[u][b]SAC HQ Bunker - Secure teleconference room[/b][/u]

"Unfortunately, the Primus Frumentarius unearthed nothing new", Inquisitor Stahl said over the securecom from Indianapolis. "In his opinion, Lancer-Sergeant Kyle is being truthful. I think we've learned all we can from him here. He's passed his flight physical, I see no reason not to recommend he be released for duty."

"Agreed", Joseph replied, looking up from the copy of Vulpes's report that had been forwarded to him by Stahl. "The Paladin -General has directed he be assigned to Vetibird Squadron Two in Wichita, he should complete Flight Quals and cross-chapter orientation by the time their last four Vertibirds are delivered by the production line and they are ready to deploy."

Protocols existed in the Codex for a Brother or Sister joining the Midwestern Order from another Chapter, Lancer-Sergeant Kyle would be the first Brother they were ever applied to...a learning experience all around, they might find other remnants of the Eastern Order who needed a new home as well.

From there, the subject turned to the War, and the Counterinsurgency effort behind the lines. Cult moles and Stay-behinds were still widespread, but the Inquisition, working with the Missionaries, were arming and organizing politically reliable elements in the countryside and the Field units believed they had turned the corner in the Occupation Zone as cell after cell was found and destroyed. Aurelius's arrival in Indianapolis was imminent, the artillery was already stockpiling shells to back up the inevitable assault. Central Michigan was rapidly emptying out of civilians, denied victims to forage from, the Cult forces would begin to weaken as their supplies ran out. Fortifications in Grand Rapids were continuing at pace...once the Warmaster came south he would find himself fighting very much on the Brotherhood's terms.  

Eventually, the conference entered, and Stahl and the other Inquisitions winked off their screens. Joseph turned to the robot that was taking a seat next to him. 

"Vulpes also made some very good points about Maxon in his report, sir", Joseph said. "Either Elder Maxon was privy to information that was not shared with the Brethren at large, or he had gone mad....it's imperative we find out which."

"Yes", Barnaky replied, "But how? From what Brother Kyle said, Maxon's actions have made the Brotherhood widely hated in the Commonwealth. A Expedition there would likely be seen as a second attempt at Invasion and opposed by the whole body of the people....the very thing we've gone to lengths to avoid in our own expansion program. No wonder Gladstone recognized his claim to the Elder's chair so quickly once Elder Lyons was assassinated, they were two peas in a pod."

"Speaking of the High Elder", Barnaky added, "How are operations going in the north?"

"We've increased assets in the Khan's Lands, as well as South Dakota, in conjunction with Martin's people", Joseph replied, "we're also exploring option on how to get people into the Western Order's lands, but any kind of broadcast inside of their lands is likely to be dangerous...that mystery flight was practicing comprehensive OPSEC protocols....one can only assume they are looking for the same sort of things they were trying to hide from us."

"Any idea what they were doing in Kentucky?", Barnaky asked.

"Whatever it was, Joseph replied, "They wanted us kept in the dark about it. Their liason could have contacted the Joint Targeting Staff and gotten a hundred suitable targets, or secured clearance to overfly our territory, for the asking. I can only guess they either just did something they believed we would object to, or are trying to independently verify the data on the Cult we gave them....or perhaps both. Not an auspicious beginning for reconciliation between our Chapters."

"No, it's not", Barnaky said wistfully, "I believe we shouldn't get our hopes up on that front. I hope I'm wrong, but Gladstone's actions give me a strong sense of deja vu...Same Shit, Different Decade." 

"Back to Maxon", Barnaky continued, "We can't send in an overt force like we did in the Capital Wasteland....they'll be too busy trying to survive to find out what we need to know. Put together a team...i'll instruct Martin to cooperate....to go in and see what they can find. At the same time, I will direct Strasse to redouble the efforts at the Citadel, we need as much of what Maxon knew when he left as we can find. I also find it hard to believe he did not communicate his findings with the Citadel from Boston, either."

"I will begin immediately, sir", Joseph replied.

"Good."