Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia, I do however own the characters of my own making.
Warning: This chapter contains portrayed scenes of blood and violence.
The Long Road Ahead
By, THE DARK SOLDIER06
Chapter 4: On the Move Again
July 25, 1944
1:12 p.m.
It had been seven weeks since the events of D-Day. In order to break out of Normandy, Nick and his comrades are pushing inland towards the little town of Marigny. Once they control the town, they will control the majority of roadways leading into Paris. The soldiers, especially Finnick, had been getting excited about their entrance into the land of beautiful gals and tasteful wine. Before they can enjoy such liberties though, they had to get to Marigny.
The 1st Battalion had set up a command post in an abandoned farm. While there, they stocked up on supplies, soldiers, and vehicles. Using these new supplies, the Battalion Commander set up a small convoy of 6, M4 Sherman tanks with soldiers loaded onto them. This small convoy would push through the last few miles to their target. It would be all hands-on deck for the last push, but the soldiers had enough time to take care of any final needs before they to move.
Nick was using his time to do maintenance to his rifle, while talking to Gideon and Finnick about random things. Their conversations had strayed from girls to cars to family to whatever else came to mind. Right now, the small group was talking about boxing and which boxer would win against another.
"How about Schmelling vs. Lomatta", Finnick said.
"Schmelling would have KO'd Lomatta", Gideon replied with confidence in his voice.
"No way. And Schmelling's a Nazi, id shout him in a heartbeat", Nick retorted.
Gideon just shrugged his shoulders and went back to fiddling with his camera.
"They made him their poster boy though. Guy didn't have a choice", Finnick said as he pushed himself off of the jeep he was leaning on, still smoking his ciggarete.
"We've all got a choice", Nick replied as he set his to the side.
"You know Neitzsche said that there was only strong and-", Gideon started to say before Finnick cut him off.
"Hey, that's enough mouth from you", Finnick said dismissing Gideon and turned to Nick, "Alright, what about Louis vs. Sugar Ray Robinson?"
"If we're talking 1938 Louis, Robinson wins hands down", came a familiar voice from behind the group. They all spun their heads in unison and looked at the not so new comer.
Nick stood up to greet his friend but Judy embraced him in a hug before he could do so.
"Ay, look who came back for more", Finnick said as he moved closer towards the duo.
"Thought you were out another week", Nick said as he parted from Judy.
"Not after I heard a bunch of SOB's were about to take Marigny", Judy said as she gazed upon her friends.
"With how things are looking, we'll be home by Christmas", Finnick said as he bummed out his cigarette on the side of jeep tire, "Now stop standing there and let us see it".
"Alright", Judy said as she unshouldered her pack and lifted her shirt revealing a long scare from where she had been stabbed by the deer buck.
"Not bad, eh?", Judy said, Gideon groaned at the sight and Finnick commented that he had seen worse.
"Glad to have you back Private Hopps", came a friendly voice to the right of the group. It was Lt. Otterton.
"Good to be back sir", Judy said standing at attention.
"Alright fellas, gather round", Otterton said. Nick and his small group moved towards Otterton and Nick saw Wolford sneak into the group as well.
"We have a unique opportunity here. This is our chance to break out of Normandy. It won't be easy", Otterton said, stressed the last part and made to continue.
"The hedgerows are heavily defended and we have reports of Kraut armor in the area. But if we can hold and secure Marigny, we own the roadways. And if Hopps can take a knife to the gut and come out swinging, I like our odds just fine".
"Always bet on a winner sir", Judy said with confidence.
The sound of plane engines roaring was heard overhead and everyone looked up at the Thunderbolt fighters passing by.
"Let's move", Lt. Otterton said loudly, breaking everyone from their stupor.
Those who had been assigned to the convoy made their way past those who were moving supplies and mounted onto the tanks.
Nick was about ready to start the ascent of the tank he was riding when he looked to his right to see Judy readying to do the same when Wolford and put a hand on her shoulder getting her attention.
"Hey, you know a wound like this takes eight weeks to heal", Wolford said gesturing towards Judys abdomen.
"I'm ready to get back in the fight Sargeant, you have my word", Judy said facing Wolford.
"Oh, your word, huh?", Wolford scoffed. His face hardened and he bent down to be eye level with the rabbit.
"Your word doesn't mean shit to me", Wolford said as he stared down Judy, the bunny didn't waver her gaze from his. Seeing this only seemed to make Wolford more upset so he started poking Judy in her abdomen. Judy started to visibly wince but she remained determined to look as battle ready as possible.
"So, you're good, huh?", Wolford said in a questioning tone.
"Just fine and dandy, sir", Judy said while scowling at Wolford.
Wolford stood there and stared at Judy then looked to the side at Nick then back at Judy. He seemed to decide that he was done annoying the duo, but had one more thing to say before he left. He pointed at Judy and said,
"You got guts private, I just dint want to see them", He finished, straightened back up and walked away to the tank he was riding on.
Judy caught the gaze of Nick and mouthed the word 'ow' before hoisting herself up the side of tank.
"Tanks rolling!", the tank commander shouted out. This particular tank commander was a black panther by the name of Renato Manchas who used to be a steelworker. Nick had gotten to know Manchas quite well since they first met. Manchas even told Nick the story of how he got his scar over his left eye in a factory accident with one of the machines.
"Hold on everyone its gonna get rough", The panther said in his deep and slightly accented voice.
"What else is new", Gideon said as he leaned against the main gun.
"I think Wolford likes you, Hopps", Manchas said in a joking manner, ignoring Gideon.
"Like a lion likes a steak", Judy replied looking over her shoulder at the panther. Manchas just shrugged his shoulders as if to say 'you're not wrong', but soon focused on the convoy starting to move.
"All right let's get moving! Driver, ahead forward!", he shouted. Suddenly, the tank lurched forward as it started to move forward.
As the convoy started to move away from the command post the group started to make small conversation.
"You look like you're holding up just fine", Judy said over her shoulder towards Nick.
"You make it sound like that's a surprise", Nick replied raising his eyebrow.
"Well, you are a dumb fox, so I thought you would have walked over a mine by now", Judy said with a smirk on her face.
"Says the bunny who wants to bleed out again", Nick replied.
Judy just waved him off and continued the conversation.
"Well, I couldn't let you guys have all the fun", Judy said.
"Eh, funs not allowed under Wolford. You know why he's always riding on you?", Manchas interjected and questioned the small group of friends. He turned to Nick and answered his question for them.
"Kasserine Pass", Manchas said with a sour tone.
"I lost some good friends there", Finnick remarked from his place on the front of the tank.
"Yeah, earned him an article 15 and a demotion. He had to be a hard ass and his soldiers paid the price. Mission was FUBAR*, a massacre. Nazis had no mercy. Hell, we only survived because they didn't have time to seal the western exit. Almost lost everything, thanks to that SOB", Manchas took a breath and then continued his rant.
"And Otterton still isn't over it. In fact, he was the one who wrote Wolford up. Wolford thinks that if he makes you into a model platoon, he'll get it scrubbed off his record", Manchas finished and leaned forward and looked ahead of the tank.
"Only were the ones doing the scrubbing", Nick said.
"Heh, now you're getting' it", Manchas huffed out.
"Thats why he'll never give up. He'd kill to have it removed", Manchas said and then went back to scanning the road.
"You know what I'd kill for right now, some decent grub", Finnick said.
"You just had supper", Gideon remarked incredulously. Finnick, though he was small, was as hungry as a black hole.
"Hey, shit on a shingle don't count", Finnick barked back.
"How about barbeque?", Manchas said as he gestured up the road.
The smell hit the nose of every mammal before they even saw the cause. Those with stronger noses, including Nick suppressed the urge to gag, for the smell of burning flesh is truly terrible. As the tank got closer to the source of the smell, the group realized that it was coming from a Nazi dugout on the side of the road. As they kept getting closer, they saw charred bodies in the dugout.
"They never stood a chance", Judy said with a slight sadness in her voice.
"I'm guessing 'no' to the open casket", Finnick said jokingly.
"Hey, that's somebodies' son", Nick said sternly towards Finnick.
"Naw, it's a kraut", Manchas said in Finnick's defense.
"Nick is right. They're not all bad", Judy said as she turned to look at Manchas.
"When you think about, they did give us Kepler, Mozart", Gideon said.
"Alright college", Finnick said trying to dismiss Gideon.
"Marlene Dietrich", Nick said.
"Oh, now that's more like it", Finnick said agreeing with Nick.
"Don't forget about their inventions", Gideon added, "the printing press, electron microscope..."
"Frankfurters", Nick interjected excitedly.
"Scheeze, you guys are killin me", Finnick said in annoyed defeat.
The groups conversation was interrupted when Judy looked up at the sky.
"Whats going on Carrots", Nick questioned her.
Judy shushed him; Nick took this as a sign to listen too. Soon enough he answered his own question as the very distinct sound of incoming planes grew in volume. All of a sudden Manchas pointed towards the sky.
"Stukas! Inbound!", he shouted as he ducked down. As he ducked down the lead Stuka released a bomb from the bottom of its fuselage. The bomb scored a direct hit on the tank in front of Manchas's. As Manchas stood back up, he cursed in his home language and cursed again as he saw a Panzer tank break a tree line and open fire on the convoy.
"Clear the tanks!", Manchas shouted as another Panzer came into view and began pelting them with MG rounds.
Nick and his ride along friends didn't hesitate to jump the six feet to the ground.
As soon as Nick reached the ground, he turned just in time to see the tank behind Mancha's get hit by a Panzer shell.
He started to run behind Mancha's tank for cover when he saw Otterton and the rest of his squad forming up next to a stone wall which was right next to a dirt road that led to a barn.
"Wilde! Get off the road, well circle around. Move!", Otterton yelled over the gunfire and planes flying overhead.
Nick made a dash towards them and ducked behind the same wall.
"Ok. We have to protect our Shermans. That's flak fire in the distance. Were gonna capture one of their AA guns and take down those Stukas!", Otterton said as he got up and started moving up the road towards the barn.
Everyone made to follow Otterton when they came under heavy fire from the Barn.
"Shit! MGs in the barn! Keep your heads down!", Wolford yelled as he hit the dirt and started crawling along the road.
"We gotta hit those MGs. I need teams to flank them. Left and Right, go, go, go!", Otterton shouted out.
Nick Decided to go right and saw that the stone wall he was following ended soon and went into a shallow ditch. When Nick reached the end of the wall, he peeked around it to see if there was any cover he could dash towards.
When Nick was about to dash for a barrel, he saw something flying towards him. It took him only milliseconds to figure out that it was an enemy grenade. Nicks instincts told him to run and get away from the grenade as fast as possible, but he remembered something his Drill Sargeant told him.
'If a grenade lands next to you, you better pick it up and throw it and throw. Otherwise, you'll be dead!'
Nick didn't hesitate to dive for the grenade and return it towards his enemy. It was satisfying to hear a boom from said grenade far away from him.
Nick dived behind the barrel and readied his M1 to fire. He hopped up behind the barrel and fired a couple shots, hitting a rabbit in the chest and a deer in the leg. As he was scanning for someone else to shoot, he glanced at the barn and saw an MG manned by a sheep. Said sheep was looking around and saw Nick. They made eye contact and the sheep swung the barrel of his weapon to face Nick. The fox ducked behind the barrel right as a hail of gunfire came his way. As soon as the gunfire stopped Nick hopped back up from his position and took aim at the sheep.
Nick breathed out and squeezed the trigger of his rifle, letting loose a single bullet, which cut through the air and hit the sheep right between the eyes. Nick winced but didn't dwell on the matter to long. There were still people who wanted him dead, nearby.
As Nick was starting to make his way out of the ditch, he saw a bunch of enemies rushing out of the front of the barn to confront him and his comrades. As they saw Nick coming out of the ditch, they all leveled their weapons at him. But the fox was quicker and ducked behind the wheel of a nearby tractor.
Nick was effectively pinned where he was, and was having trouble figuring out how he could get out his situation.
He wouldn't have to worry much longer as a grey blur came from the left and took out the enemies out front.
Nick quickly dashed from behind the tractor and slid under a window that looked into the barn. Judy soon joined him under the window as well.
"Thanks Carrots, you saved my hide back there", Nick said with no small amount of gratitude.
"Aw, don't mention it", Judy said with a smile.
"Hey! You can pat each other on the back when were done with this", Wolfard yelled from his position right next to a hole in the side barn.
The fox and bunny looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They soon focused on the situation at hand though, when a hail of gunfire barely grazed Nicks head. Nick ducked down the avoid an early haircut and started to think about how to take out the enemy within the barn without getting hit.
He knew the moment he showed himself to someone in that barn he would be shot dead.
'A bunch of enemies in a confined space + grenade = Dead enemy', Said a voice in Nicks head. The sounded a lot like his Drill Sargeant, come to think of it.
Nick chuckled to himself as he grabbed one of the grenades hooked to his chest and pulled the pin, let go of the trigger, and counted to two. He then lobbed it over his head and through the window as he shouted, "Grenade Out!"
About two seconds later, a boom was heard and the enemy fire coming from out of the barn subsided greatly.
Nick got up and hopped the window, closely followed by Judy.
As the smoke cleared Nick saw the damage his grenade did. There were several enemy soldiers lying still on the ground. But Nicks attention was drawn from that when he saw several shapes moving on the loft above.
Nick moved behind cover as he started shooting at the enemies above, Judy doing the same.
At that time, the rest of Nick and Judie's squad started coming in from the other side of the barn, and started engaging the enemies above as well.
Nick knew well that they would eventually flush this place out completely, and his enemy knew that too.
Apparently, the enemy believed in living to fight another day. This was proved evident as the enemy started to retreat by jumping off the barn and onto hay bales below, and began running through a field towards a tree line.
Nick and everyone else were close behind them as they rushed up the stairs of the barn and hopped down onto the hay as well.
"Push into the field! We need to rally with our tanks", Otterton yelled out as he started advancing.
Nick and everyone else started to follow Otterton as they advanced towards their retreating enemy. Jumping behind haybales and other items of cover as they made their way towards the trees.
Just Nick made to the trees, he jumped behind a rock and reloaded his rifle. When he popped up from behind it, he saw something that caught him off guard.
"Their surrendering, hold your fire!", Judy called out as she came up beside Nick.
"You two, secure those prisoners", Otterton said to a couple of nearby privates, "Wilde, keep us moving!"
As Nick passed by the small group of prisoners, he looked at one of them. It was a male capybara with an officer's attire. They both made eye contact and the capybara looked at Nick with pure hatred. Nick was sure that the officer would shoot the fox right then and there if it weren't for the soldier standing behind him with a Thompson SMG.
Nick looked away from the hateful gaze as he kept moving forward towards the Flak cannon. As the group broke through a tree line, they paused to look over the field before them.
"There's the Flak cannon, were getting close", Wolford pointed towards a trailer with an 88mm Flak cannon situated on top of it.
"Those Stukas are still taking out our armor", Gideon Shouted.
"Ok, were gonna take control of that AA gun on the other side of the field and take out those Stukas!", Otterton shouted and started to move across the field.
The group quickly followed their leader. They all started to move across the field, effectively taking down several enemies along the way. They took out the last few enemies as the neared the AA gun.
"Wilde, get on that Flak cannon and take out those Stukas", Otterton Shouted.
Nick didn't hesitate as he ran over to the cannon and began climbing towards the gunner's seat.
"Nick, here they come, 2 o'clock", Judy shouted and pointed in the general direction of the incoming Stukas.
Nick began to turn the barrel of the gun towards the Squadron of planes, and when the sights were close enough, he pulled the trigger.
The cannon began to let loose shells towards its target. As the shells exploded in the air, they let loose shrapnel towards the plane, damaging it until it started hurtling towards the ground.
Nick took out the first bunch with ease, when a voice echoed from a radio nearby.
"Sounds like the guy on the radio is pissed, which means they don't know what's happening", Finnick said.
"More coming in!", Judy shouted and then pointed Nick towards them. Nick turned the gun and began firing again. This process would repeat itself several times.
"3 o'clock high"
Bang, bang, bang
"10 o'clock"
Bang, bang, bang
Nick was surprised when the cannon was sprayed by fire coming from a plane he didn't see.
"They're onto us!", Wolford shouted, "Wilde you better start shooting more planes down unless you want to die!"
"Working on it, sir!", Wilde said as he started shooting a bit more.
Nick would shoot one plane down and then he would see another, and this continued on for what seemed like forever, but in reality, it only took minutes.
"C'mon Nick, there are only a few more left!", Nick heard over the gunfire of the cannon. Even in the situation he was in, Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the bunny's enthusiasm.
As the last plane hit the ground and exploded, all of the group's eyes turned to the sky to look for more planes.
"Ok. That's all of them! Good job Wilde!", Otterton said as Nick hopped down from the gunners seat.
Right as Nick straightened up, several Sherman tanks broke through a bush line and stopped in front of the group.
"Hey, its Manchas", Judy said as also got up from a crouching position and approached the tank.
"Manchas, are you okay?" Otterton said as he came up beside Judy.
Manchas looked down with a saddened look in his eyes, "They got my buddy mills in the ambush, but we hit them back hard", The panther looked back up with a steely gaze.
"Now, there are dugouts up ahead and there Pak's held in them. We need to clear them out", Manchas stated.
Otterton looked down in thought for a moment before looking back up and turning to Wolfard.
"Wolford, take a fire team through the orchard and find an overwatch position. After you soften up the Pak's, I'll lead the main assault with Manchas", Otterton stated. Manchas stated that he was ready for orders and Nick would listen in on that conversation. But his attention was drawn towards Wolfard.
"Wilde, Hopps, Gideon, Finnick, you're with me!", Wolford shouted as he approached a gate and kicked it open and proceeded through it. The gate lead towards a road that shot off to the left, and that's the direction the squad went down. Until they got to an orchard and started to go through it.
"Manchas said Pak's, what the hell are those?", Finnick said as the kept running.
"German artillery. Tank killers. Didn't you read the briefings?", Gideon said as he looked towards Finnick. Finnick ignored the look from Gideon and continued.
"What are we supposed to do against tank killers?", Finnick asked with a close to worried tone.
"I was wondering that myself", Gideon replied.
As the group reached the end of the orchard, they saw a trail of fire and what appeared to parts of some vehicle. Getting closer to the end of the fire trail, the group saw the wreckage of a plane.
"It's one of ours. P-47", Gideon said with a somber tone.
"Damn it. I wish I had gotten to that flak cannon quicker", Nick scolded himself as the group kept moving.
"You can't blame yourself Nick", Judy said comfortingly.
Reaching a fork in the road leading out of the orchard, the entire group stopped to gaze upon a truly terrible sight.
"Those are civilians. This is a war crime", Gideon said as he looked upon the hanging bodies of three male predators.
"No shit college. We are fighting Nazis", Finnick said with a dark tone.
"Over here, we have a vantage point", Wolford shouted, drawing the four away from the scene great evil.
As the group gathered on the edge, they saw that it overlooked a long trench line, which was crawling with enemies.
"Get out your binos", Wolford said.
Everyone focused on the area Wolford was pointing towards, seeing several Sherman tanks moving across a field in front of the trench.
"There's Manchas and his boys. Their heading into hell. We gotta hit those Pak operators hard", Wolford finished as he pointed at the artillery batteries.
As everyone put their binos away, Wolford gave the order to fire.
Everyone began to lay down fire on the Pak operating crews. As Nick was reloading his rifle he happened to glance down and see a scoped rifle. Which was something that could give him a bit more range and accuracy, which was something he wanted. Nick picked up the weapon, along with some nearby ammo that was conveniently nearby. He loaded the gun and then began laying down deadly and accurate fire on the Pak crews.
After the Pak crews' hand been takin down, Nick picked up his M1 Garand and hopped down from the ledge. As he made his way through the trench, he began taking down several enemies, though, he was unaware of the elk who wore armor and carried an LMG that was hiding around a corner.
As the elk rounded the corner, he laid down fire with his weapon. Nick and everyone behind him jumped to the side, taking cover in the side section of the trench.
The elk slowly started to move down the trench, solely focused on the place he saw the fox dive into.
As the elk made his way towards the fox, Nick was trying to figure out a quick fix to his problem. If he moved out into open view, he would be blown to pieces. So, Nick pulled out the knife strapped to his belt and did the only thing he could do, he waited.
Right as the elk rounded the corner Nick jumped onto the elk. This surprised the elk and he began swing around his free hand to swat the fox off. However, Nick needed to stay on the elk to neutralize him. Nick crawled up onto the shoulders of the elk and wrapped his legs around his foes neck.
While the elk was armored over several places, the one place he wasn't armored was the back of the neck. As Nick exploited this weakness with his knife, the elk fell to his knees and then slumped forward. Nick untangled himself from his foes dead body, he slumped against the side of some nearby crates to catch his breath.
"Hey Nick, you alright?", Judy said as she walked up next to him. She was answered when the fox gave her a thumbs up.
"Ok, well we need to keep going", Judy said as she offered her paw to help the fox up. Nick took her paw and went over to his rifle to pick it up. Judy was concerned at her friends lack of a response, which was very unlike the fox.
"Hey, we're almost there", Judy said with slight concern, confidence and a smile.
Nick smiled and chuckled at this, "Sure we are Carrots".
"Trench is clear! Watch out, friendly tanks coming through!", Wolford yelled out as the tanks went over the trenches and pulled up to a hedge row.
"Another enemy position just beyond the hedges! Fall in behind the tanks!", Manchas shouted out.
Nick got up and went behind a tank that was to the far right. He was joined by several other mammals, all ready to advance through the hedge.
"Everyone Good? Ok, let's put these rhinos to good use. All tanks forward!", Manchas shouted as he ducked down into the turret of his tank.
As the tanks started moving forward, the mammals behind them were quick to follow. When the tanks cleared the hedge, they were immediately pelted with MG fire from several entrench positions in front of the tanks. The tanks turned to the right in order to give more cover to the mammals behind it.
"Enemies running from the trenches!", Someone shouted out.
The tanks opened up the .50 MGs mounted on the front of the tanks hull, while the mammals behind them peeked around the hull of the tank to let loose some of their own lead furry. All while on the move, inching closer to the enemy.
"Gunner! Target that MG nest, right side", Nick heard from inside the tank he was behind. Next thing Nick knew was that his ears were ringing and there was a hole in the side of the enemy line. Nick decided that was his chance to rush forward through the enemy fire and into the enemy trench.
As Nick moved through the trench, he took out the few enemies were there. Rounding a corner, Nick saw a fellow comrade and a kraut fighting over a rifle. Nick acted quick and shot the enemy, careful not to shoot his friend.
"You good?", Nick asked the soldier.
"Yes. Thank you so much! I owe ya Wilde.", Came a grateful response.
The two spent no more time conversing, and perused their enemy, who were now retreating from the position.
"Keep pushing forward", Wolfard shouted as he rushed forward while firing his weapon.
Nick made to follow him. He was right next to one of the Sherman tanks, when he was thrown to the side by an explosion. When Nick looked back up, he saw the tank had burst into flames.
Judy came through the smoke and knelt down by Nick.
"Come on Nick, we need to move!", Judy shouted as she started pulling the fox to his feet and running for a nearby stone wall, where the rest of the squad was gathered.
"We need to clear this house and take out the Pak's on the ridge line", Otterton shouted over the artillery fire from said ridge. Everyone nodded and Otterton broke open the door to the fence around the house. Everyone started rushing through the gate and rounded the corner of the house, when a group of enemies rushed out of the house.
Both sides took cover and began firing at each other. Nick decided to use the last grenade he had on him and it helped out quite a bit. Enemies dove from behind cover and out into the open to avoid the grenade, but were shot as a result. The rest of the krauts were quickly picked off, along with the rest of the enemy within the house.
"Wilde, get on that loft up there and take out the ammo caches next to the Pak's!", Gideon shouted. Nick was quick to climb the ladder to the second-floor loft and took out the scoped rifle he picked up a little while back. The fox looked through the scope and saw three Pak's positions and their ammo caches. Nick took aim at a pile of the shells and let loose a round. A second latter, the area around the pile of ammo was leveled, along with the Pak gun. Nick was quick to take care of the other two.
"Thanks for the fire support, Wilde", Nick heard Manchas shout.
"Tanks are moving up! Move to clear the trench!", Wolford yelled out as he jumped down from the second floor onto a pile of hay. Nick was quick to follow and started moving towards the trench.
When Nick hopped down into trench, he saw several wounded enemies. But he didn't have time to pity them, for the enemies' comrades were currently aiming their weapons at him. Nick ducked down behind a pile of crates as the enemy fire sailed over head.
Nick popped up and fire off a couple of shots and downed two enemies. Nick got up and rushed around the corner of the trench, fueled by adrenaline to face whatever enemies were left. But he was greeted by the sight of several krauts dropping their weapons and getting down on the ground.
"Secure the prisoners Wilde", Otterton said as he came around a different corner. Nick was quick to carry out the orders given to him, making sure the prisoners were unarmed and didn't have any sensitive info on them. When he was done, Nick made his way towards Otterton to report that the prisoners were secure.
"Sir", Nick said, standing at attention.
Otterton looked at Nick and was about to respond, when he glanced off to the left. He saw a large mammal sized jeep moving towards their position.
"Hold on Wilde", Otterton said as he stood at attention and announced an officer's arrival.
The large jeep came to a halt right in front of Otterton. The mammal in the passenger seat was none other than Gen. Bogo. The water buffalo turned in his seat towards the otter and saluted him. Otterton relaxed and awaited the orders that would come from Bogo.
"Alright, listen up. Charlie company is under assault near the church. They ammo and fire support. Send a squad immediately", Bogo said in his commanding voice. Otterton though stepped forward to voice his concerns.
"Sir, were already stretched pretty thin", Otterton said with a concerned voice.
Bogos natural frown deepened as he responded to the otters' concerns.
"Then stretch thinner", With that, Bogo gave the otter a salute, the otter saluted back as Bogo directed the driver of the jeep to move to a different location.
Otterton sighed, obviously in thought on what to do. Wolford was nearby by and tossed his thoughts into the ring.
"We can take the jeeps, but we will need armored support."
"That's the plan", Otterton said. He then turned towards Manchas.
"Manchas! We need to support Charlie Company. Wolford will follow you with a squad."
"Can't do it", The panther replied with a regretful tone, "Just got orders from Collins. We're heading west with the 11th."
Otterton cursed as he thought about anything else.
"Those guys are running out of time", Wolford said to Otterton.
"Ok. You're on your own then. Take the jeeps and head out. Move!", Otterton said with a finality in his voice.
"Alright, Snap to it. Charlies up shit creek and were the paddle. Let's Go!", Wolford shouted out as he jumped into the driver seat of one of the jeeps. Nick followed suit as he jumped into the driver's seat of the jeep right behind Wolfard's. Judy hopped beside Nick in the passenger seat.
"Okay, let's go!", Judy said with an excitement.
Nick floored the peddle, causing the jeep to lurch forward into movement. He kept driving up the road for a little while.
"Hey, which way to Marigny?", Nick asked Judy.
"Follow this road, it's the next village over", Judy replied, shouting over the rushing wind.
"The road splits up ahead", Judy shouted as the jeep rounded a corner and came to a fork in the path.
Nick decided to go right but immediately regretted his decision as he found himself swerving around several objects.
"Look out for retreating Kruats! They'll run right on top of Charlie company. We need to get there first!", Judy shouted out as she gripped tightly to the frame of the jeep.
"Krauts up ahead!", Judy shouted, which was accented by the incoming MG fire.
"Go right", Judy shouted. Nick obeyed and swerved right, just as a panzerfaust passed right by them. Going around the corner Nick saw an enemy rabbit but couldn't do anything in time to avoid running him over. Nick winced as he saw the rabbit disappear out of sight, followed by the jeep going over what Nick told himself was a bump in the road.
"Panzer!", Judy shouted right as a Panzer tank drove over an abutment wall along the road. Nick barely had time to react to the new obstacle in the road as he swerved to avoid the tank.
"Oh shit", Judy shouted. Nick looked forward and saw what caused her reaction. What he saw was a large bump in the road. It was too close to stop though. As the jeep went up the jump, it sailed through the air. At the peak of the jeeps arc, Nick looked right towards Judy, she looked back at him. They looked forward and their eyes widened as the ground approached quickly. The jeep landed hard on the ground and Nick could feel the undercarriage of the jeep scrape the ground for a brief second. Other than that, the jeep kept running.
Nick laughed out loud with relief and turned to look at Judy. She looked back at him with a face that was a few more shades of green than normal.
"I should have driven! You hop on the gun!", The rabbit shouted and grabbed the wheel from Nick. Nick didn't want to argue right now so he let her take control of the car as he hopped into the back of the jeep. At that moment a voice came over the radio built into the jeep.
"...Taking Fire...Need reinforcements!", The voice sounded desperate. Judy picked up the microphone hooked to the radio.
"Don't worry were on our way", Judy replied, hooking the microphone back on the radio.
"Krauts up ahead Nick! Get on that gun!", Judy yelled as she drove through a little group of houses.
Nick stood up in the back of the jeep and grabbed onto the .50 browning mounted on the back of the jeep. He made sure there was ammo and a round of the chamber of the gun, racked back the bolt and let loose on the enemies coming into sight.
"Enemy jeeps!", Judy yells out as two jeeps pull in front of and beside Nicks jeep. The two enemy jeeps opened fire on Nick and Judy but Nick was quick to return fire. Taking out the first jeep, causing it to go into a ditch, and taking out the second as well, causing it to run into a wall and explode.
The duo continued on as they made their way towards Charlie's position.
"Here we are!", Judy shouted as a large house came into view. There were krauts surrounding the building and shooting into it.
"You drive around the building while I shoot!", Nick shouted out. Judy continued to drive and made her way around the building several times all while Nick manned the gun, effectively taking out several enemies.
At some point, Wolfard's jeep joined in giving firing support as well.
Knowing they would be destroyed if the stay, the enemy began to retreat. Seeing this Judy parked the jeep facing their direction. Nick continued to fire the MG and only stopped until he couldn't see anything move. With the threat gone for the moment Nick hopped off the back of the jeep and looked around. Seeing Wolfard helping the lieutenant of Charlie company, Nick walked over towards them.
"We gotta stop meeting like this", The Company Commander said.
"Don't you be going soft on me Murphy", Wolfard said as he chuckled at his friend.
"Well, thanks for showing up when you did", Murphy replied.
"Thank Gen. Bogo. It was his orders", Wolfard said.
Wolfard looked up at the sky and saw that it was starting to get dark, he frowned at this.
"Ok. It's too late to press on. Looks like you guys got a reprieve", Wolfard said as he turned to his subordinates.
"Scuse me sir?", Gideon said with a worry in his voice.
"Yeah?", Came a short reply.
"Isn't half the Kraut army on the other side of the houses? Shouldn't we find a better place to set up a perimeter", Gideon suggested in a respectful manner.
"Sure Private. Why don't you book us a room at the Kitz?", Wolfard said in a condescending tone.
"Sir", Judy said, gaining Wolfard's attention, "He's scared is all."
Wolfard stared at Judy for a moment before giving her a reply.
"Why don't you worry about your own problems Private? Like how that sides gonna hold tomorrow", Wolfard finished with a risen upper lip.
"I'm right as rain, Sergeant", Judy replied as she stared back into Wolfard's eyes.
Wolfard scoffed at this display and turned towards Nick who had been watching the whole event.
"Wilde, why don't you watch her. Only thing more dangerous than the enemy is pride", Wolfard said as he turned and walked away.
"Rest up, we take Marigny at first light", Wolfard called back as he walked away.
Nick and Judy looked at each other and just shrugged.
"Well, come on Nick, let's go find somewhere to set up watch", Judy said as she started walking towards a house that looked a little worse for wear.
Nick was quick to follow as he really wanted to get some sleep and put the long day behind him.
Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you leave a comment, it would be greatly appreciated.
Been working on a couple of other projects and still am, so it'll be a while until I can get the next chapter out.
Wishing you Fair Winds and Following Seas,
TheDarkSoldier06.