ESO SOLDADO

PART FOUR - REPLACEMENTS

September 13, 1944 – Aldbourne, England

Rene is leaning against a pillar next to Martin in the pub, the two watching George, Buck, Heffron, and Joe play a game of darts. Buck gets ready to throw his last dart and George speaks softly as Buck brings his hand up to throw the dart, "all right, now, Lieutenant, nice and easy. We've still got a shot." Buck throws it, missing his target. George shakes his head, "tough break, you're having a tough night. People have tough nights."

Buck turns to look at George, "sorry, George."

George shakes his head, "it's all right."

Bull moves towards the board, collecting the darts before turning and walking towards the group, handing the darts to Buck, "nice shot, sir."

Buck gives Bull a small smile, "thank you, Bull." Buck grabs the darts from Bull before turning and handing them to Heffron.

Heffron grabs the darts nodding to Buck, "thank you, Lieutenant."

Buck chuckles, "finish me up."

Joe brings his hands up to Heffron's shoulders as Heffron gets ready to shoot, "all right, Heff."

"What does he need?"

"Double Seven," Heffron answers as he brings the dart up to throw.

"Here he goes."

Heffron makes it, causing him and Joe to win the game as Joe cheers, "hey, there it is!"

Martin and Rene move closer to the group, as Bill moves to wrap an arm around Heffron, "you're embarrassing the lieutenant, here," he holds up a beer to Heffron, "have a drink."

"Oh, don't mind if I do, Sarge," Heffron takes the beer, taking a drink.

Bill gestures to the three replacements sitting at a table near them, "better start winning money soon, I think your buddies are starting to miss you."

Heffron looks over at them before nodding, "yeah, they do look kind of sad, don't they?"

Rene smirks at Heffron as he slides in between Bull and Martin. Bull shakes his head, "they're just serious fighting me, that's all."

Rene snickers quietly as he lights his cigarette while Bill leans in towards the group slightly, "well, I think I'm gonna go introduce myself. Bean, c'mon."

Rene makes a face, shaking his head, "why do I have to go?"

Bill raises an eyebrow, "'cause I said so."

Rene shakes his head, "I'm standing right here, Guarno, you're a big boy. You can be brave and sit in front of 'em." The four laugh quietly as Bill shakes his head, giving Rene a mock glare.

As Bill turns to leave, Bull pulls his cigar out of his mouth, talking quietly, "careful what you say now. Don't take much to set my guys off."

Bill and Rene look at each other, laughing quietly as Martin leans in, "yeah, and you got some wild-eyed killers right there, Bull." Bill hits Martin on the arm as he chuckles before he moves to walk over to them.

"Hey fellas," Bill sits down in the empty seat, "what do you hear? What do you say?"

One of the replacements speaks up, his voice shaking slightly, "actually, that's Babe's seat. Private Heffron's."

"Is that right?" Bill raises an eyebrow as he pauses for a moment, "I don't care if it's fucking Eisenhower's." Rene snickers, bringing his drink up to hide behind it. The replacements look uncomfortable for a moment until Bill turns to look at the replacement sitting on the far left, "who are you?"