[color=00aeef]Alaskan Federation
[/color]

As the train began to depart the Brotherhood members aboard could hear the whistling and grinding of gears a sign that these iron steeds were falling apart and only hope kept them chugging along. 

One of the three Conductors inside was pushing a cart making his way down the isle checking in on the passengers. “Sorry about the ride folks. Heard we'll be getting some prime salvage soon, old girl is showing her age.” Patting the walls of the carriage he muttered. “Soon old girl, soon. We'll get you fixed up.” Turning his attention back to the Scribes he pulled open the side panel and sat down some ales. “In case you lot get thirsty, our expected travel time will be about six and a half hours give or take. As long as no Northern Stags graze on the tracks. If you need pillows or a blanket let me or another conductor know.”

Meanwhile as papers shuffled atop North’s desk he slumped over trying to stay one step ahead of not just his enemies but apparently his own allies as well.

“Need me to go over the information again North?” A woman’s voice called out from across the desk one he knew well. Valmet of the Bush Company. Assassin and Spymaster.

North looked up from his large spruce desk misshapen and hand carved, only a portion of it had a flat surface to work on and he somehow loved it. “No. Valmet I understand completely, she thinks she can skirt the boundary of our alliance by banishing her men as traitors. So they can aid the Cult and with it bring gold and glory back. It’s a smart move from Clan Bearhorn.”

“We have no deals with the forty eight states, but that puts us at a disadvantage. They’ll come looking for reparations even seeking to finish off Clan Bearhorn. Worse still if these ‘traitors’ return with caps and treasure they will be treated as heroes, spoken in the same breath as the heroes of old. They’ve had time to make their move.” Valmet sat letting her arms sink into the furred upholstered armchair. “We cannot let them reach that level of fame.”

North silently agreed his head giving a soft nod. “We’ll need to guard our ports, catch them before they reach a port, confiscate the goods so that Victoria’s plan to endorse this war will go awry.”

“Forcing them to uphold their alliance and continue the banishment on her men. That still however isn’t a fool proof plan. But it’s only one problem, we know the Cult met with slavers likely facilitated by Clan Bearhorn. Sometime in the last month or so.”

“And with the Cult’s cash we’ve already seen a resurgence of slavers on the fringes.” North stood up searching for a map grasping pins in his mouth as he unfolded it. “We thought that by taking Stanton we cut them at the balls. Dealing a fatal blow but it hasn’t been long enough for them to simply die out. And with their newfound wealth they’ll search for a new foothold.” Placing pins down Valmet watched as he theorized likely bases. “Keep your scouts in these spots, on the cliffs, the ruins or anywhere you can station them. They’ll move in towards the city and pick off any travelers. Haul any beasts and trade with any unaffiliated raiders.”

 While North and Valmet talked the train had pulled up and started unloading. Brotherhood Scribes funneled put ready to see their workstations. A short jaunt to metal shacks and they saw hastily built shacks connected to form a singular building. Men still bringing materials to finish and reinforce it proper. 

All the while a taller building stood behind it with a glass roof and a garden inside heated by several large steam generators mounted alongside the walls to ensure the plants grew well. 

A man stepped forward to great the Brotherhood Scribes, tall with low hanging tired eyes appearing to be of asian descent. “Ah..hh.” His speech was slow and his exhaustion was clear with every movement. “I'm afraid you will need to share the research labs with another. We need to keep someone there since we are unable to move some of the more sensitive plants. I..” Pausing his breath released from his tensing jaw and came out as a long yawn. “Excuse me. I'm Tenma Hoozuki. One of the Rangers in charge in between my patrols. Your bunkhouse is just about ready, it will keep the cold out until the workers can finish it up; the smaller hut that is the entrance is like a airlock of sorts. Preventing hot air from leaving the main residence and serving as closet.” 

Stepping back and covering his mouth again yawning he prepared to head off before stopping. “Oh and if you need to meet with North Ashland you can reach me from the radio inside. All the frequencies are written on a note attached to the desk.”