Hi All,
Always thank you to BobtheFrog for the review *hugs*. And also thank you for the new followers and readers who favorited this story. You guys are the reason I keep writing.
As usual, this chapter is un-beta-ed and since English is not my first language, if you have any ideas or see any mistakes, please poke. I'll really appreciate it.
This chapter still take Easy men POV. I hope you like it ^_^ and please leave your review. I really want to know what you think.
Lipton
As Easy's First Sergeant, it's my job to maintain the integrity of the company, especially with Dike as our CO. I didn't mind that, even though George started to call me Momma Lipton. When George first called me that in front of Captain Winters and Captain Nixon, Nixon asked "So I'm now the cool uncle like Dick, right?" and George said "You're really desperate, Sir" which made Captain Winters laughed out loud. I would like to know the background story of that.
"Hey, Lip"
"Yeah boy."
"Jesus! I still hate your verbal tick."
I chuckled, "And I thought we've known each other for two years. What happened, Bill?"
"It's George, Lip. Well, actually it's Becca. We haven't heard about her since the assault in Bastogne last night. We know the Colonel's fine, but Becca was in the aid station. Ya know…the church… And it's been bombed. Babe told me. He knows from Gene. Gene's friend, a nurse, died in that building."
Dear Lord! "And how's George right now?"
"He's still doing his job. Good as usual, professional as hell. But he's a little bit…off? Like a robot, ya know. He's not joking around and not as asshole as usual."
Well that just bad. Bill tried to say it lightly, but I was sure that he's extremely worried about George.
"I'll do my best, Bill. Thanks for telling me."
I found George in his foxhole, fixing his radio. I crouched on the edge of his foxhole. "How are you doin', George?" He looked up and I could say that Bill was not exaggerating. George's face was pale and there's no mischievous glint in his eyes like usual. "Peachy." he said. His grin was so forceful it looked scary.
"Your radio broken?"
"Nah…just removing the ice on the microphone. The ice can make the radio won't start. We'll be damned if that happened….There…done." He exhaled heavily before add "Bill told you about Becca, didn't he? That's why you're looking for me, right? Don't worry Lip. Death is expected in the war anyway. I just need some time."
"She's still MIA, George. No confirmation yet about her death."
His laugh was the most sarcastic laugh I've ever heard "Don't insult my intelligence, Lip. Becca's in the aid station when the fucking Luftwaffe bombed the city. And said aid station is now a ruble. Gene's friend was dead on that very building." He steeled himself and then add "It's hurt enough to hear that she's in that building, Lip. I don't want to keep my expectation too high. It's saver to be a pessimistic at this point of time. I still pray for her, though. Wherever she is right now, dead or alive, I hope she found peace."
"George…"
"Lip…Thanks for this mother-hen treatment…but I'm an adult, for fuck's sake. And a badass paratrooper, mind you. I not going to cry like some teenage girl or some shit like that. I just need time to be alone. That's all. I won't let you down, Lip. I won't let Easy down. Trust me, okay? Now, unless we're gonna cuddle, why don't you go the fuck to your foxhole and have some shut-eye. You've been patrolling two nights in a row, Lip. You gonna get pneumonia."
Leave it to George to worrying for other people while he himself was in distress. I patted his back "Alright. If that's what you want. Just take care of yourself, okay? We need you. You can talk to me anytime, George."
"Thanks Mom. Oh…while we're on it, can you pass me the broom? I need to sweep the pieces of my shattered heart off the floor." he smiled; try too hard and too soon for making a joke again. The smile was still sad but at least it's not a forced one.
"Smartass."
"Night, Lip. Sleep tight, don't let the Krauts bite."
I nudge his head before leaving him alone again in his foxhole; now clicking his zippo lighter and stared at the fire.
George's mood lifted a bit, however, when Peacock was being sent back to the state, courtesy of the generous Captain Nixon. He even 'congratulates' the oblivious Peacock. The stupid Lieutenant was blushing and grinned, "Thanks, guys. I mean, it really means a lot, you know?" in which George looked like he has to restrain himself not to slap the Lieutenant right in the head. Well, I can see all the men present on the 'farewell party' have the same impulse.
After Peacock gone, George and I walk toward the rancid smell of Joe Domingo's beans since it's chow time. We met Captain Nixon half way; he's walking toward the CP since Colonel Sink was said will come along with the camera crew (what for, I have no idea).
"Sir, now you really are the cool uncle. Thanks a lot. Do I have to get in the line to kiss you?" George said.
Nixon laughed "No kiss necessary, George. And welcome back to the living." Even the Officers feel bad for George.
George smiled a little and shrugged "One step at a time, Sir."
Toye
Hitler's a fucking dead meat! I couldn't wait to slit his throat with my knife. His army has made me wounded and forced me to leave my buddy several time. This time, I was hit by a piece of shrapnel in my wrist. A gift from Luftwaffe for New Year's Day. I had a row with Doc Roe because I didn't want to go to aid station but he switched on his badass persona that, to be honest, was quite scary. I managed to checked in with Malark before leaving, so he could take over my squad and assisting Bill, and the Mick had the gall to said "You lucky son of a bitch". Lucky my ass!
I hate aid station. It can mess your mind. The moaning of wounded soldiers was endless. I'd better guard the OP than staying here. As soon as they finish patched me up, I would get the hell outta here.
To keep my mind sane, I decided to hum 'I'll be seeing you'. It's my favorite song. If I were in the front line, Babe would tell me to cut it out but I would sing anyway. That ginger baby was not the boss of me.
Shit! I missed my buddies already.
"Oh, Jesus! Please stop humming, Soldier! You made us suffer even more." said a somewhat familiar female voice.
I stood up from my bed abruptly "Holy fuck! Becca?! It's that you?"
The female voice gasped "Toye? Joe Toye?"
And then I saw her. She struggled to wake up from her bed. Her left hand on a sling and her head was wrapped with bandage. I immediately rushed into her bed.
"Becca! We thought you're dead."
"I thought I was dead too, Joe. They found me under the ruble. Renee…Gene's friend…she managed to push me to safety…but she didn't make it." Her voice broke.
"Jesus…Why you're not telling us you're alright? George's devastated when he heard Bastogne was attacked and the church was bombed."
"Really? Oh my God. He's gonna be pissed with me. I promised him to stay safe. I should have stay in the Colonel's office. I want to write, Joe, but the nurses won't help me. They said I had to fully recover first."
"Are you kidding me? He's gonna be so happy he'll shitting rainbows if he know you're still alive."
"You really think so?"
"Of course! You're his Princess, for fuck's sake! Listen…", I lowered my voice, "I wanna leave this shithole as soon as possible and hitchhiked back to the front. You wanna come with me? You can get up, right?"
She nodded but before she can say anything, the head nurse (who I think is a reincarnation of a hag) started bitching and pushed me back to my bed. She also berated Becca for "acting like a loosed woman by working with bunch of idiot men that jumped from an airplane instead of becoming a nurse". I saw Becca's face was reddened with anger but she kept her mouth shut. I wish I had my brass knuckles with me to beat that hag senseless.
But the opportunity to go AWOL only occurred two days later, on January 3rd. The hag was conveniently being puked by one of the wounded soldier when we managed to slip out of the aid station. We're walking around to find vehicle that willing to bring us to the front when we heard the Colonel shout.
"What the hell you think you're doing, Private Jones?! You're still in recovery. And you too, Sergeant Toye."
We reflexively snapped into attention.
"We wanna head back to the line with the fellas, Sir." I said.
"Pah…You Easy men will give me ulcer with your AWOL tradition. But you, Becca, what the hell would you do in the front? If you want to go AWOL, you should go back to my office."
"I...I…" she stuttered.
"You wanna see Luz, don't you?" I could swear to God that the Colonel's eyes were twinkling with amusement. Becca's face herself looked like a very ripe tomato.
The Colonel seemed took pity on her, because he said "Get on the jeep, both of you. I want to go to Easy CP, anyway. Escorting the camera crew." He literally spat the last sentence as if he disgusted with it.
In the jeep, Becca whispered to me "You go first meet the boys, Joe. I'll follow later. But don't tell anyone that I come with you."
"Why?"
"Um…I wanna make a surprise?" She looked unsure. I'm sure her real reason was to buy some time to muster up her courage to meet George. Which was absolutely unnecessary, in my opinion. George will be happy beyond believe.
"Becca…George will be happy to see you alive. Trust me."
"Just…promise me you won't say anything, okay? Or I'll crush your nuts."
"Jesus, Becca! Aggressive much?"
Not that I scared or anything, but my hand covered my precious nuts for the rest of the ride. Constant vigilance.
Skip
I'm sure Dike has brain. Somewhere in that big and stupid head of his. I just hope he would find it before we attack Foy. Thank God there're four people, in my opinion, that made us survive in this freezing hellhole: Lipton, Father Maloney, Doc Roe and George. They were the real hero. With incompetent asshole as our CO and death everywhere, they're our, well at least for me, last beacon of hope. Lipton as our surrogate leader, Father Maloney as our badass chaplain, Doc as our guardian angel, and George as our resident jester.
George's change after the attack of Bastogne was affecting us. The days felt grayer without his usual stellar jokes and impersonation. He still goofing around, but it was bland compared his usual crazy performance. I felt sorry for him. It's like he's trying to mask his own sadness to keep our morale up.
When I told him and Penk that I swum across the Niagara once, for example, George's responds was short. Well…at least he's smiling (appreciating my idiocy, I think), but no further comment he usually would give. Then he teased me on Faye (a very lame of "ah, sweet Faye Tanner") and I can't help to notice longing on his voice. Can't blame him; I might be more wreck if something happened with Faye.
This morning Colonel Sink came with the camera crew and we're ordered to put smiley faces for people back home. Even though I couldn't understand why the hell people state-side need morale support (we're the one who being peppered by Krauts, for fuck's sake), I put my best smile and goofing around with Penk in front of the camera. I imagined Faye would see this footage and she will be glad if she can see that I'm doing fine, albeit freezing my ass off.
Colonel Sink also brought another surprise. Joe Toye went AWOL from the hospital (an Easy Company tradition, along with getting shot in the ass) and hitchhiked back to the front line. That badass motherfucker.
One peanut replacement asked for trouble when he asked about Toye's 'injury'. I saved him from Johnny's bitchy rant about the difference of 'wounded' and 'injured' and give the kid introduction to the rest of the men on the emphasis on their wounds, except George, who has never been hit. Lucky bastard.
"I hope he can share his lucky streak to me, Skip. I surely need one." said a familiar female voice.
The crowd went silent. Holy Mary, Jesus and Joseph! It's Becca. It's really her. Her left hand was hanged on a sling and most likely she got a gash on her forehead because she's wearing bandage on her head. She also slightly limped when she walked.
There's a clang sound that I think's it's someone's canteen fell on the ground and a second later there's a shadow past me. Suddenly, Becca's in on George's embrace.
"I thought you're dead" I can hear George repeatedly whispered the sentence. Over and over.
"I thought I was too. Renee saved me." Becca said; her voice's a little shaky. I gave her credit for not crying like other women usually did in this particular sappy moment. She's one hell of a strong lady.
I'm so happy for them. I admit my eyes a little bit wet at that time. I immediately thought about Faye, as if I couldn't miss her any more than I already did. Maybe when this war is over, Faye and I could have this kind of reunion.
Frank, who finally snapped from his surprise, yelled and started us "Mommy's back!"
George released his hug from Becca but still kept one of his hands on the small of her back. He said "Apparently Joe Domingo's rancid ass beans were not enough to gag a maggot. She's not your Ma, midget! Go brush your teeth!"
And with that, the old George Luz was back.
I hugged Becca carefully; don't want to crush her injured arm "Jesus! You got us scared, Becca."
Liebgott hugged her too, "Nah…She's tough. Like a roach. You can't kill a roach."
Becca laughed and said "I can see your asshole skill aren't lacking, Joe. How's your bladder?" George's face lit up when he heard her laugh.
Bill patted her back affectionately "You went AWOL with Toye, didn't you? That motherfucker didn't say anything."
Joe Toye shouted from the chow line "She said it's a surprise. She threatened to fucking crush my nuts, Bill. And I love my nuts in perfect condition."
Doc came closer. Becca removed herself from us and hugged him. "I'm sorry about Renee. She saved my life."
Doc blinked his eyes and his voice was hoarse when he said "'s okay, Chérie. I just glad you're safe. Don't make us scared again, okay?"
Maybe this Renee girl was Doc's love interest? Who would have known? I felt sorry for Doc.
Unfortunately, Lipton cut the joyful atmosphere with an announcement. "Sorry, boys…and Becca...we have to move again. We headed back to our old position. Get ready." He then asked George to escort Becca back to the Colonel's jeep. It's very kind of him to give them a short time together.
When we arrived at our old position, the woods overlooking Foy, we noticed that the trees were mostly shredded into toothpicks. The 1st battalion left some 'gift' that was majestic feces in most of the foxhole. We can conclude that the Krauts rained this area with their 88s but there were big shell holes that indicate heavier arties, probably 170mm. But there's no other way. We have to hold the line.
Another thing, General Taylor was back from his 'vacation' ("lemme shove me boots and me rotten feet on that scallywag's ass!" Bill said) and told us, via Captain Winters, to "Watch those woods in front of you". What the fuck did he think we had been doing while he's warming his ass in Washington? ("Is shoving my used-ass-wipe to our Commanding General's mouth can make me court-martialed?" George asked)
There's nothing we could do other than reinforced our foxhole. Penk and I were covering our foxhole with branches when George come, dragging heavy branches with him
"Hey, Skip…Penk…need help?"
"Yeah sure…Thanks George." I said. We arrange the branches so it's covering half of the foxhole.
"You want to use some stiffs? I can drag some for you." George offers.
Many of us use stiff Kraut corpse to fortify the foxholes. It offers more protection than branches, but I don't have the heart to 'disgrace' a corpse, even it's a Kraut.
"No thanks, George. You finished your foxhole?" Penk asked.
"I'll just crash in someone's foxhole."
"You can join me and Penk here."
"And Malark? I thought you three were joined in the hips."
"He got patrol order." I said.
"Yikes…"
"How's Becca?"
George's face lit up in an instant "She's great."
"I can see that. She's one hell of a Lady."
"Yeah…she's beauty, she's grace, she'll punch you in the face." George said fondly. It's a major difference from the George we saw several days before. He got his colors back. And a happy George Luz means a Happy Easy Company. We got all the benefit.
They always said if you can hear the shells, you'll be OK.
We didn't.
And this afternoon, we experienced the worst shelling Easy has endured in war so far.
The worst thing of being shelled is the feeling of hopelessness. You can't do anything about it. Just make yourself as small as possible in your foxhole. If you made it to your foxhole. If the mortar does not directly fall to your foxhole. If the mortar does not blow up the trees above your foxhole and showered you with splinters and shrapnel so big, it can kill in instant. If you don't see you friend blown up in front of you.
George flung his body to our foxhole. And we waited until the Krauts run out their ammunition or satisfied enough to terrorize us. Every one became religious at this point of time. I know everyone starting to make promises to the Man Upstairs. Leo Matz, for example, promised to become a priest if he survived the war. He told me after that last mass with Father Maloney.
As suddenly as it began, the shelling stopped. We can hear Lipton shouted to us to stay in our foxhole. But we also hear some of the men asked for help. The nearest from our foxhole sounded like Babe's.
George whispered "Christ! Thank goodness Becca already left." He then started to get up from the foxhole.
Penk hold him "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"Helping" And he bolted out of the foxhole.
The second barrage started not long after. The Krauts has achieved their objective. The pause had brought men out of the foxholes to help the wounded.
And when it finally stopped, Buck's scream of "Medic" was the worst thing I've heard in my entire life.
I rushed to the voice and found Buck stared at Joe Toye's and Bill Guarnere's mangled bodies in front of him. Both are still alive, but most likely they'll lose their legs.
Bill holds his shattered legs and says "Hey, Lip. They got Ol' Guarnere this time." What a badass motherfucker!
All soldiers that had reached their breaking point always did the same gesture. They slam their helmet down, messes up their hair, dazed that thousand-yard stare and walk away. You could talk all you want, but they couldn't hear you.
Buck did the same. After months of combat and seeing Joe and Bill severely wounded, he had enough. He walked away. George tried to chase, repeatedly saying "Don't leave us, Buck", "Sir, we need you", but Buck only shake his head, walked to aid station, leaving George helpless. And the sight of one George Luz being helpless was depressing.
Nobody blame Buck, though. He's the only experienced officer we had. With Dike MIA to battalion HQ every now and then, Buck was Easy's last hope and he's aware of that weight of responsibility. He had stood up to everything the Germans had thrown at him. But the sight of his platoon being wiped out and his two friends mangled, unnerved him. Who didn't?
In just minutes, we had lost two of our most valuable NCOs and the last experienced officer. All three are from 2nd Platoon.
And where is shithead Dike when this shitstorm happened?
As soon as the shelling started, he instructed Lipton to "take charge of the Company" while the said asshole returned to headquarter "looking for help"; as told by George to Me, Penk and Malark, complete with the stellar impersonation of the particular dumbass.
"Complete asshole." I laughed.
"That's really good, George." Malark agreed.
Apparently Lipton saw that impersonation, because he called for Luz (I hope that crazy Portuguese didn't got any trouble) and we went back to our foxholes.
Since Malark was the remaining senior NCO in 2nd Platoon, he headed to his own foxhole, nearer to the OP. He's practically the leader of 2nd Platoon now.
"Good night, all." Malark waved to us.
"Yeah, see you, Luz. See you, Malark." I said before walked to my foxhole with Penk.
We just landed our butt when the shelling started.
In the chaos, we saw George fall flat in his belly, didn't make it to reach nearest foxhole.
Penk and I started to shout at him.
"Luz! Move! Come on! Hurry! Luz!" I shouted and waved my hand like a mad man at him.
He started to crawl to our foxhole. Oh thank goodness, he heard us. Dear Lord, please spare his life until he made it to our hole.
Penk shouted beside me "Move! Come on! Luz! Come on! Move!"
I tried to shout again "Luz!"
And then come the bright light.