Sherman stood behind the conference during the conference. He watched all the delegates carefully, but the cultists caught his attention. As he stared at the brutes sitting there, one of the newly arrived delegates got into an argument with NCR double. He noticed that Sam was going for her gun, and he stopped her. If she had pulled it out and shot anyone, it most definitely would’ve complicated things.
The Pontiff of the Children of Atom approached and began to speak to the governor. Sherman studied his demeanor and knew he wanted some sort of alliance or deal. It made sense; the CoA and the Cult were enemies that had fought. We were one of the largest nation on the eastern border of the cult and might prove beneficial in case of conflict.
The argument between one of the tribal woman and NCR escalated and a fight broke out. Soon they were rolling on the ground. The governor and the Pontiff left the room and they headed to Vault 21. Most of the delegation members accompanied the Governor. He decided to stay behind and scope out the casino.
He walked over to one of the bars and sat at the counter. He removed his hat and put it on the counter. The New Vegas weather definitely was a lot warmer than that back home. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it as he ordered a beer. Something cool ought to help in cooling him off.
Sam Littlehorn - Free Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
"Very well, governor, let us find somewhere more suitable for our discussion. My Grand Zealot can handle matters in my absence." The Pontiff replied to Sam. She nodded in agreement and turned to her delegation and motioned them for the door.
As they exited the room, Sam spotted Reggie standing there. Sam smirked at her before she turned away and continued walking. Soon they were joined by her guards and they made their way out of the Ultra Luxe. They walked north past the Tops and towards Vault 21. Sam figured there would be one too many prying eyes at the Tops.
As they walked she turned towards the Pontiff, “I understand that your Church has had some problems with the Cult. Currently our Commonwealth hasn’t had much dealing with them aside from the odd missionary here and there.”
Her mind turned to the Cult delegates she had seen at the meeting. “Even though we are welcoming of members of all faiths, their presence to our west worries us. They are aggressively expanding, and push their beliefs on others. That is not something we can accept. Our commonwealth is built upon the belief of freedom of religion, and our most pious people will do whatever it is to protect such right.”
As they entered the Vault hotel, she allowed her delegation to proceed as she slowly walked with the Pontiff, “I am sure we can work out a mutually agreeable deal between our two nations. After all, we have surplus steel, coal and food to offer. I am sure you can find use of our resources.”
Sam drank her wine and things began to escalate between Calypso and that NCR rep. She shook her as it was expected. As she sat there enjoying what most likely would be a great show, one of the Children of Atom delegates approached her.
"Greetings, Madame Governor. I am Pontiff Cromwell of the Church of the Children of Atom," he introduced himself as he sat down next to her. Might we speak?"
She stood up and shook his hand, “The pleasure is mine Pontiff. We welcome the Children of Atom in our Commonwealth. I’m sure there’s much we can discuss.”
As she spoke Shelby attacked the NCR rep. She placed her hand on the Pontiff’s shoulder and moved him out of the way as Shelby rolled on the ground with the rep. “Okay, we’ll things are getting lively here. I think perhaps we should head somewhere else, Pontiff. How about the Tops or Vault 21?”
The door opened and there stood Reggie. Fuck what was she doing here? She froze for a bit but quickly turned away. “Well we should get going perhaps Pontiff? Things are far too exiting around here.
Sam LittleHorn - Ultra Luxe - Free Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Sam sat on the chair, and looked around. Most didn't pay her much attention. It was clear from the room's atmosphere that there was a lot of tension. Seen as there were a legion delegation in the room, that those that had galloped on way on horses were part of this delegation. Could it be that this conference had fallen apart before they had even arrived?
A waiter approached Sam and she requested a glass of water and a glass of wine. As she sipped the cool purified water, the door's opened to the room and there was a new delegate. She hadn't bothered to turn to see who it was but when the man announced the Jade Empress and protege, she nearly spit out her drink. There was only one such person she knew of that called herself that, but no it couldn't be.
She slowly glanced over and she immediately recognized Calypso and Shelby. How could it be that they were here? Had they recognized her? One of her delegates approached her and handed her a napkin for some of the water that had come out. Sam had thought she had started a new life, a new beginning and here was her past right in the same room as her.
One of the televisions was turned on in the room and there appeared to be some sort of announcement. As she had earlier guessed, war had been declared and the NCR attacked the Legion. Not only had the NCR started the war but the man representing the NCR was a double and not the real president.
Brother Thomas, one of her advisors approached her and whispered in her ear, "These negotiations seem to have fallen apart. It might seem our trip was a waste of time." As he talked some bulking men had appeared. It seemed another delegation had arrived. These were dressed as tribals and had been addressed as a member of the Khanate. She had never heard of these folks. But they seemed formidable, and strong. However they were too distant from the PA to be of used.
As one of the brotherhood delegates spoke, she wasn't exactly sure which faction they represented, as there were so many factions, Calypso seemed to have lost her cool. She was furious at the actions of the NCR. Sam instictively reached for her pistol and nearly pulled it out. However, Calypso took a seat and snapped her fingers as she was handed a folder by Aponi.
Brother Thomas approched her again, "Ma'am I'd recommend we depart from this meeting at once, it is clear these savages are only interested in war."
Sam glanced at him, "No, it's okay Brother Thomas, we'll head for our rooms soon enough. We cannot leave without having accomplished anything." She glances at Marie and the Cult's Warleader, "We still have business to take care off." She wondered why the cult was here? Do they even care about diplomacy. She would have to watch them carefully, gather more intelligence on them.
She grabbed her cup of wine and swirled it as she looked at the picture that Calypso had put on the table. She didn't recognize the piece, but after all she was no mechanic and never paid much attention to such details. She shook her head no, and avoided Calypso's glance. Shelby was by the man who represented House, the King or something. Her intel on him was brief, and she hadn't really paid it much attention.
Various men walked around talking and discussing various issues. They were all clad in black outfits. They were wearing the official uniform of government employees and Representatives. To someone with knowledge of pre-war history would recognize their outfits from the old Quaker and Puritan communities. However, there was one person that stood among the group, a red headed woman, dressed in a black skirt, with a black blazer with white shirt and red tie.
Many of those in attendance intently listened to her as she spoke, "Very soon I and my delegation will set off for New Vegas. We will represent our great Commonwealth and further our cause and influence. As your governor, she made her way through the throng of men and left the building. She looked behind at what once was a library, after the bombs had fallen it was retrofitted and turned into the house of government along with the former city hall across the plaza.
She boarded the vertibird along with her delegation and guards. The guards were dressed in blue, their outfits resembling the outfits of the old Colonial army. They were greatly influenced by the outfits of the Minutemen in the Massachusetts Commonwealth. However, they carried assault rifles instead of muskets.
As she sat on the vertibird, one of her delegates insisted on praying before takeoff. Sam wanted to roll her eyes, but bowed her head. Soon the vertibird took off and headed off for New Vegas. She couldn't help but wonder why she had received an invitation to this convention. Why would they need to worry about what these Western countries thought? Her concern was the presence of the Cult at the convention, and just what they might be up to.
She had read many reports about what was happening in western PA. Her people were worried about their spreading influence. Even though they accepted all religions, they were fearful of this cult and their beliefs.
Next Day - McCarran Airport
The Vertibird landed at the old Airport. Waiting on the Tarmac was a series of Stagecoaches. She and her delegation boarded the stagecoaches and headed for New Vegas. The Brahmin pulled coaches moved at a steady pace toward the city walls. As she looked out the window she was amazed to be able to gaze upon the Strip once again. However, her companions were deep in prayer, praying for the souls of the sinners that lived in this modern Sodom & Gomorrah.
As the stagecoach was getting closer to the city walls, a large contingent of men on horseback rode away from the city. They were clad in armor and dressed in red. They were blaring a horn and rode at great speed. Something was up, they seemed angry. She saw the guards sitting on top of the coach in front of hers, they had their hands on their guns, they were clearly on edge by these strangers. They put their guns away as the riders disappeared.
She had lived in New Vegas, and she recognized them as legionnaires. However, why they were leaving the city, she had no idea. As they arrived at the gates they slowly entered and approached the gates to the Strip. A large group of Securitrons, approached them and requested identification.
Sam stepped out of her stagecoach and handed the securitron their invitation to the meeting. She was informed many of the delegates had arrived and the meeting was already in session. She didn't mind being late, all that meant is that as soon as she walked in, all attention would be on her.
The Stagecoach slowly made its way down the strip to the Ultra-Luxe. When they passed Gomorrah, the guards were attentively looking at the half naked women parading around. Her fellow delegates were awestruck as well, many were furious at such a display of sin and depravity. But she knew many of them feigned piety, as that was expected of the leaders of the commonwealth. However, the representative from the Amish country refused to even look out the window as he read his old bible. Luckily the Ultra-Luxe was classier.
She spoke to her guards and told them she wanted two of them to accompany her and the remaining 4 to stay outside the casino. She turned to the 5 delegates that accompanied her and motioned for the entrance. As they walked inside, the guards handed their rifles to the security guards, minus their hidden guns. They were led to their destination by fashionably dressed man in a mask.
She approached the conference room and gave a nod to the attendant to announce her arrival. The great doors to the room pulled open and in stepped the masked man. He Stomped his cane on the ground, and in a loud voice interrupted the delegates, “Her most humble and pious Governor of the Free Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
As he announced her arrival she, and her black clad delegates entered the room. Her two guards waited outside the room, and they gave her a salute as the doors closed. She pondered how odd they must look dressed as colonial soldiers, in such an opulent casino. She took a seat at the table, where she spotted her name, and her entourage stood behind her. “Sorry I am late,” she smirked, “Travel took much longer than expected from our fair commonwealth. I do hope I did not miss much.”
Territory & Geography: Eastern PA, bits of NJ, NY. The Capital is Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley
History: When the bombs first fell, the State governor and many of the members of the state house of reps were in Bethlehem touring Lehigh University. Harrisburg was heavily bombed as was Philadelphia. The Lehigh Valley and its surrounding areas were for the most part spared. Bombs had been aimed at Bethlehem steel, but they landed in empty fields south of the steel mill and over the mountain.
Because its leadership had survived, the then governor managed to hold together parts of the commonwealth. It was a difficult endeavor and many times it looked like it was all going to fail. It lost most of western PA to rampaging raiders and ruffians. They concentrated their strength on the eastern part of the state. The capital was moved from Harrisburg to Bethlehem. This was because the town was not badly affected by the bombs and Harrisburg was too close to the western border. Also, the area was a valley, and it was more defensible than a large area like Philadelphia.
Republican government where leaders are elected from the various communities and towns. Head of State is the Governor of the commonwealth, who is elected to 4 year terms with no term limits. The people are represented in the local congress. The land is divided into districts, and approximately there is one representative for each 10k citizens. Each rep is elected to 2 year terms. There are plans to make it 1 for each 5k, but there’s opposition as many representatives do not wish to lose influence.
Only humans are permitted to vote. Although ghouls are somewhat accepted, they hold no rights in the commonwealth. Slavery is prohibited, but it exists within PA. For the most part authorities turn a blind eye for the right amount of credits.
Its primary trade partners are the inhabitants of NY, NJ and DE. It also trades with the Commonwealth in Massachusetts and the Institue.
Government officials are easily recognizable from common folk. As all government workers are mandated to wear black uniforms that resemble what puritans wore or early quakers (think Quaker Oats man). In keeping with the image, many portray themselves to be pious and G-d fearing. In reality most are anything but religious, but use religion as a way to sway the people and keep them under control.
In order to rise and become strong, with advise from institute genetisist, breeding programs have been established to grow the population. Doctors under watchful eyes from the Eugenics Department, dutifully carry out their task to ensure the future generation is strong and resilient.
Current Governor of the commonwealth, a relatively newcomer to the political arena. Her name was whispered in hushed tones around the halls of congress, as she rapidly rose through the ranks and being elected. Her main support comes from rich mine owners who handedly handed her the elections in their communities. A war-hawk compared to her predecessors. Very little is known about her, aside from the fact that she originated from outside the Commonwealth, and is from the Capital wasteland
Age: 26
Sex: Female
Race: Caucasian
Skills: Guns, melee weapons, and unarmed
Physical appearance: She is 5’ 6”, 130 lbs, has the right curves that attract most men. Told to be very good looking, and she uses it to her advantage when necessary. Has long red hair, with bright green eyes, pearly white teeth.
Personality: Cruel, cunning, and charming. She does whatever it takes to fulfill her contract. Will not let anything get in the way. Uses her personality and sexuality as a means to an end and will not hesitate to use it to her advantage. Made a name for herself in the
Weapons & armor/clothing: Wears regular combat armor with a black duster when in battle. While as governor she wears a black sckirt with a short sleeve white shirt and black tie. Also wears a black felt, wide brim hat. She uses a Chinese Officer’s sword, and carries two silenced N99 10mm pistols, as well as two combats knives that are kept behind her back.
(Previous) Occupation(s): Contract killer,
Faction (NCR, Legion, BOS, None. Etc): Littlehorn and Associates
Back-story: Sam was born and raised in the Capital wasteland. She was orphaned at a very young age and took her of herself ever since. Luckily she found refuge within a raider group. From a young age she was taught to be vicious cold. Unlike the other Raiders, she wasn’t not as blood thirsty as they were, and when she could she left the group. She used her fighting skills to her advantaged and assaulted a merchant, killing him and taking everything he owned. She sold most things and made her way to Tenpenny Tower. She knew she would need caps to live there so she took it to assaulting unsuspecting wastelanders and robbing them blind, and when necessary killing them. Her actions caught the attention of Daniel Littlehorn where he offered her a position and took her in as his protégé and adopted daughter.
She quickly rose through the ranks and made a name for herself within the organization. She made it a specialty of hers to stealthily kill her marks by disguising herself. Many times she prostituted herself and after finishing the act she would kill the mark or if running low on caps rob the client blind. Due to her actions she became one of the associates and field contacts for the other members. However, the Regulators soon learned of her role and began sending teams out to kill her. Littlehorn found out about the plot to kill her through one of his contacts and dispatched Sam out west to open a branch of the organization out west. He wasn’t really interested in opening a branch out west but he felt it necessary to get her to safety.
Name: Sherman Smith
Age: 24
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Skills: Small Guns and unarmed
Physical appearance: He is 5’ 10”, 200 lbs, Short brown hair, hazel eyes. Built like a soldier, as he recently left the service.
Personality: Quiet, unimposing man. He is quick to analyze situations and strategize favorable outcomes. In his silence he is very cunning, and will do whatever it takes to win.
Weapons & armor/clothing: He wears the typical black outfit worn by government officials (Think Puritan/Quaker Oats man outfit), looks very nondescript. Underneath he does wear a Kevlar vest for protection. He also wear the typical black felt, wide brim hat used as part of the uniform.
He carries a 10mm gun with him along with a pair of brass knuckles he keeps hidden under his gloves.
(Previous) Occupation(s): Soldier
Faction (NCR, Legion, BOS, None. Etc): Free Commonwealth of PA
Back-story: His family owns one of the largest coal mines in the Commonwealth. His dad handpicked him to represent their district in the House of Reps. Was unanimously voted into office, as no one would dare oppose him or his father by running as a challenger. In his short time in government, he has made a name for himself as a negotiator.
Prior to becoming a Representative, he served in the Army as a soldier. He did not go the officer route, but rather served as infantryman. He fought against many raiders and patrolled the westernmost border of the commonwealth. Has ventured close to the border of the cult, but was pulled before he was able to infiltrate. Wary of their actions and activities, he and many western Reps have called for action, but are staunchly opposed by the other regions.
Military: The standing force varies between 30k-50k soldiers. That does not include the local police forces for each town. The military is mostly trained in defensive tactics, as its goal is to protect the current boundaries of the Commonwealth. Previous governments had no interest in expanding boundaries outside of Eastern PA.
Soldiers are very much dressed like the minutemen of Boston. However, their look is more in tune with the traditional colonial soldier, including headgear. Underneath their colonial garb, they do have armored plating such as Kevlar to provide some form of defense.
Unlike the Boston minutemen, the soldiers do not carry laser muskets. Instead they carry the standard issue combat rifle for the regular soldiers, and their sidearm consist of the standard 10mm Pistol. Snipers carry .308 sniper rifles with modified scopes and the 10mm sidearm.
They do posses a series of heavy weapons such as miniguns and missile launcher's.Due to the steel plant, there's isn't really a shortage of ammo, so miniguns are the preferred choice for heavy weapons users along with a compact SMG for a sidearm.
Due to being trading partners with the Institute, they do possess a large cache of institute laser pistol and rifles. Those are primarily use by defenders of facilities such as the steel plants, the mines or the nuclear plants.
They do have on hand a few vertibirds that were left over from the national guard, as well as a few planes that were scrounged from local airports. However, they are primarily used for transport and don't posses much of offensive power.
As a measure of last resort, they do posses large number of containers. These are filled with feral ghouls or other beasts, and are unleashed upon the enemy. However, they do not use these unless truly necessary.
Most of its resources come from the coal mines and the Steel plant in Bethlehem. It holds to the ideals of capitalism. However, for the benefit of the Commonwealth, the steel plants are controlled and run by the government.
Various entrepreneurs have set up mines for resources in the mountains. They are not the safest places to work, but people flock to them for the steady pay. Most mine owners, due to their power and influence tend to handpick their Representatives to government, as most people wouldn’t dare to oppose the owner of the mines that employ them.
Various railroad lines traverse the span of the commonwealth. With the coal mines and steel plants, railroad have made a comeback and are the primary means of transportation of goods and people. To ensure the trains don't fall prey to raiders, miniguns have been installed to ensure safety of occupants.
In the southern areas of the state, farming is the big industry. Due to the Amish posing no threat to pre-war powers, the area wasn’t bombed like other areas. The surviving Amish managed to adapt to the new realities of the world far quicker than the rest.
Three Mile Island nuclear power plant & Limerick nuclear plant remain active. The plants had been targeted during the war, whover the bombs missed and plant remained semi-intact. It produces power for the Commonwealth, and are the most heavily defended facilities aside from the steel plant in the capital.
Culture and Tech: Nothing much has changed in its culture. It tries to emulate pre-war culture as much as possible, but ever looming threats at its border’s make it hard.
A large number of its tech comes from the remains of UPenn in Philly (which absorbed the remains of the local colleges), Lehigh University in Bethlehem and Penn State in State College. UPenn and Lehigh have close ties with the institute in the Commonwealth and often exchange visiting professors and tech.
Religion: Since the Commonwealth still follows the pre war constitution of the state, there is freedom of religion, but growing numbers of cults have placed the current governor on alert due to growing influence.
Territory & Geography: Eastern PA, bits of NJ, NY. The Capital is Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley
History: When the bombs first fell, the State governor and many of the members of the state house of reps were in Bethlehem touring Lehigh University. Harrisburg was heavily bombed as was Philadelphia. The Lehigh Valley and its surrounding areas were for the most part spared. Bombs had been aimed at Bethlehem steel, but they landed in empty fields south of the steel mill and over the mountain.
Because its leadership had survived, the then governor managed to hold together parts of the commonwealth. It was a difficult endeavor and many times it looked like it was all going to fail. It lost most of western PA to rampaging raiders and ruffians. They concentrated their strength on the eastern part of the state. The capital was moved from Harrisburg to Bethlehem. This was because the town was not badly affected by the bombs and Harrisburg was too close to the western border. Also, the area was a valley, and it was more defensible than a large area like Philadelphia.
Government/Domestic Politics: Republican government where leaders are elected from the various communities and towns. Head of State is the Governor of the commonwealth, who is elected to 4 year terms with no term limits. The people are represented in the local congress. The land is divided into districts, and approximately there is one representative for each 10k citizens. Each rep is elected to 2 year terms. There are plans to make it 1 for each 5k, but there’s opposition as many representatives do not wish to lose influence.
Only humans are permitted to vote. Although ghouls are somewhat accepted, they hold no rights in the commonwealth. Slavery is prohibited, but it exists within PA. For the most part authorities turn a blind eye for the right amount of credits.
Its primary trade partners are the inhabitants of NY, NJ and DE. It also trades with the Commonwealth in Massachusetts.
Notable People: Sam Littlehorn – Current Governor of the commonwealth, a relatively newcomer to the political arena. Her name was whispered in hushed tones around the halls of congress, as she rapidly rose through the ranks and being elected. Her main support comes from rich mine owners who handedly handed her the elections in their communities. A war-hawk compared to her predecessors. Very little is known about her, aside from the fact that she originated from outside the Commonwealth, and is from the Capital wasteland
Military: The standing force varies between 30k-50k soldiers. That does not include the local police forces for each town. The military is mostly trained in defensive tactics, as its goal is to protect the current boundaries of the Commonwealth. Previous governments had no interest in expanding boundaries outside of Eastern PA.
Economy: Most of its resources come from the coal mines and the Steel plant in Bethlehem. It holds to the ideals of capitalism. However, for the benefit of the Commonwealth, the steel plants are controlled and run by the government.
Various entrepreneurs have set up mines for resources in the mountains. They are not the safest places to work, but people flock to them for the steady pay. Most mine owners, due to their power and influence tend to handpick their Representatives to government, as most people wouldn’t dare to oppose the owner of the mines that employ them.
In the southern areas of the state, farming is the big industry. Deut to the Amish posing no threat to pre-war powers, the area wasn’t bombed like other areas. The surviving Amish managed to adapt to the new realities of the world far quicker than the rest.
Culture and Tech: Nothing much has changed in its culture. It tries to emulate pre-war culture as much as possible, but ever looming threats at its border’s make it hard.
A large number of its tech comes from the remains of UPenn in Philly (which absorbed the remains of the local colleges), Lehigh University in Bethlehem and Penn State in State College. UPenn and Lehigh have close ties with the institute in the Commonwealth and often exchange visiting professors and tech.
Religion: Since the Commonwealth still follows the pre war constitution of the state, there is freedom of religion, but growing numbers of cults have placed the current governor on alert due to growing influence.
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