[color=004b80][b]High Elder Gladstone – Western Brotherhood of Steel – Santa Fe[/b][/color]

“Ave Elder, and firstly, I thank you for the gifts. They were unnecessary, but not unwelcome. I’ll gladly accept such generosity.”

Gladstone inclined his head at the thanks, watching as the Praetorians removed the chests from the room, before returning his attention to Caesar.

“As for your second question, yes, I think there is a matter we should discuss. Have a seat.”

The High Elder did as bid, listening to Lucius as he did so.

“The matter I wanted to discuss with you specifically, Elder, and one of the primary reasons for your invitation to this gathering was to allay some concerns. Your recent militaristic reform of The Brotherhood hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by your neighbours. The Great Khans. The Khans are not allies of the Legion, and indeed many of them still harbour resentment against us after the learned what Sallow had planned for them in Vegas. However, we have good enough relations as it stands. And those Khans who are friendly to the Legion have expressed doubts that your intentions in the region will remain peaceful.”

The leader of the legion paused for a few seconds before leaning in and directing a question towards him.

“And so I'll ask you bluntly, are their doubts unfounded?”

Gladstone’s reply was first a few moments of silent rumination, before finally gathering his thoughts and making them known.

“No. Their doubts are not unfounded.”

The High Elders gaze met Caesars, holding his head high, he ploughed on, making his case for such a reply.

“Raiders to the North, Raiders to the West, a wounded giant in California and now, a war of dreadful savagery in the east unseen since before the Great War. The Brotherhood is surrounded by chaos, anarchy, lawlessness and disorder. We must conquer or be conquered. I make no obfuscations for my reforms and my intent with them. The Brotherhood will expand, we will civilise the wastes in the image we see fit to shape it too. I will not make the mistakes of my predecessors in resting on our laurels, on a managed decline with hazy eyes misting over in remembrance of halcyon days long gone.”

Gladstone leaned back, his voice cold and clear in the hazy Santa Fe heat.

“I will raise up the Western Brotherhood to heights it has never known before, we will stride forth and scour the mutant from the land and purge the barbarism of the raiders. As for the Great Khans, I shall be frank. I do not hold anything against them, if it is Caesar’s wish I shall leave them be.”

A pause.

“Or, perhaps we could carve up their lands between us? An alliance between us would I think be a way to constrain the New Californian Republic from ever moving against us again. An entente against them, you to the south and southeast, and the brotherhood to the north and northeast. I suggest the old highway 80 be the new borders between our lands. And perhaps, befitting of your marital connections, the former lands of New Canaan and all the Mormon territories could be rendered unto Caesar as well?”

Gladstone smirked, his expression predatory, a shark circling in the water, waiting to see if his fellows reaction to such a devils bargain.