After a week of pushing the Germans back, regiment wanted a patrol across the river.
They needed some prisoners back and Winters picked Easy for the patrol.
And then, Malarkey gave the news that they had picked 2nd Platoon to lead the patrol.
No one was happy about that, especially Liebgott.
"It's always fucking us, huh?" He said, "we've not got enough guys!"
"I'm leading". Malarkey told them quietly, "it's 'gonna be fine. We have a briefing at CP, 1700 hours".
Lieutenant Jones hadn't been picked to lead the patrol, for obvious reasons. Winters didn't want anyone getting hurt and Jones didn't have to experience to lead this patrol. Speirs wanted 2nd to lead the attack, for whatever reasons, Noelle wasn't about to question it. She supposed it was to give 1st Platoon a break, they were always the first ones up and if it wasn't them, it was 2nd.
Jackson had soon stormed out of the room, pissed off and stomach dropping.
Noelle ran a hand down her face, this wasn't going well.
When the Platoon broke apart, Webster asked for a private word.
She followed him outside of the CP room and back down in the living room.
Half the wall was still missing from the grenade.
Noelle crossed her arms, "what's wrong, Web?"
Webster, strangely enough, looked a little nervous.
She found it both surprising and amusing.
Noelle was small and younger than Webster. What's he got to be nervous about?
She raised her eyebrow, looking up at him.
"Web?"
"Right". Webster cleared his throat, "um…so, I was speaking with Jones-"
"Lieutenant Jones?"
He nodded, "yup – the one and only".
Noelle smiled, a little amused. "'Awright".
"Well, he's keen on going along on that patrol, you know?"
"Aye, 'a thought he would be". She sighed, "'a mean, he could probably still go but he just can't lead or that".
"I was actually thinking, he might be able to".
Noelle frowned, "eh?"
Webster shrugged, "he could lead second, no?"
"Nah cause – cause Donnie's leading us, Web".
"Right, yeah". He mumbled, looking nervous again.
Noelle sighed, "what?"
Webster rubbed his lips together, "don't you think Malarkey looks a little tired?"
"Tired?"
"Yeah…should he not have a break?"
Noelle looked a little mad, "what are you talking about, eh? Donnie's fine".
Webster backed up a little, "okay, yeah, he's – he's fine, Nelly but-"
"no!" She said, "no buts, 'dinny fucking but me, Webster. 'A swear to God".
"Nelly, I'm just saying, he needs a break". Webster said, "that's all".
Noelle shook her head, "no, Donnie's fine".
He sighed, "right…".
"Leave him alone".
Noelle walked away from Webster, who pulled a face.
"Leave him alone?" He mumbled, mildly confused.
She suddenly stopped, when Jones walked out of the house.
Noelle turned back around.
"Aw, so he's just 'gonna go and talk to Speirs and Winters and that, is that how it is?"
Webster turned to face her, nodding his head.
"Aw, right – so, Donnie just don't even know, eh?"
Noelle tutted.
"You're a fanny, Web".
"What – Nelly! I'm just trying to help". Webster expressed, "come on, you don't see it?"
She shook her head, "nah, 'a don't see it, Web. Donnie's just fine, 'awright?"
"He lost his best-"
"Web, 'a'd fucking watch it, if 'a were you". Noelle warned him lowly, "just careful, 'awright? You don't want to be spraffing that shit on the wrong ears".
He frowned.
"Sorry, Nelly".
Noelle gave a tiny nod, clearing her throat.
"It's 'awright". She mumbled, "and you're probably right…but Jones can't lead this patrol".
"Fair enough, Nelly". Webster said softly.
There was a moment of silence.
"What the hell does spraffing mean?"
Her lips twitched, "talking".
"Interesting". He mused, "what a strange word".
Noelle shrugged, "it's 'no really a word. You won't find it in a dictionary – hey! Stop trying to get on my good side, you bampot".
Webster smiled, "come on…you're getting angry over nothing".
Rolling her eyes, her face softened.
"Look, 'am just wanting to protect Donnie's pride, 'awright? He's had a lot happened to him and he doesn't need to feel like shit over some fucking patrol".
"I understand, Nelly". He said, "that's why I'm speaking to you about this".
Noelle nodded, "'a can respect that, Web".
"Is it safe to come in?"
Grant was on the last few steps of the stairs.
"I don't 'wanna get yelled at by Nelly".
Webster laughed, "it's fine, Sarge".
He sighed and walked down the rest of the stairs, entering the room.
"Good – Nelly? You 'wanna find out who else is coming along? Malark wants numbers".
Noelle nodded and put her helmet on, "who should 'a speak to?"
"Find Speirs". Grant told her, "and hey – look both ways before crossing, huh?"
She snorted, "piss off, Chuck".
He smiled, "I'm half serious…those 205's, they'll be after you".
Noelle raced towards CP, taking Grant's warning seriously.
When she entered the building, it was full of chaos over a box of rations.
Frowning, Noelle walked over to the counter and pushed through the bodies, until she reached the front. Perconte was trying to smooth the yelling, by quickly packing away the rest of the goodies and it took Noelle a few moments to realise he was back, after getting shot in the ass during their attack on Foy.
"Nelly – can you give me a hand?!"
"Eh – like, what would 'a do, Perc? 'A can't stop them, can 'a?"
Perconte sighed, "stop it, fellas!"
Cobb reached over, taking a Hershey's bar.
"Hey! Put that back, Roy!"
"Blow it out your ass, Perconte. This is mine!"
"Actually – have you seen Speirs?!" Noelle called out from the loudness.
"Behind here!" He called back. "Would you all keep it fucking down?! Me and Nelly are trying to talk here!"
That seemed to quietened things down a little.
Noelle smiled, "cheers, guys".
"You all set for tonight?" Martin asked her, "you hear what happened to the Lieutenant from D Company when they tried to cross the river?"
"Why the hell are you telling her this?" Liebgott asked, "she doesn't need to know".
Noelle cleared her throat, "what happened like?"
"Stepped on a Schu mine, blew his whole foot off".
She grimaced, "aw, that's nice, Johnny".
Noelle didn't stick around, though Martin did give her a packet of juicy fruit, which she placed into her jacket, beside the Hershey's bar Luz gave her last week. Noelle rounded the corner, while Jones and Vest walked in the other direction, she frowned, feeling a little confused by why Vest was with the Lieutenant but tried not to think too much of it.
At the back of CP, Winters and Speirs were looking over the river.
Noelle softly cleared her throat, not wanting to startle them.
She heard Speirs sigh heavily, but his face softened ever so slightly.
"Oh, it's yourself, Nelly".
Noelle smiled a little, "hello, sir – Captain Winters".
"How're you doing Corporal?" Winters asked, "is everyone prepared for tonight?"
She stepped up on the sandbags and leaned against the fence, staring out towards the small village across the river.
"Yeah, sir". Noelle told him softly. "Donnie wanted a head count".
"That's still up for debate". Speirs told her, "we're bringing a few in from 1st Platoon".
There was a moment of silence, while she continued to look across the river.
"What are we looking at, sir?"
Winters cleared his throat, "there's a three-story building, that's the German OP".
Noelle rubbed her eyes, trying to find it.
"'A don't think 'a can see it, sir".
Smiling a little, he handed her the binoculars.
"To your left, Nelly".
She looked towards the left.
"Oh, aye – 'a see it now, sir". She said, "that's where we'll take the prisoner's from?"
"That's right".
"What do you think of Lieutenant Jones, Nelly?" Speirs asked.
The question caught her off guard and the binoculars slipped out of her hands.
They landed on the ground with a quiet thud.
"Shit, sorry – Lieutenant Jones, sir?"
Noelle jumped down from the sandbag, picking the binoculars back up and looking at the lens, which wasn't broken, thankfully.
"Yes, what do you think?"
She cleared her throat, while wiping away some snow on the lens.
"He's 'awright, sir". Noelle replied, "eh – he's – eh – 'a think he wants to help, you know?"
Biting her lip, she handed Winters the binoculars. He took them with an amused smile.
Speirs nodded, "okay…and what about Sargent Malarkey?"
Noelle cleared her throat, "'am 'no sure 'a can answer that without being fair, sir".
"How'd you mean?"
"Well…'a'll always be saying good things about him, sir. It's just the way it is".
Speirs nodded, "okay. Do you think he's tired?"
"Is that what Jones says?"
Noelle didn't sound very happy, she didn't look it either.
Speirs raised an eyebrow.
She swallowed, "sir".
"Well, there was concern over Sargent Malarkey".
Chewing the inside of her cheek, Noelle looked down at her boots.
"He's fine". She mumbled.
Though, even Noelle was starting to doubt that.
But around her, Malarkey was fine. She didn't see a difference in him. Though, she'd bet when he was alone, he looked sad. Noelle felt her heart sink, because when she was alone, she felt sad too. She swallowed back that lump in her throat, which got stuck in her throat from time to time.
"Sorry, sir".
Speirs shook his head, "Sargent Malarkey will not be leading this patrol".
Noelle felt bad. Though, she was sure Malarkey would be happy for the small break, Noelle knew if the positions were reversed, she'd feel a little cut up about it. And still staring at her boots, she asked in a very small voice.
"Why?"
But the strange part was, she didn't ask "how", like she usually would.
That caught Winters attention.
"I think he deserves a break, Nelly". He said, "like yourself, he's been on every main objective since Normandy and hasn't missed a day off".
Speirs cleared his throat, "would you like to sit this one out, Nelly?"
Noelle shook her head, looking back up at them.
"Aw, no, sir". She said, "Chuck say's he needs me there, sir…and 'a couldn't let Donnie or my friends down, sir. Cause if he's 'no going, then he'll want me there for sure, sir".
Winters smiled, "alright, trooper".
Noelle smiled a little back at him, "so…is Lieutenant Jones leading, sir?"
"No, he doesn't have the experience". Speirs said. "We're trying to work out who could lead this patrol".
She bit down on her lip.
"Sir?"
"Yeah?"
"'A was thinking, right…".
Noelle stood back up on the sandbags.
"Why 'no have Chuck lead, sir?"
"He crossed our minds". Winters said, "but we need someone to lead the assault team, take over Malarkey's position".
"And Chuck would be leading the firing squad, sir?"
He nodded, "yeah, that's right, Nelly".
"Done many prisoner snatches, Corporal?" Speirs asked.
"Eh…aye, 'a did one in Normandy, sir".
"Well, how about you lead the assault team?"
Noelle's eyes widened a little.
She looked back across the river.
She started to think back to all those times someone had called her stupid, useless and worthless. Because Noelle never used to be the brightest of the bunch but since joining Easy Company, she had grown a considerable amount. Noelle was sharp, she had useful skills and she used them every day out in combat. And these men had grown to trust her.
In her mind, Noelle was already planning.
What's the safest way from the river, to the OP?
Where would she position the firing squads?
Who would lead with Grant?
That was easy, Heffron would be apart of the firing squad.
Popeye, Jones and Liebgott, from the top of her head.
And the assault team, McClung, Jackson, Ramirez, Vest and Webster.
But if Speirs wanted to add more guys from 1st.
She'd have Cobb, Garcia, Shifty and Sisk.
That was fifteen, including herself.
Noelle cleared her throat, "eh – how about Jones leads the firing squad with Chuck, sir?"
"That's fine". Speirs said. "So, you'll lead the assault squad?"
She rubbed her lips together, "'a'll lead, sir".
Winters smiled, he couldn't believe it. He was proud of all his men from Easy, having watched them grow since Toccoa, or the guys who came in after Normandy. But seeing Noelle have that confidence in herself, to lead a patrol, it made the job special. It wasn't just Noelle he would look back on and think, "they're so grown-up now", Winters had the same thoughts regarding Smokey, Floyd and Malarkey.
"The whole Battalion will be covering your withdrawal". He told her, "you give us a signal, we'll open up".
Noelle nodded, "smoke signal, sir?"
"No, we were thinking whistles". Winters said.
She smiled a little, "they did that during the Great War, sir…my dad used to blow on his whistle before sending his men up the trench and over no man's land". Noelle sighed, "'am glad we didn't have to do that this time, sir".
"What was your dads rank, Nelly?" Speirs asked her.
She cleared her throat, "he was a Sargent Major, sir. Blackwatch, 5th Battalion".
"He ever talk about it?"
Noelle was quiet for a few moments.
She shook her head, "never did, sir". She whispered, "'a wonder what he'd think of me now".
Winters placed a hand on her shoulder, "I think he'd be very proud of you, Nelly".
"'A hope so, sir". Noelle said, "'a hope he doesn't think 'am stupid for jumping out of a plane".
…
At five o'clock, Noelle and Winters started walking towards the room in CP, where the briefing would be held. She did feel slightly nervous and wondered how her friends would react, when knowing she was actually leading the assault squad. Noelle had an entire plan worked out in her head, drawn out like a map, which she'd discuss with Winters once her friends knew what their objective was once across the river.
"Ten-Hutt!"
Jones called, while Winters and Noelle walked in.
Everyone got onto their feet.
"At ease". Winters told them all quickly.
Heffron pulled a slightly amused face towards Noelle, who came trotting in behind Winters. The rest were still under the impression that Jones was leading the entire objective. You could see it in their eyes. Noelle only hoped they didn't look at her like that once they found out.
They both stood by the table.
"Gentlemen". Winters greeted.
"Sir".
"As you can see, we've assembled fifteen of you here for this prisoner snatch tonight, 0100. Just a couple of points". He told them, "we've secured four rubber boats to get you across the river. Lieutenant Jones here, is the ranking officer".
Winters gestured towards the Lieutenant.
"And he'll be along as an observer".
Jones gave a nod.
Noelle rubbed the end of her nose, holding back a tiny smile, because her friends looked more than relieved.
"Corporal Stewart will lead the patrol in Sargent Malarkey's place". Winters added, "the whole Battalion will be covering your withdrawal. We've identified targets, we've planned fire for them. We here these whistles, we open up". Winters held up two whistles, "so don't blow them 'till your back on the boats with your prisoners".
He then handed them to Noelle.
"What if the house is empty, sir?" She asked, while looking back up at him.
"It wont'". He replied, "but in any case, we know it's an outpost and we want it destroyed. So, you have to lay some demo on a time delay. You have to move fast but carefully. Put a perimeter around the house. Once that's in place, get your rifle grenades in the first-floor window".
Noelle nodded at him.
"Get your assault team in quickly – alright, good". Winters said, noticing her nodding. "Understood?" He asked the rest, "remember, it's about prisoners. Don't pop the first thing that moves…clear?"
"Yes, sir".
Noelle looked and saw Liebgott give Jackson a half wink.
She frowned, a little confused and if not concerned.
"Picked your assault team, Corporal?"
She cleared her throat, "aye – McClung as lead scout, Jack, Ramirez, Vest, Sisk, Cobb, Garcia and Web as translator". Noelle said, "Chuck and Lieutenant Jones will lead the firing squad with Babe, Shift, Moe, Popeye and Liebgott". She then tossed one whistle to Grant, the other she passed to Jones, who was beside her. Noelle looked back up at Winters, "that's the teams, sir".
He nodded, "good – any questions?"
"No, sir".
Winters gave them all a nod, "good – good luck".
"Thank you, sir".
Noelle gave them a tiny smile, before Winters gave her arm a gentle slap.
She turned and started heading for the door.
"Ten – Hutt!" Jones called again.
"As you were, carry on". The Captain quickly said.
They headed back up the stairs and outside, where Speirs was waiting.
"Alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, we've got our teams sorted". Winters said, "Nelly, what's the formation you want the men to go in?"
Noelle cleared her throat, "once we reach the other side of the river, a'll have the firing squad head into town, setting up a wide perimeter around the house. Then a'll take the assault team and we'll head towards the house. We'll come in from the north, and 'a'll tell them to watch out for Schu mines 'cause 'a heard what happened to that Lieutenant from D Company, sir, and 'a don't want anyone stepping on a mine or that and-"
"yeah, that's good, Nelly". Speirs cut her off, with the tiniest of smiles.
"Right – aye…anyway, from there, a'll blast the top window, get our guys ready to shoot a couple of grenades into the house and we'll head inside". Noelle said, "Web can set up the charger, while we secure the prisoners. We'll come out of the house, a'll grab Chuck, he'll blow the whistle, Lieutenant Jones can grab the other half of the firing squad, he'll blow his whistle and we'll head back to the boats. If we come under anything bigger, we'll signal for an earlier withdrawal, sir. Shift, Liebgott and Popeye will take the left flank, Lieutenant Jones and Grant will take Babe and secure the right perimeter and the crossroads".
"Alright, good, that's-"
"sir?"
They all turned around.
"Yes?" Winters asked Webster.
"Liebgott and I, we both speak German".
"Yeah?" Speirs asked.
"You said fifteen men, there are sixteen of us, including two translators".
Noelle frowned, thinking and counting in her head.
Was there really more than fifteen?
"Well, fine". Speirs said, "hey, Liebgott, you 'wanna sit this one out?"
Liebgott seemed happy about that news.
"Yes, sir".
And then, he grinned and winked at Webster.
"Thanks, buddy".
Noelle sighed under her breath.
"'Awright, 'am putting Moe with Shift and Popeye now". She said, while rubbing her forehead.
"Just a little change, Corporal". Winters added lightly, "your main goals are to get the firing squad into position and get into that OP safely and quickly, okay? We expect the Germans to attack once they hear the commotion and we don't 'wanna leave you without covering fire for too long".
Noelle nodded, "aye, sir – eh, you happy with that, Lieutenant Jones?"
Jones gave her a nod, "it's a good plan, Corporal".
"Wizard, sir".
…
Noelle got a little sick that night.
She wasn't worried about her leadership skills, she was worried of someone getting hurt on her watch. It was a lot to take in, but Winters and Speirs trusted her enough to do this, Noelle had to feel confident in their decision because she had never disagreed with anything Winters or Speirs had ordered her to do before.
She emerged from CP and headed over to OP2, where the rest were gathered for something to eat and drink before the patrol. Noelle took off her helmet and walked into the basement, where Malarkey was spooning hot food and coffee into their ration kits.
"No helmets tonight guys, 'awright? Full moon tonight".
That increased her worries a bit.
What if someone got hit and their helmet wasn't there to save them?
Noelle shuddered a little and cleared her throat.
"'Awright guys, here's the scooby-"
"the what?" Heffron asked.
Noelle sighed, "eh – the plan".
She told them exactly what she had told Winters and Speirs.
And even after she said her plan, the two officers added this thing and the next thing.
Not major changes, just some small adjustments to get the patrol going faster.
Once that was out the way, everyone was happy with the plan and got back to eating.
Noelle took a seat on one of the benches.
"Nelly, take out your dish". Malarkey told her, "you need your strength".
"Donnie, 'am about to question again why 'a was picked".
Smiling small, he sat down next to her. "You want me to feed your ego again?"
Noelle's lips twitched, while she brought out her rifle and placed it onto the table.
"Because I could go on all night but then you'd miss the whole patrol".
She was full on smiling down at her rifle now.
Malarkey matched her smile, "it's 'gonna be fine, huh? Just come back to me".
Noelle looked up at him, "'a'll come back to you, Donnie. Always will".
There sweet moment was interrupted by Jackson, who sat opposite them.
Malarkey smiled at him, "ready, Jack?"
"You'd bet, Malark". He said.
"Want some coffee, Jack?" Noelle asked, "you had something to eat yet?"
"Not yet".
Malarkey quickly set about giving him some hot food and coffee, while Jackson lit up a cigarette. Smiling, Noelle reached into her pocket and placed the Hershey's bar in front of him. His eyes lit up in delight.
"Ah – but you have to eat all your dinner first, Jack".
Snorting in amusement, Jackson put the Hershey's bar in his pocket.
Malarkey gave her hand a squeeze, "I'll see you before you leave, Nelly".
"'Awright, Donnie".
When he left, Noelle started to count up her ammo for her rifle.
"Hey, Nelly?"
"Aye?"
"What's the deal with you and Malark?"
Noelle looked up from her rifle.
Jackson shrugged, "come on, we ain't blind…you guys together or something?"
She cleared her throat, looking back down.
"It's a weird one, Jack".
"How so?"
"Hard to explain, really…'a mean, he's got Bernice but he's 'no sure about me – it's really fucking complicated but 'a just go with it, you know?"
Jackson let the subject drop.
She grabbed he box next to her, bringing out the grenade for her rifle.
"I always thought Clyde liked you-"
"fucking hell".
The grenade almost fell onto the ground.
Noelle caught it just in time.
Jackson frowned, watching her closely.
Swallowing, she placed the grenade back onto the table and sighed.
"Did he, Nelly?" He asked her quietly.
Noelle shook her head.
God, she hadn't thought about Clyde for a while.
"Nah – he – eh – he had someone else, Jack". She whispered, "and 'a didn't see him like that".
"He really adored you, huh?"
Noelle smiled, though it never reached her eyes.
"I adored him too, Jack".