[center][h1][color=007236]General Davis - Norman, Oklahoma [/color][/h1][/center]

The map in front of him had been set as accurately as it could be. Alone in his tent, except for a steady fiddle player in the corner, he pored over a map of his surroundings. Every settlement and faction in central Oklahoma as of the past 6 months, reverified by Ranger scouts. He prided himself on his careful maintenance of an information network screening his every move, but there were things that just weren’t possible like they were in the old days. His men couldn’t be sure of the tribal makeup of Oklahoma city, or if there were any Midwestern observers or outposts. Even though his army was strong enough to face anything, he wanted the operation as clean as possible. There were a large number of settlers traveling with them from New Dallas, eager to set up new homes and caravan routes north to the Midwest. 

He sipped steaming Keynesian coffee as he shifted his thoughts. While the wasteland’s powers were focused on the southwestern conflict or the cult, little notice had been given to his force, as far as he understood. It was going exactly as Governor Harris wanted. While he was a New Dallasian through and through, the plan that had come from Harris’s office was a good one. The assault was timed to more or less coincide with the convention, taking Oklahoma City before the Midwest really knew what was happening, and then offer some control of the region to them: an olive branch on Texan terms. While he still questioned the idea of cooperating with the armored devils, it had to be done, according to Harris, because of the NCR’s decline. 

He remembered that he needed to go reiterate terms with the Angels of War Harris had hired out to him. He exited his tent and made his way over to the other side of camp, where the Angels of War were camped. The other forces he had at disposal were 4,000 regulars, 750 professionals, 300 cavalry, and 150 Texan Rangers. The supply lines had been difficult this far north, but manageable. The troops were exercising in space between the tents currently and they saluted as he passed.

He came to the tent and greeted the guard. “Howdy. I’m here to speak to the commander.”, he said casually.

[center][h1][color=00a651]Senior Airman Adam Piler - Over Mexico [/color][/h1][/center]

“Goddamn they’re fast…”, Adam Piler drawled under his breath as he hurtled after the hellions. He had clawed his way to what he thought was the top of tech, only to be nearly outdone in his first non practice engagement by some spaceship looking jet. 

[i]Only nearly… fancy equipment wasn’t everything[/i]

“Situation?, over”, Teagan asked starkly over comms.

“Nothing’s changed, over”, he responded

[i]Need to remember to be quiet on missions with her…[/i]

“They’re still heading towards Albuquerque. No other NCR troops since the last convoy. Any orders to engage?, over”, he continued. 

“None. We just need to keep track of them and take pictures of their fueling station, and then retreat immediately, over.”

“Understood, over.”

In theory, it wasn’t harder than any other training mission. But there were more lives on the line than theirs this time.... He dispelled the thoughts and refocused on the silver shape ahead.

[center][h1][color=7ea7d8]Governor of New Houston and President of the Confederation Harris - New Vegas [/color][/h1][/center]

"My state of existence has enabled me to take a long view of things...something Governor Harris and I have in common”

That was true, in a sense. He remembered some of the pre-war holovids about China, even though he was young when the Great War happened. They were some of the only things to watch in the family bunker. While propagandistic to be sure, they showed what happened to orders like the Midwest’s. To those who played at being philosopher kings. Their people starved and their nation crumbled, while they paraded around their “achievements”. 

After his last appeal, the Legion-Brotherhood-House alliance primarily had the floor. Mostly backing up their anti NCR position. He had the reports on the NCR armies the night before. Kimball had made arrogant risks, and would pay the price. But that didn’t invalidate the NCR’s democracy. There was a dangerously violent declaration from Pennsylvania, which also prematurely announced the plans for the Prosperity Sphere. The violent outburst made him wonder for a second why he was bothering to work with them, yet he knew there could be safety and monetary and benefit to such an alliance. Still, if the Pennsylvanians proved too volatile and violent to uphold the Sphere’s principles…

House was just finishing his rhetoric, and if nothing else happened after that he would announce his plans for Oklahoma. “The rest of you can hide behind beautiful ideologies as much as you’d like, but Titus Crassius is right. Lucius will stay upright for longer than most of you because he has made the decisions that have kept he and his people alive…If you’d like to witness the fate of democracy, I implore you to look out the windows.”

[i] If you want to see the fate of ‘enlightened’ kings like yourself, Mr. House, I implore you to read a history book. Because there’s nothing left of them but dust. [/i]

“Mr. President. A radio transmission from General Shu of the NCR. He requested you”, a Ranger said quietly as he approached from behind.

He nodded, and moved to whisper in Angela’s right ear. “Keep an eye on progress. Don’t be afraid to discuss with them. If we’re too quiet, they’ll take it as a sign of weakness.”

She simply nodded, while remaining hawkishly focused on everyone. The girl was good at observation, that was sure. He went with the ranger to a transmitter that had been set up in a backroom for just an occasion like this.

“This is President Harris. How can I be of assistance?”