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This is the area of Cemanahuac.” “What does that term mean?” Kershaw asked. Wright spoke up. “Agent Sanchez mentioned it. You brought it up in your meeting with Lund. It’s the Aztec empire reborn, correct?” “Not exactly,” Dr. Estrada said, feeling piqued. “It is what the Aztec empire may have called itself. It comes from the Nahuatl words meaning ‘to be surrounded by water.’” He pointed out the geography on the map as he spoke. “The Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean. There is even a belief that this area up in Arizona and Utah used to be under water—that Aztlán . . . where the Aztec came from . . . was somewhere there. The origin you see.” He gestured to the board. “Of the snake.” “This is Cemanahuac,” Illari insisted, her eyes glowing with hope. “Finally.” “The Aztec never reached or conquered Peru,” Dr. Estrada objected. “I’m not saying they did,” she shot back. “The Maya, the Aztec, the Olmec, the Inca—they all worshipped the serpent god.
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