Last time on 'A Band of Heroes'
"Rory, Rory Sobel I am sad to say. And your company Perconte?" I asked filling out the form.
"And there you are. If Sobel has anything to say about this you just tell him to take it up with me." I said handing him the slip.
"I am talking about revenge." He said.
WPOV- The day after the bar.
"You have two minutes to change into your PT gear; were running Curahee." Sobel ordered before stomping out of the barracks. We had all just been enjoying a little break but once again we found that good things only last for small moments. That reminded me, I still could not run very well and I found that talking to Sobel was one of the most unpleasant things I have had to do. I decided to get it over with and ran out of the barracks and onto the gravel way. Sobel was impatiently waiting right outside so I did not have to walk far.
"Sir, the nurse told me I should take it easy on my ankle, for just a few days at least." He whipped around to meet me with cold dark eyes. God I wonder how Rory can stand that. I seriously did not mind running and I would rather be there to support the men but I knew that if my ankle never healed right than I would meet problems down the way.
"What did you say, soldier?" His icy tone rang through the humid air.
"Ah, it was advised that I should take it easy on this foot." I repeated painstakingly slow.
"Oh really well who told you this. I would like to speak with them if they think they can just order one of my men not to do his basic physical fitness while everyone else has too! You are training to be a paratrooper you are not one! You still have a long way to go." He yelled right in my face as most of Easy Company gathered around. I could see some rolling their eyes at his little speech. I mean I know where he is getting at but if I don't let it heal properly than I might as well be out of the Airborne.
As he was waiting for an answer I thought back to yesterday. Rory had said to let him know it was her but for some reason I really don't feel as though that is the smartest thing to do…but I guess she knows best and they are married.
"Rory Sobel, sir. She prescribed that I should rest." I said confidently.
"Easy Company you will start this run with you there." He said pointing to Guarnere. Damn he did not even know their names…
"I must take care of some business. Dick you will stay here and wait until I return. The rest start. Now!" Sobel ordered before storming away. I wonder why he is so mad all the time.
I stood at attention while he walked off towards the hospital. Oh god I hope nothing bad happens to Rory. She was just doing her job. While thinking about this Nixon appeared behind me.
"Hey Dick how is that ankle going for you?" He said causally.
"Just fine, you know getting me in trouble, putting me through pain; you know the drill." I said.
"Yeah did Sobel get you already?" Nixon asked.
"Yep on his way to do the dirty deed now. But Nix you aren't going anywhere right now are you?"
"No…why?" He asked with interest.
"Cause I want to make sure that Rory is okay but I cannot leave here so…"I trailed off.
"Yeah sure got nothing better to do, I mean it's not like I have to be training or anything here." he said winking before jogging off to the hospital.
RPOV
I had just finished restocking one of the shelves when I could distinctly hear a crashing noise followed by my name. Damn I wonder who that could be. Huh maybe it is my husband because I can never get enough of that scream. No…why would he be mad at me? Okay so maybe it was him or it could be some guy coming to congratulate me that Sobel is dead because one of his soldiers finally snapped. Ah, but that was not so because then something hit me. Oh yeah its reality, that big cold hearted whore that I know so well, really we play bridge together and everything.
"RORY WHERE ARE YOU!" Sobel yelled again from the entrance of the hospital. Well captain obvious I don't know. There are just so many places I could hide in this five roomed hospital. I guess to find out maybe you could actually look to your left asshole.
"Ah Herbert can I help you?" I said calmly walking over too him but staying within swinging arm distance.
"Don't act like that to me! Stand at attention to your superior!" He screamed in my face. I awkwardly stood at attention because I had never been required to do such.
"Why did you tell Dick Winters that he could get out of running!?" he questioned me; still yelling. Ah I am not deaf but if you keep screaming maybe I will be. Not that it would be that bad…
"Because his ankle needs to heal properly…sir." I said 'sir' with a smirk which earned me a good slap across the face. But I still stood at attention and kept my face emotionless even though it stung horribly.
"Well I don't give a good god-damn! You do not make orders here; I DO!" And with that he sucker punched me right in the gut. I stumbled back a little but then snapped back into attention; determined not to show my pain.
NPOV (Right Before)
I was going over to the hospital to check on Rory when I could hear a furious scream coming from that direction. After the second scream I could hear that whoever was yelling was yelling 'Rory'. I quickly picked up my pace until I was right outside the hospital. A women's and man's voice could be heard inside. I peered in from one of the windows to see Rory and Sobel. He was screaming in her face while she calmly answered but only to get a slap across the face. From the far right I could make out at least five other guys hiding in the corner. My attention was quickly back on Rory when she was sucker punched in the gut before bravely staying where she was. I started up the stairs and ran in as fast as possible only thinking of Rory.
But when I got in Sobel was so distracted by Rory that he did not notice me come in but Rory did. Secretly she signaled me to go but I refused. That was until I saw the raw look of intensity painted on her face; I quickly jogged over to the other boys who stood motionless against the abiding wall.
I heard Sobel clomp away from the hospital before he murmured something to her. Only seconds later did Rory appear from behind the wall and ushered us all in the main part of the hospital. Silently she wrapped Guarnere's arm before lifting from the floor and confronting us all; Malarkey, Randleman, Tipper, and Powers.
"Listen what has happened here is not up for discussion. You will not speak of this too anyone. It…was just a onetime thing. He is probably under a lot of stress right now." She said quietly looking into each of our eyes. On her face you could see Sobel's hand outline turning a sickening purple. We all just looked at her in horror.
She sighed and then added "Thank you for not stepping in; if you did then we would all be in so much more trouble." And with that she walked over to her station and amerced herself in her work almost immediately; a sign for us that we were dismissed.
I waited until all the men were gone and approached her. I placed my hand on hers and she quickly looked up; tears in her eyes. I even surprised myself a little by my daringness.
"Rory." Was all I got to say before she cut me off again.
"You do believe me right?" she asked with desperation. Of course I did not believe her, I knew something more was going on but why let her know that?
"Of course, I understand. But Rory what are you going to do? How can I help?" When I saw her get hit I had wanted to tackle Sobel right then and there. I had never felt that kind of anger but next time I did not know if I could remain civil.
"Revenge." She said simply but I could see her eyes glinting with a mischievous look. A smirk played on her lips before she got up and put an arm around my shoulders.
"See Nix its revenge or whack him over the head with a flat iron. Oh and trust me either one works for me. Does Easy Company have leave this week?" She said at first joking around but then turned serious.
"Well they have the rest of today off for sure but I doubt anyone will escape the wrath of Sobel and his pass revoking powers." I said with a smirk.
"Good, good do you think I could meet up with you guys tonight at the pub?" She asked wistfully.
"Sure, most are probably going there anyways. Although Speirs might not come unless you promise not to bring blush with you"I said. Where is she going with this…?
"Great then I will see you all tonight! Now I must get back to my work."She said adding a skip in her walk.
She was so mysterious. One moment quiet and glum and the next she was planning her evening with the boys. I really hope this all works out.
RPOV (Later that night; at the Pub)
"Hey boys!" I called over to a group of Easy men.
"Hey Rory! Have a seat right ova here' why don't cha?" Guarnere said patting his lap. He seemed to be acting like nothing happened earlier which was a HUGE relief. After finding a comfortable position on his lap I leaned in too Luz and Compton's conversation.
Compton sensing I was listing then proceeded to say "Yeah and he was all like wearing his PT shirt with like a navy blue short instead of royal blue…like." Luz looked at him as though he had turned into Sobel himself but upon seeing me he caught on and laughed.
"Okay I don't want to bother your little gossip fest but I need to discuss some things with you all. And I promise to leave some time at the end so you can rant about Sobel's new pallid socks, cause I am just a nice person and those socks look ridiculous on him." Everyone around us laughed but waited for me to elaborate on what I wanted to talk about.
"Well you know last time how we talked about playing that prank on Sobel? Well I have been thinking…"I trailed off only to be interrupted up Luz wailing "Oh NO! Rory has been thinking! AH!" I rolled my eyes and cuffed him over the head earning a few more laughs and a groan from Luz.
"This prank will have two parts. There will be some sacrifice involved but nothing to serious. Boys were going to embarrass our Captain in front of the big boys." From there I had gotten all of the men in Easy Company's attention. And that's when we started to plan the a prank that would stay in Airborne history and our hearts.
RPOV on Monday right before daily inspections.
"Okay so make sure that this is at the top of your footlocker." I told Muck before handing him a pornography magazine. We were right outside the barracks when we could hear Sobel's unreasonably loud footsteps coming down the path. I shoved him to the door and watched from a back window.
Everyone stood at attention when he trampled in. He yanked open a few footlockers sending their contents flying. The magazine peered from one catching Sobel's eye. He quickly grabbed it and spun around on his heel facing them with the magazine in the air.
"Pornography; contraband!" He yelled before tossing it on the bed. Most people would not have been as perceptive as I had but if you really paid attention to Sobel you would have seen him take a sizing glance over at the magazine. Ha just like a fish. He has taken the bait. Too bad the bait wasn't poison…
After a few more meaningless pass revokisions and the order to get ready to do the obstacle course they were out. Emptied; Sobel peered around until the coast was clear and pocketed the magazine in his coat; all while I watched from the back window. I snickered at the thought that I had made Sobel go down to this level of depravation, so much that he was willing to steal someone else confiscated porn. Actually I glowed inside a little. And that's all you're getting too.
After phase one of the prank was done I decided to go back to work even if it was my day off. On my way to the hospital I spotted Sobel's barracks; because he thought himself higher than to sleep in the same place his men do. Jogging up the stairs I peeked in too see that it was empty for the time being. I saw Sobel's footlocker in the back corner of the room, tucked away from the rest of the room. Getting down on my knees I rummaged through to find at the very bottom, the pornography magazine. Like they say a wife knows her husband well.
With confidence I strode out from the tent/building and waited. In ten minutes Colonel Sink would be doing a random check through the officer's footlockers. The only reason we knew this was because Nixon was the intelligence officer there and had caught word of it. I waited until I saw the mass of white PT gear coming up the gravel way. Panting and sweating Easy Company jogged in; but with smiles on their faces that made my heart glow. Okay what's with all this glowing? I might as well BE a glow stick.
Colonel Sinks 'crew' of inspectors walked down the gravel way in formation towards the officer barracks. As they walked by us they all snapped a salute which I also did; okay well attempted. Instead I brought my legs together really hard and fast and lost my balance landing into someone's muscled arms.
What was even more embarrassing was the fact that Sink had seen and had chuckled at the sight; as well as most of the Easy boys I was friends with. Balancing on my own two feet I spun around to see Dick there; his face bright red, although I don't know if it was from catching me or from exercising.
After that little show and the inspectors in the barracks Easy crowded around the windows to see inside. When I looked in I could see Sobel just running in; probably JUST now hearing about it. The man needed some friends. When Sink finally came too Sobel's footlocker; well aware that there were more than seven eyes upon him, and opened it.
On the side the magazine was burrowed but it seemed as though that was all Sink saw. Ripping the magazine from under the other random items he took one quick glance at it and then back at Sobel. And trust me Sobel was quite the sight. His face a bright crimson, a soldier holding him back from stopping him, and the constant starting of sentences.
Although from the window it was hard to hear everything or see everything while staying out of sight. This proved to be too much because then without saying anything Sink walked out of sight. A rough 'ach hem' could be heard to our right which made us all jump; especially me. He signaled us in with such defiance and silence that we were all what you would call 'nervous in the service'. When we had all gotten in formation, although I just kind of randomly stood there Sink addressed us all.
"You all should know better than too ease drop! May I ask why you where even near here?" He asked one of the Privates.
"Sir, we wanted to see if our Captain abides the same rules we do. We were interested in seeing if he lived up to his own standards." He replied, weakly but believable.
Sink nodded and thought for a moment. He then turned to Sobel who in turn coward beneath him.
"You are aware Herbert that pornography is contraband is it not?" he ridiculed.
"Yes, sir." He replied meekly.
"And so then you are aware that when someone has these infractions they must be punished like you do to your men?" he questioned harshly.
"Yes, sir." He replied back.
"Then it only seems fitting to let Easy Company decide your punishment." Wait what? Ah double take here. Okay so this was just supposed to be about him getting caught; but this was MUCH better. Deciding his punishment?! Oh this was going to be good.
Turing to us Sink then said "I trust that what you pick will be good enough. Now I better not find any of you in my office for punishment anymore either! Finnegan let's go." He ordered to his orderly. We watched in amazement as he marched out and on to the next barracks.
Sobel stood there in disbelief; not yet registering what had just happened. Winters finally broke the silence by ordering everyone out and saluting Sobel also. Once we all got out into the blazing sun we looked at each other and started to crack up. Maybe it was the sheer power in our hands or maybe it was just the heat but either way, we had won in the end.
Back at Easy's barracks all of them were sprialed out on their beds or hung around as they talked amongst themselves about Sobel's punishment. We were not going to get anywhere if we just sat around and talked about it…we had to do it.
"HAS ANYONE SEEN A BLACK LACE BRA ANYWHERE?!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. At the mention of 'lace' and 'bra' the men perked up. It was like some kind of call to the human man. They were all staring at me soon after, okay well that's one way to get their attention…
"Okay boys now that I have gotten your valued attention we need to discus something."
"Wait does that mean there is no bra?" One of the men in the back asked. Others joined in. I just chuckled and nodded.
"Well no lost one at least." I winked over at some of the boys closer to me and they turned bright red but were grinning. I heard a few cat calls before they all got a hold of themselves.
"We need to figure out a good punishment for Sobel. This is a group effort so come on, what are some suggestions?"
Punishment day
We had spent half the night deciding just exactly what we were going to do. We pretty much mixed the best ideas together to make a quite…different punishment. I stayed over with them that night also sharing a bunk with Luz because I think even if they did not think he was beating me going home right now would pretty much guarantee I would be. Of course he never noticed because he was snuggling with his scotch and other whores like vodka. I am so jealous that I am not the one being cuddled. Oh damn.
Walking over to Nixon who was leaning against one of the jeeps I handed him the bag. He looked down into it and laughed "Rory you are some women." Inside contained a black lace bra that Sobel was required to wear. Childish? for him to wear that? Nah and if it is reduce my boob size and put me back in preschool because I would rather be a kid and see this.
A few seconds later Sobel cccamme oouuut. I could no longer hold my laughter as I joined the rest of Easy Company. I was practically crying when I saw him it was so hilarious. Wearing only boxers, my lace bra (that I am never using again) and some random notes on him he glared at us before stopping when Sink came outside from one of the tents. Even under Sink's rough exterior I could tell that he was on the verge of joining our laughter.
Straitening up he grinned and stood there expectantly. Sobel watched us through narrowed eyes, hatred burning into each of us as he attempted to keep his pride.
"HEIGH HO SILVER! I AM SINK'S BITCH!" he yelled before running in the direction of Curahee. He said it loud and heartily, I would give him that and the fact that he gave me a good laugh for the day. I looked over at Sink who was still trying to fight that smile that kept trying to break from his rough shell.
He turned to me and asked "And ms Rory what does this have to do as a punishment?"
"Well I think of it as the boy's emotional way of saying that they are always been humiliated when running up Curahee with him which is why he is wearing just boxers. Because it is like a symbol of humility."I recited what we had rehearsed right before in case of this situation.
"And the bra?" He asked looking over at me.
"Oh that's just my own personal thing. And I know at this you must be wondering why a wife would be part of something like this against her own husband but sir I find it therapeutically in a way. And Easy Company and I have grown close seeming as they are Herbert's boys." I replied.
"Well I don't blame you for wanting in on this action. But this is still the army and we still need to focus." He said.
"Yes well think of this not only as a learning experience for us all but think of it as a morale booster." I said thoughtfully.
"Very well but how is this educational?"
"You learned what the soldiers think about him and I think we all learned that he looks ridiculous in a bra." I said giggling.
He chuckled before heading back off seeming as the excitement had gone down. Before I knew it two large calloused hands wrapped around my waist and I was lifted high in the air until I was set down on some broad shoulders. It was only Bull so I enjoyed the ride. He did a victory lap around and through the men as they cheered for me and my idea. When he put me down I smoothed down my polka dot dress before addressing them.
"Thank you, thank you. Well first of all I would like to thank…"
Mkay. A sweaty brayed man in boxers who is extremely angry is the most entertaining thing in the whole world! We had all been sitting in the shade playing cards and lazing around when he stormed up to us. Little did we know what consequences was in store for us, okay so mainly me but that makes me sound bad so let's just say everyone.
Lol that was funny =) He he i thought of this on my 15 hour train trip. Ya so I am home for just tonight before I am gone again =( But i will have internet for a little while so I will try to update again sometime this week. This chapter was a fun one but intense in the begining so i am going to start getting a little more serious I just thought it would be fun to have a little Sobel fun. Hey if you want to know the orginal prank i was going to do to Sobel pm me and i will tell you and then if people give me the okay then i will also fit that in somewhere, it was a really debated prank so ya.
And OMG people 19 reviews!? You are so nice to me! Thanks CaptianTy, Runaway4ever,ber1719, and anon. You all are amazing reviewers and they ALWAYS inspire me to write!
So with that I hope to hear from you all and those silent readers! Your reviews are just...AMAZING! =)