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[Location: Padassa Station]
[Timeline: 4 hours before departing the station]
A young private ran through the sheer mass of green that had gathered on the main deck, in preparation for the big jump. Operation Valkrye, General Sharpe's big push against the Romulan's, was due to kick off in a few short hours. The private, an adjunct of Colonel Westman, was pushing his way through the groups of men.
"I'm looking for Lieutenant Winters, anyone seen Lieutenant Winters?"
"Sir, Colonel Westman's compliments, and can you join him in his office ASAP." The private said.
"Uh...sure, thank you, Private," replied the Lieutenant before turning around to his Platoon Sergeant. "Get 'em saddled up and start transferring over. I'll join you when I'm finished with the Colonel." As Randleman nodded Winters turned and began making his way through the crowd himself.
Within minutes Dick found himself outside the Colonels office, waiting for permission to enter.
"Indeed I did." Westman said. "Close the hatch."
Moving to pull the metal hatch closed, Dick couldn't help but wonder what was going on. As far as he was aware neither he nor any of his men had done anything to merit disciplinary action. When the hatch had sealed he turned back around to the Colonel, "Sir?"
"I haven't had a chance to congratulate you on the fine job you and your boys did on Norris. A tough assignment for sure, but we sent the best, and the best pulled through. You handled yourself really well down there Dick. Spiers was rather pleased, and so was General Sharpe." Westman said.
Dick had to force down a smile as he nodded, "Thank you, Colonel. I've got to give the credit to the men, though. They were the ones that really carried out that assault. The recognition should go to them."
"That it does, Dick." Westman said. "But you were the OC, and victory or failure depended on your actions. You accredited yourself with great distinction in the field of battle." The colonel moved around to stand before Winters. "General Sharpe has seen fit to promote you to 1st Lieutenant, for your actions on Norris 8.
Congratulations Dick." Westman removed the bronze bar from Winters' uniform, and replaced it with a silver one instead.
For a moment Winters was speechless. This had been the last thing he had expected to hear from the Regiment CO. He (and Easy along with him) had just been doing their duty. Finally he cleared his throat and responded, "Thank you, Colonel. It's an honor to serve with Easy Company, and I won't let them, or the regiment, down, sir."
"I know you won't son." Westman said. "You'll be pleased to hear that you're going to be bumped to Easy Company XO, since you're the only other 1st Lieutenant in the company right now."
"Understood, Colonel," Dick said with another nod. Thankful he'd still be with his men, the Lieutenant was still well aware that he was about to find that there was a great deal more coming to occupy his time.
"General Sharpe has stated that he would like to be with Easy Company during the assault, and since it is the weakest company at the moment, having the General and the Sergeant Major with you guys might improve things. I'm tasking you with looking after the General, Lieutenant." Westman said, his tone more formal now.
This time Winters was speechless for a different reason. He knew what this was, and he definitely didn't like it. However, he was also fully aware he had absolutely no choice in the matter. Finally Dick nodded, "Understood, sir."
"I don't like this any more than you do, Winters." Westman said. "But he is the CO, and he is more than capable of looking after himself. However… it would not be good for any of our careers if we allowed the General to get killed on our watch."
"I'll do my best to keep that in mind, Colonel," the Lieutenant said rather flatly as he nodded. He knew his duty, and he would do it. If the Colonel said to babysit the General, by by gods he'd babysit the General.
"Just don't make it look like you're baby-sitting." Westman said. "He's a very intelligent man, and he knows when he's being handled. However, these orders came on the advice of his own Sergeant Major, to Brigadier Stirling, who made it an order to me."
Raising an eyebrow Dick asked, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"By all means, Lieutenant," Westman said, using the rank to remind him who he was talking to, in case he planned on crossing a line.
"Were the General -truly- intelligent, sir, he would know better than to risk a Flag Officer, himself in this case, by putting them in the middle of a combat action," Dick said, not quite bothering with the niceties of conversation. After all, he had been given permission to speak his mind.
"General Sharpe is a very strange man." Westman said, slowly. "However, he is one hell of a field commander, and I know this from personal experience. That man can see things happening well before they happen. If I'm honest with you Dick, and this doesn't leave this room, it was a real crime promoting that man out of the field."
Westman sighed for a moment. "The reason I picked you for this crap job, Winters, is because I see a lot of what Sharpe has, in you. I truly think that you can learn a great deal from him."
"If you say so, Colonel," Dick replied with a shrug. "I'll take your word for it. But I just really hope he knows how to keep his head down."
"Lieutenant, you don't make it to Major General without learning that." Westman snapped. "You might not like it, but you're a marine, and so is the General. Never forget that."
The Lieutenant shook his head as he replied, "Never, sir."
Westman chucked a PADD at Winters. "That's the man's CV. It might be worth getting to know him as you would any grunt under your command."
"I'll have plenty of time during the trip," admitted Dick as he accepted the PADD. "It'll be nice to have some reading material."
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Colonel John Westman [NPC by Frankie]
Regiment Commanding Officer
1st Regiment, 1st MEF
First Lieutenant Richard Winters
Platoon Leader, First Platoon, E "Easy" Company
2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st MEF
