[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=b8860b]Reginald Keystone[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
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[hr][center][color=b8860b][b]Location:[/b][/color] Qasr El Nil Barracks [/center][hr][hr]
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[center][img]http://www.g7smy.co.uk/war/02/barracks.jpg[/img][/center]
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	Reginald walked as briskly as his age would allow, taking confident strides back through the courtyard, past the arches, and to the few trees planted inside of the Barracks. It was one of his favorite spots; overlooking the Nile, usually caught cooling breezes during the afternoon and early evening. He did like taking tea there, if it wasn't too busy or noisy in that half of the courtyard, likewise if he actually had the time to, what with his regular duties. The vast majority of the time, he could get away with performing little tricks of paperwork - ordering in bulk, requisitioning emergency pay if a paymaster was unavailable (or he had an event to attend before making that decision), or splitting minor duties between Officers under his command. In this way, he kept the illusion of being the ever busy, hard drinking Lord Frigging Major, when in reality he was keeping himself open for, and jumping upon, opportunities as they arose. 

	The Lord Major was not a lazy man, quite the opposite. But he was a crafty old dodger who had spent his entire life in the service of the Crown. He knew a thing or two about a thing or two. And his job, if structured with a bit of forethought, was rather cushy. Important (very), but cushy nonetheless. It could not be given to just any officer, but one well liked and respected by locals and military alike, with sterling reputation of service. The Lord Major fit the bill precisely, which was probably why he had never been supplanted by a slightly younger man of equal or higher rank. He was, quite simply, The Man of his time and place. 

	He would have given it all away to have died in glorious battle, or serving a purpose greater than himself. He even longed for it, sometimes. 

	Reginald pondered his existence for a time, staring at the Nile from that small copse of trees. Then he remembered, he was, hopefully, about to set off on another grand adventure. Possibly his last chance to do so, before Death greeted him. Whether it be Angels or Valkyries that carried him away to glorious afterlife, he could not say for certain. Perhaps that Anubis fellow would weigh his heart against a feather, like in his dream from last night. It [i]was[/i] Egypt, after all. If the Old Gods of the Sand, Sky, and River saw fit to claim him instead of the Father and the Son, it would be the ripples of his presence left on earth that would act as his judge, his proof of any decency he might have had. His litmus test of Honor. Reginald had not lived a fully virtuous life. He tried to be a decent, upstanding gentleman in all things, but he knew there were times he had failed and nothing could take it back. He had done things; things in war and choices in his personal life that were questionable, even [i]dark[/i]. The Lord Major was an old man now. This was probably his last opportunity to live well, and by extension, die well. He needed that much, at least. 

	Why these emotions stirred so vividly while looking at the Nile, he could not say. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought of his wife. Well, ex-wife, and his children from that union. He screwed that one up, and how. There was little actual love there, but there was an understanding to uphold at least the appearance of mutual familial honor and obligation. He did find love, just not with her. However, [i]that[/i] thought was where he drew the line of his moral introspection for the moment. Oh, he would revisit, probably while staring at that very body of water yet again. For now, he had something to take care of. 

	Carefully and surreptitiously, he pulled his pocket handkerchief and dabbed the moisture from his face in the bright morning sun. He reached into a pocket and pulled out his wallet, a largeish affair that looked more like a leather bound notebook than a money carrying device, and located a blank paper and pencil. Upon the paper, he wrote a few lines of legible print with an even hand, and turned to locate the nearest unassigned man. 

	[color=b8860b]"You there, Soldier!"[/color] His voice was a steady as ever. 

	"At service, Lord Major!" he replied without hesitation. 

	Reginald had reflexively braced himself for the scream most commonly vomited out by his [i]favorite[/i] Corporal, finding himself satisfactorily surprised by the less abrasive outcome. [color=b8860b]"Take this message ahead, have it sent by wire immediately to the War Office. Tell the attending clerk that I shall be in my offices. Go on then! Handsomely now!"[/color] 

[hider=The Note]
Office of the War Department [color=darkred]STOP[/color]
If circumstances can be worked out with your logistics, I respectfully request the option to present Lord Captain Peter Keystone the opportunity to supplement my roster of officers at Qasr El Nil here in Cairo [color=darkred]STOP[/color] Further, I understand that the Army and RAF ranking here in Cairo is still utilizing pre war ladders [color=darkred]STOP[/color] Nonetheless, promotion lists and recommendations are due here in a fortnight [color=darkred]STOP[/color] I shall endeavor to reconcile our situation against current Theatre protocol [color=darkred]STOP[/color] Again understand that I cannot accept a promotion or alteration that takes me away from present command due to civil and personal circumstance [color=darkred]STOP[/color] Respectfully, Lord Major Reginald I. Keystone [color=darkred]STOP[/color] 
God Save the King [color=darkred]STOP[/color]
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	The young man flashed a salute and immediately ran to attend the Lord Major's orders. Meanwhile, Reginald resumed his brisk walk back into the main building. He located his office easily enough - it's not like he didn't work there almost everyday, anyway, and began his short but necessary task of reviewing and signing basic daily forms, already filled out and proper, just waiting for his approval. Just as soon as he was done with his "work" for the day, a matter of minutes, he would attend his real reason for being there: Requisitioning, reshuffling, and scrounging appropriate vehicles, food, and supplies for the adventure to come.