxochitli said cooperation. He knew as well as anyone what the Empress considered cooperation.
"It is nice of you to phrase it as if I have a choice. Very well. Take the Lauchenoirian. Freeing him will show we are reasonable."
"That's the spirit," Calxochitli said brightly, walking over to the jailer and putting her hand out expectantly. With a nod from Mictlāntēcutli, the jailer handed the agent the keys to the detention cells.
---
Tecuala, Xiomeran Empire
February 21st, 11:15 am Xiomeran time
At the port of Tecuala, in southwestern Xiomera, both local and international media had gathered expectantly. The Imperial government had called a press conference, only telling the media that a major announcement concerning the unrest in neighboring Huenya would be made.
At 11:15, the media were surprised to see Prime Minister Toquihu walk to the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this press conference. We know it was very short notice, but the events leading up to this occasion were also on short notice. But we have news to deliver that I think will make many people very happy."
The Prime Minister gestured to a nearby dock, where Xiomeran medics and police were escorting a man from a passenger ship. "Paul Ramirez, who was being held as a hostage in Huenya, has been freed, thanks to the personal intervention of her majesty, Empress Calhualyana. We are glad to be able to assist in freeing Mr. Ramirez from his imprisonment, and will be delivering him immediately to Lauchenoirian authorities so he can return home." Ramirez waved to the crowd, clearly a bit torn between being grateful to be free from the Golden Blade, and nervous about being in Xiomera.
"It is our hope that this gesture of humanitarian intervention on the part of the Empress will help to restore relations between our state and Lauchenoiria, as well as to show that even in these difficult times in Caxcana, that people of good will can still come together and resolve issues. Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli of Huenya is about to launch unrestrained warfare against his own citizens, who have risen up simply because they are not heard by their government. His bellicose rhetoric and violent actions caused this crisis. The Xiomeran Empire is glad to rescue Mr. Ramirez from the consequences of the ill-considered actions of the Huenyan government. Xiomera still believes in peace built upon mutual understanding of each others' needs and robust discussion. We are still willing to come to the table and talk, even when others are not." The Prime Minister smiled, patting Ramirez on the shoulder, before waving to the crowd himself.
---
Heart of Huenya
National Government Complex of the Huenyan Federation
Chuaztlapoc
At the Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, the subject of the Xiomeran Prime Minister's criticism was meeting with Great Speaker Texōccoatl when their meeting was urgently interrupted by his secretary. "Vice-Speaker, Director Cuetlancaona of FIS is on the line. He says something is happening now that you both need to see." Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli took the call. "Cuetlancaona, what is it?"
"Turn on XIN's news channel," Cuetlancaona replied. "Seriously? Why would I watch that propaganda mouthpiece?" Tiacihitli replied, confused.
"Sir...just turn it on." Cuetlancaona sounded defeated.
Tiacihitli did as he was asked. As the two men in the room watched the XIN news coverage of Ramirez's release triumphantly unfold, Tiacihitli slumped back in his chair. Texōccoatl slammed his fist into the table. "Well....we have fair confirmation now that the Empire is influencing, if not outright controlling, the Golden Blade and their terrorist proxies. Calhualyana somehow convinced the terrorists to release Ramirez, to gain favor with Lauchenoiria," the Vice-Speaker sighed.
"Or, perhaps, even worse," Texōccoatl replied. "What do you mean?" Tiacihitli asked.
After a long pause, Texōccoatl grimaced. "I do not trust the Lauchenoirians. I do not trust Alvarez, in particular." The Huenyan monarch stood up abruptly, pacing the room angrily. "My distrust of them, as I am sure you imagine, began after the Lauchenoirians interfered in my mother's selection as Empress, spreading hateful lies about her."
"But Prime Minister Alvarez apologized for that, from what I was told by FIS," Tiacihitli said.
"Oh sure, after my mother taught her a lesson she wouldn't forget," Texōccoatl laughed grimly. "But that's not the only reason for my distrust, lest you think I am merely airing the grievances of a mama's boy. They did nothing whatsoever when our own civil war happened. When Laeral, Eiria, Kerlile and Milintica stood up for us, the Lauchenoirians stood back. They can't seem to decide on when and how to have a backbone - they back down to Shuell and to Sanctaria, show their teeth to Milintica and to us, and only stood up to Calhualyana when it became absolutely necessary to do so." The Great Speaker sat down again. "I do not trust people whose conscience and determination are a matter that is changeable with the winds. I do not trust them with the situation in Auria - a far greater threat to Huenya than to them. I do not trust them to really stand against Calhualyana when it matters. I think Alvarez will sell us out in a heartbeat if she thinks it's in Lauchenoiria's interest to do so. In fact....I think she already has."
Tiacihitli finally grasped Texōccoatl's meaning. "She would not have done that. She would not have made any kind of deal with Calhualyana to get Ramirez released. Surely she knows that would only empower and embolden Calhualyana further."
"Would she?" Texōccoatl said quietly. "Would she care? Whose lives are more important to her? One Lauchenoirian's, or thousands of Huenyans? That's the question. I don't know the answer to it, but I'm afraid to find out. And if I were you, I would send those Lauchenoirian anti-terrorist agents home." The Great Speaker stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Tiacihitli with a dilemma.
---
Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, one hour later
Tiacihitli's response to the release of Paul Ramirez, in a brief press conference, was to the point.
"We are grateful and happy to see that Mr. Ramirez has been freed by the terrorists who held him hostage, regardless of how it occurred. We are glad he is able to return home and see his family, friends, and loved ones. That is a happy occasion and one to celebrate, no matter what. However, the chain of events in his release clearly proves that Empress Calhualyana, and thus the Xiomeran Empire, have far more influence over the terrorist separatists who are currently occupying part of southeastern Huenya than the Xiomeran regime has previously claimed. It is clear that this group is merely acting as a proxy for the Empire, seeking to cause dissension and chaos in Huenya and possibly splinter off territory from our nation."
"It is our belief that this 'State of Apozanolotl' is simply the same play that the Empire pulled out of its playbook in Auria. Using proxies to overthrow legitimate authorities. Importing mercenaries into a neighboring state to further support their proxies. Using those seized lands as a springboard to further the ambitions of Calhualyana and the XCP to rebuild, and expand, their old Empire. The Xiomeran regime is clearly trying to seize land, resources and power from neighboring nations it views as weak or easily defeated. This is only the beginning, if it is not stopped now. Auria, and Huenya, are the first nations to fall victim to this strategy. We will not be the last, unless it is stopped here and now. It is our hope that, now that Mr. Ramirez is freed, that the focus of the world can turn to the very real threat that is emerging in plain sight."
"Whether it is with the support of other nations, or alone, Huenya will continue its fight for freedom, justice and democracy against the Golden Blade, its proxies and its supporters. We hope that the rest of the world will choose to stand with us, now that the threat is clear, and not allow Calhualyana to pursue her design for totalitarian tyranny across a continent. While one life was saved by this intervention, the fate of thousands of people - their freedom, their dreams, and their very lives - now hangs in the balance. Let us work as hard to ensure that their fate is positive."
---
Haven House
Huānoch, Milintica
One hour after Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli's press conference
President Matōchmizalo stood at a podium draped in the Milintican flag, greeting the media with a sober expression on his face. He raised his chin slightly as he began speaking.
"The People's Democratic Republic of Milintica, and its people, have always believed in fighting for what is right, no matter what the odds or the risk. We have always done so, whether here at home or anywhere else people are in need of help. And so, it shall be once more. We have heard the words of Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli of Huenya, homeland of many of our ancestors. And we will answer that call."
Gesturing to a group of Milintican militia in uniform behind him, the President struck a resolute pose. "Milintica will stand with Huenya to defeat this attempt by Xiomera and its proxies to steal its land. Cadres of Popular Militia are, even as we speak, traveling to Huenya. Soon, they will be on the front lines of this so-called 'State of Apozanolotl', fighting alongside our Huenyan friends. Let all people who believe in freedom raise their hand against the terrorists! The Milintican star will lead the way, as the vanguard of the force that will save Huenya from this threat. And we will not rest until that threat is defeated."
Matōchmizalo stood straighter as he continued. "We are also willing to extend our assistance to the brave souls in Auria who are fighting the usurper regime there. Milintica stands for defiance in the face of the tyrant and the fascist. Let all nations who also believe in freedom unite to crush the plots of imperialists."
The group of Popular Militia began shouting their unit cadence, as the President raised his fist for the cameras.
Xonacatlán, State of Apozanolotl (formerly Xonacatlán Municipality, Huenyan Federation)
February 21st, 7:45 am Huenyan time
With the standoff between the Golden Blade and the Huenyan government rapidly spiraling into a full-on civil conflict, Commander Mictlāntēcutli had come to a decision. The second hostage that they had taken no longer had any value.
The Lauchenoirian government, to his irritation, had not interceded as forcefully with their Huenyan counterparts as he had wanted. They had not convinced Tiacihitli to come to the negotiating table. In fact, Lauchenoiria had sent a team of anti-terrorist specialists to help the Huenyans. His eyes in Ixtenco had reported as much. And with the Huenyan government poised to launch everything it had at his breakway state, it was clear that the time for discussion had passed.
He cheerfully whistled a Xiomeran nationalist song, which the State of Apozanolotl had adopted as its anthem, as he walked with two of his trusted guards. It was not a long walk. What his breakaway state was grandly calling the "State Government Complex of the State of Apozanolotl" was, before the revolt, the government palace and related facilities of the municipality of Xonacatlán. The small city hall was now the "Capital Building"; the former municipal police and court building was now the "State Justice Center". They were separated by a few hundred feet across a small courtyard.
Commander Mictlāntēcutli and his guards walked into the "justice center", descending to the basement where the detention cells were. They soon arrived at the cell holding Paul Ramirez. One of the jailers opened the door, and the other three men walked inside. Ramirez was shackled to his bunk. He looked up, eyes widening, as the three stopped in front of him. At a gesture from Mictlāntēcutli, one of them took his pistol from his holster. Paul realized, with shock, that it was the same terrorist who had shot Matzinena, the other hostage, in front of him. He raised the pistol until it was pointed squarely at Paul's head.
"Stop!" Another person had walked into the detention block, shouting and raising her hand. The three men turned, ready to attack, but stood down when they saw who it was. "We need to talk," she said, gesturing for Mictlāntēcutli to follow her. The Commander gestured for his men to wait, as he followed the new arrival outside the detention block. "What is this?" he demanded sharply.
"You cannot execute Ramirez. The Empress has made a deal with the Lauchenoirians. I am here to take him into custody." Calxochitli, the Golden Blade's liaison with Xiomeran Imperial Intelligence, handed a document to Mictlāntēcutli. The terrorist leader frowned. "The Lauchenoirian is my prisoner. His death will warn the Lauchenoirians, and the other foreigners, to stay out of our fight. And I made no deal with the Lauchenoirians, or anyone else. He will stay here."
Calxochitli raised an eyebrow. "You did make a deal with someone. Empress Calhualyana. And you know as well as I do how she reacts to people who break their word." The Imperial Intelligence agent smiled. "It would be a shame if we had to stop supplying you with the intelligence, money, arms, and provisions you're currently using to push the Huenyans' army back. You saw Tiacihitli beating his chest on television; you know what is coming. How will you fare when the airstrikes come, without the anti-air missiles we're providing you? How will you hold back the Huenyans' armor without the anti-tank weapons we supply? How will you supply your army without the guns and ammunition we send you? Or, for that matter, without the fine 'volunteers' from CSSC and the XCP that are bolstering your ranks and helping push the Huenyans back?" As Mictlāntēcutli frowned even more, Calxochitli smiled more sympathetically. "Let's be reasonable. If you kill the Lauchenoirian, you'll just bring Lauchenoiria into this fight against you. That's trouble you don't need. The Empress does value the.....cooperation that exists between the Empire and its kin in the State of Apozanolotl. Hand over Ramirez, and I am sure we can find more support for you as you fight the Huenyans."
Mictlāntēcutli laughed slightly when Calxochitli said cooperation. He knew as well as anyone what the Empress considered cooperation.
"It is nice of you to phrase it as if I have a choice. Very well. Take the Lauchenoirian. Freeing him will show we are reasonable."
"That's the spirit," Calxochitli said brightly, walking over to the jailer and putting her hand out expectantly. With a nod from Mictlāntēcutli, the jailer handed the agent the keys to the detention cells.
---
Tecuala, Xiomeran Empire
February 21st, 11:15 am Xiomeran time
At the port of Tecuala, in southwestern Xiomera, both local and international media had gathered expectantly. The Imperial government had called a press conference, only telling the media that a major announcement concerning the unrest in neighboring Huenya would be made.
At 11:15, the media were surprised to see Prime Minister Toquihu walk to the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this press conference. We know it was very short notice, but the events leading up to this occasion were also on short notice. But we have news to deliver that I think will make many people very happy."
The Prime Minister gestured to a nearby dock, where Xiomeran medics and police were escorting a man from a passenger ship. "Paul Ramirez, who was being held as a hostage in Huenya, has been freed, thanks to the personal intervention of her majesty, Empress Calhualyana. We are glad to be able to assist in freeing Mr. Ramirez from his imprisonment, and will be delivering him immediately to Lauchenoirian authorities so he can return home." Ramirez waved to the crowd, clearly a bit torn between being grateful to be free from the Golden Blade, and nervous about being in Xiomera.
"It is our hope that this gesture of humanitarian intervention on the part of the Empress will help to restore relations between our state and Lauchenoiria, as well as to show that even in these difficult times in Caxcana, that people of good will can still come together and resolve issues. Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli of Huenya is about to launch unrestrained warfare against his own citizens, who have risen up simply because they are not heard by their government. His bellicose rhetoric and violent actions caused this crisis. The Xiomeran Empire is glad to rescue Mr. Ramirez from the consequences of the ill-considered actions of the Huenyan government. Xiomera still believes in peace built upon mutual understanding of each others' needs and robust discussion. We are still willing to come to the table and talk, even when others are not." The Prime Minister smiled, patting Ramirez on the shoulder, before waving to the crowd himself.
---
Heart of Huenya
National Government Complex of the Huenyan Federation
Chuaztlapoc
At the Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, the subject of the Xiomeran Prime Minister's criticism was meeting with Great Speaker Texōccoatl when their meeting was urgently interrupted by his secretary. "Vice-Speaker, Director Cuetlancaona of FIS is on the line. He says something is happening now that you both need to see." Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli took the call. "Cuetlancaona, what is it?"
"Turn on XIN's news channel," Cuetlancaona replied. "Seriously? Why would I watch that propaganda mouthpiece?" Tiacihitli replied, confused.
"Sir...just turn it on." Cuetlancaona sounded defeated.
Tiacihitli did as he was asked. As the two men in the room watched the XIN news coverage of Ramirez's release triumphantly unfold, Tiacihitli slumped back in his chair. Texōccoatl slammed his fist into the table. "Well....we have fair confirmation now that the Empire is influencing, if not outright controlling, the Golden Blade and their terrorist proxies. Calhualyana somehow convinced the terrorists to release Ramirez, to gain favor with Lauchenoiria," the Vice-Speaker sighed.
"Or, perhaps, even worse," Texōccoatl replied. "What do you mean?" Tiacihitli asked.
After a long pause, Texōccoatl grimaced. "I do not trust the Lauchenoirians. I do not trust Alvarez, in particular." The Huenyan monarch stood up abruptly, pacing the room angrily. "My distrust of them, as I am sure you imagine, began after the Lauchenoirians interfered in my mother's selection as Empress, spreading hateful lies about her."
"But Prime Minister Alvarez apologized for that, from what I was told by FIS," Tiacihitli said.
"Oh sure, after my mother taught her a lesson she wouldn't forget," Texōccoatl laughed grimly. "But that's not the only reason for my distrust, lest you think I am merely airing the grievances of a mama's boy. They did nothing whatsoever when our own civil war happened. When Laeral, Eiria, Kerlile and Milintica stood up for us, the Lauchenoirians stood back. They can't seem to decide on when and how to have a backbone - they back down to Shuell and to Sanctaria, show their teeth to Milintica and to us, and only stood up to Calhualyana when it became absolutely necessary to do so." The Great Speaker sat down again. "I do not trust people whose conscience and determination are a matter that is changeable with the winds. I do not trust them with the situation in Auria - a far greater threat to Huenya than to them. I do not trust them to really stand against Calhualyana when it matters. I think Alvarez will sell us out in a heartbeat if she thinks it's in Lauchenoiria's interest to do so. In fact....I think she already has."
Tiacihitli finally grasped Texōccoatl's meaning. "She would not have done that. She would not have made any kind of deal with Calhualyana to get Ramirez released. Surely she knows that would only empower and embolden Calhualyana further."
"Would she?" Texōccoatl said quietly. "Would she care? Whose lives are more important to her? One Lauchenoirian's, or thousands of Huenyans? That's the question. I don't know the answer to it, but I'm afraid to find out. And if I were you, I would send those Lauchenoirian anti-terrorist agents home." The Great Speaker stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Tiacihitli with a dilemma.
---
Tecpancalli Tonaltzintli, one hour later
Tiacihitli's response to the release of Paul Ramirez, in a brief press conference, was to the point.
"We are grateful and happy to see that Mr. Ramirez has been freed by the terrorists who held him hostage, regardless of how it occurred. We are glad he is able to return home and see his family, friends, and loved ones. That is a happy occasion and one to celebrate, no matter what. However, the chain of events in his release clearly proves that Empress Calhualyana, and thus the Xiomeran Empire, have far more influence over the terrorist separatists who are currently occupying part of southeastern Huenya than the Xiomeran regime has previously claimed. It is clear that this group is merely acting as a proxy for the Empire, seeking to cause dissension and chaos in Huenya and possibly splinter off territory from our nation."
"It is our belief that this 'State of Apozanolotl' is simply the same play that the Empire pulled out of its playbook in Auria. Using proxies to overthrow legitimate authorities. Importing mercenaries into a neighboring state to further support their proxies. Using those seized lands as a springboard to further the ambitions of Calhualyana and the XCP to rebuild, and expand, their old Empire. The Xiomeran regime is clearly trying to seize land, resources and power from neighboring nations it views as weak or easily defeated. This is only the beginning, if it is not stopped now. Auria, and Huenya, are the first nations to fall victim to this strategy. We will not be the last, unless it is stopped here and now. It is our hope that, now that Mr. Ramirez is freed, that the focus of the world can turn to the very real threat that is emerging in plain sight."
"Whether it is with the support of other nations, or alone, Huenya will continue its fight for freedom, justice and democracy against the Golden Blade, its proxies and its supporters. We hope that the rest of the world will choose to stand with us, now that the threat is clear, and not allow Calhualyana to pursue her design for totalitarian tyranny across a continent. While one life was saved by this intervention, the fate of thousands of people - their freedom, their dreams, and their very lives - now hangs in the balance. Let us work as hard to ensure that their fate is positive."
---
Haven House
Huānoch, Milintica
One hour after Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli's press conference
President Matōchmizalo stood at a podium draped in the Milintican flag, greeting the media with a sober expression on his face. He raised his chin slightly as he began speaking.
"The People's Democratic Republic of Milintica, and its people, have always believed in fighting for what is right, no matter what the odds or the risk. We have always done so, whether here at home or anywhere else people are in need of help. And so, it shall be once more. We have heard the words of Vice-Speaker Tiacihitli of Huenya, homeland of many of our ancestors. And we will answer that call."
Gesturing to a group of Milintican militia in uniform behind him, the President struck a resolute pose. "Milintica will stand with Huenya to defeat this attempt by Xiomera and its proxies to steal its land. Cadres of Popular Militia are, even as we speak, traveling to Huenya. Soon, they will be on the front lines of this so-called 'State of Apozanolotl', fighting alongside our Huenyan friends. Let all people who believe in freedom raise their hand against the terrorists! The Milintican star will lead the way, as the vanguard of the force that will save Huenya from this threat. And we will not rest until that threat is defeated."
Matōchmizalo stood straighter as he continued. "We are also willing to extend our assistance to the brave souls in Auria who are fighting the usurper regime there. Milintica stands for defiance in the face of the tyrant and the fascist. Let all nations who also believe in freedom unite to crush the plots of imperialists."
The group of Popular Militia began shouting their unit cadence, as the President raised his fist for the cameras.
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