The Allied War

Chapter 2: Reporting In

The Chain of Command to Alex in the 5th Infantry Division, 3rd Regiment "Jolly Ranchers", 2nd Battalion "Raining Thunder," consisted of the following leadership: Alpha Company Leader Captain George Ezra; 2nd Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Daniel McKee; 3rd Regiment leader Colonel Mike Wayne; 5th Division Commander Major General Thomas Carson; all under Corps Head of Warfare in the Front, General Beck Taylor, reporting to Corps Commandant, Grand General Platzman Moore. Alex knew he had to report to the Company Commander and so he set out to find him. The Company Commander was not at all a like-able man. The Alpha Company leader George Ezra felt he needed to keep the men disciplined and "battle worthy," as many would like to quote behind his back. The Captain felt it was his duty, for most of the time, Alpha Company was always in the first when taking a CP or Command Post. It was tiring for his men, and deadly. He was a respectable man enough, growing up in the corn fields all his life and having had a hard life dealing with poverty and little education. He made a big mistake when he was twenty years old by stealing a guy's truck for fun and was given a choice of the military or Prison. Prison was hell on Earth and everyone knew it. He chose the Marine Corps. He was a fast learner. Trained, educated, and put in command of the Alpha Company, he became a star for his dedication and valor, rarely ever noticed for most by the top officials. Meeting the Commander for the first time had Alex on edge. He knew everything would be fine, but he had a nagging feeling in the back of his head that wouldn't subside, no matter how many deep breaths he took. He was still recovering from the plane ride over the Eastern European Isles. With technology in this age, many a person could travel in a jet getting you from Miami to Prague in an hour flat. There were many faster ways of transportation, but most found that the jets traveled much safer.

                                  ***

Captain Ezra had dark hair, closely cropped, and a tall muscled body that showed he went to the gym every spare moment. He had an expressionless face reading the complaint logs of his men. Of course, this would be transferred up to the Battalion Commander Colonel McKee for review and implementation.

"Sergeant Major Alex Stephens, Sir!"

"Ah, soldier. So, you're part of the new, fresh group of men sent, eh? We lost quite a lot of good men recently. It ain't no easier task this war, with them Russians coming at us so hard. Lost a lot of good men we did... So. I hear from Colonel McKee that you're somewhat of a bright eyed, up-and-coming of an officer, eh?"

"That's what they say, yes sir. I have never seen myself as the best."

"Modest too, eh? The Colonel never told me nothing about no modest kid showing up. Most here are pretty roughed up from the intense fighting, but we get through. Heck, the whole battalion is starting to call ourselves 'The Broken Thunder.' I say it's a bunch of bologna. We are and always will be fighting and we are not 'broken' until we're all dead and the whole battalion's deactivated for good. Pronto. No more. That's when I say we'll be 'Broken Thunder.' Best you remember that for future reference. Eh, son?"

"Yes, sir. I agree with you on that front..."

"Ah, pooo! You ain't agree with nothing. We ain't got much left to talk about son, so get over to your tents and gear up. We got orders to march out at 1500 hours. We're gonna be fighting some Turks son. Best you be ready. They're fierce they are. Very fierce."

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Alex walked out of the tent of the Company Commander knowing that he hadn't been able to say very much. Maybe that was the Captain's nature or else he was just nervous about the upcoming outing they had with the Turks. On trying to press the Commander for more info, he just denied any more knowledge and heeded Alex go prepare. With a nagging feeling, Alex had left and headed to his tents or "barracks" as many called it he was told. The tent was large and square. It fit about 88 men that made up the common numbers of a platoon in most battalions. There were about half of Alex's Platoon present when he walked in, almost all smoking a cigar and quickly hiding it when he walked in. The US Government had prohibited smoking as part of the new reforms that had set in, claiming that smoking killed many of our fathers before us. Although, that didn't stop the men from sneaking out to a local black market and buying a few packs, for a high price though.
"So, you're new? Our new Leader huh?" said a heavy-set guy with tons of scars on his face. He leaned on his elbow while lying in bed.

"Yeah. I expect more respect next time as I'm soon to be an officer. I don't mind too much while we're not in public, but you know how the Government is. Besides, there are tons of officers just looking to roast your feathers and get some points toward another promotion. I also don't give a rat's you-know-what if you do smoke. Just not dumb enough that anyone can catch you like I just did."
"Yes, Sergeant. I didn't mean to disrespect you. It's just our old Platoon Leader, Warren Sikes was the name, was real laid back. The name's George Henry the Third. From Kansas. I'll be sure to keep that smoking tip in mind." The man said.

"I Appreciate that. Just remember next time. I'm Alexander Stephens and I'll be leading this platoon for as long as I live or am transferred. One or the other."

"Ok. Yeah." Said the George.

"By the way, it's time to get ready. The battalion is being sent out to skirmish with some Turks. I didn't get anything else about it."

"Yeah?" Said George. "You got that right. I asked the Commander many things when I first got here. He wouldn't even tell me how long we were gonna be here or if well be sent out soon. He's hard to crack."

"Doesn't matter anymore," Alex said. "It's about time to go. Gear up and let's go."

Alex walked out of the tent and headed over to get something to eat when a horn when off announcing that the whole battalion was to report to the Central Command Center and wait for further instructions from their Company Commanders. Alex hurried over thinking he would get something when they got back, if they ever got back. The Central Command Center was pretty big and fit all the officers in the battalion. Alex hurried over to Captain Ezra and saluted smartly. Platoon Leaders two through five showed up seconds later and saluted too. Captain Ezra said,

"Alright. Our Company's the first out. We're Alpha, so we'll be going out first almost all the time. Bravo and Charlie will follow with us. Delta and Echo Companies are going to be coming up slower. Anyways. We'll be transported by the Armored Troop Carriers and let out on a hilly slope. Then it'll be praying time boys. We'll be crossing a huge plain where we will be taking cover in Battle Post Delta Charlie, relieving Colonel Hecklen's First Battalion Bravo Company. Then we'll hang out there and wait for orders to engage the Turks. It should be easy sailing men. Maybe a rebel here, maybe there. The real fighting should happen once we're sent out from the Battle Post. Artillery will not be available and it'll be hard. So, prepare your men and meet at the ATCs." With a return salute to the five Platoon Leaders, Captain Ezra set out to prepare himself for the long fight ahead. Alex and the rest of the Platoon Leaders ran back to their men and started giving out orders for men to grab any gear they had forgotten, with a little discipline for not being ready, and once they returned, met again at the forty-four different ATCs that had a capacity of 50 men each. Alex's platoon showed up and Captain Ezra started to order men into the ATCs, telling the Platoon leaders to form up the Platoons once they were dropped off. Everyone got in. Everyone was geared up. They closed the doors on the transports and small fluorescent light bulbs lit up the small enclosed space. The ride didn't take too long and before you knew it. We were told to be geared up and ready for action. Then we stopped. The doors opened. And we got out.