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

The High Elder let out a grunt at the words of the Texan president once the man had sat down, as well as Barnaky’s replies. He dismissed both of them, choosing to focus on the main figure for his plans against the NCR, the Vegas representative, the King. He nodded in agreement with the man’s words before making his own reply. He managed to bite his tongue and hide his disdain for yet another warning against his nation, the Texan representative had mentioned expansion into Oklahoma and nobody seemed to be batting an eyelid at that.

Why not? Oklahoma formed an ideal staging ground into either Legion territory or Midwestern territory, and enabled a buffer area to be formed to ensure that any wars against Texas could be held in check. Better a war in the front garden rather than the front living room.

“I welcome such a pragmatic view as Vegas has come to take with the NCR. And would be happy to discuss further arrangements, pending the agreement of the Midwest and the Legion.”

His eyes glanced over to the two respective representatives, before turning to briefly scan over the NCR and Texas representatives again. The NCR was a wounded bear, it might be bleeding, but it still had its teeth and claws. It had been a worthy adversary, that much he admitted freely in private, a travesty to see it become what it had now. As for Texas, it was an unknown quantity, still, it seemed to hold some potential. It would be interesting how things developed for them.

[color=004b80][b]Special Operations Council – Western Brotherhood of Steel – Electric City[/b][/color]

“This meeting of the Special Operations Council will come to order. Please note that only general minutes will be taken and following this meeting, the Council will remain to review and censor the record as necessary.”

Elder Laughlin was the one speaking, an African-American woman of senior age, and once a fearsome warrior in her own right. As of now, with a senior paladin and senior scribe seated to her left and right respectively, she looked across the room at the man before her. Paladin-Commander Thatcher, Director of Military Intelligence sat in the new uniform of the Brotherhood military, a small smile on his features. Laughlin gestured for the man to speak, the Director wasted no time in doing so.

“Thank you Elder, for convening this meeting on such short notice. I will be brief. Last night, a covert operations taskforce successfully completed a mission east of the Mississippi. A success because we completed all objectives and exceeded them in proving the military capabilities of all systems involved. It is my request that the Hermes class drone be approved for immediate full-scale production, the type one will run for a limited run of fifteen drones for deployment against the Cult in the east. And a further nine drones for deployment in the immediate vicinity.”

The director gestured to the dockets he’d handed to the council members before the meeting had been called to order.

“Full details of the mission and the Hermes class are in the briefings before you. Future deployments will be launched from Western order secured airfields under cover of darkness. This well enable a more secure platform to launch drone strikes from. In addition, this will enable any kinks to be worked out, allowing for a type two to be developed and deployed next year. We intend this class to be in use for the long term and have intentions of developing the drone program into short, medium and long-range systems. Along with very low to very high-altitude capable systems.”

Laughlin spoke up as she lazily leafed through the docket in her hands, interrupting the Director just as he seemed to be hitting his stride.

“Tell me Director, why drones? Why not manned aircraft?”

“Easiness.”

The reply was immediate, all replies were with this man, always sharp Laughlin idly noted, looking up from her docket, and over her glasses at the Director.

“Drones are easier to replace than pilots. They’re easier to run and easier to control. They don’t get tired, you can’t really swap pilots in our current fighter craft in mid-air. They don’t have crises of conscience, with a drone, one can switch to a backup operator willing to pull the trigger. They’re cheaper to run, both per unit cost and over their lifetime.”

The chamber fell silent for a few minutes, before the council drew back to confer amongst themselves, and at last, Laughlin leaned forwards.

“This council has made its decision. The request is approved. All missions will be reviewed by this council pre and post mission. Is this acceptable Director?”

“Completely.”

Laughlin nodded.

“Good. Meeting dismissed.”