IN THE GARDEN

By Rodlox
rodlox@hotmail.com

NOTE: While this event did not happen in our timeline {OTL}, it very nearly did.
DISCLAIMERS: Montoya, most of the dons of the pueblo {and Senorita Alvarado} belong to Fireworks {how apt, yes? *g*}.

Would be the perfect start of a round robin.... any takers?

~~~~~

"There is no curse as bad as being invaded by a volunteer army!" -a Union general who didn't know battle, but did know a bad thing coming in the early days of the Civil War.

~~~~~

The sun was shining bright and peacefully into Colonel Luis Montoya's garden of roses, not even a very hot day. Unfortunately, the light failed to address the American warships off the coast of Alta California...and one of them perilously near to Montoya's pueblo.

"Don Peters," Colonel Montoya replied. "The reason why I have not done anything is that it honestly would not matter."

"What are you talking about?? Your duty here is -"

Montoya smiled, a thing that unbalanced the don. "Ah yes, let us talk of my duty. If I do nothing, I am accused of collusion with the enemy. If I take action, I am accused of usurping power and resources from the dons," and paused a bit, to let the message sink in. "These are the same dons who love to remind me that I operate at their amusement."

"But this is serious - I am sure none of my fellow dons consider this an amusing time, Colonel."

Montoya clipped a withered bloom from his rose trellis. Keep it healthy. "And that is why I have done nothing."

Don Peters shook his carrot-haired head. "I do not understand. You have soldiers -"

"Soldiers whom the dons have demanded have a cut in pay." And another angle, "Don Peters, you have visited America briefly, did you not?" When the don nodded, not knowing what that had to do with anything, "My soldiers have only old, out-of-date rifles to use, whereas the Americans have had easy access to new developments in rifles.

"Would there be any real contest?"

"No," Peters reluctantly admitted. "No there wouldn't. I just thought that you would -"

"Be able to rally my men and beat back the foul Americans?" Time to see who Grisham sides with. "You may wish to speak with Senorita Alvarado; it was at her suggestion that the dons made their demands, which also cut my number of soldiers in half."

Peters nodded. "I certainly intend to." That is, if any of us survive this little debacle. "Well, thanks for your time, Colonel," the ex-patriot Brit told him.

"Good day, Senor." A pause, and as the don was on his way out of the courtyard, "Don Peters."

"Yes?" the don asked, stopping and turning his head back.

"I would like to suggest - not order, merely suggest - that you teach your daughter how to use firearms while she still has a chance."

Don Peters nodded, grateful. "I thank you again, Colonel. The other dons were wrong about you: you do have a heart of gold," and left.

~~~~~

"...would follow no orders, and...did what they liked." -that same general.

~~~~~

End....of it all?

:)