The Grand Tour: Colorado

Can Loyalty be bought for a price? If so, what price would be enough? Surely it would have to be enough to soothe the conscience, especially when the "loyalty" meant betraying the cause of the West.

While the above question may seem absurd, it is exactly the question faced by Colorado. A territory at the time that war broke out, within the space of a year it was offered Statehood. Now a territory becoming a state in the late 19th Century is not exactly news. What makes it strange is offering that territory Statehood while it is in a state of rebellion. Governor Routt declared as much when he declared the Territory an Independent Republic on June 6, 1875.

The seat of rebellion for Colorado was Cheyenne Garrison, just outside of Denver. Under the command of Colonel Robert McMillan, the metropolitan fortress maintains a constant stream of communication with the Capitol. The purpose of the garrison, at least the purpose they admit to Washington, is twofold: To protect the citizens from Cheyenne encroachment, and to protect the Union Pacific Railroad. In reality both goals were accomplished at the signing of the Cheyenne Treaty of 1862 at the founding of the garrison. Since then there has nothing to do except to consolidate control of the territory into General Anderson's hands.

The War of Western Independence will not have many signature battles the likes of Manassas, Vicksburg, Sharpsburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga. The Battles of The Mines will rank right up with the Siege of Fort Leavenworth and the Battle of San Diego Bay when all is written. The campaign consisted of five battles between the Federal forces of Fort Lyon and the Republican Forces of Cheyenne Garrison. They were fought during the Winter of 1876 in the snow at altitudes above 7,000 feet. Adding to the rout was the fact that the Republican troops fought on skis with White Winter Uniforms, making them virtually invisible, while the same could not be said of the Blue Uniformed federal troops. The campaign destroyed the Federal army in Colorado, and secured not only Colorado, but Wyoming and Nebraska for the duration of the war.

It was with that humiliating defeat fresh in their mind that Washington offered Statehood to Colorado. Coming as it was from a position of weakness, the offer was rightly refused. Colorado had proved it can whip the Federals on their own turf as a territory. They were better off on their own.

The tide of war has turned. There will be no lost cause of the West.

The Grand Tour: Minnesota

The first state to secede in the second wave was its most reluctant member. Minnesota was its own Territory in 1855 at the time of the Anderson expedition, and was not included in the generals original mandate. Minnesota has ties to the Fort Pierre expedition, however, as one of its members, Major Thomas Garfield, twice commanded Fort Ridgely in the state.

The Land of Ten Thousand Lakes has always been of great strategic value to General Anderson. Minnesota provides the Republic with access to the Great Lakes. Though technically prohibited by treaty from building up a navy on the lakes due to a treaty signed between the United States and Great Britain (The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1817) to limit naval forces on the lake, the Republic was not going to let a piece of paper stop it from defending itself. The official position of the Republican Foreign Office is that since the Republic of Ansdale is a sovereign power at war with the United States and has no treaty with Great Britain, she is not beholden to agreements signed by the former possessors of the land. As long as Great Britain remains neutral in the struggle, ironclads will move only toward United States owned shores, not toward Canada.

If the diplomatic double talk is accepted by Great Britain, General Anderson will have shortened his theatre of war considerably. Even with trains an invasion of the east is problematic, but access to the Great Lakes opens up effortless bombarding of Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Since Texas opens up the east coast to attack, the Great Lakes will help the Republic keep the United States surrounded. Now, if they can only build ships fast enough.

Character Interview: Eye of The Lioness

Things change over time. Events happen. So maybe it is a good time to talk to a Character from time to time and see what is going on in their life. It's been over a year since I talked with Susan Bradford of Thames Electronics aka Lioness, aka Falcon. I thought I would see how things fare, so I set up an appointment for an interview.

So I was off to London. Susan had a need for speed, so we had sort of a working date, though I don't think her father can count on any wedding bells. She took her motorcycle an she let me drive the Jag XKR Red, by the way. Going over 100 mph on the wrong side of the road is quite a thrill.

We went back to her Penthouse Apartment for the interview. (Must be a security thing. I guess former cat burglars like to take the high ground). I was a little distracted, I admit. I was kind of hoping to have her change into something more casual but she chose to remain in her curve hugging leather catsuit/racing suit.

CG: Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to change into some more professional attire before our interview?

SB: I guess it all depends on your profession. Modesty shouldn't be an issue. I am covered from head to toe.

CG: And yet I can study every curve as easily as if I were looking at you naked. I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?

SB: You do know you're looking at an android?

CG: Yes, though I haven't noticed anything robotic about what I'm looking at. I think we should change the subject before your father asks me about my intentions toward you.

SB: Why should he? I am dressed from head to toe. I do get the same reaction from the Jihadis. Called me a common whore. Imagine, me, common.

CG: No comment. Are you comparing me with the Jihadis?

SB: Only slightly. The Jihadis say that a woman should not have any flesh exposed, and when I attempt to accommodate them by dressing from head to toe, albeit, as you say, in a curve hugging latex cat suit with high heel boots, they call me a common whore. Honestly, there is no pleasing some people. 

CG: I think they would say while you are holding to the letter of the law, you are violating its spirit.

SB: What's the good of a law if there's no loophole?

CG: In the year since we talked, you seem to have opened up a bit more. How are things going with the Falcon Force?

SB: We are looking to fill a vacancy.

CG: Who died?

SB: Mongoose, or at least he will any day now. One of us will kill him.

CG: Sure, kill off the American.

SB: It's not just a European thing, though Red Bear constantly offers to "whack him" pro bono. Even White Fox hates him. Do you know how hard it is to p*** off a Canadian? If Mongoose were to suddenly meet his maker, I think Julie Morgan should join the team.

CG: The Generals assistant? Forgive me for sounding chauvinistic, but that would tip the balance of power on the team to the ladies.

SB: You've got a problem with that?

CG: Not in any eye candy fashion, but a three three tie does make for good symmetry. Besides the mongoose problem, how are things with the team.

SB: We get along pretty well. We have three Chameleons in Chameleon, White Fox and Red Bear. They can get us into about any situation. And Mongoose and Viper get us out. Once we are in is when I take over. I mean, Cat burglar and all. Plus my computer experience is pretty extensive.

CG: Plus you get all the toys.

SB: I love my toys. You know what they say about this job. It's like they say "Except for the people out trying to kill you, it's not just a job, it's an adventure."

CG: I don't remember the navy using that first line, but I get your point.

SB: Unfortunately the adventure doesn't include nightlife. Cairo, Tripoli, Benghazi. Not exactly night club central. Neither is Split. Oh, I'm in Hell. Falcon is going bloody crazy.

Sorry. That's one reason I come back to London, despite my father's matchmaking attempts.

CG: Maybe this isn't a great segue, but how is your relationship with the General?

SB: He has been more of a father to me than a boss. I shouldn't be surprised. I kind of owe my life to him. At least he hasn't tried to set me up on a blind date yet. No, despite the fact that he sends me out on missions where people are trying to kill me all is good. Why couldn't I get sent on a mission to Cannes once in a while?

CG: On that note, Miss Bradford, I shall end this interview. Thank you for the time, and the date.