[u][b]Over Northern Mexico - appx 7:45 AM CDT[/b][/u]

"Greg", A.N.I.T.A said in his wife's voice, "New contacts bearing 135 degrees, range 86 nautical miles. Designating Romeo 1 and 2."

A.N.I.T.A was short for Autonomous Navigation Intercept and Tactical Assistant, the on-board computer. A.N.I.T.A was the legacy of the aircraft's beginnings as a project of the Calculator. Originally intended to operate the aircraft itself, it was retooled into a AI equivalent of a RIO, or "Guy in Back" as they called them before the War. While A.N.I.T.A could still fly the aircraft if necessary, the Order was reluctant to rely too heavily on robots. The boffins programmed it to talk to the pilot in the voice of their spouse...if they had one...as pre-war studies they had found in the Calculator's archives had shown a pilot would react quicker to the voice of someone they had an emotional bond with. 

"Thank you, Anita", Paladin Harris said, "Please classify."

"ESM signature and analysis indicates contacts are modified Stingray Fighters", A.N.I.T.A replied, "They are consistent with aircraft known to be operated by the Confederation, and they took off from their airstrip at Ft Bliss." A.N.I.T.A them added, "Be advised, they have detected us and are closing rapidly, ETA ten minutes."

"Rick", Harris radioed his wingman, "you see the bogies?"

"Yes, sir", Torres radioed back. "Looks like the Texans want to play....what do we do?"

"Finish up our mission as best we can and get out of here", Harris replied. "Command has enough on it's plate already, without us starting a war with Texas. Hate to say it, but we're gonna have to let them take the first shot. Keep your eyes peeled while I call this in"

Harris then directed A.N.I.T.A to switch him to the command link and advised Offut of the situation. Not surprisingly, they directed them to not fire at the Texan aircraft unless fired upon, and to terminate the mission once Highway 2 had been checked as far as Agua Prieta for further NCR forces. 

"Wilco", Harris replied, then switched back to the tac frequency and notified Rick of their orders. The next half hour was nerve-wracking, as they flew above the highway, with one eye over their shoulder at the Texans. But it seemed that they were probably under orders not to engage as well, as they slowed down once they reached about 25nm, well outside of missile range for a Stingray, and tailed them. Finally, they reached the ruins of Agua Prieta, finding nothing but locals and one NCR supply convoy. Their mission now completed, they turned north into Legion territory, where the Tanker was waiting for them above Albuquerque. 

"Time to get gas", Harris said to Torres over the radio, "If our 'friends' follow, we'll have to take turns filling up. Maybe this'll convince Command to fix up some more fighters rather than wait until we can get these into series production."

[u][b]The Gourmand - Later that day[/b][/u]

Barnaky, followed by Brothers Martin and Joseph, strode into the conference room, arriving at the last minute. They had been held up waiting for materials to arrive from home....photos and film from the Photo-Recon mission they had run this morning, and film footage of a incident that happened this morning in a settlement just over the Indiana border. Barnaky noticed that many of the delegates that had been here yesterday had not returned....thankfully one of them had been the damned Cultists. The Legion, the Texans...including a delegation from Vault 99, the Pennsylvanians, the Children, and the NCR, of course, among others...including apparently a delegation from New York City..were here. no sooner did he take a seat than House began the conference with a short speech, then opened the floor to the delegates. First to speak was Titus, the Legion representative. Barnaky considered that unfortunate because he had hoped to pass along the briefing he had received before he spoke...but it wouldn't hurt much as it had already been passed along to Lucius's general staff as quickly as they could manage, it may even have already reached Lucius himself by now. He directed Martin to pass the briefing to one of Titus's aides so he could peruse it after his speech. 

Titus's speech was quite good, he was using the boorish behavior of the NCR representative against them quite effectively, he thought. He especially liked how he wrapped it up.  

"If we here, now, as assembled nations of this continent, issue a formal denouncement of The NCR and their foolish actions here, we will be sending a message to the NCR people", Titus said in conclusion, "No doubt Kimball will try and spin his actions, and those of his minions, as some sort of heroic struggle back home. Something that he was forced in to to protect his people or defend his nation. Or some other such utter nonsense. I wish the NCR people to know and understand just who is responsible for the current state they are in and who will have been the direct cause of their torments to follow. President Kimball Jr..."         

Barnaky decided he would second the proposal, he would also use the opportunity to reveal just how treacherous the NCR had actually been....given the sizable force less than a hundred miles from Las Cruces, in Legion territory, had to have been on the march for a week or more before they launched their attack on the Legion's Western border. It might also get some clarity from the Texans....after all, they knew all about the NCR force from the speed with which they responded to his pilots. 

“The Free Confederation of Texan States will take time to consider your proposal.”, the Texas representative replied tersely as he gestured for some of his retinue to approach several other representatives, those from the Keys, the Pennsylvanians, and the delegation from Franklin. 

“Now I would like to inquire about a matter we can surely agree on.”, the Texan paused for effect, then continued. “What action is being carried out against the Cult of Ug-Qualoth? My scouts report fighting in the north. This cult seems to defy basic human rights, and we believe action against them might be necessary”. 

"The gentleman from Texas is correct", Barnaky stood up and replied. "there is fighting in the North, the Cult's bestial behavior violates all norms of human decency, and something needs to be done about them...and I am doing just that. At 3:00AM this morning, my forces have advanced into what was Indiana, to begin the first stage of a campaign to break their power completely before they become a threat to everyone in what was the United States."

"while I have plenty to say about this campaign, and the necessity of it", Barnaky continued, "I am not prepared to move on the subject of the NCR's aggression and mendacity just yet." He then gestured and Martin and Joseph's aides began passing out manila folders to each delegation. Inside the photographs was aerial photographs, some taken at relatively close range, a estimate of the NCR force size and composition, and a map showing their location less than one hundred miles south of Legion territory, along with the projected line of attack, North along I-25 to Albuquerque and then to the Legion capital of Santa Fe. 

"Now", Barnaky continued, "no Infantry force can march 400 miles in two days, so it is obvious that Kimball launched this offensive a week or more before this conference even began. And somehow, I don't think Kimball would have withdrew them even if Lucius Caesar had given in to Kimball's territorial demands. Five years ago, my Brothers and Sisters met the NCR in battle outside of Albuquerque. the comprehensive defeat of the NCR forces under General Moore resulted in the Impeachment and removal from office of the current President's father. I had hoped that the son would have learned from the Father's mistakes...but sadly he did not. The NCR will continue to expand, papering over it's mismanagement of it's economy and what resources that our wastrel ancestors didn't manage to squander before they destroyed themselves, then move on to the next victim once they have bled it dry. It is clear now that this pattern will never end until they are forced to change. So, with great regret, I have no choice but to state the following. If the NCR has not withdrawn it's forces in Legion territory, and the force currently in Mexico, by 4:00 PM Pacific Time tomorrow, then a state of war shall be considered to exist between the Midwestern Order and the New California Republic. Though as a concession, I will not object if the latter force turns themselves over to the Confederation for internment until the cessation of hostilities...due to their [i]close[/i] proximity to the NCR force's current position." 

Barnaky then sat down, adding. "And for the record, I second the motion of Queastor Titus."