ESO SOLDADO

Part Seven - Breaking Point

January 2, 1945 - Ardennes Forest, Belgium

Rene stands behind Hoobler, Christensen, and Hashey, using the cover of trees to hide them from the incoming soldier. Rene sends Hoobler a nod as he sees the soldier and horse come into the opening in front of them. Hoobler steps out from the trees, holding his gun up as he stands in front of the incoming horse, "halt!"

The horse whines, coming up onto its back feet, as the soldier brings him to a quick stop, "whoa, whoa, whoa."

"Halt!" The German officer turns the horse around, beginning to run back in the direction he came from. Rene, Christensen, and Hashey move from behind the trees as Hoobler gives off three shots, the last finally hitting the target, knocking the German officer off the horse. The four watch as the horse runs off into the trees, all of them deciding to let him go. Hoobler quickly runs towards the officer, Hashey quickly following as Rene and Christensen share a look before moving to follow the two.

The two make it to the fallen officer as Hoobler kneels beside the body and Rene reaches over, bringing his hand up to Hashey's gun that is still pointed at the officer, lowering it. Hashey looks over at Rene, confused, causing him to give him a reassuring nod, "he's dead, Hash."

"Oh, shit." The two look down at Hoobler seeing him take his gloves off before he pulls out a Luger. He looks up at the three laughing quietly, "thank you." He cocks the gun, firing it towards a tree in front of them.

Hoobler sends Lipton and Shifty a grin, "and down he goes, right out of the saddle, like a sack of potatoes. Outstanding accuracy on my part, if I do say so myself."

Rene looks up from the unfinished foxhole he's helping Shifty and Lip dig with his knife, rolling his eyes as Lipton looks up, the two speaking simultaneously, "which you do."

Rene coughs before he and Lipton go back to digging as Hoobler nods, "which I do." Hobbler turns looking over at Shifty, "hell, Shifty, I think maybe I could have even given you a run for your money, right?"

Shifty looks over at Hoobler, shaking his head, ever the humble shot, "no, no, I'm not a good shot. Now, Dad, he was an excellent shot." Shifty goes back to digging, "excellent, I declare, he'd shoot the wings off a fly."

Rene stops, looking over at Shifty, tilting his head, with a soft smile, "Shift, you are somethin' else." Shifty looks over at Rene, giving him a confused look which Rene only responds with a grin.

Hoobler looks at Lipton, "hey, Lip, that German, what'd you think he was doing?"

Lipton shrugs, "probably a little recon. He must have figured nobody would hear a horse."

Rene shivers as the wind picks up slightly, anymore, Rene and Lipton are some of the few who haven't managed to get winter gear. Rene looks over at Hashey, who speaks up for the first time, "I think he was trying to get the hell out of Dodge."

"Yeah."

Shifty turns around, leaning against the side of the foxhole, "what happened to the horse?"

Hoobler shrugs, "I don't know, probably still running."

Shifty looks down, "hope he's okay."

It's silent for a moment before Lipton turns to the three, "you dug in?"

Rene nods while Hoobler answers, "yeah, yeah. Yeah, I just thought I'd take a walk, shoot the shit."

Hoobler stands up, Rene following as Lipton looks at Hoobler, "well, you're a good shot, Hoob. Just glad you're on our side."