Ships of the Indian Raj!

   Okay, consider this purchased - maybe as late as Christmas this year. Maybe. I love anything to do with Colonial India. I blame Stirling's book The Peshawar Lancers and films like Lives of a Bengal Lancer.

Political Map of the World According to Peshawar Lancers

New Issue of The Aethergraph!

   At long last, I have published the new issue of The Aethergraph. You can find a link to it on the left hand column, right at the top there, or simply click here. I would like to thank my contributors, and the gentlemen that offered me submissions that I didn't have room for this time around. I'm hopeful that, especially with more submissions, I can produce another issue this spring - perhaps in April or May.

   I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think, and if you are interested in helping to produce The Aethergraph, email me at aethergraph@gmail.com.

All Quiet on the Martian Front

  Another interesting Kickstarter project has begun, and is off to a rousing start! All Quiet on the Martian Front is a 15mm scaled War of the Worlds sort of game. The setting is in early twentieth century, and the starting forces available will be American and Martian, although other forces are in planning.

 

  The miniatures look quite nice, and you can get some as a backer reward starting at $80.00.

  As per usual with Kickstarter, the more you pledge, the more rewards you get. And it seems like a pretty good deal, as well. Eli Arndt, over at I See Lead People, is getting into it pretty deeply. I trust his judgment on All Things Small But Cool. However, I am not sure that I am going to get in on this Kickstarter because, well, I have been backing a lot of them in the last few months and my budget is pretty well tapped, at least until Historicon.

   The Kickstarter page can be found here.

 

"Y" is for...

YANKEE

   When I was a kid, I thought that 'yankee' was only half of a word, and being called one was good enough to start a fight in the schoolyard down here in Texas. However...

   One of the common aspects of Victorian Science Fiction is an alternate history, not just an alternate technology, and one of the most popular variants of alternate histopry is one in which the American Civil War continued far longer than it did in our history, or in which the Confederate States somehow managed to prevail in Mister Lincoln's War. Which, if you have studied that conflict, is really unlikely.

   In my VSF Universe, the War Between the States lasted longer than in the real history, but the South still lost. Just like in the real world, the war sparked a lot of incredible development in technology. Add that to the possibilities of VSF, and you get some interesting developments. The GASLIGHT game has some material set in an alternate Civil War (Victoria Hawkes, etc.), and there is the RPG Deadlands, where the war is still going on a decade or so later. Deadlands is an overlooked horror/VSF crossover, I think largely because of its setting in the American West. But when you can go to Mars, the West is not really that far a frontier any longer!

"I" is for...

IMAGI-NATIONS

   When I wrote about "B is for... Britain," it dawned on me that while real nations are often the heart of Victorian Science Fiction campaigns, there are a huge number of imaginary ones being used by gamers and authors. I think that the category could be extended to include nations that really existed, but have ceased to do so somewhere in our 'real' timeline. With that in mind, here are a few imagi-nations I find interesting.

Kingdom of Hawai'i The idea of my friend Eli, where if I recall correctly, earlier exposure to Europeans allowed more immunities to diseases later, and an alliance with Britain makes them a protectorate, so that the United States never really develops control there. Polynesian feathered cloaks and breechloading rifles = fun.

King Kalakaua I

Republic of Texas One of my personal pet projects. My timeline has the Republic never being annexed and developing an alliance with Britain. My friend Jim and I have developed a timeline which extends from 1836 to 2036. Interesting place, the Republic. They have conquered the northern parts of Mexico and even established an overseas colony in the Pacific (sort of a leftover of a war against Mexico and France). The Texicans established a colony on Venus, though only trading posts and consulates on Mars.

Confederate States A favorite of many alternate histories is the idea that the South is not defeated in the American Civil War. Maybe the war is ongoing, extended far past the actual four years. Maybe the reinforcements at First Manassas managed to pursue the fleeing Union troops all the way back into Washington, capturing the capitol. Whatever device is used, the use of anachronistic steam technology in the War Between the States makes for interesting games.

3rd National Flag of the CSA

Confederated Italian States Another of my pet projects has Italy still divided, but working together against other large European nations. Garibaldi died as a result of wounds, and the dream of Italian nationalism went with him. The major states of the CIS are the Papal States, the Serene Republic of Venice, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and the Kingdom of Savoy-Piedmont.

Laputa Another idea brought to my attention by Eli. Laputa is a flying island which migrates around the Pacific, exacting tribute from the primitives below them. The Laputans have some advanced technologies which they are no longer able to replicate or repair, but can still operate. This includes a variety of flying ships and weapons that are slowly wearing out.

Atlantis The classic mythological 'lost' island, where advanced technology was commonplace. In some VSF universes (When the Navy Walks comes to mind), Atlantis is no myth, but a real place. Atlantean technology can open doorways to the deep seas, and allow players to hunt for Captain Nemo.

Ruritania A classical imagi-nation, from The Prisoner of Zenda, if I recall correctly. A tiny Central European nation, it is mentioned in Soldier's Companion, complete with flag and uniform information. Speaking of which, I highly recommend the Soldier's Companion as a sourcebook, even if you are not interested in the rules.

Free Republic of Ireland Another alternate history nation, where Ireland manages to win a rebellion against the British somehow. My guess would be help from France or Germany at some point, or possibly (though less likely, I think) Russia. Not one I use in my VSF universe, but it is popular in others.

Transbalkania A nation I have never put together, but which I have postulated to exist. It makes up a considerable piece of the Balkan mountains. I know that ethnic and religious rivalries prevent it in the real world, but it gives an excuse for a bewildering array of uniforms.

Bongolesia Originally a setting for Mike Murphy's modern AK-47 Republic game, I took this nation back to colonial-era Africa. It is claimed by several nations, because of the value of one particular plant.

Modern Bongolesian Flag

  And, of course, there are all of the alien nations, city-states, tribal groups, etc., which populate the other worlds of our solar system. Helium, both Greater and Lesser, and Zadonga from the Barsoomian novels come to mind, or my own Galfor, or the Oenotrian Empire of Space: 1889. Really, there are few limits to this categoy of imagi-nation.

   Lastly, one of the reasons we use imagi-nations is to divorce the setting of our games from actual history. This can help defuse any accusations of 'latent imperialism' or Euro-centrism (although the age was Euro-centric!). It's hard to accuse someone of ebing some sort of wannabe Clive or Rhodes when they are 'conquering' an imaginary place using toy soldiers. Sad what we have to consider this point, but there it is...

Texas Independence Day

ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

Texicans Declare Republic on This Date, 48 Years Ago

  In 1836, a group of brave men met secretly in the small town of Washington-on-the-Brazos in what is now the Houston Province of the Republic of Texas. They signed a document which meant their deaths if captured by the Mexican Army, but liberty for their entire nation if their rebellion, like that of the American colonies before them, was successful.

  Fellow residents of Victoria's Landing, please extend your congratulations to Texicans you meet today. In celebration, the Texican Consulate will be providing free 'barbecue' beef and beer to all residents of the city. His Excellency the Viceroy will be hosting a dinner and formal ball for the Texican Consul, Mister Andrew Jackson Houston, at Government House tonight.

  Also, please do not be overly concerned by the sound of numerous gunshots coming from the Texican Quarter tonight. They are most likely the result of a few Texicans partaking a bit too heavily of the local spirits and celebrating their independence by firing revolvers into the air. Residents of the city are, therefore, encouraged to remain indoors after dark, to avoid accidental injury from falling bullets. Last year, two people and three Martians were injured by the 'lead rain.'

[Editor's Note: In our reality, this event did occur on March 2, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas. Today is Texas' 176th birthday. Still the only independent nation to willingly join the Union, and probably the only one that ever will be. Oh, and the bit about people being injured by falling bullets? That happens every year on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. Happy Birthday, Texas!]

Battle of San Jacinto

Texicans Celebrate

  Today is the 49th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, in which the valiant Texican army, outnumbered and ill-equipped, surprised and defeated the invading Mexican Army, led by the despot Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. In a mere eighteen minutes, spurred by their anger over the massacres at Goliad and the Alamo, the Texicans swept the Mexicans from the field.

  Later that day, General Santa Anna was captured and signed the Treaties of Velasco, recognizing (in his capacity as President of Mexico) the independence of the Republic of Texas.

  Expect a large crowd outside the Texas Legation here in Victoria Landing, enjoying a feast of traditional Texican foods, such as barbecued beef, beans, chilis, and of course, large quantities of beer, whiskey and cider. Fireworks will follow after sunset.

Nations of Earth: A Listing, circa 1880

Republic of Texas (The old 1836 republic, plus the fomrer Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and Baja California)
British Empire (Pretty much as history, with Canada messed up)
United States of America (much smaller than our history, devastated by the Civil War)
Vancouver Free State (Oregon, Washington and parts of British Columbia)
Quebec (French speaking Canada, politically seperate from the remainign portions of Canada)
Imperial Mexico (Maximillian proved to be popular, as was his adopted Mexican son and heir)
Brazilian Empire (Brazil, an expansionist power in South America)
Empire of California (California, Nevada, Arizona, part of New Mexico)
Papal States (Confed. of Italian States; Rome is capital of Papal States and the Confederation)
Kingdom of Two Sicilies (Confed. of Italian States)
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Republic of Venice (Confed. of Italian States)
Knights of Malta (Confed. of Iitalian States)
Kingdom of Spain
Second Empire of France
German Empire
Kingdom of Piedmont-Savoy (part of Confederation of Italian States)
Kingdom of Hawaii (a close friend of the British, some would say a protectorate)
Russian Empire (Mostly historical, retaining Alaska)
Empire of Japan
Confederacy of Bolivar (a loose confederation of several South American states to resist Brazil)
Ottoman Empire
Union of Kalmar (Sweden, Norway and Denmark; ruler alternates between the three kings)
Theocratic Republic of Deseret (Most of Utha, parts of Idaho and Montana)
New Eire (the Fenian Republic, was once Nova Scotia)

Secession Anniversary

 Today, our Confederate States friends celebrate the anniversary of the secession of South Carolina, the first state of their nation to declare itself independent of the United States. After a difficult, three year long struggle, the Confedrate States earned recognition from Her Majesty's Government. This came about for three primary reasons: British public reaction to the Trent Affair, a devastating blight on the cotton crop in India in 1863, and a promise of "gradual, eventual emancipation" of all slaves in the South from the Confederate Congress.

  British mill owners became desperate for a secure cotton supply from the Confederate States and pressured Parliament into recognition of the Confederacy to obtain it. The Trent Affair in November of 1861 and the Emancipation Resolution passed in the Confederate Congress in April of 1863 made the move politically possible, the former for the insult to British neutrality and sovereignty, the latter for lingering public oppostition in Britain regarding the institution of slavery.

  If you see any Confederates weaving slightly int eh streets of our fair city, wish them a Happy Secession Day. If you see any Americans, try to avoid them. In the Northern States, the date is commonly referred to as "Traitor's Day."

Leviathans, from Catalyst Games

  This is a new game that has been in development for a couple of years now. I first heard about it on YWWS, and the artwork is really great. While it is a little bit post-traditional VSF, being more 1910-ish, I think that it fits the genre pretty well still. I mean, what red-blooded VSF fan doesn't love a few good armored flying ships?

  Looking at the available items, it appears that it is not ready for full release, but you can get a downloadable PDF of the basic rules for $2.99, and some PDF fleets as well. One of these days I may have to plunk down a  few bucks and try it out! But for now, I have to get the kids ready for school tomorrow and finish grading some student projects. Ahhh, report card time...

Historicon, Day Two (Friday 7/9), Part 1

"A Very British Civil War"

Friday, 1PM

  The first game I played in on Friday was "A Very British Civil War", using the Disposable Heroes rules system by Iron Ivan. I was pleased with the rules, really. Very dangerous stuff. The "Very British Civil War" is a setting, not a rules set, and so can be used fairly universally with whichever scale or rules you prefer. It is an interwar period struggle, assuming the Fascists have taken power in Britain and widespread rebellion (led by the Anglican Church, among others) swiftly followed. Incidentally, I played a rebel. Big surprise. Here are photos and some of the AAR...

Anglican League Rebels "Redcaps"

   SitRep: Anglican League rebels are protecting a group of 'undesirables' in a church in Weblington-on-Avon. Loyalist forces, including militia, Silvershirt partisans, and Royalist Regular Army troops are advancing to capture the refugees and relocate them to secure detention facilities (i.e., concentration camps).

   Turn 1: As Royalist militia advance, they are cut down by murderous fire from the rebels. All but the sergeant are slain; he prudently seeks cover. Additional Royalist forces (at top of frame) enter a large house across the lane from the defended Church.

Militia Slaughtered Like Lambs

Turn 2: The Royalists in the house return fire on the Anglican League infantry behind a stone wall. Their fire was very effective, and would reduce the squad to a lone Lewis gunner in a matter of minutes (two turns). Said Lewis gunner fires on a truck full of Royalist reinforcements far down the lane, and has a lucky result: his .308 rounds rip into the vehicle's vulnerable running gear, shredding tire, wheel, and damaging axle, crippling the truck! Meanwhile, an additional squad of Royalist militia advance through the open area, again into a withering hail of lead from the squads on the Anglican right. Their survivors would join the hiding sergeant in the depression.

Turn 3: The Anglican Vickers in the Church has been concentrating its fire on the Royalists in the house, who have a plethora of Lewis guns and BARs. After several minutes of concentrating their fire, the Vickers manages to reduce the enemy squad to scattered remnants. Meanwhile, the Royalists have brought additional reinforcements up on foot (bailing out of the crippled truck) and into the house. From there, they begin to pour fire into the second squad across the lane, with ferocious efficiency. Finally, an enemy armored car appears along the road into town, and pushes the crippled truck out of the way. Its fire is ineffectively directed at the Anglican lieutenant and parson. God is with us!

3: Dead Royalist Machinegunners...

   Turn 4: Anglican reinforcements begin to arrive in the rear area: two squads of infantry and an armored car! Sadly, the remnants of the original Royalist forces in the house have plucked up enough courage to approach the second squad (already seriously damaged by fire from the house) and pop up to fire a blizzard of SMG rounds into the last remaining two. Second squad dies valiantly.

4: Royalist Militia Survivors Pop up from Depression, Killing Valiant Anglican Redcaps

Turn 5: The Anglican armored car (a Rolls Royce, naturally!) fires both heavy machineguns at extreme range into the Lanchester armored car driven by the Royalists. One round of the intense bursts finds a weak spot, plunges into the fuel tank, and ignites the Lanchester in a blast of flame! Anglican reinforcements reach the church building, and prepare to assault across the lane into the house where a few Royalist troops cower.

5: Burning Royalist Vehicles... Is Anything More Lovely?

   At this point, the game ended. It seemed as if things were going well for the League at this point, but the Royalists have more coming forward - including an artillery piece! - and the battle was far from over.

Reginald's Regiments of Renown, Issue #8

2nd Gonzales Foot

Army of the Republic of Texas

History

The Republic of Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836. An army of volunteers had already been formed, and successfully gained independence for the Republic on the field of battle at the San Jacinto River, on April 21st of that same year.

It was soon realized that the persistent threat from Mexico would not allow Texas to remain independent without keeping a small professional standing army to deter Mexican aggression. Thus, the Army of the Republic of Texas was created. Since those beginnings fifty years ago, the Army has grown along with the Republic. Each regiment is named for the region in which it was raised, thus the Second Gonzales Foot is the second regiment of infantry raised from the Gonzales region.

Combat History

The Second Gonzales has seen combat against hostile Indian tribes in the Republic, and along the borders of the Republic with both the United States and Mexico. The Second was instrumental in turning back an attempted invasion of the Republic from Mexico by the disavowed General Ugarte in the summer of 1851. At the battle of Alto Montes Foothills, the Second held the center of the line against Ugarte's infantry while Texas Ranger cavalry attacked the Mexican flanks.

A company of the First Battalion, Second Gonzales Foot, is posted to the Texican Consulate in the Martian Crown Colony. As such, they took part in the defense of the Consulate against attack by rioting Martians in the unpleasant events of last fall. After the riots subsided, the Texican infantry assisted British forces in patrolling around the city of Victoria's Landing, searching for pockets of dissident activity.

Lieutenant Harald Godwinson, 2nd Gonzales Foot

Uniform

The Second Gonzales wears the standard uniform of the Republic of Texas Army. In the field, and on regular duty, butternut tunic and trousers made of heavy cotton fabric are supplemented by brown leather boots and equipment. A brown felt campaign cover is standard issue headgear. The Texican forces are currently armed with their licensed copy of the Martini Henry breech-loading rifle. Officers carry a Colt revolver and sword instead. Rank distinctions are on the sleeve for NCOs and on the collar for officers. Branch of service insignia is worn on the campaign cover, and a colored cord indicates officer, NCO, or enlisted status.

Dress uniform includes a dark blue tunic, with slate grey trousers. Infantry trousers have a wide black stripe down the leg seam on the outside. Dress headgear is the Belgic shako, in black. Officers have a gold cord on the shako; other ranks have black. Belts and boots are in black leather. Epaulettes on the tunic carry unit designations. Specific rank insignia is on the high collar of the tunic. The dress uniform is rarely worn, and many enlisted men only don it twice in their careers: at the ceremony for the end of initial training and when mustering out. On-duty guards at government facilities wear the dress uniform, as do consulate and embassy officers, and officers assigned to the General Staff Office.

Well Wishes for Texas Citizens

ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE

Texicans Declare Republic on This Date, 46 Years Ago

In 1836, a group of valiant men met secretly in the small town of Washington-on-the-Brazos in what is now the Houston Province of the Republic of Texas. They signed a document which meant their deaths if captured, but liberty for their entire nation if successful in their rebellion.

Fellow residents of Victoria's Landing, please extend your congratulations to Texicans you meet today. His Excellency the Viceroy will be hosting a dinner in honor of the event, for the Texican Consul, Mister Andrew Jackson Houston, at Government House tonight.

Also, please do not be overly concerned by the sound of numerous gunshots coming from the Texican Quarter tonight. They are most likely the result of a few Texicans imbibing a bit too heavily of the local arrack and celebrating independence by firing their revolvers into the air. Residents of the city are encouraged to remain indoors after dark, to avoid accidental injury from falling bullets. Last year, three people and a Martian were injured by the 'lead rain.'

[Editor's Note: In our reality, this event did occur on March 2, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas. Today is Texas' 164th birthday. Still the only independent nation to willingly join the Union, and probably the only one that ever will be. Oh, and the bit about people being injured by falling bullets? That happens every year on the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve. Happy Birthday, Texas!]

Steampunk Book Reviews

Leviathan, by Scott Westerfield

The first book I am going to review for you today is called Leviathan. It is essentially a weird science alternate history novel. The setting is Europe, in 1914. Archduke Ferdinand and his wife have been poisoned in Sarajevo after two failed assassination attempts earlier in the day. Their only son, Aleksander, escapes into the night with two of his father's most rusted retainers in a battered old Stormwalker-class combat walker. Yep, diesel powered armored walking vehicles. I don't want to give any more of the plot or characters away.

You have the start of World War I, the clash between two technologies: Clankers, like Germany, Austro-Hungary, and the Ottomans, versus Darwinites, like France, Russia, and Great Britain. The Clankers rely on advanced machinery. Darwinists have created genetically engineered creatures to fulfill their needs. And they rush to war.

I really liked this book. If you like VSF or steampunk, I think you will, too. Although technically I guess it is dieselpunk.

See the trailer for the book here: Leviathan trailer

Boneshaker, by Cherie Priest

If you like air pirates, zeppelins, poisonous gas, mothers, sons, mad scientists, Indian princesses, and zombies, you'll like Boneshaker. If you don't, there is something so fundamentally wrong with you that I can't imagine why you read this blog in the first place.

Another alternate history/weird science kind of tale, the plot is basically pigheaded teen boy gets into dangerous situation and loving mother tries to save him. Add in all the yummy stuff I mentioned before. Especially the rotters. Love them.

Publisher's Weekly says:

"In an alternate 1880s America, mad inventor Leviticus Blue is blamed for
destroying Civil War–era Seattle. When Zeke Wilkes, Blue's son, goes into the
walled wreck of a city to clear his father's name, Zeke's mother, Briar Wilkes,
follows him in an airship, determined to rescue her son from the toxic gas that
turns people into zombies (called rotters and described in gut-churning detail).
When Briar learns that Seattle still has a mad inventor, Dr. Minnericht, who
eerily resembles her dead husband, a simple rescue quickly turns into a
thrilling race to save Zeke from the man who may be his father. Intelligent,
exceptionally well written and showcasing a phenomenal strong female protagonist
who embodies the complexities inherent in motherhood, this yarn is a must-read
for the discerning steampunk fan."

I say:

"It's a Sci-Fi Essentials book, and a Steampunk aficionado (sp?)
Staple. Read it. Now."

New Allies on Venus

Royal Hawaiians Arrive on Jungle Planet

Reporting for duty to Venus, the 25th Royal Oahu Rangers are a specialist corps of tropical scouts and pathfinders known affectionately as the "Birds of Paradise" for their use of tropical bird calls for secret communication in while on missions. Having served in various island actions both against homeland threats and in various island skirmishes, they are adept at navigating the threats of tropical environments. They are skilled in ambush, raiding and counter-raiding tactics and fight in what has been described by many Europeans as a very "un-gentlemanly" manner. Already perfectly acclimatized to hot and humid environments and undaunted by the drizzle and miasma of a rain forest, they were the perfect asset for the Kingdom of Hawaii to lend as aid and a sign of solidarity with the Republic of Texas.

Their commander, Major Thomas Kipitupu, is proud to serve his king alongside his kingdom's Texican allies. He and his men will lend all of their talents to the efforts to forge a new colony in the hostile, shadowy jungles of Venus. Forging paths, scouting new territories and lending warclub and rifle to battle any hostile forces they might encounter, I am sure the Texican Marines on Venus will quickly come to appreciate their merits.

Sadly, our staff photostat artist was confined to his bunk with a nasty fungal infection, so no photostats are available at this time. We hope he will recover soon, so he can get back to work and earn the ridiculously large sum he receives as a per diem from this journal... I tell you, it's the last time I hire one of my wife's useless relatives...

[Editor's Notes: Eli sent me the basic text of the above copy in an email. I made a few minor changes to make it fit in a bit better stylistically, but it's a great addition to the VSF storyline as far as I am concerned. I wonder what's going to happen on Venus? There should be some kind of adventure their in the nearish future if I can pull a few things together. Stay tuned!]

Kingdom of Hawaii?

My friend Eli runs his own gaming blog, called "I See Lead People." I've mentioned it before here, I am sure, and there's a link to the blog in my links.

Anyway, he threw out an idea sort of off-the-cuff for a new VSF power: Hawaii. Before you scoff, check out this link: http://leadpeople.blogspot.com/2009/04/atler-nations-kingdom-of-hawaii-part-1.html. It fleshes out the idea a little more, and begins to make some sort of sense. I could see the Kingdom of Hawaii becoming as powerful as, say, the Papal States, Imperial Mexico or even the Republic of Texas, with the right set of circumstances.

At any rate, its a fun idea to kick about. Check it out, and let Eli know what your thoughts are.

Weapon Qualifications

11 April 1881

Yesterday we had our bi-annual small arms qualifications as required by regulations for all Republic Marines. Everyone qualified on the standard issue Martini Henry and NCOs holding the rank of corporal and above had to qualify with both the Martini Henry Rifle and 1877 Colt Dragoon. Like always, I earned a "Sharpshooter" qualification. I just can not seem to qualify as an "Expert" (Order of precedence: Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert). Mr. Griggs qualified "Expert" and shot range perfect on the pistol. He almost beat Lance Corporal Jones (not to be confused with Private Jones or Corporal Jones) with the rifle. After we qualified and met our requirements, Major Higgins challenged us to a shoot-off with the enlisted shooting Martinis and the officers shooting the Dragoons. Lance Corporal Jones as always blew the competition away and Subaltern Griggs outmatched all of the Army officers, with Captain Lamar coming in second by seven bull’s-eyes. I am not surprised by the results, as Marines pride ourselves on our shooting; after all we are all still infantry first and engineers second. It also helps to have Mr. Griggs on our team, as he was on the Naval Academy's shooting team. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen was on hand to document the event and even used his new subminiature camera box to capture the event. It is amazing to see the advances in technology as I would have never thought a box camera could fit in your hand.

The temple added more to the mystery this week as Doctors Carruthers and Palmer found another hidden door in the antechamber leading north towards the Highlands. It seems as though they were pressing the stones that moved and found the correct combination. As the door opened the Guardian on the West wall turned his head north and his upper torso shifted as well where the spear tip faced the corridor. I am not getting anywhere near that temple below ground as it always feels evil to me. Lady V will not go down the stairs either and I trust her instincts as animals seem to be able to sense things better than us humans.

Next week we will be playing Rugby against the Brits. The Army's Blacklegs team will go first, taking on their 24th Regiment's team, and then we will play the British engineers the following week. It is nice to have these challenges as it helps to pass the time and get the men’s attentions focused away from the strains of life for a short period of time.

Mr. Griggs confirmed that he will be assuming the Executive Officer role when the RTS Santa Fe battle group returns. We are expecting another squad of Marines to arrive, making it six squads and two platoons, with a colour sergeant as well. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell will stay as the platoon sergeants and the new colour sergeant will be the company sergeant. No word as yet who the new lieutenant or captain will be. Mr. Griggs is not down in the mouth at all, but is actually looking forward to the change as we will have an officer of higher rank to represent us. Mr. Griggs has come a long way in our time on Venus, and though he still has a ways to go, he has learned to trust the judgement of his senior NCOs.


[Editor's Note: The 1877 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolver in .45 long caliber was the standard issue military side arm for the Republic Military in 1881. The design proved quite popular overseas as well, and was exported to both the United Kingdom and the United States in large quantities. All of the former 1860 Colt Single Action Dragoon revolvers in .44 caliber were either sent to the Yucatan Republic or remained with the Republic Militia Forces. All enlisted men and NCOs are armed with the current service rifle or carbine, depending on service branch. Officers are armed with sword and revolver, and NCOs may carry a revolver as well. Cavalry troopers often carry non-standard issue pistols as back-up to their sabers for mounted combat. The only exception is the Medical Corps, members of which carry pistols only.]

First Man Returned to Earth

05 April ….

Private Wells was transported to Camp Trafalgar aboard our dirigible, Orca, with further transportation to Earth to be carried out aboard the HMS Fitzgerald. It will be another week at least until the RTS Santa Fe is expected to return, and we needed to send Wells back for better treatment than we can deliver on Venus. The other two men, Privates Johnson and Kelley, will return to duty tomorrow, although on a limited status. I just hope this is the last of the deaths and injuries we receive but that would be naïve of me to truly believe. RSM Taggart is feeling more comfortable, as he is almost at full regulation battalion strength and is more than happy his men are returning to duty. All three privates will receive the notorious "bloody slash."

Corporal Mendoza and crew returned back to Fort Humid to build additional water tanks and windmills in which to utilize the water from the wells they have been drilling these past two months. We currently only have two tanks and two windmills, and after their construction project is complete we should have an additional three around the fort's interior. Sergeants Garcia and Cromwell have also been building additional chariots on their spare time, as there are plans to utilize them once the new roads are built. Corporal Jones is still working on the new warehouse and is approximately 90% complete. Corporal Redfeather is working on the brick kiln and intends to send a small aerial patrol further north to find an gravel pit and hopefully a quarry. They will first utilize the Orca piloted by Seaman 1st Johannson, and if they spot a potential site will then send a mounted patrol north. We are still only using mounted patrols as we are better to maneuver from those fast dinos.

RSM Taggart and I talked about our boys and also about the anticipation and speculations of what they will face as fish at G.M.I (Gannon Military Institute). We talked of our time in the service, as we both joined as soon as we were out of school at the tender age of sixteen. Both of us completed school because our dads were both serving as career NCOs in the Republic military. It runs in the family, I suppose. It's still rather unusual, because most men do not graduate from school as the Republic is still very rural. Only about three out of ten men continue past the 6th grade. Petty Officer 3rd Class Valen, our resident Alamo Gazette combat journalist, has still been writing on the troops and Mr. Griggs. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has written about us, as only the officers have been permitted to read the drafts he is sending home. We grunts will just have to wait for a paper to make its way back to us.

Mr. Griggs will have one year in grade come May and will be very happy to start his second year as a subaltern. If we receive more troops, it is very likely we will receive another officer of lieutenant grade and Mr. Griggs will be forced to take on the position of executive, rather than commanding, officer. I think it will be difficult for him to step down in position, as these last seven months he has been in charge of us. We will also receive a colour sergeant as well if that happens. I would be happy to have Garcia promoted, as I am impressed with his performance here on Venus, but he does not have enough time in grade yet. He has only been a sergeant for one year and must at least have two more years in grade before he is eligible for promotion. (This should not be a problem for any of us, since we are the 1% of the Republic Marines who are serving off Earth). Well, I'm off the NCO Mess for dinner and a cigar.

[Editors Note: Wound Stripe (aka the Bloody Slash): For receiving an enemy-inflicted wound in battle, a member of the Republic’s armed forces is eligible to receive a Wound Stripe. This takes the form of a red ribbon, four inches in length, one half inch wide, with the location of the battle in gold on the ribbon. The ribbon is sewn diagonally at a 45-degree angle above the cuff on the left sleeve. Multiple awards are possible; additional ribbons are sewn above the first.]

Healing Wounds

29 March ….

This has been another long week, as construction, storms and the ongoing heightened awareness of the Hun is still driving us to keep our patrols and defenses manned at 100%. Private Wells is still alive, but has been unconscious with fever. The other two men are doing well but are still on bed rest. Doc Armstrong says if all continues to go well with their recovery, the wounded men, excluding Private Wells, will be back to work in another week. Wells is going to be day-to-day on his recovery for at least a month, or until the RTS Santa Fe battlegroup returns. Then he will be transported back to Earth for further treatment in better-equipped hospitals. Camp Trafalgar’s doctors came to assist Monday and provided some homegrown remedies they have found here on Venus. There is a blue colored powder derived from a berry plant's leaves that they use for a pain reliever that works quite well. It is amazing how different plants have different effects on alien planets.

Corporal Redfeather’s crew began construction on a brick kiln so he can make proper roads with bricks, as we have not found a gravel pit or rock quarry as of yet. Corporal Jones keeps piling the lumber up to dry (which is always a chore on rainy Venus). He has almost filled the open warehouse to the roof and will actually stop work at the sawmill next week in order to construct another covered warehouse for storage. Corporal Mendoza’s water well crew is making repairs as they hit some hard rock just north of the Aetherpad.

Sergeant Garcia and Sergeant Cromwell surprised me at the NCO club yesterday with a roast. Seems it has been ten years of years of service under my command when they were raw recruits and nine years since I pulled them through those moist Yucatan rainforests all those years ago. We were part of the first offensive during the Yucatan Conflict and the Frogs and Mexicans were not expecting an attack so far from the border. The Republic of Yucatan is now one of our closest allies, closer, in fact than any nation other than Great Britain. All of the NCOs took a part in the jest and it was quite a pleasant evening. The toast was also premature as it has almost been eighteen years since I enlisted in the service of the Republic.

[Editors Note: The Republic of Yucatan extends south-west with Villahermosa as the border city extending down to Guatemala. The capital is in Campeche and is fortified from the sea. The Republic of Texas and Great Britain recognized them as an independent country in 1874.]

Remembering the Alamo

Fallen Soldiers Remembered

Today, at every Texican Army outpost, and aboard every Texican vessel, a toast will be held, followed by a 13-gun salute - one gun for every day that the defenders of the Alamo mission held out against overwhelming numbers of Mexican soldiers led by that bloodthirsty tyrant, Santa Anna.

We provide the good citizens of Victoria Landing with this information so as to prevent them being startled when the local Texican forces fire their salutes this evening, just as the sun sets.

Mad Scientist Found?

The notorious mad Belgian inventor, Herr Doktor Professor Otto Maton has, as we all know, been the most diligently sought after fugitive from justice the Earth has ever known. His fiendish devices almost toppled the Belgian monarchy back in '79, and his associate Professor Fassenbender's sinister scientific experiments have warped humanity itself!

Recent investigations by a Mister Sherman Homes, of Kensington, London, indicate that the mad doctor and his nefarious associate may have smuggled themselves and some of their diabolical creations to Mars. There is even some hint of agents of the Kaiser being behind his escape to the Red Planet. All citizens of the Empire are encouraged to keep a steady watch for these dangerous foreigners. If you see any giant mechanical men, or small metallic spiders in your neighborhood, please alert the authorities immediately!