Warriors (Band of Brothers - Joseph Liebgott)

Chapter 2: New Arrival

The car came closer to the gate and Mariah could see two men standing in front of it with rifles in their hands.

"State your name and business." One of the men said.

"Captain Lewis Nixon, here to escort the 506's new medic; Mariah Compton to Colonel Sink."

Mariah saw the man look at her curiously. "Open the gate!" The man in front of them turned to resume his position on his side of the gate.

Nixon put the car in drive and off they went into Camp Toccoa. As they drove through the camp, she could many uniformed men, as the car rumbled past many of the

men turned around to see who was behind the wheel. When the men noticed Mariah, they all did double takes; not believing what they were seeing. A woman at Toccoa.

"Looks like you're going to be the talk of the town huh." Nixon said smirking.

"It certainly seems that way." Mariah laughed.

They pulled up in front of a long wooden barrack, our front Mariah could see a tall man with orange hair. He was wearing a full army suit that was decorated with shiny pins.

As they exited the car the man started walking towards them, "Mariah this is Second Lieutenant, Richard Winters."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." Mariah said putting her hand out to shake his.

"You as well Ms. Compton, Nixon here told me that you're an exemplary nurse."

"That's what they keep telling me." Mariah said as she walked to the back of the car to get her suitcase.

"Here let me get that for you." Nixon said taking her bag before she could even lay a finger on it.

"Thank you very much."

The three of them walked up the stairs and into the barrack. Once inside, they could hear the unmistakable sound of arguing.

"Easy Company doesn't need a woman in it! She will just distract the men and fall behind. The men will end up carrying her; I've come too far to let this company fail."

"Sounds like Sobel's here." Nixon said taking a seat across from what seemed like Colonel Sink's office.

Mariah remembered that Colonel Sink had sent her a letter a week before she was to fly out. Sink had mentioned Sobel; he was the first Lieutenant of Easy Company; she would be under his command as well as Lieutenant Winters'.

"Lieutenant Sobel, Easy Company will not fail just because a woman is joining, she comes from a good military and nursing background. I have complete faith in her and her abilities, you should also." Mariah couldn't help but smile at the praises Colonel Sink was giving her. She noticed the two men beside her had the same smiles on their faces, as well.

"Yes sir. I still don't think is a good idea." They heard Lieutenant Sobel say.

The door opened and Lieutenant Sobel walked out. 

"Lieutenant Sobel this is-" Winters began to say.

"I know who she is, Lieutenant." Sobel said starting into Mariah's eyes. "This is the girl that thinks she can make it in the army." He said clearly trying to intimidate her.

"I don't think I can sir, I know I can." Mariah said matching his gaze.

"We'll see." He said as he walked past her and out of the door.

"He seems pleasant." Mariah said watching Sobel.

"Regular ray of sunshine." Nixon laughed, lighting a cigarette.

"Ms. Compton," Mariah heard from behind her. She turned to find Colonel Sink behind her. "Welcome to Camp Toccoa, please step into my office. You too, Captain Nixon and Lieutenant Winters."

"I trust your journey went well?" Colonel Sink asked.

"Yes sir,"

"Excellent. Now Captain Nixon and I have gone over what your role in the company will be, as well as what's expected of you. I trust you remember what those are."

"Yes sir, I do."

"Wonderful. Now these," Colonel Sink said pointing to a small pile of clothes on his desk, "Are your uniform and PT Gear. Hair is to be worn in either a bun or braids and out of the face during training.

I am going to ask that you change into your uniform before going to the barracks." Mariah nodded and took her clothes off the desk. "Bathroom is down the hall, second door on your left."

Mariah made her way into the small bathroom; she stripped off her dress, put on the underwear and bra provided for her by the army. She put the PT clothes on, then her uniform over-top. She quickly took her hair out of the up-do and did a basic braid that ran down her back. Finally, she put her boots on and made her way out of the washroom and back to Colonel Sink's office.

She walked to the office door and knocked, "Come in!" Colonel Sink yelled. Mariah walked into the office and stood in front of Sink's desk.

Colonel Sink walked over to her and placed a pair of dog tag's around her neck. "Wear these with pride, Ms. Compton."

"Mariah looked down and took the tags into her hand, 'My father's going to be very proud of me,' she thought. Her father always cherished his tags; when he got back from the war, he bought a special wooden case with a glass lid for them. Anytime he left the house, he made sure he was wearing them. He even told his family when he died, he wanted to be buried wearing them. They meant everything to him.

"I will sir, I promise." She said looking back up to Colonel Sink.

"Well Ms. Compton, welcome to Easy Company."