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

"Done", House replied with little hesitation. "I have no interest in repeating the mistakes of my deceased contemporaries. If it means that the FZM and Brotherhood of Steel can enjoy a mutually beneficial and stable relationship going forward, I will let you handle the deconstruction of nuclear facilities....That is part of your mission, isn't it?"

"As an Elder in the Brotherhood", Barnaky said firmly. "It is my duty."

"I will not interfere." House said. After a pause, he continued. "We can put this all on paper and I can write up a formal document for your party before it leaves New Vegas. In fact, I'll have it drafted momentarily. Included would be that the your chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel will be allowed sanctuary inside FZM lands, so long as it does not incite any violence within my lands. The FZM will formally occupy The Divide and hand over any ICBM technologies discovered to the Brotherhood. In exchange, the Brotherhood will assist in developing the FZM's future human military and the two parties will together ensure that the NCR does not advance into the east. Satisfactory?"

"It is", Barnaky replied. "Our Staffs will need to meet to work out the details on the size and nature of our Mission to the FZM, of course. It would be helpful to have access to Nellis AFB, and it's military runway and hangar facilities, if that is feasible. We should also exchange Ambassadors, I would be pleased to offer suitable facilities for a Embassy in Omaha. Also, if this is to be a long term Alliance, I think the matter of trade, and establishing reliable rail links between the FZM and the Order's lands should be discussed as well."  

As Barnaky waited for House's reply, he considered events thus far. He thought it ironic that much of his success in this conference was likely due to the ineptitude of NCR diplomacy. House, and especially the Western Order, would never have reached out to him...for sound logical reasons on their part, Barnaky had to admit, even though in actuality he had no malevolent intentions towards either of them...if not for the fact that the Kimball's behavior was so threatening it overshadowed the threat they thought he presented. 

"As smarter men than I have said", Barnaky thought with amusement, "Never stop your Enemy when he's committing suicide." 

The pieces were falling into place....soon the NCR would be locked in chains that it had forged itself. Contained for the foreseeable future, the NCR would either reform or die by it's own hand. And he would at last have a free hand in the East, where the true threat to Humanity festered and grew in the carcass of Pittsburgh. That would change soon enough...he would drag them from the darkness of their lair into the sunlight, so that all the World would see their true nature, and then he would Scourge them from the face of the Earth. 

[i]It was his Duty[/i].    


[u][b]Hours later - Audience with the High Elder[/b][/u]

"My proposal Lord-Paladin, is simple.", Gladstone said. "Whilst we have been too far apart for too long, both in distance and in time, as well as the diverging circumstances that have made our respective entities evolve, my hope that we can reconcile to as warm a degree as possible. To that end, I would suggest an accord, of trade and non-aggression, with further clauses acknowledging the shared heritage of our polities establishing embassies for political reconciliation."

Pausing to take a breath, Atticus continued his proposal.

"Following that, I'd then suggest perhaps an exchange of culture and suchlike, with the hopes of overcoming the ingrained differences between our groups, and finally an alliance."

Falling silent, Gladstone sipped his drink, and waited for a reply with cautious trepidation.

"We have been apart for far too long, and that estrangement is a luxury that neither of us can afford.", Barnaky replied. While we disagree on a number of things, there are still plenty that we do agree on. We should build on that, and the rest will follow." 

"I agree to your proposal, Brother Atticus", Barnaky said as he stood and extended his hand to the High Elder. "Our Orders will face the uncertain future...together once more."

"I will make arrangements to receive a delegation at Omaha", Barnaky continued after sitting back down, "or send one to Electric City if you prefer, to hammer out the details. The first order of business, I think, should be formally re-establishing direct diplomatic relations be exchanging Ambassadors. We'll also need to establish some sort of agreement with the Khans regarding trade routes."

"While we have much to discuss", Barnaky concluded, "I think we have gone about as far as we should...here. Uness you have further concerns that can be safely discussed here, of course."


[u][b]Mark Johnson - The Aces Theater[/b][/u]

Mr Johnson, nattily dressed in a gray business suit, sat at his table, sipping his Ice-Cold Sunset Sarsaparilla while discreetly watched the door. Eventually, he saw one of the two men he was waiting for enter, and after checking in with the Maitre d', approach the table.

"Good afternoon, Mr Renault", Johnson said, extending his hand in a business-friendly manner, "I'm glad you decided to come. Please, have a seat." As Renault took his seat, a waiter appeared, plaingf a menu before each man. Johnson picked his up and studied it casually, "Order what you like, Mr Renault...I've got the check. The New Vegas Strip is excellent." Once orders for dinner and drinks were taken, the waiter departed and left the two men together to engage in small talk until their orders arrived, just as the lights dimmed in preparation for the Rad Pack to begin their show.  

"I apologize for the unconventional venue, Mr Renault", Johnson said quietly as the emcee announced the entrance of the Rad Pack performers, to strong applause, "but my superiors thought it might...complicate things for your Company if Brother Martin approached you directly at the conference. Also...all the hotel rooms are wired, I can't really be sure we're secure here for that matter." 

"We have a contract offer for your group", Johnson said quietly as he passed Renault a folder, then returned to his mashed potatoes. "Rear-area security, no offensive operations will be involved. Initial term is 90 days, with option to extend as necessary. The AO is sensitive, but we have good relations with the host government and there will be no trouble unless they are provoked. Details are inside."  Johnson then watched crypically as Renault studied the documents inside. 

[u][b]
Brother Martin - Tops Casino[/b][/u]


Brother Martin, dressed in a black business suit with red tie, spent the time before his dinner date with Calypso wandering the casino floor, silently shaking his head in wonderment at the sheer amount of money flowing from the guests to the Casino, and by extension, House. Like most residents of the Order's lands, he lived a simple austere life....while there was certainly gambling back home, the Inquisition or Office of Administration police would step in long before an operation could achieve this kind of scale.

"No wonder they are bankrupt", thought Martin sadly, "this is sheer madness."

Behind him someone cleared his throat. Martin turned to see the Maitre d for the Tops Restaurant. 

"Ring a Ding, pally", the Maitre D said in the shtick Tops banter, "Thought I'd come out and let you know....your lady friend just arrived and is seated."

Shocked, Martin checked his wristwatch...which read 1935 (7:35 PM). 

"Ex..", Martin began to say before the Maitre D answered the question for him.

"Yes, it's 7:35, Pal", he said with a wink. "You Brotherhood types sure know what you like...no wonder none of you are over at that other place". His momentary grimace made it clear he meant the Gomorrah.

"Thank you, my good sir", Martin said gratefully as he pressed a gold Aureus bearing the image of Lucius into his hand, then made his way towards the restaurant.    
   
"Nice!", said the Maitre D with genuine appreciation as he looked at the tip, then said cheerfully as Martin left "Don't do anything I wouldn't do...Ring a Ding, Baby!"

Entering the restaurant, Martin was ushered to a table at which sat Calypso, who looked stunning in a tailor-made purple evening dress, and curly black hair instead of her usual cornrows. 

"Calypso", Marin said as he took her hand and kissed it, then took his seat. "You look simply ravishing!"

Ordering a bourbon and water from the waiter, Martin picked up his menu and opened it, looking up at Calypso. 

"Have you ordered yet, my dear?", Martin asked. "I hear the New Vegas Strip is excellent here."