The Guest Speaker

Since Mr. Swilling told everyone in the Capitol about the ceremony; he sent several runners into Phoenix to haul back enough radiation suits from the butcher shop for everyone to all head to Phoenix at once. Although, three agents were selected to stayed behind and make sure no wasteland beasts decide to make the Capitol their home while we were gone. So, about twenty-five of us donned in RAD suits headed towards Phoenix. All of us changed back into our normal clothes in the butcher shop. Luckily, almost all of Phoenix was gathered in the town square which aided in our discretion.

We walked through the desolate streets hearing the commotion in the center of town. Upon arrival in the city center, the whole thing was quite a spectacle. All of Phoenix was condensed into this small section of the city where people traded, and shopkeepers sold food or whatever else to the residents and passing caravaners. In the center of the stage and connected to the ruined skyscraper that housed the government of Phoenix stood all the city officials. Amongst the crowds were even some Scottsdale residents accompanied by servants and looked disgusted at the filth of Phoenix.

The agents dispersed into the crowds with designations on when to head back to the Capitol and avoid the post ceremony traffic. I approached the side of the crowd relatively close to the backstage entrance where a few Scottsdale guards stood to ward off curious citizens.

Atop the stage, I saw Mayor Sillen sitting in the center by a microphone, and to his right were the Phoenix Council and Master Walker. To the Mayor's left was Mark Dinero and a ghoul man dressed in a full prewar military uniform. The ghoul must have been "General McMann" who was the commander of the army at Luke AFB. Also on the stage, were a few other people who looked to be some of Scottsdale's elite. Everyone in the crowd chattered, and I looked around making sure I wasn't near any of my fellow agents. Mayor Sillen stood up and approached the microphone. Everyone cheered, and he motioned for the crowd to settle down. There, the elected governor of squatter town Phoenix spoke;

"People of Phoenix, I would first like to thank Mr. Markus Dinero, the Chief Ambassador of Scottsdale for joining me today on this stage for a grand event in our city's history. I would also like to thank General McMann for his attendance, and his assistance in ensuring people from all over the wastes have a safe route into our metropolitan oasis. You have been our greatest ally for over two decades, and I know what you and your soldiers do is not an easy task."

Motioning towards Master Walker, Mayor Sillen continued, "We, the people of Phoenix also want to give your Army of Glory (US Army) our sincerest thanks for saving our very own Master Walker from the murderous preppers and raiders that litter the surrounding valley… It would not have been possible without you…"

The downtrodden masses of Phoenix let loose a loud applause as Mayor Sillen continued, "So, this is a wonderful day for a fair, and a great announcement from our neighbor most prosperous: Scottsdale! While we still have to remain vigilant against the wasteland monsters and those who would wish to harm us, you, the people of Phoenix in your day to day survival make this city an oasis of safety in the ever so hostile desert..."

Everyone clapped again, and the Mayor concluded his brief introduction, "I will now give the microphone over to our guest speaker, the Illustrious Ambassador; Markus Dinero of Scottsdale."

Standing up, Mark shook the Mayor's hand, and looked out over the crowd holding the microphone. He started, "People of Phoenix, I am standing before you today as the premier representative of Scottsdale to announce our two cities'…" There was a long pause before the young socialite shouted into the mic, "UNIFICATION!"

The Phoenix crowd stayed silent in disbelief, processing what the flashy man who most of them never even heard of had just said. Suddenly, the predominantly Phoenix crowd of thousands cheered as loud as can be, but I noticed the people of Scottsdale didn't look very enthused.

The young Mr. Dinero went on through the applause and cheers, "Our cities have been allies for so long, and it is with great pleasure that I announce our two communities becoming one for the first time since the walls of Scottsdale were made! We, the people of the Civilized Valley, must unite our strength and prosperity in the face of that menace to the north calling themselves, 'The Legion.' Yes, our two cities will unite in a stand to show the Legion that they are about to mess with the wrong people!"

The crowd went wild, and he continued speaking through the roar, "With the unification of Scottsdale and Phoenix, and of course with our beloved allies in the Army of Glory; we will shatter the Legion as they try to take our homes away from us… You all may have heard rumor about a withdraw and relocation of our people, but with Mayor Sillen, Master Walker, and the Grand Councils of Phoenix and Scottsdale uniting; we have decided to hold our city! OUR ONE CITY! WHO'S WITH US!?"

Everyone went wilder than I thought possible. Some in the sea of Phoenix wasters even started mindlessly brawling with one another in joyful anarchy. With cheering, deafening applause, and a violently hyped crowd, Mr. Dinero continued whipping them into a frenzy by shouting; "Why should we let some reject calling himself 'Kai-Zar' take away our home!? OUR UNITED HOME!... Who of you is ready to stand and FIGHT for what is OURS!?"

The entire crowd went absolutely crazy in cheer once again, and the crowd was a violent mess of clapping, shouting, and random fist fighting. Even the Scottsdale people in the crowd clapped in semi approval while still looking at the Phoenix residents in disgust behind the safety of their bodyguards. The speech went on for a few more minutes when the crowd died down. Mayor Sillen took the stage at the end, basically explained free trade between the united cities, and went over the agreed upon dress code for those who wished to enter the "District of Scottsdale." This was in order to keep Scottsdale nice, and the less desirable squatters out.

I couldn't understand it though. It became obvious that Mr. Dinero was behind the unification, but I couldn't understand why he would encourage the entire city to make a stand against the Legion. It seemed like the Resistance was playing right into Caesar's wishes by just giving him the city. With that plan, I suppose both factions would have gotten what they wanted at minimal cost. Now, if Caesar wanted to destroy the city; he would have to throw everything he had against a united metropolis of thousands who wanted to keep their homes. Not even mentioning the US Army who was offering all of their forces in defense of Phoenix. As the crowd dispersed, many were pumped, and I overheard countless conversations of people saying they couldn't wait to take on the on the Legion. Why on earth did Mr. Dinero do this? I remembered the note I was given days ago, and knew I could get the answers I wanted from the man himself.