This Man's Army:
Ch. 1- Upham's Luck
Three bookish corporals hover over map tables like studious nerds the day before finals. They're breaking down and gridding field maps and covering them in plasticine; tedious, detailed work.
"I'm looking for Corporal Upham." Miller calls out as he strides into the small field office. The Corporals all stand at attention.
"Sir, I'm Upham." A black haired boy says saluting Miller.
Miller looks the boy over, he's lean and his shoulders stoop like those of most scholars.
"I understand you speak French and German,"
"Yes sir."
"How's your accent?"
"A slight one in French but my Germans clean with a touch of Bavarian." The nervous corporal states, Miller watches calculatingly trying to determine the character and the usefulness of the Corporal.
"Good, you've been reassigned to me, get your gear, we're going to Nueville."
Upham nearly trips over his own feet; he knows enough geography to know what that means.
"Umm sir, there are Germans up at Nueville."
Miller ignores him and studies a map with another aide. The aide looks at Upham sympathetically.
"That's my understanding Corporal."
Upham gulps, "Lots of Germans, sir."
Miller looks at him with a clear look of annoyance,
"That a problem, Corporal?"
"Well yes, sir, considering that I've never been in combat. I make maps and I translate."
"I need a translator, all mine have been killed." Miller explains turning back to the map. The blunt response from the Captain shocks Upham and he blinks a few times before arguing again.
"But sir, I haven't held a gun since basic training."
"Did you shoot it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well then there's no problem, it'll come back to you." Miller stands and starts to tell the Corporal to get moving when another G.I. steps up to the Captain.
"Captain Miller,"
"Yes Private?" Miller asks looking at the young man in aggravation.
"Colonel Anderson wants to speak with you, sir. I believe he has a battle tested translator."
Miller nods curtly and turns to Upham.
"Your damn lucky Upham."
With that he follows the Private to a group of officers and a private whose face is hidden by his helmet. Anderson gazes at the Private with disdain.
"Miller, this is Private Lee, we have a problem." Anderson says and pulls off Lee's helmet.
"A woman?" Miller asks in disbelief.
"Yes, and women are not allowed in combat," Anderson says as if to clarify this to the Private. "There for this little lady will be going home, which is why she's going with you."
"Excuse me sir, how is this supposed to help me?" Miller asks trying to control his anger.
"This little lady is rather talented. She speaks three different languages, and she made it through the first wave on the beach. That means she's been in battle and can help more than the Corporal who was supposed to go with you."
Anderson and Miller stare each other down, neither wanting to give up, but Miller relents and turns to Lee.
"Private, do you speak both French and German?"
"Yes sir." Lee says standing at attention and looking straight at her superior.
"How's your accent?"
"Clean for both, sir," Lee states smoothly.
"Good, you know how to handle that gun your carrying?"
Lee bites her tongue then replies,
"Yes, sir."
"Alright then, since I've got no other choice, you'd better follow me." Miller says and stalks off. Lee takes her helmet back from Anderson, mockingly salutes him and jogs after the Captain.
The squad is sitting haphazardly around joking when Wade notices the Captain returning and Lee following behind. The other guys' eyes bulge at the sight of a woman in army drab.
"Damn, who is she?" Reiben asks looking Lee up and down.
"Our new interpreter, pack up your gear boys we're leaving, now." Miller states and turns away.