Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Change in command

"We're gonna mutiny", Johnny quietly revealed the night after Winters had demanded trial by court-martial.

Ella turned to face him, propping herself up on her elbow. He had to force himself to return her piercing gaze. It was as if she could see right into him. She was quiet for a long time, simply looking at him from her side of the bed.

"You do realise that if it fails, you could be shot", she then remarked mildly.

Johnny did a double-take. He had expected her to try and talk them out of it. "Yeah. But Sobel's gonna get all of us killed in the field", he pointed out.

Ella nodded sombrely. "I know. Just... I don't want you to get shot, Johnny. Or any of you guys.", she whispered, her hand briefly touching his shoulder.

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."

"Then I'll come with you", she resolved.

Martin shook his head. "You can't turn in your stripes, kid, you'd be kicked out. The guys need you."

"Maybe, but I can still be there."

***

The next day, Ella anxiously paced the hallway in front of Sink's office. She heard the Colonel yell at the NCOs. Not that she could fault him for it. A mutiny was the last thing he needed on his plate when preparing for the invasion of Europe.

Suddenly, the door opened. Harris came out. "See ya around, Shorty", he said, giving her a resigned smile. He had been transferred out of the 506th.

A few moments later, the rest of the guys came out, looking a little shaken, but relieved.

"Got busted to Private", Ranney explained, sounding not even remotely angry.

Ella expectantly looked at the others. "We're fine, Ella", Lipton assured her.

She let out the breath she had been holding and gave them each a hug. "Thank God."

They left the building. Up ahead, they saw Winters overseeing the kitchen staff unloading a truck. They all saluted him in unison as they marched past. Winters returned the salute, a look of worried bewilderment in his eyes.

***

Colonel Sink was a well-informed man. His job required him to be. And it wasn't a secret that Ella Sawyer was close to almost everybody in Easy Company, from privates right up to Lieutenants Nixon and Winters.

So, he figured that if anybody apart from the NCOs had known about this act of mutiny, it would be her. Plus, she was reputed to be honest and he hoped to get a different perspective of what could have driven nearly every NCO in the company to turn in their stripes.

***

"Sergeant Sawyer? Colonel Sink wants to see you in his office", the runner informed her when he found her chatting with the NCOs in the barn that served as mess hall. The men looked at each other, dread filling the pits of their stomachs.

Ella simply got up from her seat, called a friendly "Later, boys" and left.

"Shit." Guarnere spoke, voicing what they all thought.

***

"You wanted to see me, sir?", Ella asked politely after saluting the Colonel.

"I want you to be truthful with me, Sergeant Sawyer", Sink said without preamble. "Did you know about the mutiny Easy Company's NCOs planned?"

Ella didn't hesitate. "Yes, sir, I did", she replied candidly.