[i]Goddamnit, we're late. Goddamn.[/i]

Angela fumed and fidgeted with a Purple Heart as the vertibird soared over the endless desert. One of the mixed blessings of holding command that never quite went away was a hypersensitivity to who needed to be where at what time. She knew the Texan delegation was late.

After they had all gone through the plan numerous times, everyone had decided to relax. The Ranger guards were playing cards, their helmets and rifles propped up against the wall. Leland was snoozing, and the young Ranger who had earlier tried to ask him questions was sitting in front of the old man reading a book. That Morrison man sent from Dallas sat in the corner by himself. Angela found herself nervously fidgeting to pass the time. This was her first major foreign policy mission, and it was probably the biggest in Confederation history. It had been a struggle to fit her views into the world of New Austin thus far, and fitting them into the world would be a challenge. A challenge she would meet. Texas needed to be head on.

Angela heard an intentional cough, and looked up. Harris was smiling at her admonishingly. As ugly as Harris was, having a rotting face, the man had a natural charm. She immediately stopped toying with the medal, meeting and understanding Harris’s gaze. Harris was right. She was acting like a private on her first trip to Fort Bliss.

“Calm down, Angela.”, he said in a voice as buttermilk smooth as a ghoul’s voice can get, as he opened a heavy folder.  “This’ll be just like all those times you talked down to the Brahmin barons. Now let’s review the plan. Reaffirm friendship with the NCR and the Keys, make sure the Legion and the Midwest knows our mettle, talk with Angels of War, and figure out else is out there.” 

She sighed imperceptibly, gave a quick personal prayer, and opened her own folder. 

[i]Well I promised Texas I'd get them a fair deal. Let's get to it.[/i]

……………….

The vertibird touched down on McCarran Airport, and the six Texas Rangers rushed out first to make sure the area was secure. The Rangers formed up, and stood to attention assault carbines at the ready. The Rangers equipped the universally imposing Ranger armor colored grey for the official Texas army colors. Angela personally disliked the color, but the traditionalists preferred it. Leland was shaken awake as the plane touched down, and the others gathered what they needed. The ambassadors moved out of the vertibird swiftly, knowing they were late for the proceedings. 

A strange unicycle robot, unlike any she had seen in Texas, rolled up to them. Intelligence briefing had referred to these as “securitrons”. It had a cartoonish image of a stereotypical cowboy on it’s screen as it greeted them(OOC: Not Victor, just thought it would be like House to greet Texans with a cowboy).

[i]
Really? National stereotypes at an international conference meant to bring people together?
[/i]

“Howdy, Governor and President of the Confederation Congress Harris of New Houston, Governor Riviera of New Austin, and Ambassador Morrison of New Dallas.”, It began with a clear, commanding, country drawl “I’ll be your partner on up to the Ultra Luxe. Come along, now.”

They followed the machine to a “monorail”, a strange type of train on a raised bridge that carried them into New Vegas. While she and Morrison were impressed, Leland and Harris were unmoved. The other Rangers reaction couldn't be gauged. The whole trip was quiet. Soon enough, the delegation was speed walking through the neon streets, past the giant prewar relics. It was an impressive display of prewar technology, not unlike the work being done in New Austin to light the old monuments. There weren't many gawking tourists left around, and if there were the Texans wouldn't be much of a sight. Three people in boringly formal black suits, a old cowboy, and six Rangers in a kind of armor that was apparently common in the NCR. 

They streamed into the building, Harris dealt with an inquisitive butler, and they pushed into the room. Her eyes were immediately overloaded with the amount of international diversity she saw in the room, but spotted out the Key delegation. And so, the delegation of a new Texas passed Romans, cultists, mercenaries, tribes, and nations on their way to their seats. None of it phased Angela. She had one goal in her mind, as the delegation took it’s spot next to it’s long term ally and Harris grabbed a strange map from someone.

[i]For a better Texas, where people don't have to live like I did.[/i]