Rory found Winters around the back of CP, staring out across the Moder River. He had his arms across over his chest, eyes narrowed in towards a large, three-story building. Very quietly, Rory walked over to the man. She still felt angry. She was angry at the thought of another patrol. When all Rory hoped, for now, was a little quiet. But it wasn't Winters's fault.
Reaching his side, she followed the man's stare.
Winters let out a tiny sigh;
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before".
Rory shook her head;
"don't be sorry". She mumbled, "it ain't your fault, sir".
Looking down at her, he frowned;
"you're angry". He pointed out.
Rory nodded;
"but not at you".
His face softened slightly;
"no?"
She shook her head;
"no…I just…I was hoping things would get quiet". Rory whispered, "suppose I'm a little…hurt and sore 'bout this".
"I don't blame you". Winters murmured, "I feel the same, trooper".
Biting down on her lip, she looked up at the man;
"you got a plan, sir?"
He nodded;
"yeah…Captain Nixon has got us four rubber boats for the move across the river. Tonight, 0100 hours. You're heading for that large OP, right there – you see it?"
Rory looked back across the river and nodded;
"uh-huh".
"We're 'gonna put some charges inside that OP, blow it up". Winters added, "you'll have the entire Battalion covering your retreat back to the boats, with your prisoners".
She nodded;
"sounds fine, sir".
Staring down at her hands for a moment, she then asked;
"sir?"
"Yeah?"
With a small frown, Rory mumbled;
"no one works harder than Sargent Malarkey".
With a frown of his own, Winters nodded;
"I know, Rory".
Looking up from her hands, her eyes reached the side of Winters's face.
He was staring back across the river again, eyes focused on the OP building.
A tiny smile reached her lips;
"remember when I broke the church window?"
Winters huffed out a tiny laugh and he nodded;
"I do, yeah…what? Have you broken another window?"
Shaking her head, Rory said;
"I was scared to tell you at first, sir".
"I understand that". Winters said, "you didn't know me well".
"No, that's right". She agreed softly, "If I broke my dad's window…he would'a beat me".
Frowning, he looked down at the girl.
Rory shrugged;
"and yelled and stuff but…you didn't yell, sir".
"When I got in trouble as a kid, my mom was in charge of discipline". He told her, "so, she'd yell at me for doing stupid things. But she never put her hands on me, Rory. Sure, my mom was strict with me, but you'd hate let her down". Winters said, "I don't see any fairness in hitting a child who needs discipline. Your words are more important".
Allowing that information to sink in.
Rory then said with a small smile;
"I'm glad I owned up and told you, sir".
Smiling, Winters's hand fell on her shoulder;
"me too, trooper".
"Captain Winters?" A voice sounded from behind them.
Winters turned around, as did Rory.
"About the patrol". Jones said, "I feel that I should go on the patrol, sir. I know I could use the experience".
After having one of his new Lieutenant's die on last nights patrol, Winters came to an easy decision;
"denied". He said, "anything else?"
Jones didn't respond.
"You're not 'gonna lead that patrol, Lieutenant Jones". Winters said to him.
Giving the Lieutenant a nod, Winters expected Jones to leave.
Only, he didn't.
Instead, Jones took a bold step forward;
"permission to speak, sir".
Winters huffed quietly and turned around to face him;
"go on, Lieutenant".
"It looks like Sargent Malarkey could use a break, sir". Jones said, "I've discussed it with him, and he said that he did not mind if I took his place on the patrol".
With a tiny nod, Winters remarked;
"that was nice of him".
Coming up behind Jones then, was Vest.
He broke the small amount of tension;
"Captain Winters". Vest said, "I'd really like to be on that patrol, sir. If it's true the Krauts are finished, I haven't really done anything expect deliver mail and type morning reports".
Rory looked up at the Captain and was surprised to see the man nod.
"Absolutely". Winters responded.
Vest smiled a little;
"thank you, Captain".
Winters thought back to what Rory had said about Malarkey working hard.
Eyeing the Lieutenant up and down, he said;
"fine, you can go. There'll be a briefing at CP, 1700".
Jones gave him a tiny nod;
"yes, sir".
Giving them both a nod, Vest and Jones soon left.
Rubbing the back of her neck, Rory mumbled;
"uh…sir?"
"Yeah?"
"Who's 'gonna lead us now?"
"I'll have a word with Captain Speirs". Winters said, "don't worry, Lieutenant Jones will go along as an observer. That'll give him some experience".
With a tiny smile, Rory said;
"I like 'um".
"Who? Jones?" Winters asked.
She nodded;
"yeah…he didn't back down, huh?"
Sighing, Winters couldn't help but agree;
"he's persistent, that's for sure".
…
When Rory was heading back towards their OP, she jogged to catch up with Jones.
The Lieutenant turned around, upon hearing rushed footsteps heading his way.
With a small smile, he greeted Rory;
"Doe…are you in a rush?"
Rory slowed down and matched his pace;
"well…I just 'wanna say that…I'm glad you're coming along, sir".
"Oh, thank you". He smiled, "that's very kind of you".
"And also". Rory added softly, "I sure am sorry 'bout your friend".
The smile left Jones's lips.
With a tiny sigh, he nodded;
"thank you, Doe". He whispered.
Licking her bottom lip, she reached into her jacket pocket;
"you smoke, sir?"
"I do". Jones confirmed, "do you?"
Shaking her head, Rory brought out a pack of cigarettes and handed him three cigarettes from inside the packet;
"I ain't got use for these, sir". She said, "I hand 'um out to the fellas".
With a tiny smile, he accepted the cigarettes;
"thank you, Doe. That's very nice of you".
…
Just before 1700 hours, the patrol for that night gathered inside a room in CP. It was another room, with peeling floral wallpaper and bullets holes in the walls. They had a dining table and a few chairs for the men to sit down on. Rory took to standing. She was leaning against the window ledge, standing next to Webster. Standing by the open doorway, was Lieutenant Jones. With the news of Malarkey no longer leading, the men began to speculate whether or not Jones would be taking his place. But Rory quickly told them quietly;
"stop it…he's not leading the patrol".
The men seemed relaxed.
Rory sent Jones a tiny smile.
He didn't give her one back.
Instead, he looked towards the doorway, when Cobb and others from 1st followed in behind. Popeye stared up at Cobb, who was standing behind him.
"What? Cobb snapped.
Looking away from Cobb, Popeye asked;
"they call you guys, too?"
"So, who's in charge of this bullshit?" Moe asked bitterly.
"We ain't sure". Liebgott said, "the kid don't think it's the Lieutenant".
Clearing her throat, Rory mumbled;
"that's cause it ain't".
With a frown, she then added quietly;
"leave 'um alone".
Cobb snorted;
"Jesus…don't you paint a sad picture, kid".
Jackson sent Cobb a glare;
"back off". He muttered.
Cobb huffed and looked at him;
"yeah? Or what?"
Heffron sighed;
"stop it, alright?"
Rory looked over at Cobb;
"don't matter". She said, "he ain't ever liked us anyway".
Jones soon stood at attention;
"ten-hut!" He ordered.
For the men who were sitting down, they grumbled and got up.
"At ease". Winters ordered them.
Rory noticed that Sargent Martin was following behind Winters.
She assumed he was leading the patrol.
Winters got behind one of the chairs;
"gentlemen, Rory". He greeted them.
"Sir". They greeted back.
"As you can see, we've assembled sixteen of you here for this prisoner snatch tonight, 0100. Just a couple of points". Winters said, sounding as he usually did. Calm, collective and kind. "We've secured four rubber boats to get you across the river. Lieutenant Jones here".
Winters gestured towards the Lieutenant.
"Is the ranking officer". He said, "and he'll be along as an observer".
Jones looked Rory's way and she watched, while the Lieutenant gave Webster a nod.
Which Webster returned.
"Sargent Martin here, will lead the patrol in Sargent Malarkey's place". Winters explained.
Martin looked over at Webster and sent him a tiny glare.
"The whole Battalion will be covering your withdrawal". Winters continued, "we've identified targets, we're planned fire for 'um". He held up two whistles, "we here these whistles, we open up. So, don't blow 'um 'till you're back in the boats with your prisoners".
Winters handed the whistles to Martin.
"And if the house turns out to be empty, sir?" Martin asked.
"It won't". Winters replied, "but in any case, we know it's an outpost and 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. Get your assault team in quick – okay, good. Understood?"
Biting down on her lip, Rory bobbed her head.
"Remember, it's about prisoners". Winters said, "don't pop the first thing that moves. Clear?"
"Yes, sir". They replied.
"Good". Winters said softly.
There was a moment of silence before Winters asked;
"picked your assault team?"
Martin replied;
"McClung, Sisk, Cobb, Garcia". He then looked over at Webster. "And Webster. As translator. The rest of you guys, a base of fire with Sargent Grant".
Martin threw one of the whistles to Grant. Who caught it, with a tiny smirk.
"You speak German. Right, Webster?" Martin asked him, not too kindly.
"Yeah, a little bit". Webster answered.
"Good". Martin muttered.
And then told Winters kindly;
"that's my team, sir".
"Questions?" Winters asked.
"No, sir". They replied.
Winters looked around at the patrol and nodded;
"good". He said, "good luck".
"Thank you, sir". They replied.
Jones stood at attention again;
"ten-hut!"
But Winters quickly said;
"as you were, carry on".
Winters and Martin left the room, with Jones following behind. Rory felt a little bad for Jones. He was fresh from training. And was only doing what he thought was right. Looking up at Webster, she bit her lip.
"A little German?" Liebgott mumbled. "His German's as good as mine".
It was aimed at Webster, obviously.
The patrol left CP and started heading outside. They had a while until their patrol. Meaning, they could catch a nap and relax before 0100 hours. Instead of hanging back with her friends, Rory walked down the stairs and followed Webster.
"Can you believe that guy?" Grant muttered. "Webster, tries to get out of everything".
Webster sighed and looked down at Rory;
"you sure you 'wanna be following me, Rory?"
She shrugged;
"what you 'gonna do, Web?"
He sighed;
"tell them they don't need two translators". Webster mumbled.
Rory frowned;
"why you 'gonna do that?"
Webster didn't respond.
He made his way towards Martin, Speirs, Winters and Jones. The four of them were discussing the patrol. Rory followed Webster but kept her distance.
"Sir?" Webster cut in.
"Yes?" Winters asked.
He turned to face Webster and soon saw Rory standing a few feet behind Webster.
"Liebgott and I, we both speak German". Webster said.
"Yeah?" Speirs questioned.
"You said sixteen men, there are seventeen of us, including two translators". Webster told them.
Sighing, Speirs nodded;
"well, fine". He said, "hey, Liebgott".
Speirs called to the man, who was walking by them.
"You 'wanna sit this one out?"
Liebgott stopped and looked at the Captain;
"yes, sir". He smiled.
And then winked at Webster;
"thanks, buddy".
"Thank you, sir". Webster mumbled, before walking off.
Rory frowned and watched him leave.
She'd hate to think that her friends were right, and Webster was trying to get out of the patrol. But then again, she couldn't exactly blame him. It was a dangerous patrol. And perhaps even pointless. Rory didn't want to die for the sake of catching a few Germans.
Rory walked down the road and headed for OP2, where they'd grab a bit of supper.
She didn't feel very nervous. But that all changed when she saw Jackson and Heffron. Her two friends were sitting down at one of the tables, waiting for Malarkey to serve them up some hot beans and coffee. Jackson's eyes soon landed on Rory's stare. His lips turned up into a smile. And he waved her over. Pursing her lips together, she walked towards them. Sitting down at the table, Rory wondered if her stomach could handle hot beans and coffee.
Heffron grinned;
"remember the carrot jam back in England?"
Jackson shuddered;
"Christ…".
Heffron smiled at Rory;
"lesson learnt, huh, Roo?"
But she didn't return the smile.
Rory couldn't think about those lighter moments back in England.
Her mind was focused on the patrol.
Rubbing her shoulder, she mumbled;
"I feel heavy".
The smiles slowly fell from their faces.
Jackson nodded;
"me too".
Heffron lit up his cigarette;
"feel a little sick with it all". He admitted, "why the hell we doing this?"
Rory shook her head;
"I ain't sure…what're the Krauts 'gonna tell 'um, huh?"
Jackson sighed;
"probably nothing we don't already know".
Licking her bottom lip, she said;
"give Web a break". She mumbled, "and Lieutenant Jones. Don't you remember us coming in, Babe? The fellas didn't like us. Web ain't no replacement. He's been around since Normandy".
Heffron felt his hand clench into a fist;
"Roo…he could have busted 'outta that hospital".
She shook her head;
"so what?" Rory whispered, "I'm glad he wasn't in those damn woods with us. That was…that was hell, Babe. Why'd you want him around then, huh? I wouldn't even let my parents go into that fucking place".
Jackson shrugged;
"she's got a point, Babe".
Heffron sighed;
"why you 'gotta be that angel on my shoulder, huh?"
Shaking her head, Rory whispered;
"I ain't an angel, Babe".
Leaning over the table, Rory took the cigarette out of Heffron's hand.
With a tiny grimace, she placed the cigarette between her lips and inhaled.
Blowing the smoke out, Rory ended up coughing until her eyes started to water.
Smiling, Heffron took his cigarette back;
"how's that?"
Coughing still, Rory croaked;
"that's nasty".
…
It was quiet while they waited for darkness. Men were busy getting themselves ready for the patrol. Some were lost in their own heads, thinking up the worst-case scenarios. Rory might have done the same, she was spaced out enough for it. But a very sweet and soft voice from beside her said;
"I haven't talked to you yet".
Rory turned to that voice.
It was Shifty Powers, from 3rd Platoon.
A kind young man from Virginia.
"Folks tell me you've got a good shot". Shifty said with a small smile, "your daddy teach you to shoot?"
Rory shook her head;
"my Grandpa". She replied quietly.
He continued to smile;
"where you from?"
"Indiana, Sarge".
"And you did some hunting there?"
Rory nodded;
"but…I ain't like you. Folks say you're a real good shot, Sarge. And I seen it, with my eyes, Sarge. You took out them snipers in Foy real easy, huh?"
Shifty smiled softly;
"my daddy taught me how to shoot". He said, "now, see, daddy is a fantastic shot. When he first took me hunting, I was eight. And you know what he did?"
Rory shook her head;
"what'd he do, Sarge?"
"He closed his eyes". Shifty said, "and he shot that squirrel, good and clean. Between the eyes".
Rory's eyes widened a little;
"and your daddy's eyes were closed, Sarge?"
Shifty nodded;
"they sure were, Rory. I saw the whole thing".
"How come he could see without his eyes, Sarge?"
Shifty smiled;
"well, Rory…he used his ears". He told her, "he could hear that squirrel rustling around. He knew exactly where the critter was. And he shot 'um. And we had squirrel for supper that night. Now, that's a good bit of meat on a squirrel there, Rory. You ever had it?"
Rory nodded;
"yeah…it's nice, huh?"
"It is". Shifty confirmed. "Best meat around".
Licking her bottom lip, Rory stared down at her rifle.
With a frown, she said;
"I'm a little scared 'bout tonight, Sarge".
"You ain't got a reason to be". Shifty told her kindly, "you're with me tonight".
With a tiny smile, Rory looked up at him.
And nodded;
"that's good, Sarge".
Her eyes then found Jackson, who was sitting with Grant.
Frowning again, Rory whispered;
"you got a girl back home, Sarge?"
Shifty shook his head;
"oh, no, Rory". He mumbled softly, "but one day, I'll hopefully settle down and marry a nice young woman".
She looked up at Shifty again;
"you can live by the Blue Ridge Mountains, huh?"
He smiled;
"that's the plan, Rory".
Shifty pointed at her helmet;
"no helmets tonight, Rory". He reminded her, "full moon, huh? Nothing shines or rattles".
Nodding, she quickly took off her helmet and said;
"sure hope those Krauts ain't like your daddy, Sarge".
Shifty smiled a little;
"don't worry, Rory. They ain't from Virginia".