[h3][b][u][color=0076a3]Brotherhood meeting with the Legion[/color][/u][/b][/h3]

It was a small but well endowed party. A few specimens of each branch of the Legion's armed forces were present, and all to guard a single RV. It was a spectacular one too with working air conditioning and bathroom, terminals, a radio station, and a great deal of armour. All this was for a very important person: an envoy. Many lesser realms when wishing to perform diplomacy simply showed up at their counterpart's border and demanded to speak to a leader, but Vulpes supposed himself too great for that. 

Instead traders were spoken to for the Legion to learn how best to approach the leadership of the Brotherhood of Steel in the Midwest, and thus messengers sent them letters to explain a diplomat would arrive in a few days time to discuss very important matters.

When in core Brotherhood territory Tarsus lay on the roof of the vehicle enjoying the sun. He knew he was perfectly safe with his great entourage and thus why not relax before speaking to the Scribes and other political elite of the Brotherhood of Steel? Besides, as they got closer to the meeting place it would help identify the party such that they'd go through formalities faster. Yes, for now Tarsus would only have to wait sipping his pre-war spirit and gaze upon the scene. 

Finally, the Legion arrived at the meeting place, a heavily fortified manufacturing plant.  Those in the RV would notice an increasing amount of electronic interference, which only grew worse as they drew closer.   Power armored paladins, laser turrets, and refurbished Calculator robots all seemed to stare at the new arrivals through unblinking optic sensors, cautiously watching their every movement..  The entourage came to a halt outside of the main gate, where a paladin approached them.

“Welcome to Buena Vista.  We apologize if you are experiencing any electronic difficulties, the electromagnetic activity in the area causes heavy interference.” he spoke to the escorting Legionaries.  “I am to take you to the meeting room within the plant.”  He strode over to a terminal next to the gate and typed something onto the keyboard.  A few seconds later, the complex’s fortified gate opened with a mighty rumble. The representatives of the Legion particular to the diplomatic mission followed, whilst the warriors guarding the envoys stayed back. Whatever they were doing that messed with the electronics about the place, Tarsus could only hope that it wouldn’t mess with his pip-boy and the other elements of presentation he brought along.

“Follow me,” the Paladin directed.  After being searched for weapons, Tarsus was led into the complex and to a small room on the right.  Within the room were a few chairs, a single paladin standing guard, and a figure in a red environmental suit sitting behind a metal desk.  Floating to the right of the desk was a modified eyebot, brandishing a microphone in place of a laser gun.

“It is good to see you have arrived safely, Mr. Tarsus,” the man in the hazmat suit spoke.  “I am Head Scribe Wainwright.  Please forgive the suit, I have a medical condition that requires me to wear it in this environment.”

“And I am High Elder Renald.  I apologize for being unable to attend in person,” sounded the eyebot, conveying the voice of the High Elder.  “Am I coming in clear, Head Scribe?”

“As well as we can hope for, considering the plant’s interference.” the scribe replied, before turning back to the Legion representative.  “I’m afraid the High Elder is a very busy man, but through a combination of Brotherhood ingenuity and the Calculator’s technology, he’ll be able to communicate with us through the eyebot.  Now, Mr. Tarsus, what is it that the Legion wishes to discuss with the Brotherhood of Steel?”

After taking in the many introductions, Tarsus decided not to comment upon them but rather simply get to the point. “There are two main articles we wish to discuss, one more of interest to the Everlasting Realm of Caesar’s Legion, the other more to your palate. As honoured guests, we shall of course begin with the former. If you have media to play holotapes here I would be most grateful to have access to them, but if not then I shall continue regardless.”

With that several folders were placed on the desk, a similar one held in hand for the envoy. “The New California Republic. Long have they been a thorn in our side. We would like to enlist your aid in dealing with them, and we have a great many reasons to help convince you to agree to join us.”

At this point the emissary used several pictures of official reports, newspaper clippings, and other media to illustrate his point. “I do not know how well you keep contact with your Western comrades, but the Chapters of the Brotherhood of Steel that the NCR came upon have been utterly and ruthlessly wiped out, not room left for negotiation. You may of course argue that they have only war with your other Chapters, but no qualms with you, but alas we have reason to doubt this will be the case. In their national discourse you may read that there is made no difference between your Chapters even amongst the few who recognize such a thing exists. For all intents and purposes, the NCR believes it is your enemy and you are theirs regardless of whether or not you disagree.”

A smile graced the Ambassador’s lips. “Of course, cynically you might say that you have the Legion as a buffer, but alas this state of affairs is not eternal. We know that the New Californians are expanding fast, some say even to other continents that Americans haven’t seen since before the war. Yet their animosity towards our state has not left, and we know that given time and opportunity they will strike once more. Should the Legion collapse and they devour its remains, then the NCR will be the premiere force of the North American continent. You will in your inevitable conflict be incapable of stopping them, it will be too late. But we also aren’t fools or beggars, we are aware you have your own troubles; I do not presume to suggest you directly enter the war on our behalf. We would simply like to ask for assistance where it is possible. Technical advisors to create industry, trainers to help in drills of more… advanced tactics than what the Legion has previously used, aid in robotics, the procurement of some modern arms and armour, so on and so forth. Indeed, we believe some elements of such a joint military plan could even be beneficial to you; volunteers sent to fight alongside the Legion will gain priceless experience in fighting real armies rather than mere rabble of the wastes. Further, you will also gain better knowledge of Legionary doctrine should future animosity between our realms - no matter how unlikely - be a worry to you.” With his rather long speech finished Tarsus again smiled, awaiting the response from the motley crew before him. 

“You must understand that the Brotherhood of Steel does not involve itself in foreign geopolitical conflicts,” the High Elder replied through the eyebot.  “Until the NCR’s scientific advancement evolves into an existential threat for humanity, our only interest in them is their conflict with our brothers and sisters in the western Brotherhood of Steel.”

“And,” he, after taking a breath, “I don’t know how informed the Legion is on Brotherhood of Steel politics, so Head Scribe, could you get them up to speed?”  

Wainwright nodded, forgetting for a moment that the High Elder couldn’t actually see anything at the meeting.  “We originated as a schism in the Brotherhood over the direction our order should go.  We believed that the Brotherhood should share its technology with the people of the wastes in exchange for tribute and recruits.  Our founders told them that a cloistered, exclusive organization was not in our best interests, or in the spirit of the order’s founding.  The greater part of the Brotherhood disagreed, and the dissidents were sent on an expedition east to track down a remnant of The Master’s army.  Almost a century later, we have thrived despite everything the wasteland has thrown at us, while the once-majority Brotherhood has learned firsthand the folly of their ways.”

“Nevertheless,” Elder Renald spoke up again as soon as Wainwright had seemingly finished, “As misguided as they are, and as much as their current predicament is no doubt their own fault, they’re still our brothers and sisters.  Now that they are in need, and we have the power to aid them, we cannot ignore their plight.  Even so, we cannot commit to a conflict or a plan of action without first being properly informed and appraised of the situation.  For now, however, I am willing to open up cooperation with Legion and provide you with technical assistance.  Tell your leaders that if they desire specific Brotherhood expertise in training or technology, we will oblige them within reason.  In exchange, I expect the Legion to allow Brotherhood observers and scouts to gather intel on the NCR on your side of the republic’s borders.  Lastly, if you give us permission to fly our airships through Legion territory and allow us to send recovery teams if one goes down, we’ll provide the Legion with aerial reconnaissance photos of the Legion-NCR borders.”

Tarsus bowed deeply. "I thank you, Sir, this is a wise choice. Though I am not a scholar of your Order's history I know enough. I can only reiterate that though you are not the same organization as your cousin, the NCR doesn't care. Describing it as a foreign conflict I think is inaccurate, for should the Legion be devoured the NCR then the Republic will aim to crush your bunkers and take your technology for itself. All of what you proposed is acceptable to us, all that remains is to formalize the agreement."

Turning to the members of his entourage Tarsus exchanged short words, biting his lips momentarily before speaking again. "There is then, the other matter. Our men found… something in Denver. Machinery from before the war that still works. At first we only found elements that manufacture cyberdogs, but there was more. A facility dubbed The Box that made robotics and other high technologies. Our technicians believed that they had leashed it but alas they soon discovered their folly. There is apparently an artificial intelligence in control and it appears not to be fond of humans in the present day, the remnants of some law enforcement protocols at work. It killed many of our men.  We repelled it for now back to its source but it will try again. I believe it falls under the purvey of your Order's purpose so I believed you may be interested in it, so we extend the invitation for you to send any observers you want should you feel this is important, and we are more than happy to provide you with everything we downloaded so far and on the future to review and safeguard."

“We will take you up on that offer, and send some of our people to observe,” Renald replied.  “And if you can’t keep it contained, don’t hesitate to ask for our help, because if this AI manages to start scavenging raw materials and begin manufacturing robots, you could have a small-scale Calculator on your hands.  Now, if that’s all, shall we ratify a formal agreement?  The Head Scribe here has my blessing to sign in my name, if such is required.”

“Most excellent dear Brothers of Steel, the Emperor has given me the authority to create any agreements I see fit on behalf of the whole Legion and as such I believe we should get to it immediately. As a show of good faith, I have already brought along all the data we were able to unencrypt from The Box.”