AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[orchid blossom]

"Take the accolades when you can get them, women still do not get enough well deserved recognition. And this rescue that you did with Callum? Were you really his assistance or did you play an equal role?

Regarding the Stuarts, Callum's mother is a sweetheart. As long as you don't swear in front of her and mind your manners you will do fine. His father is easy to manipulate too, you just have to encourage and compliment him without it being totally obvious."

"I have no interest in impressing Callum's father. I ought to, I suppose, but he passed judgment on me long ago. I won't go out of my way to offend, of course. But I fear warmth may be beyond me.

As for the rescue... The impetus was Cal's, of course. He had the magical potions we used to make it all work, as well. I used one of them to disguise myself as Sarah Bernhardt, which got us into the camp and the tent where they prisoners were being held. The most important thing that happened to me there had nothing to do with the rescue. Bernhardt's mentor saw us and wanted to talk, and that's where I learned of the plot to poison a royal feast and murder most of the Egyptian Royal Family. After we returned from the rescue I spent the next day making sure that didn't happen.

Anyway, I got Cal into the tent with another friend of mine, then talked to Bernhardt's mentor. Once I returned they were about ready to go, and it was a matter of getting out unseen. There were enough elixirs to get everyone out in various ways."

She paused and thought for a moment. "I'd say I was closer to an equal than an assistant, but considering what the writer of that story saw, that would have been his interpretation and I can't expect otherwise."

 

[Silver Moon]

George offers Drury a cigar. As both men smoke, George asks "Ok, cavalry officer. How do I flank Woolsely?" asks George blowing a smoke ring.

Drury-Lowe says, "First, your strongest point was your reference to Bast, but that would mean little to him. He is not a religious man and had not even bothered to identify the Egyptian deity, anybody with even cursory knowledge of Egypt would know that the Cat Goddess is Bast, not Isis. You should save the religious arguments for other negotiators and not him.

Second, he feels that Great Britain is currently in a position of strength. Yes, we have most of our land forces in Tel el-Kabir, but we still have significant forces in Alexandria, Port Said, and the town of Suez. And currently Egypt has none of the King's forces in those places, the battalions there defected to Orabi and are now also in Tel el-Kabir. Mr. Eastman, those are Egypt's three major ports. General Wolseley could easily take them over and hold them until British reinforcements arrive, using those ports to land at.

Third, you were incorrect in your previous assessment about Britain having no legal standing. Because of the aforementioned legal manipulations by the British banks and William Ewart Gladstone, Britain could claim title to the canal itself and land immediately adjacent to the canal. You threatened to have Queen Neferka nationalize it, well Woolsely could make the same threat, and other nation's would recognize Britain's claim.

I would suggest the following approach. You need to give the General something, anything, that will show your willingness to compromise. Then call for a recess to give me time to speak with him privately."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Did Chester ever marry that sweet naive girl, what was her name? They seemed like a good fit. And I never doubted Chester would be really good at that job."

"Clarisse is still chasing him and dropping hints left and right. He continues to ignore her hints. I guess that they will both settle down a some point. If not matchmaking Hannah Milford will intervene. She's been busy lately trying to fix up Harry Rote with every eligible woman in town."

 

[Fenris]

Third, you were incorrect in your previous assessment about Britain having no legal standing. Because of the aforementioned legal manipulations by the British banks and William Ewart Gladstone, Britain could claim title to the canal itself and land immediately adjacent to the canal. You threatened to have Queen Neferka nationalize it, well Woolsely could make the same threat, and other nation's would recognize Britain's claim.

I would suggest the following approach. You need to give the General something, anything, that will show your willingness to compromise. Then call for a recess, give me time to speak with him privately."

George blows another puff of smoke in silence for a moment. "I haven't laid all my cards on the table yet Drury. I doubt Woolsley would have a single ship left if he tried to take the ports. But that is not my goal. I will grant a recess so you can talk to him. But what bone to throw him? How about that I don't have Bast turn him into aa actual goat" chuckles George. "Ok, how about if I state my previous comments were not absolute but my starting negotiation position? That indicates I am willing to compromise."

 

[Silver Moon]

"She paused and thought for a moment. "I'd say I was closer to an equal than an assistant, but considering what the writer of that story saw, that would have been his interpretation and I can't expect otherwise."

"So by your own admission your deserve the recognition. So take it and stop complaining.

Ah look, we're almost to Paris. Callum really must want to get rid of me, we made almost record time, less than twenty minutes for what would have been a full-hour trip in a normal carriage."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Ok, how about if I state my previous comments were not absolute but my starting negotiation position? That indicates I am willing to compromise."

"That's a good start, but you should also try to find something to also stroke his ego. That will put him in a better mind frame for our talk.

And Mr. Eastman, I truly am grateful for the rescue. I was not merely a target of convenience for those French, they needed me removed for their plan to be successful. This conversation between us right now, as well as the means that I used to request it, should make it obvious as to why that was so."

 

[Queenie]

"Clarisse is still chasing him and dropping hints left and right. He continues to ignore her hints. I guess that they will both settle down a some point. If not matchmaking Hannah Milford will intervene. She's been busy lately trying to fix up Harry Rote with every eligible woman in town."

"Poor Harry!" Ruby chuckled, "Well maybe he's enjoying it. Wait, didn't he have a girlfriend in Tombstone? Or maybe that was someone else.

That's right, Clarisse, a very sweet voice."

Ruby sat quietly, an awkward silence sitting there from who Ruby wasn't asking about.

 

[orchid blossom]

"So by your own admission your deserve the recognition. So take it and stop complaining.

Ah look, we're almost to Paris. Callum really must want to get rid of me, we made almost record time, less than twenty minutes for what would have been a full-hour trip in a normal carriage."

"Or he realized what a terrible idea it was to sit on top of the carriage and wants it to be over as fast as possible. If I stop complaining, then you have to stop thinking Cal actually wants to be rid of you," she said with a bit of a smirk. "I'm sure he'd listen for hours if he thought it would make you stay.

And yes, I suppose the recognition is happening whatever I think of it, so I might as well enjoy it. And it's not as if most of the places I work in the world will realize or care, so it shouldn't really interfere with my ability to move about unnoticed."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Ruby sat quietly, an awkward silence sitting there from who Ruby wasn't asking about.

Ruby's teacher says, "I really should be leaving before the Parkers arrive. If you need to see me again I plan to stay around Cairo for a few more days visiting friends. Just leave a message for me at the telegraph office under this alias, I will check in periodically."

 

[Queenie]

Ruby's teacher says, "I really should be leaving before the Parkers arrive. If you need to see me again I plan to stay around Cairo for a few more days visiting friends. Just leave a message for me at the telegraph office under this alias, I will check in periodically."

Ruby sighed deeply. "And after that? Where will you be? You mentioned something about the," she whispered, "President of Mexico?"

"What if I need you then? Who is going to swoop in and save me from trouble?"