[u][b]Simon Barnaky - SAC HQ Bunker[/b][/u]

"Do you have any objections to this plan Lord?" Aurelius asked. 

"None, Legate", Barnaky replied. "Paladin-General Wilson is in the process of shifting his Headquarters from Bunker Alpha outside of Chicago to Indianapolis's Airport. He is overall Commander of this Operation, and reports directly to me. Military matters should go through him, but as far as matters of State I am at your disposal." Barnaky then pressed a button on the remote and some icons and arrows appeard on the map, originating in Chicago and circumnavigating Michigan to Detroit, he then continued. A Expeditionary force is being assembled in Chicago...it's goals are to make a landing in northern Michigan, at Cherry City, or Traverse City as it was known Pre-War, and reinforce the forces at the Soo Docks. The ultimate objective is Detroit. Our staffs can work out the details of redirecting the formations you are committing to that front. Outside of Detroit and the parts of Michigan that are claimed by the Republic, Michigan is sparsely populated, we estimate by well under 50,000 people. The Cult's armies depend on foraging in the field....helping the civilians escape the Cult offensive, and bottling the Cult up there, will force them to battle on our terms, or starve. It won't be easy though."

"And you Vulpes?", Aurelius asked, "What is your opinion?"

"If Lord Barnaky approves, then I have no objections. My only concern is that as the Legion advances east, we have adequate knowledge regarding the terrain but more importantly the enemy we are facing. With that in mind Lord Barnaky, I would ask that my Frumentarii be briefed by your Inquisitors on the nature of the cult and effective ways to counter them. A psychological war may be improbable to fight against madmen, but not impossible. All men fear something: perhaps we can supply it to them."

"Funny you should mention fear, Vulpes", Barnaky said, musing to himself. "Brother Joseph tells me he may have have found something, but he is not sure what to make of it. It's very strange...you should talk to him about it. As to briefings on the Cult and it's nature, he has a program ready...not only for you and the Frumentarii, but for the senior officers of the Legions as well. With possession of Pittsburgh came a considerable Pre-War industrial base, and they have made good use of it. Their troops are well armed with crude but serviceable weapons, and they make extensive use of vehicles and artillery. They are also fond of mass assaults employing feral ghouls and have a sizeable number of Mutants among their ranks."  

"On that note as well," Aurelius interjected, turning to Barnaky, "I would inform you that Caesar has ordered me to show no mercy to these cultists. Civilians will not be harmed, but those tainted by the Cult, and any who serve it...we will be crucified. They can howl to their abomination of a god when they're up on a cross...we'll see if it answers them then."

"Hah", Barnaky chuckled at the vision the Legate's phrase conjured up in his mind, "Nice turn of phrase, Aurelius. We shoot or hang them, then display the corpses....that gets the message across well enough for our purposes. Crucifixion ought to get the attention of those who willingly align themselves with the Cult, at least. We plan on annexing all of Indiana and much of Michigan when this is over, if blood must be shed, it's best to get it done and over with up front. One thing you should know though, is that the Cult often press-gang common Wastelanders into serving, and even fighting for them, against their will. We do try to screen those out for interrogation...and re-education if judged salvageable...when practical before dealing permanently with the rest. As for confirmed Cult members...I don't know what they do to them there, but any of them that go to Pittsburgh, which seems to be a pilgrimage for them, are driven quite mad by the experience. We get what we can out of them then put them down like the mad dogs they are."

"The Cult itself has no positive message, a vision for the future, or really anything to offer the Wastelanders out there", Barnaky continued, "It relies on terror to compel obedience, and even obedience to their commands offer no guarantee of safety. Lift the Cult's boot off their necks, and offer them a future, and the civilians swing right into line....and they know better than anyone who among them needs killing."