A Soldier of No Importance [ Band of Brothers ] 1

THIRTY SIX

Alice stared out across the waves. A steadily growing wind made the waters choppy, and grey from the clouds brewing overhead. She took a deep breath. A salty taste lingered in her mouth as the air filled her lungs. The anger she'd been feeling faded ever so slightly. Her trembling stopped, and she did her best to forgive Guarnere in her heart.

But every time she thought about him, the hot fury blazed in her again. Indignation, and betrayal fueled her rage. If it had been someone from another Company, or even someone else from Easy like Cobb, she could've gotten over it. But it had been Guarnere. It had been one of her closest friends, a confidant, family. In her head, she knew that was just Guarnere; he had no filter, and he thrived on conflict. But her heart couldn't accept that explanation.

Rain started. Her hair and clothes became drenched almost immediately. At first she didn't move. She just let the water wash her face. It cooled her, physically and emotionally. But after a few minutes, she decided to head back below deck. In part, she wanted to make sure her bunk hadn't been taken, and she also knew the men would be looking for her.

Pushing herself away from the edge of the boat, she turned around. A door to the lower decks stood closed not too far from her. Alice pushed it open and stepped into the interior. Bustling men created a cacophony of chaos at the bottom of the small flight of stairs. All of them were 506th, but she didn't recognize any. After a moment, she realized they were from G, H, and I Companies.

A group of men lingered at the base of the stairs, right where the hallway continued for about ten feet before opening up into the large underbelly where the bunks had been installed. Two of the men had jet black hair, a third was blond, and the others loitering about had shades in between. They all held lit cigarettes, and the haze of the smoke clouded the air ever so slightly with each puff.

Alice straightened her drenched uniform. Taking the stairs one at a time, she kept her eyes forward. There was no need to invite an issue. G, H, and I rarely interacted with her beyond the lessons Alice had led for a select few. As such, she figured some amount of antagonism remained.

By the time her feet left the last step, they had all turned to her. She saw one wore sergeant's stripes. The others seemed to be corporals. With a quick nod to them, she started through the group.

"You're the broad from Easy, right?" one of them asked. He stood himself in her way a bit. "The German girl?"

She sighed. The man was one of the corporals. "I am one of Easy's Lieutenants, yes."

"Oh, a Louie?" He laughed. "Hey, the broad wants us all to know she's a Louie!"

"I saw a sign the other day," another one said. "It was all about watching out for female spies. Said they were everywhere."

"You a spy, girl?"

Alice bit her cheek. "No. And you will address me as Lieutenant, Corporal."

He only grinned wider. Her turned to the Sergeant on his right. "Hey, Clint. Maybe we should make sure this broad's not a spy, you know, for the good of the US of A."

A hand grabbed at her backside. She spun around in protest. But as she did so, the Corporal put his arm around her neck. She tried to get her arms free. The man used his body to trap them against her back. Someone groped at her breasts. She froze.

"Please, let go, monsieur."

Images flashed before her. A black uniform with white and silver accents. A deep voice with a bit of a rasp. Impeccable German. A red arm badge with a swastika.

"I recognize a German frauline when I see one."

A calloused hand clasped over her mouth. Her heart pounded. Her body squished against the wooden wall.