pLord Palmerston has a grand plan to destroy the Russian Empire and seize the Caucasus as a British protectorate. He knows that Britain cannot do this alone so he persuades the French to lend their support. He gives orders for Russian territory to be attacked all around the world. In the American North-West, the director of the Hudson's Bay Company and the director of the Russian Alaska Company have agreed not to attack each other. But the governor of the Vancouver colony has orders to take the offensive. He asks Ernest Woods, a disgraced cavalry officer, to raise an expeditionary force. The Californian gold rush is at its height and Ernest cannot find enough men. His answer is to ask the local Salish Indians to take part. The Russians ensure the cooperation of the Tlingit Indians by taking their children hostage. Ernest knows that if he can free the hostages, the Tlingit will turn against the Russians. In England, Charles Lloyd is asked to travel out to the Middle East and improve com