𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬; band of brothers ✔

PART ONE

"A long way from Ohio." He turned to face me, refitting his headress.

"I'm so scared, David."

"You've come this far. Don't worry about it. If the allies trust these men, I'm sure you can too."

"It has been different. I've had you."

"And now you'll have them. This company is remarkable, that's why Erlander assigned you here. He wouldn't trust you in better hands. All you have to think about is the mission."

"Okay." I wavered.

"Remember what he said, too. Any bullshit from those bastards and you tell Lieutenant Winters or better yet me. I'm a call away. We'll get it sorted."

"Thank you."

He nodded, finally pivoting away and finding his jeep again. I plucked up the ounce of courage he had left me with and turned back to the cottage. 

"He get away okay?"

I nodded at him. Somewhat instantaneously, he realised something, a recognition that perhaps Holloway had warned him about, and looked at his companion.

"What on earth did you do to get mixed up with the 17th Airborne?"

I gushed, "It wasn't my first choice, sir."

"Nix, here, is our very own Intelligence Officer - as if he uses it for anything."

"Thanks, dear." He responded to Winters.

"Don't you be afraid of him. A bottle of Vat-69 and he'll be as happy as they get." He stepped forward. "I wish I could say the same about most of the men."

"Where are they?"

"The Red Lion, I think?" He glanced at Nixon. "We can either take you there now or wait until the morning to be introduced. We move out in two days."

My breaths were short as I spoke, "Now, I think. So they can sleep on the news." 

They both nodded in acknowledgement, Winters directing a hand behind me. Once we were outside, I walked between the two, Nixon just off the curb. The muffled boom of a gramophone beated throughout the street, guiding way to our destination.

"You're lucky, our replacements arrived earlier today. Fresh off the boat." said Nixon. "So hopefully they've spent the evening bullying them and have nothing left to spare on you."

I bit my inner cheek.

"Something bother you?"

"Not at all, sir." I answered as I had been trained to do.

They gave each other a weary look that I doubted to never see again. A part of me wished Captain Holloway never left, another craving the fact to be done with my part and head on home.

Winters walked into the pub first, followed by me and then Nixon. We edged into a spot behind the crowd, everyone too focused on their drinks and the music. Smoke danced in the air, taking partner with the melody from the gramophone, mixing with the chortle and grumble of men intertwined with booze.

"Nice to see they're happy," Nixon remarked, almost distastefully.

A soldier surfaced from the crowd, making way to see Lieutenant Winters but noticing me instead.

"First Sergeat Lipton, this here is Lieutenant Kennedy, an Intelligence Officer from the 17th Airborne." Winters introduced. "She's with us for the jump into Holland."