[u][b]Simon Barnaky - Ultra-Luxe[/b][/u]


"Hm...", House replied. "It pleases me to see that you have not fallen prey to the fatal ideologies of your contemporaries. The only way we can rebuild is if we learn from the pitfalls of our predecessors. I have a vision for your Brotherhood of Steel and my city, but we must lay down many layers of bricks before it can come to fruition." He paused. "If the New California Republic were to invade New Vegas, they would suffer extreme losses, but they would win. As long as this hypothetical is true, my vision will not be able to run its course. We must become powerful enough to halt their expansion."

Robert took a deep breath. "The NCR--just like my generation was before them--is doomed to destroy itself. It is a warped facsimile of America's doomsday government. We must create a large enough barrier that they cannot grow any larger. They have the capability to swallow the entire western stretch of this nation whole, and in a few centuries, they will be letting all of those people down." He chuckled. "I suppose that is where our ideologies align. We must ensure that humanity does not repeat its mistakes."

"Indeed", Barnaky replied matter of factly. "The NCR as it is currently configured is a long term threat to us all....like the worst of the 20th Century Dictators, they expand by necessity lest their economic mismanagement catch up to them. That is exactly why we stepped in at Albuquerque five years ago. It's also why Kimball is in Arizona now. And I want to make this perfectly clear...I haven't stayed alive far longer than I deserved or cared to so that everything I've built, all the sacrifices my people have made in obedience to my commands, is pissed away by those greedy, short-sighted fools in Shady Sands." He then added, "I swore on my wife's grave I would bring about a world fit for her to have lived in...and I will not tolerate Kimball, or the NCR, or anyone else for that matter...and by that I mean the Cult...getting in my way." He then concluded, "Speaking of the Cult, that is something else we need to discuss eventually."   

Mr. House gave himself another few moments to articulate his thoughts. "The first steps toward keeping the NCR within their own borders is for the FZM to establish a human military. Years ago, one of my former associates led his own expedition into an old military fortress known as 'The Divide'. It is filled to the brim with priceless military tech, including dormant ICBMs and special weaponry and armor. I want to restore it to its former glory and establish a human military, filled with my own citizens, NCR deserters, and anyone else who wishes to fight for the old flag. I would be willing to share any research I find from The Divide with you, in exchange for the Brotherhood's help with training my inevitably human military. A formal alliance would imply that we could defend each other and become a formidable partnership in this war's landscape moving forward."

"Perhaps Caesar's Legion can play a role in all of this..."

"I don't see why not", Barnaky said, "Lucius is far more progressive than Sallow was, and if my intelligence is correct he has taken a wife and may be trying to establish a Dynasty." Barnaky shrugged. "If the Legion evolves into a Monarchy, that isn't necessarily a bad thing....a well-established Monarchy is remarkably stable." 

"As far as your proposal for the Divide, that is agreeable to me", Barnaky replied, "But I have one condition, and this is [i][b]not[/b][/i] negotiable, I want every last atomic or nuclear warhead found in this place turned over to the Brotherhood, so that they can properly destroyed. We have the infrastructure in place already, and I'll gladly grant verification of decommissioning, but I will not help [i]anyone[/i] establish a nuclear capability, much less deploy one."  


[u][b]Hours later[/b][/u]

“Lord-Paladin Barnaky", High Elder Gladstone, resplendent in his best ceremonial robes, said gravely as the door to the suite closed behind him. "If I might be presumptive, I suspect neither of us thought this day would ever occur, and certainly not in such circumstances. Or such surroundings.”

"Indeed", Barnaky replied, "It was welcome, but a surprise nonetheless....I had feared we could never overcome the circumstances of our departure, I'll be pleased if that turns out to be wrong. I must apologize for the robot, but I've learned over the years that it's easier to interact with others remotely via one of these constructs than through a monitor or set of speakers....and my current physical condition is quite disturbing to most to behold." Barnaky then gestured to one of the seats at the table. "Please, be seated...we have much to discuss. I must warn you before we begin, however, that we are most likely under surveillance at this very moment." He then added as he took his seat, "If this meeting goes well, we can arrange for follow-up talks in a more, ahem, secure location." 

Barnaky then offered the High Elder a drink, proposing to serve it himself. 

"Now then, High Elder", Barnaky said as he settled back into his chair, "Let us discuss your proposal, I'm eager to hear it."