[b][i]Andrew and Leonid[/i][/b]

Leonid saw this as an opportunity to make vital political connections; old habits died hard. As Ambassador Ben and his security detail met up with their squad on horseback, he made an assessment about the dignitary, that the man was a maverick who was prone to surprising people and making the most out of the surprise he caused. Perfect; and he, Andrew, and their squad would have the Ambassador and his folk all to themselves for at least a few good hours.

Assuming they were all not tired out by then. Either way, he could see that Andrew was impressed by the ambassador's moxy; good, Andrew deserved to know that not all of his superiors were assholes like Denver - A hard man making hard decisions? Even if an argument can be made for that, that man would not recognize that a really hard decision would be to lay down his life now that [i]things were different[/i]. Preferably after a court-martial for war crimes.

Either way, the Ambassador seemed to be hardier than his entourage, many of whom were tiring of the saddle and the heat. All the while, he thought of something his boyfriend had said to him, during their eighteenth birthday; it had been in a... vulnerable moment, but he remembered it as clear as day.

[i]Leonid, someone needs to bring together the NCR and the people of the Mojave, or we all fall to the Green or other crises. Denver was right about one thing, hard decisions and a strong will are needed to keep this Wasteland together. Which is why I've made a hard decision of my own.[/i]

The damning words had been whispered, [i]I already told my mom this, but I plan to shoot Col. Abernathy - Denver - for the good of the NCR and the Mojave, to bind the two together and provide a foundation for reconciliation, to weave a story where he is to blame for everything bad the NCR did. How would that be the result of my actions? Because you will shoot [b]me[/b] once I kill Denver, and take the credit for my death. That will give you the influence and power needed to shape the narrative [b]our[/b] way, with me as the hero of the Mojave and you as the hero of the NCR. Don't worry, I already told Mom, told her it was my plan and not to blame you or I'll be sad.[/i]

Leonid had cried, then, embracing his boyfriend skin to skin, but unable to budge him from his plan... Unless he found a better way. 

[i]History progresses when people find a third option to a binary choice,[/i] he told himself. [i]When people decide that they can't just have one thing or the other - They need both. Or all. Call it greed, call it pride, but if we don't stop seeking moral solutions to our problems and the maximum possible gain for as many [b]groups[/b] as possible, then we cannot advance.[/i]

The young man, barely out of boyhood, thought, [i]Mrs. Rivers does not want a dead son, killed by someone she loves as much [b]as[/b] a son. I must find a way and Ambassador Ben... He might prove of use in finding that way. Patience, Leonid. If you want to save Andrew, you must have it. Your boyfriend is already hardening himself to make the decision to kill Denver. You must make your own hard decisions sometimes, albeit ones that demand only from yourself, not other people.[/i]

This line of thinking continued until the group reached the town of Sloan, where the tired-out squad finally stopped, prompted by the Ambassador's staff, but not the Ambassador himself. Good; as Andrew waited for the order to disperse and finally have a bath, Leonid would wait for an opportunity to approach the Ambassador in private, to introduce himself as "Leonid Tannhauser, son of the Secretary of Energy."

Having political connections that already existed and being a frequent letter-writer to his father, one of said connections, had its advantages. 

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