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

Moving out

D-Day plus 2.

The aid station was practically empty. Ella and Gene were going through their already severely diminished supplies and trying to decide who would be making the trip to the supply office. Since neither of them were really keen on debating with the notoriously pedantic supply officers, they found themselves at an impasse. Of course, they had both offered to go, but they also both knew the other was just doing it by courtesy.

"Rochambeau?", Gene suggested.

Ella shrugged. "Sure. Otherwise we're still standing here tomorrow, none the wiser."

They held out their hands and played one round of rock-paper-scissors.

"If I'm not back in an hour, I probably got tossed in the stockade for strangling a supply officer", Ella joked, grabbing her jacket.

Gene cracked a smile. "I doubt that." She had too much patience and was too good a person for something like that.

She gave him one of her innocent toothy grins, waved and left. The door closed behind her.

***

The young medic had to try very hard not to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I understand that, Corporal, but I need bandages", she said for what seemed like the thirty-seventh time. "We're almost out and it's only a matter of time until we get new wounded."

The man before her had a ratty sort of face, a reedy voice and a truly abysmal attitude. It was almost like addressing her by her rank caused him physical pain.

"Sergeant, everybody wants something these days. Weapons, ammunition, clothing, each soldier wants to replace the things they have lost on the jump. And right now, those things are priority", he droned, sounding just as bored as he looked.

Ella sighed. "And how do you expect us to treat our patients? I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important, Corporal."

"Well", he fumbled for a reply, "just do what you can. We have only limited supplies, Sergeant, a lot was lost during the past week."

"Look, Corporal", she replied calmly. "I understand that your job is hard, but so is everybody else's. And unfortunately, we can't just heal the wounded by clicking our fingers, so unless you have a better idea on how to keep a soldier from bleeding out, I suggest you give me that box of bandages back there." She pointed to a crate sitting on the ground and flashed him a shrewd smile.

Realising that he had been caught, the supply officer tried one last excuse: "Those aren't for your battalion, Sergeant."

The girl raised an eyebrow, thoroughly unfazed. "Then why are they here? Because as far as I know, we're the only battalion around. Now hand me those bandages, Corporal, before I start thinking of other things we're running low on."

The ratty corporal grudgingly handed over the crate. Cheerfully, Ella thanked him and sauntered off.

Shaking her head at the pettiness of the man, the brunette walked back to the aid station. Some people...

"Luckily, it's too much effort to get worked up about those people", she said by way of greeting.

"For who? You or him?", Gene asked.

"Both. I know people who would have ripped that guy's head off after two minutes. But it doesn't do your blood pressure any good if you fuss about all the stupid, annoying and useless people on this Earth", the girl replied, setting down the box.