[Rainbow Six]

Web, let me preface my comments by stating that I also thoroughly enjoy your work on SAMAD. I admire your skill in painting a picture with words. Also like Targan, I know next to nothing about the State of Arizona, so comments here can be taken in a general sense.

I would agree that the SAMAD leadership would face a huge moral and ethical dilemma in choosing whether or not to trade with any of the Phoenix Warlords. I'd imagine there are sound rational and logical reasons for both sides of the argument (if anything there are probably more reasons in favour of establishing a non aggresive relationship with the Phoenix gangs than against - presumably SAMAD has much to lose and little to gain by becoming involved in a fight it lacks the resources to adequately prosecute?).

Morally and ethically, I think it's a whole different ballgame. However, how much of an influence would morals and / or ethics have four years in to the Twilight War? After all, morals and ethics do not put food on the table (or provide a source of manufactured goods, raw materials, etc, etc).

Also, whilst trade with marauders may be a neccessary evil short term, I wonder what consideration Huachuca's leadership would give to the long term in reaching a final decision? If SAMAD trading with a Warlord (or Warlords) does serve to make that Warlord stronger, is SAMAD actually helping him (or her) to reach a position where they are able to pose a serious threat to Huachuca's long term survival as Targan mentioned in his post? Web, do you envisage a situation where any of the Warlords, either individually or acting together, would ever be strong enough to seriously challenge SAMAD? If not then this may be a moot point.

With regard to the subject of a decapitation stroke, if I'm understanding you correctly this would be aimed at said Warlord (and perhaps his / her inner circle), I think I would subscribe to the theory that the end justified the means (although I think a lot of careful thought would need to go into any operation beforehand to ensure "the end" was as carefully defined as possible, particularly with regard to who takes the leader's place - it would seem futile to go to the effort of mounting such an operation merely to replace one despot with another, potentially worse despot). Personally, I think the morally unpalatable part might revolve more around the subsequent consequences of SAMAD's actions and any "collateral damage"...for example, if, following the death of their leader, surviving gang members embark on a killing spree, slaughtering innocent Phoenix residents in revenge.

Raellus is spot on - this could create a multitude of scenarios and adventure seeds for anyone wishing to run a campaign in the area.