[hider=Pinochle Expedition]
Faction Name: Pinochle Expedition
Description: A caste-based vault civilization that's interested in claiming territory. It considers itself outside the jurisdiction of the New California Republic and so is responsible for several illegal operations (smuggling, etc.). Still, it maintains strict rules and discipline. Its intention is to build relations and gather information for future expansion and development opportunities. 

Territory: The Pinochle Expedition coordinated with the Happy Trails Caravan and the Caananites to establish a homestead in New Vegas's Northern Passage. In exchange for recognizing Vault 48's exclusive ownership of a plot of land roughly twenty-six acres in size, both factions would have free access to Vault 48's trade networks, protection from banditry, and military support against potential threats.

Vault 48 intends for the colony to ultimately sustain itself. With only four people currently to guard and protect it, however, the fields there remain fallow. In the meantime, temporary construction "kings" have constructed a single story headquarters out of brick and lumber. The building serves as a supply depot, fueled by goods from Bishop. Excess supplies can be traded with outsiders, with the Happy Trails Caravan and the Caananites receiving preference.

Sphere of influence: Bishop, CA, traveling southwards around Death Valley into Las Vegas. Technically not New California Republic, though insufficiently strong to hold its claim should the NCR come a-knocking.

Force Composition: A couple hundred civilians, about fifty of whom are military-age and capable, organized into teams of three or four. Ultimately, only about a couple dozen armed soldiers are in the local area ready to assist, though that might change if interests are severely threatened. The team assigned to New Vegas specifically is four strong.

History: The old township of Bishop, CA was the site of Vault 48. Every newborn was assigned a playing card, nines through aces in each of the four suits, in random order. Their only instructions were to never lose their personal cards, as they held great significance. While the "significance" was never explained, the inhabitants almost immediately split themselves into suit-based clans and organized themselves into number-based ranks. Those who lost their card were immediately expelled from the vault.
The arbitrary ranking was both a curse and a blessing. Arbitrary leadership led to some very poor decisions in the vault's history. However, once the vault reopened, Vault 48 already maintained a rigid enough structure to establish a solid government in the wastes. Society became a well-oiled machine. When the NCR was discovered, the faction offered nothing that Vault 48 didn't claim to already have in spades. Vault 48 was thus never incorporated into a larger entity.

Independent sovereignty had its benefits. Less than savory company found shelter there; illicit business passed through and made the region respectably well-off. When the Mojave turned green, however, it became increasingly clear that Vault 48 could no longer remain under the radar of hungrier nations. Thankfully, a very competent man rose to leadership: Henry Hinshaw, the Ace of Clubs. He brought the other suits to heel and set up a network of alliances and outposts, hoping to make Vault 48 both stronger and more reputable. His reforms mitigated the disadvantages of the caste system while capitalizing on its benefits. Most applicably, he assigned teams of three or four to scout out locations and collect information.[/hider]

[hider=Danny "Nines" Floyd]
Name: Danny "Nines" Floyd

Appearance: Danny is far from the visage of a leader: short (5' 5"), a tad overweight, with a big blonde Dutch beard. His wavy hair reaches down to his eyes; they'd block his eyes' expressions completely if the sunglasses he wears didn't do that already. He's fully covered, head to toe, to keep the radiation from touching his skin. Particularly noteworthy are his big black gloves and solid brown galoshes. A playing card, the Nine of Clubs, is tattooed onto his upper arm. He tends to slouch, preferring to lean on his shovel rather than stand at attention whenever the situation calls for it.

Affiliation: Pinochle Expedition
Previous Affiliations: Club Clan
Gear/Equipment: Shovel, Harmonica, Wrench

Background: Danny was assigned the Nine of Clubs at birth. In prior generations this meant a fate of sanitation, hard labor, and other menial tasks. This was the case for Danny's formative years. Once, he claimed to have "lost his card," hoping that exile would liberate him from servitude. The Overseer discovered that Danny had in fact hidden his card, and Danny was given double work as punishment.

Hinshaw's reforms changed everything for Danny. Citizens under Hinshaw's mentorship had status over citizens of other suits, regardless of number. The Ace of Clubs remembered Danny's wanderlust and specifically assigned him the task of establishing an outpost in New Vegas. He was given a set of resources and his choice of any three "cards." Danny chose the Queen of Spades and the Jack of Diamonds, whose scandalous marriage had earned his respect. He also chose his personal sweetheart, the Nine of Hearts, with whom he someday hoped to follow suit and repeat the scandal.[/hider]