ESO SOLDADO

Part Three - CARENTAN

June 8, 1944 – Normandy, France

While waiting for orders in a small village in France, Rene is standing with George and Liebgott, sharing with each other what they managed to pick up during their way back to the company. The three turn around as they hear a familiar voice call from behind them, "hey, fellas."

Rene smirks as his eyes land on Talbert, Blithe, Gordon, and Shifty. The four separate, Blithe moving to sit in front of a statue with some other guys from First platoon as Talbert and the others make their way closer to Liebgott, George, and Rene. George makes his way over to greet Talbert, wrapping an arm around Talbert, "well, look who decided to show up, Floyd."

Talbert smiles at him, giving him a nod, "hi there, Luz."

Rene grins at Talbert as he stays where he is, the ammo and gun at his feet making it impossible to move easily without grabbing it all up. He ignores the way his chest tightens from George having his arm around Talbert, and instead focuses on the way he wished he could hug Talbert to show how relieved he is to see Talbert okay. His grin turns to a soft smile as Talbert turns to him, "glad you decided to join the party Tab."

Talbert shakes his head as he gestures to Shifty and Gordon, "we thought we would never find you guys."

"Hey, Tab, get a load of this." Liebgott grabs the Nazi flag he found out of his bag, unfolding it and showing it off to Talbert.

Rene shakes his head as he looks at the flag, finding it funny how proud Liebgott is to have found the flag. Rene looks over at Talbert, raising an eyebrow, "nice, huh?"

Liebgott grins, "you like that?"

Talbert nods, "yeah, it's real stuff man."

Liebgott shrugs, "yeah, of course."

"You like," Talbert pulls fabric out, showing off the camo he found, "you like this?"

Georges eyes widen, "oh, nice."

"That's awesome, Tab."

"That's a beauty, Sarge."

"Whoa, Camo. That is a nice one, Mr. Talbert."

Talbert walks away, Hoobler calling after him, "my Luger's gonna put you all to shame when I get it."

Rene laughs, "Hoobs, you don't gotta be jealous." Hoobler turns around giving Rene an annoyed look as the others laugh loudly around them.

Rene looks over as someone calls out, "Easy Company, on the go!"

Liebgott looks over at Rene the two scrunching their faces up as Welsh calls out, "let's go, First Platoon!" Rene looks over at Welsh seeing him drink out of his canteen, guessing it isn't filled with water after seeing his reaction to it. There are more yells from other men, before Welsh calls out again, "Easy's moving out. On your feet." Rene reaches down, grabbing his rifle between his feet, bringing the strap onto his shoulders. He bends down again, grabbing the ammo, wrapping it around his neck before grabbing his gun. Rene moves forward, walking next to George as they move towards Welsh, who looks between the men as he speaks, "listen up. It'll be dark soon. I want light and noise discipline from here on. No talking, no smoking, and no playing grab-fanny with the man in front of you, Luz." Rene snickers quietly, causing George to turn and give Rene an offended look.

"So, where we headed to, Lieutenant, huh?"

"We're taking Carentan."

Rene raises his eyebrows in sarcasm as someone makes the comment, "that sounds like fun."

"It's the only place where the armor from Omaha and Utah beach can link up and head inland. Until we take Carentan, they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor's sending the whole division."