Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever owned Combat! or its characters. I
wrote this for fun so I am making absolutely, positively nothing off of
this story.
***********************************************************************
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR BY LittleRedhead
Sergeant Chip Saunders was casually sitting down, leaning against the wall of the building his infantry squad was using as their temporary quarters. He was glad for the opportunity to relax after having just completed a particularly grueling patrol.
Saunders watched as his platoon leader, Lieutenant Gil Hanley, walked towards him. The lieutenant was accompanied by a fresh-faced private, obviously a new replacement.
Saunders' experience had taught him that a new replacement to a battle hardened squad like his was almost always asking for trouble. Nobody in the squad knew if the replacement could be relied on when the Germans began firing. That caused anxiety in the squad members, and anxiety made tempers short. Two men who were best friends could be at each other's throats over nothing when anxiety was short like that.
That's why Saunders was more than a little uneasy when he saw the replacement keep turning and looking around, appearing as nervous as the proverbial groom on his wedding day. This was a sure sign to Saunders that the young private was on his first assignment. These kids keep getting younger and greener he sergeant thought to himself.
Saunders couldn't blame Lieutenant Hanley for sticking the squad with raw recruits. The lieutenant just sent Saunders the recruits that came through, not liking it any more than the sergeant. Saunders brushed his fingers through his sandy-blond hair as he slowly stood up to greet the new arrival.
"Saunders, this is Private Haslet. He's the new replacement," the tall, dark Lieutenant announced, introducing the two.
"Hello Sergeant," Haslet replied as he set his gear down on the ground.
"Hi. You can put your gear inside here Rubens," Saunders said, pointing to the building directly behind him.
"Thanks sergeant. I hope I'll fit in," Haslet stated nervously, trying to break the ice.
With his task finished, Hanley exchanged salutes with the two men and went back to his office, leaving the rest of the introductions to his sergeant.
Saunders picked up his helmet lying on the ground by his feet and escorted Haslet inside the building behind them. "Haslet let me give you a little advice - Do what you're told and you'll fit in just fine."
"Mikey! Is that you?" A short, stocky private shouted from across the room.
"Elmer! How are you?" Haslet shouted back, taken aback at seeing a familiar face.
"I take it you know Private Rubens," Saunders was relieved that Haslet had someone in the squad he knew. Rubens would look out for the young private, but not too much Saunders hoped. The sergeant expected Rubens and all the others to look out for everyone else in the squad, not just one person in the squad.
Rubens enthusiastically slapped Haslet on the back. "Me and Haslet go way back. His brother and me were buddies when we were kids,"
"Then I guess I don't need to introduce you two," Saunders replied before walking off to sit down on the floor next to the squad's young medic.
"Elmer?! What kinda name is that?" A Portly private asked from a table in the middle of the room. He and two other privates at the table were in the middle of a poker game.
The squad members had fashioned a makeshift table out of a wooden crate with an old sheet for a tablecloth.
"Elmer is a fine name Braddock, and I wouldn't go makin' fun of it either if you know what's good for you," Rubens shot back.
"Whatever you say Elll-mer," Braddock replied, emphasizing the private's first name as he continued to tease Rubens.
"I'm warnin' you Braddock! One more crack like that and you'll be takin' your meals through a straw," Rubens threatened, clenching his fist for emphasis.
One of the other poker players tapped Braddock on the shoulder saying, "Leave him alone Braddock and get back to the game. I got some money to win back,"
Braddock turned around and picked up his cards. "A good idea Kirby, especially since I'm winning."
The three privates returned to their poker game, leaving Haslet and Rubens to get reacquainted.
"How are ya doin' kid?" Rubens asked as he put his arm around Haslet's shoulder and squeezed the private.
"I'm fine. I just got over here," the dark-haired private answered. Rubens flashed a wide smile. "I kinda figured that."
"It's about time we got a new replacement," Kirby grumbled as he tossed money onto the center of the table.
Rubens rubbed his chin as he watched Haslet start to go through his gear. "I guess I better make with the introductions before you get settled Mikey," Rubens stated, pointing to the three men playing poker. "Mike Haslet, the private over there about to lose even more of his money is William G. Kirby. To his the right is Caje."
"Hiya Haslet," Kirby replied, pausing long enough to look over at the new replacement.
Haslet and Caje exchanged smiles before the Cajun turned his attention back to his poker hand.
"The loudmouth with the winning streak, of course, is Braddock," Rubens continued, introducing the squad's messenger.
"Care to join in Haslet. I could always use another source of money," Braddock offered as he dealt the cards.
Haslet could see that the good-natured private was having a run of luck; and a pretty long one at that, judging by the sizable stack of Army script in front of Braddock.
"Come over here and meet another buddy of mine," Rubens directed as he led Haslet over to a private sitting against the wall on the right. "Mikey, say hello to Littlejohn. He's a real good guy and he'll help me watch out and see that nothin' happens to you."
Littlejohn looked up from the letter he was writing and smiled at the two GIs. "Hi Littljohn," Haslet greeted, offering his hand to Littlejohn.
"Hi Haslet. Make yourself at home," Littlejohn replied, standing up to shake Haslet's hand.
Haslet was a little taken aback by Littlejohn's height of over 6 foot 7 inches. The young private hadn't been aware how tall Littljohn was until just now.
Kirby, noticing Haslet's stunned expression, let out a laugh. "Don't let Littlejohn's size scare ya Haslet. He's really not that bad once you get to know him."
"Thanks for the glowing reference Kirby," Littlejohn responded sarcastically.
"Hey, don't mention it Littlejohn," Kirby replied, unfazed by his friend's sarcasm.
"Hey, Braddock. You aren't gonna quit before Caje and me have had a chance to get back some of our money are ya?" Kirby asked when he saw the Braddock stashing his winnings in his jacket pocket.
"You had your chance to win everything back and now these lovely pieces of paper are mine," Braddock answered, kissing the wad of Army script.
"If there's anything I hate it's a sore winner," Kirby grumbled. He then walked over to the room's only window and sat down under it, leaning his back against the wall.
Haslet watched and listened to the good-natured banter for a few minutes. He hoped he could fit in the squad well enough to joke with the other members like that.
Saunders just smiled at the ribbing. The verbal jousting was just his men's way of letting off a little steam. He didn't mind the ribbing as long as it remained good-natured and harmless, which it usually did.
"Nice to meet you Haslet." Caje said as he walked up to the young private. "One word of advice. Don't play poker with Braddock when he's on a lucky streak. You'll lose your shirt."
"Thanks. I'll remember that," Haslet replied. Rubens steered Haslet over to the squad's medic. The young medic was seated on floor leaning against the wall near the door. As usual the medic was busy checking his medical kit to make sure it contained everything he needed.
Rubens bent down and put a hand on the medic's knee saying, "Doc Walton here is our medic. He's the best and he'll take good care of you if you get hurt,"
"Then I guess I better get to know you real well," Haslet stated as he reached down to shake Walton's hand.
"Don't worry. I don't play favorites. All of my customers get the same treatment," The medic replied with a grin.
"Hey fellas, here comes the Lieutenant," Kirby anounced, looking out the window. "Looks like we're goin' on a mission."
"Now how can you tell that?" Doc, the squad's medic, asked in disbelief, "For all you know Lieutenant Hanley could be bringing the mail."
"He just has the look he always has when he's about to send us all on a mission," Kirby answered confidently as he stepped away from the window.
"Well, we'll all know soon enough," Saunders stated, getting up from his spot next to Doc.
"You wouldn't care to put your money where your mouth is would you Kirby?" Braddock queried as he pulled his Army script out from his jacket.
"No thanks. You got all my money already," Kirby retorted, eyeing the money.
Lieutenant Hanley walked in the room and went over to Saunders, never taking his eyes off of Braddock's script.
"Saunders, have the squad ready to go in fifteen minutes," Hanley ordered.
"Right Lieutenant," Saunders replied.
"Braddock, I see you're on one of your lucky streaks again," Hanley observed.
"Uh, yes sir Lieutenant. I guess you could say I hit a hot streak," Braddock replied.
"Well, that's good to hear Braddock," the lieutenant stated, walking over to the private.
Braddock shifted his feet uncomfortably. "Thank you sir. I'm kinda pleased about it myself."
"I hope for your sake your luck continues because you're going out on a mission with the rest of the squad," Hanley stated.
"If it's all the same to you sir, I'd rather stay here and not press my luck," Braddock quickly responded. He really wasn't serious and didn't expect the lieutenant to let him stay behind. He just decided to bring up the idea in case. There was no harm in asking he thought.
Hanley promptly brushed aside the suggestion. "I'm afraid you're much too important to stay behind on this mission Braddock. The squad will need your good luck with them."
The lieutenant knew full well Braddock wasn't serious, but didn't mind playing along by giving the private a hard time.
Braddock shrugged his shoulder saying, "If you insist Lieutenant."
"All right, you heard the Lieutenant. Be ready in fifteen," Saunders ordered, putting an end to Braddock's joke.
"Better get ready Mikey, and don't worry. Me and Littljohn will look out for you," Rubens stated as he checked his rifle.
"Don't worry Haslet. You'll be okay. We'll all look out for each other," Caje assured.
Hanley took Saunders aside to brief him on the mission, pulling a map from his jacket pocket.
Hanley spread out the map and began. "You'll take the squad to the town of St. Mihiel and make sure it's clear of Germans.
There's a road here to the north that will take you all the way there."
Saunders studied the map for a few seconds and looked back at the lieutenant. "The road doesn't show up on the map. How do we know for sure that it exists?"
Hanley frowned as he looked up from the map and then at his sergeant. It was a valid question. Saunders being an experienced soldier knew that a road that didn't show up on Army maps might be where intelligence said it was - or the road might not be there at all.
"The information comes from a local French woman who sheltered Allies when the Germans took over the village," Hanley reassured. "That's as much assurance as I can give you."
The lieutenant's explanation was enough for Saunders. "Okay Lieutenant, we'll see how reliable the information is."
When the two men were finished talking, Haslet went up to Saunders. "Where are we going Sergeant?"
"We're going for a walk in the sun soldier," Saunders replied.
"At least it's a nice day for it," Braddock joked, unable to resist the temptation to crack a joke.
This brought a slight smile to Saunders' face. Braddock was always good for a laugh, although Saunders would never admit that to the private. Braddock didn't need any encouragement to make wisecracks.
***********************************************************************
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR BY LittleRedhead
Sergeant Chip Saunders was casually sitting down, leaning against the wall of the building his infantry squad was using as their temporary quarters. He was glad for the opportunity to relax after having just completed a particularly grueling patrol.
Saunders watched as his platoon leader, Lieutenant Gil Hanley, walked towards him. The lieutenant was accompanied by a fresh-faced private, obviously a new replacement.
Saunders' experience had taught him that a new replacement to a battle hardened squad like his was almost always asking for trouble. Nobody in the squad knew if the replacement could be relied on when the Germans began firing. That caused anxiety in the squad members, and anxiety made tempers short. Two men who were best friends could be at each other's throats over nothing when anxiety was short like that.
That's why Saunders was more than a little uneasy when he saw the replacement keep turning and looking around, appearing as nervous as the proverbial groom on his wedding day. This was a sure sign to Saunders that the young private was on his first assignment. These kids keep getting younger and greener he sergeant thought to himself.
Saunders couldn't blame Lieutenant Hanley for sticking the squad with raw recruits. The lieutenant just sent Saunders the recruits that came through, not liking it any more than the sergeant. Saunders brushed his fingers through his sandy-blond hair as he slowly stood up to greet the new arrival.
"Saunders, this is Private Haslet. He's the new replacement," the tall, dark Lieutenant announced, introducing the two.
"Hello Sergeant," Haslet replied as he set his gear down on the ground.
"Hi. You can put your gear inside here Rubens," Saunders said, pointing to the building directly behind him.
"Thanks sergeant. I hope I'll fit in," Haslet stated nervously, trying to break the ice.
With his task finished, Hanley exchanged salutes with the two men and went back to his office, leaving the rest of the introductions to his sergeant.
Saunders picked up his helmet lying on the ground by his feet and escorted Haslet inside the building behind them. "Haslet let me give you a little advice - Do what you're told and you'll fit in just fine."
"Mikey! Is that you?" A short, stocky private shouted from across the room.
"Elmer! How are you?" Haslet shouted back, taken aback at seeing a familiar face.
"I take it you know Private Rubens," Saunders was relieved that Haslet had someone in the squad he knew. Rubens would look out for the young private, but not too much Saunders hoped. The sergeant expected Rubens and all the others to look out for everyone else in the squad, not just one person in the squad.
Rubens enthusiastically slapped Haslet on the back. "Me and Haslet go way back. His brother and me were buddies when we were kids,"
"Then I guess I don't need to introduce you two," Saunders replied before walking off to sit down on the floor next to the squad's young medic.
"Elmer?! What kinda name is that?" A Portly private asked from a table in the middle of the room. He and two other privates at the table were in the middle of a poker game.
The squad members had fashioned a makeshift table out of a wooden crate with an old sheet for a tablecloth.
"Elmer is a fine name Braddock, and I wouldn't go makin' fun of it either if you know what's good for you," Rubens shot back.
"Whatever you say Elll-mer," Braddock replied, emphasizing the private's first name as he continued to tease Rubens.
"I'm warnin' you Braddock! One more crack like that and you'll be takin' your meals through a straw," Rubens threatened, clenching his fist for emphasis.
One of the other poker players tapped Braddock on the shoulder saying, "Leave him alone Braddock and get back to the game. I got some money to win back,"
Braddock turned around and picked up his cards. "A good idea Kirby, especially since I'm winning."
The three privates returned to their poker game, leaving Haslet and Rubens to get reacquainted.
"How are ya doin' kid?" Rubens asked as he put his arm around Haslet's shoulder and squeezed the private.
"I'm fine. I just got over here," the dark-haired private answered. Rubens flashed a wide smile. "I kinda figured that."
"It's about time we got a new replacement," Kirby grumbled as he tossed money onto the center of the table.
Rubens rubbed his chin as he watched Haslet start to go through his gear. "I guess I better make with the introductions before you get settled Mikey," Rubens stated, pointing to the three men playing poker. "Mike Haslet, the private over there about to lose even more of his money is William G. Kirby. To his the right is Caje."
"Hiya Haslet," Kirby replied, pausing long enough to look over at the new replacement.
Haslet and Caje exchanged smiles before the Cajun turned his attention back to his poker hand.
"The loudmouth with the winning streak, of course, is Braddock," Rubens continued, introducing the squad's messenger.
"Care to join in Haslet. I could always use another source of money," Braddock offered as he dealt the cards.
Haslet could see that the good-natured private was having a run of luck; and a pretty long one at that, judging by the sizable stack of Army script in front of Braddock.
"Come over here and meet another buddy of mine," Rubens directed as he led Haslet over to a private sitting against the wall on the right. "Mikey, say hello to Littlejohn. He's a real good guy and he'll help me watch out and see that nothin' happens to you."
Littlejohn looked up from the letter he was writing and smiled at the two GIs. "Hi Littljohn," Haslet greeted, offering his hand to Littlejohn.
"Hi Haslet. Make yourself at home," Littlejohn replied, standing up to shake Haslet's hand.
Haslet was a little taken aback by Littlejohn's height of over 6 foot 7 inches. The young private hadn't been aware how tall Littljohn was until just now.
Kirby, noticing Haslet's stunned expression, let out a laugh. "Don't let Littlejohn's size scare ya Haslet. He's really not that bad once you get to know him."
"Thanks for the glowing reference Kirby," Littlejohn responded sarcastically.
"Hey, don't mention it Littlejohn," Kirby replied, unfazed by his friend's sarcasm.
"Hey, Braddock. You aren't gonna quit before Caje and me have had a chance to get back some of our money are ya?" Kirby asked when he saw the Braddock stashing his winnings in his jacket pocket.
"You had your chance to win everything back and now these lovely pieces of paper are mine," Braddock answered, kissing the wad of Army script.
"If there's anything I hate it's a sore winner," Kirby grumbled. He then walked over to the room's only window and sat down under it, leaning his back against the wall.
Haslet watched and listened to the good-natured banter for a few minutes. He hoped he could fit in the squad well enough to joke with the other members like that.
Saunders just smiled at the ribbing. The verbal jousting was just his men's way of letting off a little steam. He didn't mind the ribbing as long as it remained good-natured and harmless, which it usually did.
"Nice to meet you Haslet." Caje said as he walked up to the young private. "One word of advice. Don't play poker with Braddock when he's on a lucky streak. You'll lose your shirt."
"Thanks. I'll remember that," Haslet replied. Rubens steered Haslet over to the squad's medic. The young medic was seated on floor leaning against the wall near the door. As usual the medic was busy checking his medical kit to make sure it contained everything he needed.
Rubens bent down and put a hand on the medic's knee saying, "Doc Walton here is our medic. He's the best and he'll take good care of you if you get hurt,"
"Then I guess I better get to know you real well," Haslet stated as he reached down to shake Walton's hand.
"Don't worry. I don't play favorites. All of my customers get the same treatment," The medic replied with a grin.
"Hey fellas, here comes the Lieutenant," Kirby anounced, looking out the window. "Looks like we're goin' on a mission."
"Now how can you tell that?" Doc, the squad's medic, asked in disbelief, "For all you know Lieutenant Hanley could be bringing the mail."
"He just has the look he always has when he's about to send us all on a mission," Kirby answered confidently as he stepped away from the window.
"Well, we'll all know soon enough," Saunders stated, getting up from his spot next to Doc.
"You wouldn't care to put your money where your mouth is would you Kirby?" Braddock queried as he pulled his Army script out from his jacket.
"No thanks. You got all my money already," Kirby retorted, eyeing the money.
Lieutenant Hanley walked in the room and went over to Saunders, never taking his eyes off of Braddock's script.
"Saunders, have the squad ready to go in fifteen minutes," Hanley ordered.
"Right Lieutenant," Saunders replied.
"Braddock, I see you're on one of your lucky streaks again," Hanley observed.
"Uh, yes sir Lieutenant. I guess you could say I hit a hot streak," Braddock replied.
"Well, that's good to hear Braddock," the lieutenant stated, walking over to the private.
Braddock shifted his feet uncomfortably. "Thank you sir. I'm kinda pleased about it myself."
"I hope for your sake your luck continues because you're going out on a mission with the rest of the squad," Hanley stated.
"If it's all the same to you sir, I'd rather stay here and not press my luck," Braddock quickly responded. He really wasn't serious and didn't expect the lieutenant to let him stay behind. He just decided to bring up the idea in case. There was no harm in asking he thought.
Hanley promptly brushed aside the suggestion. "I'm afraid you're much too important to stay behind on this mission Braddock. The squad will need your good luck with them."
The lieutenant knew full well Braddock wasn't serious, but didn't mind playing along by giving the private a hard time.
Braddock shrugged his shoulder saying, "If you insist Lieutenant."
"All right, you heard the Lieutenant. Be ready in fifteen," Saunders ordered, putting an end to Braddock's joke.
"Better get ready Mikey, and don't worry. Me and Littljohn will look out for you," Rubens stated as he checked his rifle.
"Don't worry Haslet. You'll be okay. We'll all look out for each other," Caje assured.
Hanley took Saunders aside to brief him on the mission, pulling a map from his jacket pocket.
Hanley spread out the map and began. "You'll take the squad to the town of St. Mihiel and make sure it's clear of Germans.
There's a road here to the north that will take you all the way there."
Saunders studied the map for a few seconds and looked back at the lieutenant. "The road doesn't show up on the map. How do we know for sure that it exists?"
Hanley frowned as he looked up from the map and then at his sergeant. It was a valid question. Saunders being an experienced soldier knew that a road that didn't show up on Army maps might be where intelligence said it was - or the road might not be there at all.
"The information comes from a local French woman who sheltered Allies when the Germans took over the village," Hanley reassured. "That's as much assurance as I can give you."
The lieutenant's explanation was enough for Saunders. "Okay Lieutenant, we'll see how reliable the information is."
When the two men were finished talking, Haslet went up to Saunders. "Where are we going Sergeant?"
"We're going for a walk in the sun soldier," Saunders replied.
"At least it's a nice day for it," Braddock joked, unable to resist the temptation to crack a joke.
This brought a slight smile to Saunders' face. Braddock was always good for a laugh, although Saunders would never admit that to the private. Braddock didn't need any encouragement to make wisecracks.