FB-1072, self named Apollo, waited for the Navajo diplomats to come to him. Apollo felt honored that Eldest would allow him to lead this team. The months of training he undertook for information gathering, persuasion, and misdirection would pay off today.

The team was led by a young man named Atsi. An empowered with some kind of control over fire. There is not much information on him besides his charm and friendly demeanor. Apollo is confident that this delegation wanted to open talks with his fellow brothers.

The delegation came forward slowly on horseback and stopped a hundred yards from him. Atsi rode forward and shouted “Greetings!”

“I am Atsi from the Free Navajo Nation. I come to make a lasting friendship between our two peoples and to avoid war.”

Apollo stepped forward so Atsi would know he was the leader “I am FB-1072, also known as Apollo. I greet you in the name of the Eldest and the Father. May no blood be spilled today.”

Atsi looked at Apollo. He was dressed like his brothers in the dark gray of their power armor but unlike the others he had no weapons on him. Gazing at the smooth surface of his head it was difficult to tell if Apollo was paying attention.

“Where I come from people talk face to face. Unless that is your face.”

Apollo reached up and with a small clicking noise removed his helmet. His green eyes gazed at the young man “Where I come from people speak eye to eye.”

Atsi stepped down from his horse. He looked into Apollo's eyes and held out his hand “Nice to meet you.”

“And you as well.”

𝝮

Several minutes later at a table under a tent sat Apollo and Atsi. Both had guards at their shoulders but Atsi’s guards looked pathetic in comparison to the gene brothers. One was a baseline human and the other a mutant with cat eyes. The guards stared at the near seven foot gene brothers that cradled their railguns in their hands.

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“Before we begin,” Apollo said, reaching for a device “I just need to confirm our respective positions.”

A holographic map of the western United States was displayed. On the map a blue region was shown.

“Here is our realm. And here,” a red region was shown" is yours.” The Navajo land compromised the old reservation land with an expansion into New Mexico territory.

“Yeah that's us.” Atsi said. It disturbed him that these people already knew their border. They even had the largest cities highlighted.

“Can I be honest with you?” Apollo said.

“Please.”

“We don’t want to fight you.”

Atsi raised his eyebrow.

“I’m serious. We have been getting reports and feedback from across North America and your fledgling nation is paradise compared to those others. Did you know most of California is filled with cannibals? That the North West is ruled by magical monsters calling themselves fairies? Or that Mexico is split between the Cartel Lords?

“I knew about the first and third. The fairy thing is new to me.”

“Yes, well you are lucky. Your land was close enough to the volcano that no one wants it but far enough that you can live on it.”

“We suffered our fair share.”

“Yes, you did.” Apollo sighed. “Look, what we want is a neutrality agreement between our two peoples. We will be expanding for the foreseeable future and we would rather not have to wipe you out.”

Atsi tensed “Was that a threat?”

Apollo waved dismissively “No. Just reality. We could conquer you but we don’t want to. And yes we know you have some powerful empowered on your side but none of them are Omega level like that Mormon fuck up north.” Omega level was a distinction in super powers meaning that a person's abilities are unquantifiable. They are walking nukes.

“That implies that anyone below Omega you could deal with. Which I am inclined to believe since you just spent that last couple weeks killing supers like flies.”

“Yes. Now that we have addressed that I would like you to take this to your fellow leader.” Apollo reached into his power suit and a roll of papers came out.

“What are these?”

“Standard alliance agreements. We respect each other's territory, open trade talks, an exchange of diplomats, and a non-aggression agreement. Standard.”

“My people have a… history with treaties.”

“Yes, I know. Unfortunately that is the best I can offer you.”

Atsi looked at the papers then to Apollo “I will return these to my people we have much to discuss.”

“Hope to see you again kid.”