Imperial islands: Xiomeran plans cause unease in neighbors
An unannounced and unpublicized initiative by the Xiomeran government has begun to cause unease among the Empire's neighbors.
Foreign observers first noticed hints of this initiative on Antepec Island. The small island, one of the last remaining outposts of Xiomera's once-sprawling empire, sits in a strategic location between the Horadam and Nereus Seas. It had previously been a relatively minor Xiomeran holding. But satellite imagery and observations by visitors have shown a sudden and massive build-up on the island. What appears to be a new military airfield, along with missile sites, have begun construction. In addition, new naval facilities have begun construction as well. A naval task force has also quietly taken up position at Antepec. "These moves appear intended to fortify Antepec Island and use it to maintain Xiomeran influence and presence in the Nereus and Horadam Seas. As such, these efforts pose a significant threat to Legionas, Cape Auria, Eiria, Huenya and the Netlcoātl Islands," Thomas Smith, a defense analyst, told DTNS. "Given the commanding position that Antepec Island holds at the center of both major trade routes, and the paths any military vessels would have to traverse in the area, the Xiomeran buildup there is highly concerning." A similar buildup on Cenotillo Island, the other remaining Xiomeran overseas territory, is also a concern as it increases the Xiomeran capability to strike Manauia Island or points further south.
Other hints of the Xiomeran initiative have been seen as well. In the seas around Xiomera, at the far limits of its territorial waters, signs of dredging operations and the construction of artificial islands have begun to appear on satellite imagery and observations by passing ships. The islands follow a pattern: barracks, naval facilities and military airfields. "The construction of these artificial bases appears to be a Xiomeran effort to expand its military reach as far as possible outside of its mainland, while technically still remaining in compliance with international law," Smith said. The artificial Xiomeran islands, if completed, "would give the Xiomerans the ability to more easily strike targets in Mallacaland or the Slokais Islands, and possibly even further into the Promethean Sea." While Smith said that it would still be difficult for the Xiomeran military to strike targets as far away as Hespia, he added that anything that gives the Xiomeran military the ability to extend its reach should be a grave concern for IDU governments. "One of the things that has always kept Xiomera from pursuing its imperial ambitions is its relatively isolated location in far southeast Caxcana. Anything that helps shorten the Xiomeran military's supply lines and increases its striking range should be a concern to other governments."
The Xiomeran government refused to comment to DTNS about these allegations, or on questions concerning a proposed major expansion of the Imperial Navy which is also seen as a potential threat.
Huenya gives more information on "counter-revolutionary" plot
In a press conference today, Huenyan Secretary of Justice Xochica gave more details on the series of arrests that Huenyan authorities conducted on February 19th.
"The accused individuals were part of a plan to attempt to launch a counter-revolution of ethnic Xiomeran residents of Huenya, aimed at overthrowing the Federal government and restoring a hegemonic government led by solely ethnic Xiomerans," the Secretary said. "Their goal, surprisingly, was not to return Huenya to the leadership of the current Xiomeran Empire and their Empress Calhualyana. Instead, our investigation indicates that the plotters planned to create a 'Western Xiomeran Empire'. The investigation has indicated that the plotters saw the current Xiomeran Empress and her government as weak and illegitimate, were opposed to the peace talks at Jinyu which ended the fighting here, and wanted to create a 'new' Xiomeran state in western Huenya that would still remain separate from the current Empire. Their ideology seems very similar to the Imperial Glory Party in Xiomera, and to the followers of the deposed Emperor Xochiuhue," the Secretary said. Huenyan investigators have also expressed their belief that the family of the deposed Emperor, and their leader Tlacatli, may be somehow involved in the plot from their exile in Serriel.
The Secretary and other Huenyan officials have sought to reassure people that the plot was "a very small group of people" and that it did not reflect the sentiments of the majority of ethnic Xiomerans in the new Huenyan state. As the Huenyan government struggles to negotiate the new and tricky relationship between the various ethnic groups in the emerging federation, keeping a lid on any lingering resentments from the past has remained a major priority in the march to the elections at the end of the year and the formation of a true government.
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