As the Ghost greeted President Keith, Officer Marshall was inside the 1430 WCMY Radio Headquarters using a sat-phone to communicate with the Confederation.
"Yes... Yes, we have three E's and one L... Yes, that's correct. Perfect."
Once the sat-call ended, Marshall logged the call in the logbook.
"Well?" Asked one of the Army Corps Engineers.
"The Confederation of Texas confirms that President Keith Johnson is in fact here. Radio the Ghost and give him the green light."
With a single radio call, the Ghost, Key Council and President Keith were driven to Lasalle County Courthouse. Once they'd arrived, heavily armed guards wearing the new OIPCS IV armor that Dr. Sue and her team had made. As the armored guards opened the doors, President Keith was astonished by just how well the Midwest was doing. Once the Council, Ghost and President Keith had all been seated, the Ghost introduced everyone.
"President Keith of the Confederation of the Texan Republic, allow to introduce everyone. On my left we have Barbara, Commander of the Ottawan Old Guard, formerly the leader of the Liberty Lurkers, Doctor Madie Sue, Head of Research and Development within New Ottawa, also known as my left hand. My Grandpa, Archie, Head of New Ottawan Agriculture. The Star Spangled Preacher, Archie's assistant in food distribution. The Star Spangled Overlord, Head of Railway Transport and Resource Acquisition. Mr. H, Head of the O.I.A and Veterans of Ottawa Overseer. On his left is Officer Daniel, General of the New Ottawan Army. As for myself, I am the Ghost of Ottawa, Leader of the New Ottawan Coalition, Vigilante of Midwestern Region, and the one you requested to meet with."
"Well, that's quite the series of introductions. As you are aware, I am President Keith Johnson of the C.T.R. My escort pilots are the best Texas has to offer. George, Jake, and Emmalynn Jo, have a combined total of 99 aerial combat kills."
"Well, you must be proud of them."
"Damn proud! Nobody has stuck it to the New World Order like these three!" Laughed President Keith before calming down. "Now, have you been informed as to the nature of my visit?"
"George there said it was under the flag of diplomacy. Although, I am curious, how did you know who to contact and what frequency?"
"Well, we picked up a garbled signal coming from this region. With the help of an E-2C Hawkeye, we were able to pull the signal. Our intelligence agency concluded that y'all had a radio broadcasting tower, but it wasn't strong enough to reach us."
"That's an excellent deduction. Our broadcasting tower has seen several improvements, but our transmission range is exceedingly limited."
"Well then, lucky for you, I brought y'all a peace offering in the hope of good relations in the future. Along with me, I brought a few technicians who can upgrade that transceiver so you can broadcast coast to coast."
"That's very generous of you. Before we continue, Ottawans, please return to your duties. Continue your hard work. Council, be on intercom standby."
The Key Council stood up and with a nod, they left the room along with the escort pilots and technicians.
"Now then President Keith, what kind of diplomacy were you hoping to get out of us Ottawans." Asked the Ghost, lighting two cigars and offering the second one to President Keith.
"Well, the Confederation of the Texan Republic wishes to enter an alliance with the New Ottawan Coalition. We would also like to open up talks of commerce and establish a trade agreement with the N.O.C."
The Ghost took a long draw of his cigar thinking it over for a moment. As he exhaled the smoke into puffed rings, he looked over at Keith.
"Tell me exactly what you're up against right now, and hand me that envelope you brought me." Said the Ghost. President Keith handed the Ghost the envelope. Inside, there were documents showing the Confederation's current Army, Air, and Naval strength, Domestic GDP, main exports, as well as a proposed trade agreement. As the Ghost looked them over, President Keith began his pitch.
"Well, to be frank, we're in a shitstorm. A Category IV hurricane is barreling towards Texas. We've begun evacuating civilians and personnel not directly contributing to the war effort. While the hurricane complicated things, it is stalling a massive aerial attack the New World Order is awaiting to launch. The eye of the hurricane is directly in the only viable flight path for the New World Order. We believe their targets are the oil refineries and the current Capital of Texas, Austin. We are in the process of moving the capital into Dallas. We'd like to have had the situation resolved, but that damn hurricane is a slow moving son of a bitch." Cursed President Keith before taking a toke of his cigar.
"Well, that we already knew. Tell me about the trade agreement." Said the Ghost looking over their economic documents.
"The Confederation would like to begin trading with the Coalition as soon as possible. What we are proposing is simple. We have cornered the market when it comes to crude oil, gasoline and diesel. As such, we propose for every full tanker car of oil, gasoline and diesel we trade, you send us the equivalent amount of boxcars loaded with corn and soy. While we had no idea that the Coalition was producing a type of armor, I propose we send you several cars of ammunition and rifles for let's call it fifty of those....."
"The armor you speak of, the OIPCS-IV or Ottawan Infantry Powered Combat Suit, isn't on the table for trades at this time. Truly, I am sorry, but that needs to be something we can mass produce securely before we decide to open it up for trade talks. Not forgetting to mention we can make our own ammo and firearms here."
"I... I see and completely understand." Said President Keith.
"Having read this document, I understand what the Confederation is asking of the Coalition. However, as much as I like to read, I'd rather hear it in your words than read it in some lengthy document. So, with that in mind and in your own words, what would you have us, the New Ottawan Coalition, do?" Asked the Ghost leaning forwards in his chair.
"It's simple. We, the C.T.R, would like to have you as allies. Surely you know by now the New World Order isn't going to sit by and let any patriotic Americans, such as yourselves, live free in their world. The Confederation of the Texan Republic is asking the New Ottawan Coalition to take up arms, land vehicles, air vehicles, what have you, and fight with us. We have no desire to conquer your territory, but if we don't do something, this New World Order will divide, crush, and conquer us all."
The Ghost paused for a moment, racking his brain for a good historical quote he could use. "I believe President Abe Lincoln said it best when he said....."
"A house divided amongst itself cannot stand." Finished Keith as he looked at the Ghost.
"Exactly right." Stated the Ghost. "Before I can give you an answer, allow me to converse with the Key Council and get their opinions before I give you an answer. All I ask is that you give them the same pitch you gave me, then allow us some closed-door discussion."
"I can oblige that."
"Excellent." Said the Ghost pushing the "recall" button on the intercom. Not even a minute later, the doors opened and the Key Council came in and sat down. In the chamber's lowered center, President Keith ran the Council through the same pitch he'd given the Ghost. Once he'd concluded, Ottawan soldiers escorted President Keith to the waiting center.
"Thoughts on Keith's proposal?" Asked the Ghost.
At first the room was silent, but then Barbara pressed her call button.
"Something to say Barbara?"
"Yes... As you all know, I used to lead the Liberty Lurkers. In my time leading them, I have to agree with Keith. The New World Order's strategy for conquering the United States is divide, crush and conquer. If we don't get involved, sooner or later they'll come knocking on our door."
The Council nodded at what Barbara had said. Then, Archie stood up.
"In all my time of being a citizen of these United States, never once could I imagine us being conquered. When nine-eleven happened, Americans answered the call, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, Americans answered the call, and now we find ourselves being asked to answer it once more. I hereby vote to ally with Keith and the C.T.R."
The Council was stunned by the sudden vote, but everyone knew Archie was a die-hard American Patriot, trying to help restore the country he'd once had.
"Before we put this to a vote, do we have anyone here who has an opposing opinion?" Asked the Ghost, looking to the other Council members. However, nobody spoke up and the motion was put to a vote. After the votes had been cast, Dr. Sue read out the results.
"As of the New Ottawan Coalition docket, Resolution 1818-2 for the alliance with the C.T.R, of the eight total votes, six votes were in favor of passing the resolution, and two abstained. Resolution 1830-3 passes. The New Ottawan Coalition will ally with the Confederation of the Texan Republic along with establishing a trade agreement with the Texan Republic."
The Council clapped briefly before the Ghost called Keith and his pilots back in.
As Keith took his seat, his nerves began to show.
"W-Well now, what's the verdict?"
The Ghost passed the honor of announcing the results to Dr. Madie Sue.
"President Keith Johnson of the Confederation of the Texan Republic. In regard to Resolution 1830-3, the proposed Alliance between the C.T.R and N.O.C, the Key Council of the New Ottawan Coalition has passed the resolution and will adopt it immediately."
The Texans breathed a breath of relief. The Secretary of the Council, Chastity F., handed the Ghost and President Keith two documents to sign. The first being the Alliance Agreement between the two regions and the second being the Trade Agreement proposed by Keith with some amending done by the Ghost during their initial discussion. Once the documents were signed, the two leaders shook hands, officially sealing the Alliance and Trade deals.