[u][b]Palace of Caesar[/b][/u]

Barnaky listened intently as Gladstone, obviously choosing his words carefully, outlined his Order's aerial capabilities. Calling up historical records on the Skyraider and B-17, he noted neither was nuclear capable...at least as designed. He then went to mention they were planning to have jet aircraft in service sometime next year. Barnaky recalled that his Order's fledgling aviation community had been agitating for increased production of the Hellion interceptor, or at least refurbishing pre-war interceptors as a stopgap, in case the Texans and the NCR, or some other hostile power, sought to initiate a strategic bombing campaign against them. He had been resisting it so far...the Inquisition had turned up no sign the Texans were even contemplating such a thing, and the synthetic oil factories could only produce so much aviation fuel, after all, not to mention much of their current production was supporting air transport assets that were vitally needed at the Front...but clearly this decision would need to be reviewed. 

"I'm afraid our offensive aviation capability is limited at this time", Barnaky replied, "While we have sixteen Vertibirds, and a production line established, most of our efforts have been focused on transport aircraft for logistics."

Barnaky would have gone on, but Gladstone had noticed his attention to the newest arrival, House's representative, known as the King. He had entered, and with a nod at his peers, taken a seat at the table. Barnaky nodded in return. Gladstone looked over at the King. 

“Mr, King", Gladstone intoned, "I would be pleased if our nations could come to an arrangement concerning an irritant to the both of our lands...."

Barnaky, noticing more movement at the door to the room, noticed a group of men entered. Most of them were both Texas and NCR Rangers in tier distinctive uniforms, they immediately fanned out and took up stations around the room, calmly being eyed by the Praetorians already present. At the center, were President Harris and a Brigadier General in the NCR Army, who approached the table as the High Elder, seemingly unaware of what was going on behind him, continued to address the King. 

"...It is my belief," Gladstone said, "that an entente between the Western Brotherhood, Vegas and the Legion should be formed to both contain the NCR and deter it from any future acts of aggression. Would you be open to such an arrangement? And of course, the reopening of trade between our lands would also be on the table as well.”

"Welcome to Santa Fe, President Harris, General", said Barnaky, nodding at each in turn while wincing inwardly as most likely he was committing a [i]faux pas[/i] under Legion etiquette by greeting them before their host, Lucius, spoke....but he felt it necessary to act before Gladstone [i]really[/i] put his foot in his mouth. He didn't know for sure what Lucius planned to do, but he was pretty sure he would not have invited Harris and the NCR here if he was planning on kicking the NCR when it was down.

"I’m sorry for our interruption, Harris said with a ghoulish smile, "We are here to represent the Free Confederation of Texan States, as well as the New California Republic.” They took their seats at the wooden table, with Harris sitting closest to the other powers. After a momentary pause, he continued. “I come here hoping for peaceful negotiations and the normalization of relations and trade between our countries. There are several worrying matters to address as well, such as the state of the Most Serene Key Republic, the final negotiations with the New California Republic, and the smooth expansion of Texas into Oklahoma.” He shuffled his hands for a half second, smoothing papers he had set in front of him in a nervous slip. “I also wish to hear of conflict with the Cult in the north.”

"All things I'm dying to discuss", Barnaky thought to himself as he glanced at Lucius, seated at the head of the table, "but this isn't my show..."