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On the 11th of November, Easy lost Winters to Battalion Mess. Morale dropped in the Company. They knew they'd never get Winters back now and they dreaded going into combat with Sobel and without Winters. Also on the 11th, the Sergeants spotted a note on each notice board inside the huts, ordering them to the barn at 2000 hours. No one seemed to question the note – they all assumed it was written by Evans or a Platoon Sergeant – they never suspected it to be written by a group of Privates. Skip had written the notes and sneakily stuck them on each notice board. And just before the allocated time, Nelly hid behind a large straw bale and watched all the Sergeants walk inside the barn. She was making sure Evans didn't show up. If Evans was there, Nelly's plan would fail. Evans couldn't know – he was too friendly with Sobel.
"Where the fuck is Evans?" Salty grumbled.
"No idea". Talbert said through a yawn.
"Was it even him who planned this meeting?" Lipton questioned.
"Like you guys, I saw the notice and came along". Johnny Martin said.
Fifteen Sergeants showed up – five from each Platoon. Nelly waited until five minutes had gone by before she stepped out from behind the bale of straw. The men quietened down when they saw the girl. Toye pulled a face.
"Kid, what the hell are you doing here?" He asked. "It's for Sergeant's only".
Ranney shot Lipton a look. "Is this a joke?"
Lipton frowned. "I don't think so".
"Nelly, go back to the huts". Toye ordered her. "Alright? We've been stuck-up by Evans. There's no gossip here to tell your friends".
Licking her bottom lip nervously, Nelly stepped toward the table. "I have an idea...".
"Oh...you've 'gotta be kidding me...". Punchy let out a humourless laugh.
"What?" Talbert asked.
"Evans didn't write that damn note". Punchy said, "She did".
Toye let out a long sigh. "Oh, God, kid...what did you do?"
Ranney looked the most pissed off. "I'm not sitting around for a kid to tell me anything".
And Toye shot him a glare. "Hey – shut the hell up, Mike. That's my kid up there".
"She shouldn't be here, Joe". Ranney snapped.
But Lipton smiled at Nelly. "Well, I think she should be here, Mike. She organised the entire thing. It's her meeting".
Ranney snorted and shook his head. "Well, this is a waste of time". He stood up. "I'm not staying for this bullshit".
Nelly looked at the Sergeant. "Sit down, Sergeant".
Toye's lips twitched.
Ranney raised his eyebrow at Nelly. "Or what?"
"You don't have a plan, I do". She said, "I was an agent. I know what I'm talking about".
"I 'wanna hear it". Bull said, "I 'wanna hear what she has to say".
Punchy gave Nelly a nod. "Let's hear it, Nelly".
"When you start a resistance movement, you're better in numbers". Nelly said, "So, you all have to do it – it doesn't matter if it's...dangerous – "
"dangerous?" Guarnere nodded with approval. "I like this kid's style".
"When a strike happens, everyone goes on strike. And they don't back down until they get what they've earned". Nelly said, "So, you're all going to go on strike".
There was a spell of silence – where the men processed Nelly's words carefully.
"Mutiny?" Salty questioned.
Shooting him a frown, Nelly shook her head. But then shrugged. "Maybe".
"You want us to turn in our stripes?" Talbert questioned slowly.
She gave him a faint nod. "You'll...have to tell Colonel Sink".
"Tell him what exactly?" Martin asked.
"You won't serve with Easy as long as Sobel's in command".
Once again, there was a spell of silence. The Sergeants gazed at each other – trying to work out if a man was going to agree to Nelly's plan. And surprisingly, it was Ranney who agreed first.
"Solid plan". He said, "Crazy but good – I'll do it".
"Me too". Salty quickly said after Ranney.
"And me". Toye said while sending Nelly a friendly wink.
Guarnere shrugged. "Heh – don't got nothing better to do...I'm in".
"If that doesn't change Sink's mind, I don't know what will". Punchy smiled at her. "I'll do it".
"You're smart, buddy". Lipton said to Nelly softly. "I'm in".
It was refreshing to have all the Sergeants agree to Nelly's plan – and she tried not to show much excitement over that. Nelly left the rest up to them. And they decided to all write Sink a letter, informing the Colonel they would turn in their stripes if Sobel continued to command Easy Company. But the work didn't stop there – they still had to get Winters back.
"So, if Sobel goes...how do we get Winters back?" Talbert asked.
"Working on it". Punchy replied.
"Can't we just write; PS, bring back Winters". Guarnere gestured to the note.
"No, Bill". Lipton tried not to smile. "It's not as easy as that – as you know".
"Shit – I don't know, Lip". Guarnere murmured. "That's the problem – how're we 'gonna get the Quaker back?"
Toye pinched the space between his eyebrows with a sigh. "Bill...Winters ain't a damn Quaker".
"The guys from the fucking Amish people!" Guarnere exclaimed. "He's a Quaker".
Punchy held up his hand. "Children...". He teased with a smirk. "Settle down". And then he turned to Nelly with a smile. "You got any more good ideas, bub?"
"Do you have to like...write a letter of appeal for Winters?" Nelly asked him quietly.
"We could, you know". Ranney mused. "That might work".
Salty snorted. "Sink will be sick of our letters, Mike".
While the Sergeants discussed how to get Winters back, Nelly heard a creaking sound. Her eyes followed the sound, and she spotted Evans leaving the barn. He had been hiding. "Shit". She said.
"What?" Talbert frowned.
"Evans – Evans!" Leaving the top of the table, Nelly raced outside of the barn and saw the 1st Sergeant heading toward the manor where the Officers were billeted. "Sergeant!" She called out after him. Nelly sprinted away from the barn and raced up the path to catch up with him.
"Murray, go back". Evans ordered firmly.
"Where are you going?" Nelly didn't go back – she followed a few feet behind him.
"None of your damn business, Private".
"You're going to tell him". It wasn't a question. "You'll tell him...Sobel will tell Sink...and then my plan won't work".
Evans stopped marching and he spun around to face Nelly. "Yeah – I'm 'gonna tell him. Are you 'gonna stop me?"
Nelly frowned up at him. "It was my plan".
Evans's arms crossed over his chest. "I know". He glared down at her. "You're an idiot, Murray".
"Fine". She mumbled, "At least I'm not...a dick".
He huffed and turned his back to Nelly. "You'll be out of here by tomorrow". He said as he continued to follow the path. "I would say it was nice knowing you but...it wasn't".
"Fine!" Nelly yelled. "I don't care!"
Of course, that was a lie – Nelly didn't want to get kicked out of Easy.
"...I told you he was a snake!" Nelly heard Toye's booming voice from the bottom of the path.
"Calm down, Joe". Lipton said to him.
Nelly turned around and looked at her aggravated Sergeant.
Toye pointed at Ranney. "He invited Evans!" He yelled, "And he's put Nelly under the damn bus!"
"I didn't know that was 'gonna happen!" Ranney argued.
"You're a damn idiot, Mike!" Toye roared. "An idiot! And you've put my kid under the fucking bus!"
There was a tense silence. Nelly stuck her hands into her pockets and walked away from the wall. She had an hour left until lights out – not that it mattered if she was late anymore. There was a high chance Sink would get rid of her.
"Nelly, get back here, kid!" Toye called after her.
Her walk increased when she heard Toye's footsteps.
And eventually, Nelly's hands came out of her pockets, and she started to run.
"Hey!" Toye called after her, "Come back!"
But she continued to run.
"Kid – for God's sake!" However, Toye was faster. And he caught up with Nelly eventually. Hand grabbing her arm, he pulled the girl to a stop.
"Get off!" Nelly snapped. "Get off!"
"Hey, hey...". Toye said to her calmly. "Come on, kid...calm down – "
"calm?!" Nelly turned to face Toye, and she looked up at him. "I'm going to get kicked out!"
"We don't know that". Toye's voice had an edge to it.
"We do!" Her face crumbled. "I'm going – and I'll...I'll be alone again...".
Toye's heart broke in two.
Nelly choked out a tiny cry. "I don't 'wanna be alone again, Joe...".
He frowned and crouched in front of Nelly. "I'm not 'gonna let that happen, kid". His fingers pointed toward her chest. "You're in my squad until this fucking war ends – that's final".
She set her jaw to stop her face from crumbling again. Nelly wanted so badly to trust his words. But it was so uncertain. One thing was certain, however – no matter the outcome, Nelly was in a lot of trouble. "He'll yell at me?" She whispered.
"Yeah – Sink might yell at you". Toye told her. "But I'll be there – we're all 'gonna be there. You won't be alone".
"Promise?"
"Promise".
...
"...you have disgraced your company! I 'oughtta put you all in the guardhouse for the rest of your sorry lives! This is an act of mutiny, I 'oughtta have you all shot!" Sink roared at the Sergeants and Nelly. It was the morning after – Colonel Sink had gathered the NCOs and Nelly inside the barn. And the man was beyond angry. "You're all damn lucky I don't shoot you". He snapped. "We're soon approaching the invasion and I need all the Sergeants I can get – Ranney".
"Sir". Ranney said.
"I'm busting you to Private".
"Sir".
"Harris".
Harris stepped forward. "Sir".
"You'll be transferred out of my damn Regiment".
"Sir". There was a note of disappointment in his voice.
"You all got damn lucky...". Sink shot each of them a glare. "Private Murray".
Nelly's heart stopped. "Sir". She said quietly.
"Stay put". He said, "Rest of you – clear off – get!"
Standing at attention, the Sergeant's saluted Sink and formally left the barn. Once the double doors were closed, Sink lit up a cigarette and sat down at the table. Nelly's eyes looked over at him – while she tried to work out what might happen to her next. Nelly's ever hyperactive brain could only think of the worst-case scenarios. Every second that passed, felt like a minute. Nelly could feel a clammy sweat gather on the palms of her hands.
Raising his hand, Sink beckoned her over. "Stand at ease before me, Private". The Colonel wasn't shouting anymore. His voice had quietened but it was still firm. Nelly followed his command and stood before him however, her body was too tense to stand at ease. He took a long puff from his cigarette and flicked the ash into an ashtray after. "I'm not sure what to tell you, Private. I'm a little shocked". He said, "I would have never expected this from you".
Nelly's fingers nervously tapped against her leg. She could feel her heart threaten to burst out of her chest. Nelly didn't want to start begging. But she was close. Taking a small moment, she composed herself before talking. "I'm sorry, sir". Her voice sounded small and weak.
"I'll bet". Sink mumbled and then sighed. "You got caught red-handed, Private". His voice was verging on disappointment. "You went behind your Commander's back and orchestrated an act of mutiny".
Nelly blinked. And she had to break eye contact with Sink because she felt them sting and water with tears. She wanted to tell him everything – that Sobel wasn't a good leader, that he was conspiring against Winters. That the men didn't trust or respect their own Commander. But Nelly couldn't say a word. She wanted the floor to open and swallow her up.
"Now, in my Regiment, that's not acceptable behaviour". Sink continued. "This isn't the SOE, Private Murray. This is the American Army. We have strict rules to follow. And when a rule is broken, there should be punishment. You broke a couple of rules. One of which, is more serious than the other". He said, "So – "
"please, sir". Nelly's watery eyes looked at him.
Sink cleared his throat and told her lowly, "Private Murray, please get a hold of yourself".
Her chest was practically heaving with quick and uneven breaths. "I can't...I can't leave, sir". Nelly's voice verged on panic. "I don't know...know where I'll go...".
"Private Murray". Sink rose to his feet and took a step to the side. "Sit down".
Nelly looked up at him. "Nelson will...he'll...". Her breathing got quicker, more erratic. Nelly's legs turned to jelly; her body started to shake. It was getting hard to breathe – Nelly was having those similar feelings she had at the train station in Liverpool.
"Murry". Sink sent her a firm but kind look. "Sit down". He had to set a hand on her shoulders and push the girl down onto the chair he once sat on. And once Nelly was sitting, Sink leaned against the table and looked down at her. "You will not be leaving my Regiment".
Nelly looked up at him. Her sweaty hands gripped her trousers tightly. And her jaw was wired shut, to keep the tears from falling.
"And you won't be leaving Easy Company". Sink added.
Eyes closing, she could feel her bottom lip faintly quiver.
"Or Aldbourne". He said, "Until December – that's your punishment, Private Murray". Sink frowned softly at the girl. "As much as I...dislike your plan. I'm impressed".
Nelly opened her eyes and looked back up at him.
His lips twitched. "The girl I met in Camp Mackall, would never have done something so ballsy. I think you found some courage, Private Murray. And as much as I respect your courage, I don't respect your approach. However, I've turned a blind eye to the matter at hand. I'm a proud man, Private Murray. I'm proud of my Regiment, my Officers and my enlisted men. Captain Sobel did a fine job at getting Easy Company into shape and prepared for combat". Sink pushed himself off the table and stared down at the girl. "You've proven yourself a loyal soldier to the enlisted men, Private Murray. I can respect that – now, on your feet. Wipe your eyes".
Scrubbing her eyes, Nelly rose to her feet. She looked up at Sink.
"I'll take my leave". Sink said, "You get yourself cleaned up and composed, Murray".
With a faint nod, Nelly saluted the Colonel.
"' Atta girl". And with a twitch of his lips, Sink saluted her back and then left the barn.
As soon as he left, Nelly slumped back onto the chair. Elbows resting on her legs, she buried her head into her hands and tried to slow her breathing down. Trapped in her own world, she didn't hear a pair of footsteps approaching. And she didn't acknowledge Toye crouching before her.
"You alright, kid?"
Hearing his voice, Nelly nodded into her hands.
Toye gave her knee a gentle squeeze. "You did good...okay? You did good, Nelly".
She exhaled shakily.
"How about a cake at Jean's bakery? My treat". Toye offered.
Nelly's hands left her face.
Toye sent her a kind smile.
"What about breakfast?" Nelly asked him quietly.
"Well...I won't tell if you won't". Toye joked lightly.
"What can I get?"
"Anything you want". Toye replied lightly.
Nelly got up from the chair and looked up at him. "Chocolate cake?"
"Yeah – you can have a slice of – "
"all of the cake?"
Toye snorted. "Don't push your luck". He said, "You can have one slice".
"Right...but I just saved Easy, so...". A tiny smirk met Nelly's lips.
Toye raised his eyebrow. "One slice – final".
Nelly faked a disappointed sigh. "Okay".