Chapyer 7 - The Kenyan Adventure
Christopher Shannon, His ideas brining new live to the Academic and Philosophical Circles of the Dominion, had gained significant and widespread popularity resulting in, with a Sponsership of the Governer of the Nova Scotian Peninsula, Joseph Howe, A posistion as Mayor of the City Halifax. Known as a man of Ideas, he enjoyed having access to the ears of a great many important people, which he used to further his own agenda. Great Theatres sprang up which Rivalled even the Great Drury Lane in London, Or the Countless playhouses of New York. The greatest of these Theatres, which were outfitted with Gas Lamps like all theatres of this time, Was the Neptune Theatre. This name was chosen because the Scotians were instantly attracted to anything in reference to the sea.
Mr. Shannon also wrote a great deal of plays himself. Included in those ranks were the Great Scotian Epic "Barrett's Privateers" depicting a sailor who was injured in the War of 1812 and a play called "Rubicon" about a jaded figure, much simular to Caesar, Hence the name, who saved a monarchy from turning into a Republic by tossing Corrupt Ministers out. It was very much a Romantic's tale.
In the Summer of 1864, Mayor Shannon met with all the important people in Halifax: He had discovered the cure to Scotian Stagnation! "To the assembled I say these few word" started Shannon emotionalessly after the longest pause, A stocky man fresh from England who was sweating profusely, as it was an unusually humid summer, cut in "Ah-- God Save the Queen." Immediatly Mr. Shannon gave him a harsh glare "Yes, Yes. We are all loyal men here. As was our fathers, and their father. I do belive your sentiments were implied." At this the stocky man grew redder with Embarrasment "Quite." "I have discovered a solution to all the problems that our country faces. I have a cure that will solve all the problems befronted with us, Any Questions?" The Good Mr. Heath's face twisted at these words "Sir. Prehaps before asking whether we have any questions maybe you should inform us about what we should have questions ABOUT? This is blood rediculous considering no one other than yourself has have a clue what in blazes you're talking about!" "Mr. Heath, You make an Excellent point. Allow me to explain. I'm going to greatly expand our workforce, I'm going to take Miles of land in the Name of Queen Victoria and you need only give me use of one of our transport ships, The Good Captain Murphy the Second, Five Hundred Men of the Queen's Army and the authorization and I will take a great deal of land on the African Coast near Arabia." The stocky British man was alarmed at this statement "Sir, You don't plan on attacking French Colonial Interests do you!?" "No Sir" and at this Mr. Shannon dispensed a map "I plan on attacking Oman." at this Mr. Heath looked genuinely impress "I do say... Capital Idea, but war is not a simple affiar, I will need time to discuss this with my colugees, But I think within a year, I can give you that ship and those men and let you be off to where is that? Kenya? Good. Within a year I think we can expect to see you and five hundred of the bravest men Nova Scotia has to offer the Queen off to Kenya to claim it in the Queen's name. Would that please you, Mr Shannon?" "It would." "Most excellent. Then shall I say: A Toast, To Kenya" There was a slight pause when the Stout man spoke up "Pooh! Can it really be safe for you to leave your duties and go galavanting half way 'round the world in search of Adventure?" "Not Adventure" replied Shannon "Cheap Labour. And I've already have a man lined up for the iterm posistion: One C. Verge, Call him Mr. Christopher and they shant ever miss me" "I know the man, His name isn't Christopher, It's Christian! Sir, You can't pull this over on them" "Truely? Then best call him Chris then, They won't know the difference."
After that short discourse the meeting quickly disbanded and the Stocky Englishman and Heath had a quick exchange while departing "Sir, Sir! Is it truely a wise Idea to send such a obviously ambitious man with five hundred men on a lunatic adventure to a god forsaken corner of the Earth wasting the Queen's pounds?" "You obviously have no vision Mr. Allenby. I am glad to see him and his half-witted dreams go. The damage he can do in a year to British Interests is far less than the damage he does to them here in a day. Besides sending a Madman to a contient of Savages, one is destined to kill the other and considering the difference of Population, I'd say its quite obvious the outcome" Upon saying this Mr. Heath got into his carriage and drove off down the road leaving the plump Mr. Allenby to ponder the seriousness of his words.