The Messenger

[capt_facepalm]

Title: The Messenger
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight ACD)
Characters: John H. Watson, MD, Army Medical Department
Summary: Watson is asked a favour
Warnings: (Maiwand)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 27th 2016 prompt: “A communication shortcut that failed”

.oOOo.

‘Captain Watson, I hate to ask, but you’re the only one I know who is being evacuated.’

‘I don’t know if I’m in any condition to help, Corporal. What do you need?’

‘It’s the telegraph, sir: the line’s been cut. Can you carry a letter for me, and see that it gets to the postmaster? It’s just that Ayoub Khan is coming and there aren’t enough of us to hold Candahar.’

‘So, we’re anticipating a siege?’

‘Aye, and a bad one… we may not see the other side of this and there are things I need to tell my family.’

.oOOo.

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Comments

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, I think I know why this communication failed.....

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Kandahar was about to be besieged and the telegraph line which replaced the heliograph stations had been cut. The only way to get a message out was letter mail carried by by the evacuees. Maybe Watson had a chance to pass the letter on in Kabul before it all went bad for him in Peshawar.
(Thanks!)

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

A good idea, and a fine fill in of canon.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I always try to write about Maiwand on July 27. This one was a bit of a stretch.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Indeed. My July 27th fics are never very cheery.
(Thanks!)

[debriswoman]

Oh dear...

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Poor Watson. I imagine he offered to take all the letters on the chance that he might get through.
(Thanks!)

[med_cat]

*Sigh*

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Just smuggle them in your bandages, sir!
(Thanks!)