*** This story is a combination sci-fi/western saga. Much of it involves space stations, scientific concepts, interstellar travel, and other worlds. These incidents revolve around events in western Wyoming, circa 1880. The tale concerns a dozen years in the race for cosmic control. The prosperity of all species is determined by similar short periods of extraordinary events. The actions and plans of a young prospector on Earth will affect advanced Human civilizations and other intelligent species, significantly. The prospector's name is Forlis Granger; more advanced groups call his effect on their plans "The Granger Anomaly". Granger's exploits, adventures, and relationships are a compelling western epic, by themselves. The sci-fi story surrounding him is intricate, captivating, and thought provoking.
*** Over eons of cosmic existence, six groups of "generic species" have risen to exceptional sagacity. The special spark of sentience, for particular beings, pops up on different planets at different times. These intelligent species mature, technologically and socially, at different rates. Each of the special groups hope to control the cosmos, alone, eventually, and have a plan to reach that goal. Humans are leading the race, but the marathon may take eons before a winner is known.
*** Humans are unique among the competitors in two ways: first, they do not have multiple species in their most intelligent populace; second, they separate their civilizations by maturity. In effect, their "generations" are like family groups. Gen1H is the teenager with growing skills and an independent nature. Gen2H is the parent giving their progeny a free hand in many things, but watching to make sure they do not get into trouble. Gen3H is the experienced grandparent ready to offer advice and actions if the teen or parent must deal with something beyond their capability. But to minimize friction, resentment, and rebellion, action and direction is taken by higher generations without the lower ones knowing they are being guided, anonymously. Gen2H stays hidden from Gen1H; existence of Gen3H is unknown to Gen1H or Gen2H.
*** Dominating the cosmos depends upon control of habitats and resources. Gen2H sees Granger's work as a serious threat to its goals. Gen3H sees it as an opportunity to reconcile differences with Gen2H. Aquatines, the second most powerful species, expects Granger to further their aims. An alliance among other species is designed to derail the Human juggernaut. Fascinating leaders of all groups have intriguing ideas to promote their agendas and achieve outcomes they want. Intraspecies interactions are riveting, maybe more captivating than interspecies conflicts and clandestine intelligence operations.

Part-4: SNIF takes unsanctioned actions to foil initiatives of the Gen2H Summastile, who is expecting to grab more power by impeaching her unsupportive Lederstiles. Mandrell and Maddox set up agents to rob Granger and assassinate both the prospector and the cowboy. Gen3H Specialist, Qwazine, secretly stands by to intervene if necessary. The agents expand the operation. to include other robberies, and fail to finish the murders. Plum helps Taylor and Granger escape their shackles; they pursue the thieves while Plum fetches the Marshal. Maddox kills Mandrell's agents to keep them from implicating him and Mandrell in the scheme. Marshal Kidd investigates and his report says all culprits were killed... a ploy to make other perpetrators, who he intends to catch in future nefarious activities, feel safe. Mandrell claims a mine site for himself. The Indian squaw, Quite Deer, is on a remembrance tour of her deceased husband's early exploits. She shows Granger where her Lakota brave had hidden from enemy Shoshone and how he had escaped them many years ago. A severe blizzard rolls in to the Post area.