This is based solely on the miniseries and what little research I have been able to do outside of it. I don't own Band of Brothers or any of the amazing men who served in the military. The only things I own are Megan, Brian, Jack, and any soldiers you don't recognize.
The company is running around, everyone grabbing gear and grouping together to move out. Dick finally arrives to give us a short briefing.
"Some German troops have been sighted outside the town of St. Come du Mont. We think they're trying to take it back and push us back to the beaches. Second battalion is going to hold them off. Let's go."
With those brief words, everyone starts moving. After about an hour and a half of walking, we find the first group of Germans.
"Find some cover!" Everyone dives behind buildings, trying to avoid the onslaught of bullets that the Germans are sending our way. Buck lands next to me in a doorway.
"Megan, you ok?"
"I'm fine Buck. Anyone hurt?"
"Not that I've seen yet." When I try to peer out, he yanks me back, just in time to miss the bullet that shatters stone right where my head was.
"Thanks. How many are we facing?"
"Looks like a small group, so it shouldn't take too long if we can ever get out of cover. We should get moving." With that, both of us get up and start jogging in the direction of the gunfire.
When we get to the square, I can finally see what's going on. And I can hear the cries of men who have been hit. "Medic!" I run in the direction of the yell to find a young private from Fox company writhing in pain on the ground. He's clutching his belly, so I pry his hands off.
"Hey sweetie, what's your name?"
"Wilson."
"Ok hon, let's see what we have here." I pull his jacket away from his wound. It starts gushing uncontrollably. Just seeing how much blood he's already lost so quickly, I know he's lost, but I don't give it away to him. Not that it matters too much. I guess you do kind of know when you are going to die.
"I'm dying aren't I?" Wilson looks up at me through panic filled eyes. "I don't want to die!"
"You're going to be fine! Just relax." Grabbing a syrette, I inject the morphine into his system. It only takes a moment to take effect, just in time for a look of peace to cross his face before his eyes close forever.
There's no chance to stop and think about what happened, because the cry comes again, and again, and again. After a few hours, it seems that we've discouraged the Germans from coming back to St. Come du Mont.
Exhausted, I just drop down in the square and start to doze off. As I drift off, I hear Dick telling Easy to stand down and get some sleep.
The next day I wake up feeling surprisingly refreshed. Sitting up, I notice the reason. Someone draped a quilt from one of the houses over me. I fold the quilt and leave it sitting on a bench before walking back to Easy's HQ.
Dick and Lew are looking over maps when I walk in. "Hey gents, no one else to play with this morning?"
Lew looks up and grins. "Afraid not Megan. Everyone else is checking on the guys that made it in overnight."
"Really? Who all has made it?"
"Well, I saw Blithe come in with Talbert, Gordon, and Shifty. Not sure about everyone else."
"Thanks! I'll go check up on everyone." When I'm halfway out the door, I turn around in the doorway. "By the way, thanks for the quilt last night."
Dick and Lew look up, startled and confused. "What quilt Megan?"
"Come on Dick, don't play dumb. The quilt that I was covered with when I woke up this morning. I definitely didn't have it last night when I fell asleep."
"Megan, we didn't do that."
"Really? Wonder who did." With a perplexed look, my voice trails off as I head outside.
I walk toward the center of town to see who all is here. All the guys are showing off souvenirs and chatting around. Liebgott is showing off a ring, Tab has a German camo poncho. I see Blithe next to Frank and Dukeman, looking shocked, so I head that way.
"Boys, how're we doing today? Looks like most everyone has made it. Glad to see y'all all in one piece." Seeing Frank start to pull up his sleeve, I say, "and not a word about all your 'treasures.' You have too many."
Frank looks disappointed. "Miss Megan, you spoil all my fun."
"You'll live. Blithe, how are you?"
"I, I'm ok ma'am."
"Ok, well you let me know if you need anything." As I finish my statement, Harry steps out into the square.
"First platoon, on your feet!" He takes a swig from his canteen. "Easy's moving out! On your feet!" Everyone gets up and moves towards him. "Listen up! It'll be dark soon, and I want light and-noise discipline from here on. That means no talking, no smoking and no playin' grab-fanny with the man in front of you."
Boyle gets brave and steps forward. "Where're we going lieutenant?"
"We're taking Carentan."
"That sounds like fun." I lean over and smack Hoobler. "Hey! What was that for?"
"For being a smartass. Pay attention and shut up"
"Yes ma'am." The guys chuckle around us.
"Thanks Megan, for contributing to the crowd control."
"Aw Harry, dincha know I'm just a glorified babysitter when it comes to this lot?"
Amid more laughs, Harry continues his speech from before. "It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah Beach can link up and head, inland. Until we do they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor's sending the whole division."
George takes the opportunity to do an impression of General Taylor. "Remember, boys, just give me three days and three nights of hard fighting and you will be relieved."
Hoobler volunteers to take point and scout as the platoon bursts out in laughter.
"Alright, Hoobler lead scout." Harry sees Blithe. "Blithe, glad you could join us."
"Thank you sir"
"First platoon, fall in behind F company. Let's shake a leg!"
As the company moves out, I grab Harry's arm. "Harry, did I really sleep pretty much all day?"
"Yeah, no idea how though, cause people have been walking around all day."
"Ok, thanks. Let's get crackin."
After about 45 minutes, I'm thoroughly sick of being in the middle, since we've already lost Fox once. They 'got turned around in the dark.' What crap. Even if it was completely dark, which it's not since there are things on fire, they have maps and compasses. When the column halts for a second time, I walk up to Harry in time to hear Frank ask Hoobler, "again?"
"What happened?"
Harry comes back. "Perconte, go back and pass the word to hold up. Hoobler, take Blithe and find F company."
"Yes sir. Come on Blithe." With that, the three men vanish down the line.
"Harry, what is going on?"
"We lost F company."
"Again, seriously?" I'm so mad at this point that I just start pacing, swearing in Gaelic.
Meanwhile, Dick has joined us up front. "Did you send someone?" Dick asks Harry.
"Yeah, I've got Hoobler and Blithe out there now."
Lew asks as he walks up, "why have we stopped."
"This is about officers crapping out on their training Nix." Dick looks at his watch. "Come on, let's get this show on the road. Megan, want to come with?"
"No, I'll probly be the one who loses me temper and gives away our position. Not that the Germans aren't already knowing that we're headin straight for Carentan."
The guys cock their heads at me, looking quizzical. "What?"
Nix answers for all of them. "Nice accent Megan." With that they move off into the darkness too.
Great. Now other people are noticing an accent. What has gotten into me? Or is it just the fact that I'm irritated at being on a hike with incompetent people leading the column. Deciding not to worry about it for now, I sit down and wait for the guys to come back.
When they do, with F company in tow, I breathe a sigh a relief. 45 more minutes give or take of hiking to Carentan. Then we'll stay hidden outside the town till light to start the assault.
The mysterious blanket idea is not mine, it belongs to Sweet A.K who used it in her story "The Butterfly Effect." She has graciously allowed me to use her idea. Y'all should give her story a read too. It's really wonderful.
Thank so much to all of you who have been reading. Special thanks to those who have taken the time to leave a review: AivieEnchanted, Queen Amy, Dancing Chika, Emy-022, KatieRose380, mouse, and gothique4. Thanks also to those who have added this to your favorites or story alerts. Y'all are the best and you keep me writing. Thanks for your support! I'm so sorry that this has taken over 2 months to get up. I found out that some of my problems with school were caused by a reoccurrence of my previous thyroid problems, so I've been busy dealing with a multitude of doctors appointments. I've also been a little distracted getting settled into my new job. I'm hoping to have the rest of the chapters for the Carentan episode up this weekend, and maybe part of the Replacements episode before summer term starts on the 16th. Thanks for sticking with me!