A Brand New Hope (Band of Brothers)

-*Alone in a Sea of Men*-

Ricky Levin sat alone on the train that would be taking her to her future. This very train would be deciding if she would make it home or not. This train was the one that was taking her to Camp Toccoa, and army training camp. There, Ricky would be training to become a Paratrooper. Ricky knew that she wouldn't be accepted so easily into the army. There would be many other challenges to face, but she knew she could do it.

Ricky had to painfully say goodbye to her mom and dad back home in Chicago. Leaving them was the toughest decision she ever had to make, but she didn't regret it. Not yet atleast. So, here she sat in the train car alone, no man daring to even enter with the presence of her in it. Her big brown eyes were glued to the window, watching the world wip by. The red head dared not to fall asleep. She didn't know what might happen to her if a bunch of men saw a young seventeen year old girl asleep in a train car, all by herself.

Her only form of defence was her knife, which she held tightly in her left hand, just waiting for anyone to come at her. Even if she was only one person, she could still put up a fight. Her father had taught her to be tough, even if you were outnumbered. He always taught her to not go down without a fight, and she was greatful for it.

She heard the loud talking of men in one of the train car beside hers, and she wondered what they could possibly be talking about. Ricky wished that she had someone to talk to her right now, to tell her that everything would be alright, and that she was going to be okay. But that would never happen. She was now entering a world full of men. Men who would do whatever it took to get her out of the army. Ricky decided to prepare herself for the next hour alone, but that's when something happened. Something strange. Out of the blue, a young boy entered the train car. Ricky assumed that he was just passing, but then he sat down. He was about three rows away, but that didn't stop them from noticing eachother. The boy had blond hair and blue eyes, and he looked to be about the same age as Ricky. The two continued to stare at eachother, Ricky praying that he would just look away.

Finally, Ricky looked away and stared out the window again. But then another thing happened. The boy stood up, walked over, and sat down across from her. And he looked happy. Ricky was hesitent, but then she saw that he wasn't a threat at all.

"Hi there. My name's Brice Savard, nice to meet you." said the boy, sticking his hand out.

"Oh um, hello. Uh, Ricky. Ricky Levin." Ricky said, shaking Brice's hand. Brice smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Brice asked. But then his smile soon fadded. "Sorry, that was rude of me."

"Oh no, it's fine. If I was a man, I to would be wondering why there was a woman sitting in a train that was headed to an army camp." Ricky replied.

"Yeah, I guess so. Let me re start. So, what brings you here?" Brice asked. Ricky gave a small smile.

"Well, it all started in the WAC. I was just doing my training y'know, shooting targets, doing runs and courses. And then I was called into my Major's office and there stood this man. He then asked me if I was interested in joining the Paratroopers. And I said yes. So, here I am." Ricky replied. Brice smiled softly.

"Well, you must've been really good at what you were doing. Anyways, where are you from?" Brice asked.

"Chicago. What about you?"

"Seattle."

"I've always wanted to go there." Ricky replied.

"Yeah, it is quite the city. I do miss it already." said Brice.

"Do you have any siblings?" Ricky asked.

"Yeah, I got three sisters." Brice said casually.

"Three? My Lord." Ricky said. She couldn't imagine how loud thier house would be.