[u][b]Brother Martin - The Gourmand[/b][/u]

"It's out of our hands now, old friend", Martin said quietly to Joseph. "Steel protect us all." 

"Our faith in the Lord-Paladin is our armor", replied Brother Joseph simply.  

Martin turned his attention back to the King and President Kimball, reflecting sourly on the fact that one of the primary goals of the Delegation were to get at least an extension of the Goodsprings Tready. But that, apparently, was never in the cards. Not surprisingly, an uproar ensued as it became plain that the War had already begun. House, speaking through the King, made it plain he opposed the NCR's move...hardly surprising as he knew full well how the NCR coveted the Hoover Dam and access to the Colorado River. Kimball's only response was to dare him to act and threatened an embargo. If the Legion were removed from the chessboard, House would probably be next and he knew it. Lucius spoke again, reproving Kimball harshly for his action, then he and Vulpes took their leave, leaving Quaestor Titus to represent him. The Lord-Paladin would be disappointed that he would not be able to speak to Lucius directly, but that couldn't be helped. 

More delegates began to arrive, the Texans...led by ghoul, President Harris himself...and a young red-headed woman announced as the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Martin regarded the Texans impassively...but was pleased by Governor Littlehorn's presence, he...and the Lord-Paladin...had much to discuss with her about their common Enemy, whether she realized the danger she faced from the Cult or not.   

Then came a move that truly surprised him. High Elder Gladstone approached the King and addressed him. 

“If I might speak to an envoy of New Vegas in private, that would be much appreciated", he intoned gravely. "In addition to this, my associate scribes wish to speak with representatives of the Midwestern Brotherhood, and with a representative of the NCR.” After a pause, Gladstone continued. “The position of the Western Brotherhood, is peace. To that end, we seek trade agreements with as many of our neighbours. Should you wish to engage in such a dialogue, please make it known, and the Western Brotherhood will endeavour to strike an agreement between our nations.”

"On behalf of the Lord-Paladin", Martin replied as he hastily rose to his feet, "We would be pleased to meet with our Brethren from the West. We have been estranged for far too long."

Martin noted the Texans sat next to the Key Delegation...several of whose members were disturbingly enamored with the Cult's delegate. 

"[i]Fools[/i]", Martin thought darkly, "[i]The Cult will only bring you ruin and bloodshed.[/i]"

He was disturbed from his reverie by Joseph, who nudged him in the ribs. 

"Our "friends" from the North are here", he said ironically, "Good luck!"

Martin looked towards the door, just in time for the doorman to speak. 

“Please welcome The Jade Empress and her protégé from The Jaded Empire,”, the doorman called out. 

Martin restrained himself from sighing as Calypso and her Lieutenants strode in like they owned the place. Not surprisingly, they noticed Bequine immediately, ogling her before smiling in recognition at Governor Littlehorn. Then Calypso strolled over to the Cult's delegation and commiserated with [i]that[/i] child...looking at him mischievously all the while. Martin was somewhat confident this was mainly to get a rise out of him....the Order's relations with the ever Mercurial Calypso were tumultuous as best...but if she actually allied with the Cult it could be a problem. Calypso then came and sat down next to him. One of her lieutenants...Shelby if Martin remembered correctly...plopped down a mason jar full of liquid in front of him. On it was a crudely printed label saying "Papa's Potion Moonshine". 

 “That’s some good shit right there", Shelby said brightly to one of the waiters, as she offered him the rest, "Brandy knows what she’s doing.” 

Before he could decide what to do, Calypso reached out and grabbed his hand and squeezed it uncomfortably hard, Martin steeled himself to not wince as her fingernail dug into his hand. 

“I do wish to discuss your occupancy of Chicago and my waterways,” she said imperiously. 

"The Order has ruled Chicago since long before either you and I were born," Martin said conversationally, "It is ours and we'll fight to the last Brother and Sister to make sure it stays that way." He then continued. "As far as your claims on the Great Lakes...we have respected your control over the Soo Locks and pay your tolls, but the Lord-Paladin considers free passage of Order flagged vessels between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to be his sovereign right, a right which he will defend." After a pause to watch Calypso's eyes begin to fill with anger, he continued, "With that said, the Lord-Paladin has directed me to make a proposal regarding transit under the Mackinac Bridge that I believe will interest you greatly."

As Calypso and Martin spoke, a uniformed mercenary approached and saluted him, offering him a holotape. Calypso and other delegates all turned attention to the mercenary.  

"Pardon me a moment, dear", Martin said to Calypso then turned to Joseph. "Brother Joseph, would you be so kind?"

Joseph nodded and accepted the holotape from the mercenary, who promptly spun smartly on one heel and left the room, followed by Brother Joseph, intent on retreating to their suite to examine the tape. 

In the meantime, a television was wheeled into the room and turned on and switched to one of the NCR's State television channels. Eventually the picture settled, and none other than President Kimball appeared, dressed in a military uniform. He then gave a most extraordinary speech announcing the NCR campaign to the public, apparently from near the front lines. He was justifying his invasion as a per-emptive strike. Martin laughed out loud when Kimball spoke of the Lord-Paladin being a God-King that was worshiped in the Order's lands, but was not in the least surprised by his attempts to belittle Lucius for accepting the Brotherhood's aid in the Hoover War, and accuse him of doing what Kimball himself had just done. 

"[i]You have learned nothing from your father's failure[/i]", Martin thought with amusement and sorrow. "[i]Once your people realize you have created a self-fulfilling prophecy at their expense, you will be swept from office just like your father was.[/i]"   

After concluding his speech, he donned a leather helmet and boarded the Tank behind him, rolling off in a cloud of dust. The broadcast switched to commentators back in the studio, opining on their President's remarks as Titus, now the Legion representative, rose and made some acerbic remarks about Kimball's behavior, opining if that was merely another double, and he was actually back in Shady Sands with the cronies who got him Elected. It really wouldn't surprise him. He also noticed that Kimball's move was not received well by the other delegates, the Van Graff Patriarch, Salvatore, looked beside himself with fury. 

Then the King, obviously stricken, spoke. He bitterly reproved Kimball's actions, and the NCR in general, indicating that they would take no action but any NCR troop movements in the vicinity of the FZM would be assumed to be hostile. 

"[i]Perhaps something can be salvaged from this fiasco after all[/i]", Martin thought. "[i]I'll see if the King can arrange for a direct meeting between House and he Lord-Paladin.[/i]"

He then turned back to Calypso. 

"My apologies, my dear", Martin said apologetically to Calypso, who still hadn't released his hand, "Kimball's poor manners must be contagious...I forget myself. As I was about to say, perhaps we could discuss the Lord-Paladin's proposal over dinner?"