[h2][center][color=ed1c24]Santa Fe, Brigadier General Garcia[/color][/center][/h2]

They talked as if he wasn’t there. He listened patiently as the peacocks fluffed their feathers, but anyone could tell they only spoke so boldly of “containment” and the NCR’s “old world pitfalls”, because of their reliance on the vast power of the Midwest and Caesar. Here he was being threatened by the disfigured remains of the Western Brotherhood, previously destroyed by the NCR, and a trumped up gangster from a city that was occupied by the NCR for seven years. It was bitter irony, but he would have to swallow it. As proudly as he had marched towards Santa Fe for Kimball, he was Hsu’s man now. He also couldn't help but appreciate the Generals order for a peaceful mission at this conference. He had a child on the way back in the Hub. Against that, any personal hatred he still held towards the Legion that might make him advocate for a hawkish stance was weak.

Before he could respond to the King’s postering, Caesar proved to be the voice of reason. “Let us hold fast for the moment,” Lucius stood as Barnaky and The King had finished speaking. “There is much to discuss here. I assure you all that we will get to each and every one of the issues that has been put forth. If I might bring some focus to this discussion however, let me first address the item that is most concerning to me. I feel too, that without resolution to this, we will not get far in this meeting.”

“First, I would like to welcome the delegates of Texas and the NCR military. Your presence here is necessary to ensure that what I wish to accomplish is done. As the neutral party in this affair, I hope that Texas may be able to ensure a smooth mediation and a fair agreement.”

Harris nodded and responded accordingly, “We act for the peaceful advancement of the Southwest”.

Lucius sat down once again and folded his hands in front of him, he looked directly at the NCR delegates sitting aside President Harris,

“The first and foremost item of the agenda is this: I wish to formally end the war between the NCR and Legion. My terms are simple and direct: a continuation of the terms laid out between myself and General Lee Hsu during the general armistice and a formal treaty of non-aggression. Under the terms of the armistice, all remaining NCR POWs that have rejected the Legion’s offer will be returned home by the end of the month. Finally, and most importantly, the NCR will accept full responsibility for the actions of its military and President Kimball Jr. The cause of the war, and its conclusion, will be laid squarely at the former President’s feet. The NCR Government will issue a formal condemnation of Kimball Jr, his administration, and his foolish invasion which ended any hope of diplomacy winning out before it could even begin. Those are MY terms, and I will accept nothing less than that. Given the circumstances, I think they are more than generous.”

Garcia responded smoothly enough, given the circumstances “the NCR is willing to accept these terms wholeheartedly and measures have already been taken to follow this request. Kimball’s populist regime is being blamed and denounced for leading the nation into a needlessly aggressive war against the Legion, nearly destroying chances for peace. We just want to get our veterans home now.” He scratched his beard thoughtfully. “On Californian emigration to Vegas, that is within the rights of our citizens. However, I would like it if you considered letting the NCR re-establish an embassy in New Vegas to help manage this development. We’re struggling to keep track of the emigration, some citizens have requested to retain duel citizenship, and there are other problems with the legal status of these people.” He paused, preparing himself to say something he never dreamed of. “And since the Republics bank isn’t broken, General Hsu is also offering reparations for damages the Legion has taken during Kimball’s illegal war, which was a violation of the Treaty of Goodsprings.”

He stood up now and surveyed the room, giving strong looks to the King and the Western elder. It was time to make his own clever speech. “The New California Republic has failed the world. We showed our worst face at New Vegas Conference. And Kimballs invasion was a violation of the peace the world hoped for.” he looked at Lucius, a former enemy he’d never seen before today, and couldn’t help but respect him some for all this. “Both of our nations have been at eachothers throats for years in a needless conflict. Thousands died for a dam that ultimately neither of us owned when the fighting stopped. Kimball tried to restart that when we ought to have ended our silly conflict. For that, the new leaders of the NCR apologize and hope to make things right in the coming years in whatever way we can. Resentments between our people may continue, but never again another war. The Republic may one day expand into those untouched wastelands at our border, but the people of California have had enough blood. We want to gradually establish peaceful and open economic and diplomatic connections to all nations around us. There is only benefit to be had for Texas, Vegas, the Legion, and both Brotherhoods to discussing open trade agreements with us. To carry out these promises, General Hsu is currently reforming our democratic government and I have been authorized to make binding agreements with you. So by all means, be prepared for some far future conflict with the Republic. But know ‘gluttonous expansion’ and further war is not on the Bears agenda.”

As he sat down, he hoped that that speech would be enough to make his other request compelling. “I have one request Caesar. Would it be possible for the remains of Kimball and his outfit to be turned over to the NCR? The remains could serve as a powerful symbol of Kimballs defeat to the NCR public. They would also be some consolation for the family relations and friends the man left behind, regardless of his final actions.”