08-24-2026, 12:01 AM
Xihuitl Detention Center, Huānoch
March 9th, 2026
3:45 am
The hallway outside cell H-207-K was dark and quiet. This was not the norm for most of Xihuitl prison. The largest single prison in Milintica, Xihuitl was a sprawling warren of multiple additions slapped over the years onto the original 1936 prison building. Most of those added buildings, and the confusing maze of random hallways and elevated walkways that connected them, were controlled by various prison gangs or groups of inmates. Building H, however, was the only part of the prison outside of the administration wing in the original Building A that was firmly under the control of the National Police. Building H housed the Special Detention Wing, where the most important prisoners were held.
Outside cell H-207-K, a slim figure glided along the wall, barely breaking the silence. Xilco reached the cell, reaching quietly for the handle. It'll be locked, of course. But might as well try.
The latch clicked open, door swinging wide. Huh. The National Police must suck even more than we thought. Xilco entered the room soundlessly, closing the door behind himself. He looked around, quickly assessing his surroundings. The prison room was fairly bare, but still nicer than the ones in Xihuitl that an inmate without connections got. A tiny cubicle space off to the left of the entrance provided basic bathroom and shower fixtures. Another tiny space to the right provided storage for clothing and other items. Still nicer than the motel I stayed in last night. Gods, Huānoch sucks.
A slight noise interrupted Xilco's thoughts. He raised his head, to see the small bedroom space. His target was in the bed, sleeping, as expected. What was not expected was the other person standing to the right of the bed. The person looked up, eyes narrowing.
Xilco rushed forward, already drawing a dagger. "Wait. Before you use that, maybe ask questions first?" Like Xilco, the new person was Huenyan in appearance. He raised his hands to show he hadn't drawn his own weapon. Xilco paused, still holding his dagger. "Fine, here's a question. Who the hell are you?"
The other man, who was dressed like an inmate, shrugged. "You're clearly not a Milintican, because you seem sort of competent. So I may as well be upfront. I'm guessing you're with either the Huenyan FIS or their special forces. I'm also guessing you're here for the same reason I am. I'm with....a different agency." The other man, Yareton, gestured to a small syringe next to him on a bedside table.
Xilco remained silent, refusing to confirm anything. Another Huenyan person, but I know we haven't sent anyone else. This one has to be with Imperial Intelligence. Xilco cursed his luck for arriving at just the wrong time.
Yareton sighed. "The strong silent Huenyan type, I get it. Whatever. Do you care who does the honors, as long as they get done?" Yareton picked up the syringe, gesturing downwards at the bed where Neina Arana was being (regrettably for her) a very deep sleeper. Taking Xilco's continued silence as assent, Yareton jabbed the syringe into Arana's upper arm and deftly pressed down on the plunger.
Arana woke up with a sharp breath, eyes flying open and then narrowing angrily. She turned slowly to look at Yareton. Her right hand shot up to grab Yareton's collar. Stubborn to the end, this one, Yareton thought irritably as he tried to avoid the indignity of being choked by an aging woman he had just tried to assassinate. As Yareton looked down, Arana's eyes widened once more. He looked up to see Xilco, his own syringe firmly plunged into Arana's shoulder. With a long sigh, Arana slowly slumped back into the bed. Her hand fell from Yareton's collar.
"Never thought I'd get help from a Huenyan agent, but hey, strange bedfellows and all that." Yareton put his syringe into a small case before slipping the case into his pocket. "Funny how great minds think alike. The Empress sent me here, just as I imagine your Xiadani sent you here. Not much different, are they, really?"
"Please, tell the President that sometime. See how that goes for you," Xilco snapped.
Ah, thank you, confirmation. Yareton smirked. "You're probably thinking, since I'm one of the bad guys, in your mind at least, that you should take me out too."
"I should," Xilco said grimly.
"But see, I'd have to resist that. And while that fight would be highly entertaining, the resulting commotion would undoubtedly draw some attention. The Milinticans have been wonderfully and predictably incompetent up to now. Let's let them continue that streak, shall we? Or do you want your President to have to explain your presence here? I mean, my boss wouldn't care if I was caught here, but yours might." Yareton walked towards the cell door, projecting a confidence he hoped was justified that his Huenyan mirror image wouldn't take the risk of discovery. He slipped out into the dark and quiet hallway before his unintended partner could change his mind.
With a sigh, Xilco looked down at Arana before covering her face with the sheet. She had been a threat to Milintica, to Huenya, and indeed to freedom throughout Caxcana. She was a danger that needed to be eliminated. But unlike the Imperials, he could show at least a tiny gesture of respect. Task done, Xilco slipped out through the door and made his own departure.
March 9th, 2026
3:45 am
The hallway outside cell H-207-K was dark and quiet. This was not the norm for most of Xihuitl prison. The largest single prison in Milintica, Xihuitl was a sprawling warren of multiple additions slapped over the years onto the original 1936 prison building. Most of those added buildings, and the confusing maze of random hallways and elevated walkways that connected them, were controlled by various prison gangs or groups of inmates. Building H, however, was the only part of the prison outside of the administration wing in the original Building A that was firmly under the control of the National Police. Building H housed the Special Detention Wing, where the most important prisoners were held.
Outside cell H-207-K, a slim figure glided along the wall, barely breaking the silence. Xilco reached the cell, reaching quietly for the handle. It'll be locked, of course. But might as well try.
The latch clicked open, door swinging wide. Huh. The National Police must suck even more than we thought. Xilco entered the room soundlessly, closing the door behind himself. He looked around, quickly assessing his surroundings. The prison room was fairly bare, but still nicer than the ones in Xihuitl that an inmate without connections got. A tiny cubicle space off to the left of the entrance provided basic bathroom and shower fixtures. Another tiny space to the right provided storage for clothing and other items. Still nicer than the motel I stayed in last night. Gods, Huānoch sucks.
A slight noise interrupted Xilco's thoughts. He raised his head, to see the small bedroom space. His target was in the bed, sleeping, as expected. What was not expected was the other person standing to the right of the bed. The person looked up, eyes narrowing.
Xilco rushed forward, already drawing a dagger. "Wait. Before you use that, maybe ask questions first?" Like Xilco, the new person was Huenyan in appearance. He raised his hands to show he hadn't drawn his own weapon. Xilco paused, still holding his dagger. "Fine, here's a question. Who the hell are you?"
The other man, who was dressed like an inmate, shrugged. "You're clearly not a Milintican, because you seem sort of competent. So I may as well be upfront. I'm guessing you're with either the Huenyan FIS or their special forces. I'm also guessing you're here for the same reason I am. I'm with....a different agency." The other man, Yareton, gestured to a small syringe next to him on a bedside table.
Xilco remained silent, refusing to confirm anything. Another Huenyan person, but I know we haven't sent anyone else. This one has to be with Imperial Intelligence. Xilco cursed his luck for arriving at just the wrong time.
Yareton sighed. "The strong silent Huenyan type, I get it. Whatever. Do you care who does the honors, as long as they get done?" Yareton picked up the syringe, gesturing downwards at the bed where Neina Arana was being (regrettably for her) a very deep sleeper. Taking Xilco's continued silence as assent, Yareton jabbed the syringe into Arana's upper arm and deftly pressed down on the plunger.
Arana woke up with a sharp breath, eyes flying open and then narrowing angrily. She turned slowly to look at Yareton. Her right hand shot up to grab Yareton's collar. Stubborn to the end, this one, Yareton thought irritably as he tried to avoid the indignity of being choked by an aging woman he had just tried to assassinate. As Yareton looked down, Arana's eyes widened once more. He looked up to see Xilco, his own syringe firmly plunged into Arana's shoulder. With a long sigh, Arana slowly slumped back into the bed. Her hand fell from Yareton's collar.
"Never thought I'd get help from a Huenyan agent, but hey, strange bedfellows and all that." Yareton put his syringe into a small case before slipping the case into his pocket. "Funny how great minds think alike. The Empress sent me here, just as I imagine your Xiadani sent you here. Not much different, are they, really?"
"Please, tell the President that sometime. See how that goes for you," Xilco snapped.
Ah, thank you, confirmation. Yareton smirked. "You're probably thinking, since I'm one of the bad guys, in your mind at least, that you should take me out too."
"I should," Xilco said grimly.
"But see, I'd have to resist that. And while that fight would be highly entertaining, the resulting commotion would undoubtedly draw some attention. The Milinticans have been wonderfully and predictably incompetent up to now. Let's let them continue that streak, shall we? Or do you want your President to have to explain your presence here? I mean, my boss wouldn't care if I was caught here, but yours might." Yareton walked towards the cell door, projecting a confidence he hoped was justified that his Huenyan mirror image wouldn't take the risk of discovery. He slipped out into the dark and quiet hallway before his unintended partner could change his mind.
With a sigh, Xilco looked down at Arana before covering her face with the sheet. She had been a threat to Milintica, to Huenya, and indeed to freedom throughout Caxcana. She was a danger that needed to be eliminated. But unlike the Imperials, he could show at least a tiny gesture of respect. Task done, Xilco slipped out through the door and made his own departure.
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