ESO SOLDADO

Part Eight - The Last Patrol

February 9, 1945 – Hagenau, France

Rene is sitting between Babe and Liebgott, in the back of a truck as the company makes its way into Haguenau. His elbows are resting on his knees and his head is in his hands, staring at the lighter Liebgott is flicking open and closed, praying his headache will go away. Babe brings his hand up, resting it on the back of Rene's head, causing Rene to lean into his touch.

The men in Easy know Rene is a touchy person if he considers you close, which the Toccoa men automatically were, and some of the replacements who came in are now on that list. However, most of the men noticed, as time went on in Bastogne, Rene became even touchier, especially as he shivers more than not, so the men would automatically try and warm him up.

Rene looks up from the lighter as he hears a cheery voice call out, "hey guys, some lieutenant told me to report to Second." There's a pause as Webster looks over the men in the truck. His gaze falls to the man sitting at the edge of the truck bench, across from Liebgott, "your name's Jackson, right?"

Jackson nods so small it's almost unnoticeable, "that's right."

Webster nods, "who's leading the platoon?"

Jackson looks towards Malarkey, who's standing near the cab of the truck, looking at the incoming town, "Sergeant Malarkey is." Babe turns around, also looking at the incoming town, dropping his hand as he goes. Rene coughs, causing Liebgott, Babe, Grant, and Malarkey to give him worried looks. Though his cough wasn't as bad anymore, most of the others who had one, were better, so the men are worried that Rene is still coughing.

Webster smiles, confused, "what no officers?"

Liebgott speaks up, "I guess you didn't hear."

Webster shakes his head, "no. What's that?"

"They're making Malarkey a lieutenant. He's on the fast track now." Rene snickers slightly, so quiet it isn't noticed by anyone but Liebgott, who smiles softly at the sound of his laughing.

Webster's eyes widen, "really? That's great."

Liebgott nods, "yeah, isn't it?"

Webster nods, "yeah." Webster throws his bag onto the floor of the truck, before, "Jackson, help me up, will you?" Jackson grabs his stuff and slides over, sending Webster an annoyed look as he moves and makes no move to help Webster onto the truck. Webster sighs before he moves to the end of the truck, grabbing onto the bar and pulling himself up.

After Webster sits down, Jackson turns to look at him, "so, uh, you come from the hospital?"

Webster nods, "yeah."

Liebgott scoffs, before he speaks looking away from Webster, "must've liked that hospital, 'cause, uh, we left Holland four months ago." Rene leans back, resting his head on Babe's shoulder, who turns back around to face the inside of the truck, Rene closes his eyes for a moment.

Webster lets out a weak chuckle, "well, I wasn't there the whole time. There was rehabilitation, then there was the replacement depot."

Liebgott and Babe share a look, before Liebgott speaks, "well I'm sure you tried to bust out and help us in Bastogne, Web."

Webster smiles slightly, thinking Liebgott was joking, "I don't know how I would have done that."

Liebgott scoffs again, "that's funny, 'cause Popeye found a way. So did Alley, right, back in Holland?" Liebgott looks at Rene and Babe, Rene nodding his head against Babe's shoulder as Babe nods. Liebgott continues, "and Guarnere and – "

Webster cuts Liebgott off, "yeah, where is Guarnere? He still your platoon sergeant?"

Jackson takes a deep breath, lifting his head slightly, giving a sharp "no."