The Jaguar House, In Shadow, by Aliette de Bodard

Aliette de Bodard, according to her website, sets many of her stories in Mesoamerica.  This one is, I think, part of the Xuya series, where China got to the New World first.  I'm setting a lot of context here, because the story seems to need it.  On its own, The Jaguar House, In Shadow is OK, but hard to see as a Nebula nominee.  The system of Houses, which seem to be sort of Mesoamerican ninjas/CIA folks, is central but not real clear here.  This is an episode out of context, where a commander sells out in order to stay in favor with a mad dictator.  Two stars, on its own.