Episode 10: He Got Game

February 6th – 12th


Chapter 383: Europe

Monday, February 6th, Morning

On non-patrol days or nights, they would still wake up and take part in Stand-To. After stand-to, they would do maintenance on Damageplan. This Dailey maintenance took longer since they were a crewman down. Staff Sergeant Keith J. "Tarheel" Scott went over their tank with a fine-tooth comb.

During this, he climbed up on the turret. He worked his way over to the commander's hatch. His gloved hand brushed an odd edge. Keith looked down to see the scar of the hit that took out Sergeant Garrison, the previous tank commander. Keith remembered having to clean out the commander's position, including a few personal mementos and Sergeant Garrison's blood.

Keith popped out of the turret and looked at the newly repaired and replaced turret fittings. The fitters did a hell of a job getting Damageplan back into shape, but they seemed to have forgotten to fill that one gouge in the armor. A knick from a piece of shrapnel. That's also what got Garrison, a simple piece of flying steel.

"Sergeant Scott!" A voice boomed to get Keith's attention over the noise of maintenance.

Keith turned in the hatch to see where the voice was coming from. Slowly, but purposely he scanned the area, searching, getting in some practice of one of his roles in commanding the tank. During his visual sweep, he found his platoon sergeant, Staff Sergeant Shoemaker, the new platoon sergeant, who stepped up to that role on the death of Sergeant Garrison. With Sergeant Shoemaker was a short, stoutly built soldier.

"Yes, Sergeant Shoemaker," Keith said.

"Are you able to talk, Sergeant Scott?" Sergeant Shoemaker asked.

"One moment, Sergeant," Keith said and finished what he was done. Once he finished, he pulled himself out of the hatch. Carefully, he made his way off the tank and over to Sergeant Shoemaker.

"How may I be of service, Sergeant?" Keith asked.

"Sergeant Scott, I'd like you to meet your new driver," Sergeant Shoemaker said.

"Yes, Sergeant," Keith said.

"Sergeant Scott, this is Private Derby," Sergeant Shoemaker said, "Private Derby, your new tank commander, Sergeant Scott."

"Private," Keith said.

"Sergeant," Private Derby said.

"I'll let you get to know each other," Sergeant Shoemaker said.

"Yes, Sergeant," Keith said.

Sergeant Shoemaker walked away. Keith looked at Private Derby; she was barely five foot three inches tall, strongly built, had tanned skin, and piercing green eyes.

"So, private, what is your first name?" Keith asked.

"Kerrie, Sergeant," Private Derby said.

"Okay, Kerrie, let's meet the rest of the crew," Keith said.

"Yes, Sergeant," Derby said.

Keith walked back to the tank, which Private Derby followed. At the tank, Keith looked it over. "Letty, Palmer, come meet our new driver," Keith said.

It took a moment, but Palmer and Letty finished what they were doing and went to meet Keith and Derby at the nose of the tank.

Keith nodded and looked over his now complete crew. "Private Derby, this is our gunner Specialist Halleck and our loader Private Masterson," Keith said.

"Nice to meet you, Derby," Palmer said.

"Nice to meet you. Masterson?" Derby asked.

"Yes, Masterson, but they call me Palmer," Palmer said.

"Palmer?" Derby asked.

"Long story," Palmer said.

"Okay," Derby said and turned to Letty.

"Nice to meet you, Private," Letty said.

"All mine, Specialist," Derby said.

"I'm sorry about your old tank commander," Derby said.

"Well," Letty said, unsure, "Thanks."

"Yeah, thanks," Palmer said.

Keith nodded, "Alright, let's finish up; we've got some training time scheduled after maintenance," he said.

"Training, Sergeant?" Derby asked.

"Yes, Private, training," Keith said.

"What type of training, Sergeant?" Palmer asked.

"Army Training, Palmer," Letty said with a laugh.

"We're taking Private Derby out on the track," Keith said.

"That's just the parameter of the camp, Sergeant," Letty said.

"Of course, we need to know how good we have it," Keith said, "Now, let's get this work done."

"Yes, Sergeant," The Crew said.

Keith nodded and returned to the turret to resume his maintenance. Every so often, he peeked his head out of the hatch and checked on the other three crewmembers. Once everything was completed, Keith and Palmer got into position to ground guide the tank out. Derby climbed into the driver's hole, and Letty kneeled nearby just encase Derby needed help.

After a few minutes of checks, Derby started up the tank. The turbine engine roared to life, bringing a smile to Keith's face. Letty dismounted and took up a position as a ground guide.

Slowly, they brought the tank out and lined it where the tank needed to be pointed. Satisfied, Keith had the crew mount up. Keith was the last one into position. He pulled on his CVC and ducked down to see how the turret crew was settling in.

"How are we, Palmer?" Keith asked.

"Doing good, Sergeant," Palmer said.

"Letty?" Keith asked.

"Still trying to get adjusted," Letty said, "Why do you have to be so big?"

"That's what she said," Palmer chimed in.

"She did say it," Derby replied over the intercom.

"Enough, are you go to go, Letty?" Keith asked.

"Yeah, I'm good to go," Letty said.

"Derby, ready?" Keith asked.

"Ready," Derby said.

"Driver, forward!" Keith ordered.

The tank lurched forward as Derby started the tank moving. Keith stood high in the turret and would direct Derby which way to go.

After a few hours of driving around, they went to the wash rack. The crew took the time to wash down the tank. Once finished, they returned to the tank park. Once the tank was secured, the crew started to head out. Keith walked up next to Letty.

"After chow, we'll work on your switchology and gunner stuff," Keith said.

"How are we going to do that?" Letty asked.

"I have Steel beasts on my laptop; it's good enough to get the basics down," Keith said.

"That's all, Sergeant?" Letty asked.

"I'm going to try and get us some range time so you can fire live rounds," Keith said.

"Is that possible, Sergeant?" Letty asked.

"I don't know; you know how it is when we're home," Keith said.

"Good point, Sergeant," Letty said.

"Well, let's get some chow, and we'll go from there," Keith said.

"Yes, Sergeant," Letty said.

The tankers nodded and headed to the mess hall.