Extortion

Bloemfontein.

"What? Let the Orange Free State become independent again?" Little Pretoria was somewhat surprised upon hearing Cape Town's demand, but he felt even more concern.

Under normal circumstances, as Boers, they would certainly have been more than willing to stand independent and self-reliant, for the Transvaalers' ultimate goal was to rebuild the Boer republic.

But circumstances were unusual now. The Transvaalers had to rely on the British to survive, and Cape Colony's proposal to restore the "Orange Free State" to independence was no good thing.

"Are the British afraid of being dragged into this? Back then, the Orange Free State was actively annexed by Cape Town. All these years, we have treated the British within our territory quite generously, yet now, because of the threat from the East Africans, they want to kick us aside in one stroke?"

Little Pretoria could hardly be blamed for thinking so. Their status as a British colony was now the Orange Free State's umbrella of protection.

If war broke out, the British certainly could not stand by and watch their own colony be invaded or bullied by others. As a colonial empire with so many colonies, Britain had to preserve the image of the "master." Even to beat a dog, one had to first get past its owner.

"Mr. President, I fear your reasoning is not without merit. Although Britain is the world hegemon, that authority comes from possessing more colonies than anyone else in the world. Yet that also means Britain's strength is rather dispersed. To Britain, our Orange Free State is an insignificant existence, but it is also a complete headache."

Little Pretoria's expression turned ugly. Though his subordinate was speaking the truth, it still grated harshly on his ears.

He retorted, "Does this front line confronting East Africa have no