Confidence in Command (Devlishangel and Alan23}

[Alan23]

For some reason, retreating always seemed to be more tiring than advancing. And retreating when you were starving was the worst of all.

The army were strung out, ragged, sluggish. An observer would have found it far easier to discern they had been defeated than that they had once been an army. They were just a disparate collection of men and women, clothed in the tattered remains of uniforms, many of whom had lost their weapons. The infantry marched with their heads down, those that could. The many wounded were carried on trucks, but there were far too few of these, and many had had to be left to the mercy of the enemy. There were far too few tanks left to be of any use, and air support was a dimly remembered dream.

And what made it even worse, felt Corporal Graeme Dranvers, was the leadership. If they'd been under the command of a battle-hardened survivor, he might have had some faith they could have escaped. Instead, what did they have? He found his eyes straying to the Captain, his own commander. Instead of being in battledress, she wore her tight, flamboyant white dress uniform, fine for a formal dinner but restrictive and useless in the field. She wore a sword that she had no idea how to use, even if it hadn't been an out of date weapon. And at the first sign of gunfire, she'd panicked and ordered them to retreat.

He began making plans - how soon could he peel off, make his own independent escape. It was better to risk being shot for desertion than go on until the enemy's front units caught up with them?

Or would he even get that chance? Already, enemy planes were circling overhead. And rumors were reaching him that enemy armored cars and even tanks had been seen a few miles behind the stragglers. How long did they have?

 

[Devlishangel]

They were walking now for hours and she is starving...she could just commands someone of her Men to find some Food? She didn't Even know where to go Looking for Food....she Looks behind her, seeing her Men...."we have to find something to est for all! Any idea how we can Get some Food, anybody?" She says loudly.

For some reason, retreating always seemed to be more tiring than advancing. And retreating when you were starving was the worst of all.

The army were strung out, ragged, sluggish. An observer would have found it far easier to discern they had been defeated than that they had once been an army. They were just a disparate collection of men and women, clothed in the tattered remains of uniforms, many of whom had lost their weapons. The infantry marched with their heads down, those that could. The many wounded were carried on trucks, but there were far too few of these, and many had had to be left to the mercy of the enemy. There were far too few tanks left to be of any use, and air support was a dimly remembered dream.

And what made it even worse, felt Corporal Graeme Dranvers, was the leadership. If they'd been under the command of a battle-hardened survivor, he might have had some faith they could have escaped. Instead, what did they have? He found his eyes straying to the Captain, his own commander. Instead of being in battledress, she wore her tight, flamboyant white dress uniform, fine for a formal dinner but restrictive and useless in the field. She wore a sword that she had no idea how to use, even if it hadn't been an out of date weapon. And at the first sign of gunfire, she'd panicked and ordered them to retreat.

He began making plans - how soon could he peel off, make his own independent escape. It was better to risk being shot for desertion than go on until the enemy's front units caught up with them?

Or would he even get that chance? Already, enemy planes were circling overhead. And rumors were reaching him that enemy armored cars and even tanks had been seen a few miles behind the stragglers. How long did they have?

 

[Alan23]

"Like she'd care?" came voices from the ranks. "Officers always get enough to eat. It's only the fighters who go hungry." "It's her incompetence got us into this mess anyway." "Look at her in her fine, tight uniform."

As Captain McCoy drew level with him, her blond hair spilling from her shakoe, Corporal Danvers looked up at her and shot her a look of contempt. He was not the only one. The unit was full of men and women who felt - knew, perhaps - they could command better than a spoiled little rich girl whose commission had been bought for her by her rich father. He wondered if she'd noticed.

 

[Devlishangel]

She had to be confident,Even when Deep Inside she was not,she didn't Even want this job,her father forced her to...and now she is the Spoiled Rich Girl...she can Feel the whole Unit Looking at her...she needed to find a man in this Unit she could Trust..she can Tell about her having no clue what to do..where to find Food for her Unit...


quote='Alan23' pid='1482160' dateline='1406632617']
"Like she'd care?" came voices from the ranks. "Officers always get enough to eat. It's only the fighters who go hungry." "It's her incompetence got us into this mess anyway." "Look at her in her fine, tight uniform."

As Captain McCoy drew level with him, her blond hair spilling from her shakoe, Corporal Danvers looked up at her and shot her a look of contempt. He was not the only one. The unit was full of men and women who felt - knew, perhaps - they could command better than a spoiled little rich girl whose commission had been bought for her by her rich father. He wondered if she'd noticed.
[/quote]

 

[Alan23]

>She had to be confident,Even when Deep Inside she was not,she didn't Even want this job,her father forced her to...and now she is the Spoiled Rich Girl...she can Feel the whole Unit Looking at her...she needed to find a man in this Unit she could Trust..she can Tell about her having no clue what to do..where to find Food for her Unit...

It was the planes overhead that were the first sign. The men of the retreating units knew they were hostile, for their own had been wiped out of the skies many days since. In fact, they did minimal damage, simply a few bursts of gunfire that sent those in the near vicinity running for what cover they could find. Their job was reconnaissance rather than damage.

The really worrying thing was the armored cars. The scouts reported they were ahead, about to cut them off. Only a squadron of them, but in the current state of the retreating army, that could well have been enough. And everyone knew that before long they'd be reinforced by trucked infantry and tanks. In essence, the retreating force was now surrounded. Quick action was needed.

Those closest to Captain McCoy approached. Surely, they reasoned, she'd give an order. Some indication she had a plan, knew what she was doing. And soon - or it would be too late.

Corporal Danvers watched with all the rest. But with even less confidence that most. He knew fear when he saw it, and there was, surely, fear in her now. She was no longer riding in a confident, upright way, as she had before the campaign had gone wrong. Her eyes looked full of fear. He even thought she might be trembling.

"What are our orders, Captain?" piped up a Lieutenant. "Ma'am, you need to give an order. Quickly, What do we do?"

 

[Devlishangel]

She felt the Stares of the infantry on her back,their eyes pierced her with hate...how could her father have forced her into this? After all she had been through. She didn't Even had a proper Training for being in war. Except for that she hadn't had something to eat in days,Even the Upper class couldn't Get Food anymore,the Enemy Took everything.

She looked back to the infantry..how could she find somebody more suitable for the leaderjob without admitting she is just scared as hell?

At the Moment she was thinking about this she heard a motorsound in the Air...panic Took over her Body...the Enemy was that Near...she suddenly turned around shouting at the infantry "Listen Crew...I know about your thoughts about me...I was forced to do this and I know I am not suitable for the Job to Lead you all,please step forward who is able to Lead a infantry!" She Hopes the infantry will understand her Position....

For some reason, retreating always seemed to be more tiring than advancing. And retreating when you were starving was the worst of all.

The army were strung out, ragged, sluggish. An observer would have found it far easier to discern they had been defeated than that they had once been an army. They were just a disparate collection of men and women, clothed in the tattered remains of uniforms, many of whom had lost their weapons. The infantry marched with their heads down, those that could. The many wounded were carried on trucks, but there were far too few of these, and many had had to be left to the mercy of the enemy. There were far too few tanks left to be of any use, and air support was a dimly remembered dream.

And what made it even worse, felt Corporal Graeme Dranvers, was the leadership. If they'd been under the command of a battle-hardened survivor, he might have had some faith they could have escaped. Instead, what did they have? He found his eyes straying to the Captain, his own commander. Instead of being in battledress, she wore her tight, flamboyant white dress uniform, fine for a formal dinner but restrictive and useless in the field. She wore a sword that she had no idea how to use, even if it hadn't been an out of date weapon. And at the first sign of gunfire, she'd panicked and ordered them to retreat.

He began making plans - how soon could he peel off, make his own independent escape. It was better to risk being shot for desertion than go on until the enemy's front units caught up with them?

Or would he even get that chance? Already, enemy planes were circling overhead. And rumors were reaching him that enemy armored cars and even tanks had been seen a few miles behind the stragglers. How long did they have?

 

[Alan23]

The soldiers exchanged shocked glances. They were used to their leaders making decisions, commanding. Even when the decisions they made were obviously based on incompetence and lack of experience, at least they had orders to follow. For their commander to say, in effect "I can't handle this. Do what you like" was even more frightening than being shot at by the enemy.

Corporal Danvers knew that this was the final straw. The Captain's admission would turn this retreat into a rout. They would all, without doubt, be killed. Frantically he racked his brains to find a way to save the situation.

And the only thing that occurred was so unorthodox that it might well make things worse. But against this - there was, when it came down to it, nothing much to lose. Do nothing and they were all dead anyway.

He let fly with a laugh, loud and relaxed, as if he had just heard the funniest wittiest joke he'd encountered in his whole life.

"Ah, that's a good one, Ma'am," he said, clutching his stomach, pretending he could barely speak. Hastily, he whispered instructions in the ears of the three of four men around him. "Pretend she was making a joke. If they think she's lost it, we're all dead." Seeing his plan, the other soldiers also began to laugh, putting across that the Captain was making a joke at her own expense. A thing that only the most courageous, steely-nerved person would ever do.

"Captain, Pretend what you just said was a joke," he mouthed up at her, quickly. "Or you've lost your entire command. Now, get down from the horse, and stand so you can hear what I whisper to you. I'll tell you what orders to give, but you have to give them yourself in a loud, confident voice. If the soldiers don't have faith in you, they'll panic. Start by laughing... even if you don;t feel like it."

 

[Devlishangel]

She got off her Horse without saying a Word about his Rough behaviour...why did they still See her as the Enemy Himself...what was she supposed to do, Lie to them? Pretend to be confident, Strong? That would be more ridiculous in her opinion. She walked towards the Captain as she sighed and wishes someone would just at least try to understand her Position..

As she walked over she had to pass some of her infantry members, she could Feel the hate in their eyes...it was like they blamed her for all of this...she started to realize it was maybe a mistake to Tell them she was forced to be here. She wished she could just dissapear here..sometimes it would have been easier if the Enemy would kill her...Well Even if she didn't like it she had to Trust This Captain That just made Fun of her in Front of everybody.

As she reached the Captain, he had a Self confident grin on his Face, still laughing about her probably..she just couldn't take this whole Situation anymore..she felt tears coming up...that was the Last Thing she needed now but she could not hold them back...she felt so alone.

The soldiers exchanged shocked glances. They were used to their leaders making decisions, commanding. Even when the decisions they made were obviously based on incompetence and lack of experience, at least they had orders to follow. For their commander to say, in effect "I can't handle this. Do what you like" was even more frightening than being shot at by the enemy.

Corporal Danvers knew that this was the final straw. The Captain's admission would turn this retreat into a rout. They would all, without doubt, be killed. Frantically he racked his brains to find a way to save the situation.

And the only thing that occurred was so unorthodox that it might well make things worse. But against this - there was, when it came down to it, nothing much to lose. Do nothing and they were all dead anyway.

He let fly with a laugh, loud and relaxed, as if he had just heard the funniest wittiest joke he'd encountered in his whole life.

"Ah, that's a good one, Ma'am," he said, clutching his stomach, pretending he could barely speak. Hastily, he whispered instructions in the ears of the three of four men around him. "Pretend she was making a joke. If they think she's lost it, we're all dead." Seeing his plan, the other soldiers also began to laugh, putting across that the Captain was making a joke at her own expense. A thing that only the most courageous, steely-nerved person would ever do.

"Captain, Pretend what you just said was a joke," he mouthed up at her, quickly. "Or you've lost your entire command. Now, get down from the horse, and stand so you can hear what I whisper to you. I'll tell you what orders to give, but you have to give them yourself in a loud, confident voice. If the soldiers don't have faith in you, they'll panic. Start by laughing... even if you don;t feel like it."

 

[Alan23]

Watching the Captain's face, Danvers could see she was about to break down. That would be it. A commander in tears. The morale of the men would fall apart totally. He could see the look of fear on her face, and it didn't give him much hope. But he was committed now. If his plan didn't work - well then, absolutely everything was going to fall apart. The fighting men and women would just run, dropping their weapons. And they would all be massacred.

"Order the tanks to the front," he said, quickly. "Every tank we've got. And tell A and C squads to take position as outriders on each side. Tell them the aim is to fight our way through the enemy forces up ahead. If we're quick, we can get through before they can set up in force. Order a group of engineers to blow the bridge we've just crossed, to slow down the enemy behind us. And tell all of our anti tank and anti aircraft guns to stand by their pieces. And try to look confident!"

He began to bark out a few orders of his own. "Hargin. Shaw. Krebs. McLintic. Captain's ordered me to tell you to go among A and C squads, and make sure they're totally stocked with ammunition. Jones, the Captain knows the field radio isn't working, but have another try. Every man who can, get onto a tank or truck. Doesn't matter if it's crowded."

He watched the Captain out of the corner of his eye. Her formally immaculate dress uniform was rumpled and stained. The tunic had ridden up at the back, revealing a few inches of her pale flesh and the top of her underwear. It showed how upset she must have been, that she hadn't even bothered to fix it. Standing behind her, he quickly tugged it down. She could not afford to look ridiculous now. If the men were laughing at her, they'd never obey her. He straightened her shakoe, and tried to tuck some of her mass of blond hair out of sight, making her look as efficient as possible.

He wondered how she'd take this. Rumor had it she'd never even had a boyfriend, and wasn't used to being touched by a man. Especially a rough-handed working class guy like himself. Well, if it upset her, too bad. Someone had to save them.

 

[Devlishangel]

She listened to what this rough man had to say and it seemed like he somehow changed his mind about her, he really seemed to be Committed to help her. She Nodded at his commands and as he started to Bark already a Few orders Himself she just stood next to him and wait untill he was finished, trying to find the confidence to do the Same in a moment or two.

As he finished she Took a Deep breath and just wanted to start give orders now as she was shocked of him touching her back, trying to make her look good again...First she didn't Even understand why he was doing this...was he just Using the Situation to Touch a Woman or what? Shivers ran through her Body as she felt his Rough hands quickly trying to fix how she looked. Than she understood he was just trying to help her as she was supposed to be the Captain, He was trying to Save the Last Bit of efficiency. Why did he changed his mind and to help her now? Just 5 minutes ago he made Fun of her in Front of the whole infantry. She couldn't spend many thoughts about this as she was suppose to give Orders right now.

She Took a Deep breath, trying to make her voice Sound confident and Strong as she shouted: " Like Danvers Said, we need the Field Radio to work again! Than Order engineers, we have to Blow this Bridge we just passed! I need the Tanks and I mean all of them to the Front right now!! All of you non-tank and anti-Aircraft we need to stick together!! Our aim is now to make our way through the Enemy forces before they can Get off their ass and fight back!! Let's go now!!

She looked into Danvers Eyes for a moment to See if he was going to make Fun of her again now...Even when she did what he told her to...she was still not sure he was on her side now...he rather looked like he would be able to turn everything and everybody against her when he wanted to.

Watching the Captain's face, Danvers could see she was about to break down. That would be it. A commander in tears. The morale of the men would fall apart totally. He could see the look of fear on her face, and it didn't give him much hope. But he was committed now. If his plan didn't work - well then, absolutely everything was going to fall apart. The fighting men and women would just run, dropping their weapons. And they would all be massacred.

"Order the tanks to the front," he said, quickly. "Every tank we've got. And tell A and C squads to take position as outriders on each side. Tell them the aim is to fight our way through the enemy forces up ahead. If we're quick, we can get through before they can set up in force. Order a group of engineers to blow the bridge we've just crossed, to slow down the enemy behind us. And tell all of our anti tank and anti aircraft guns to stand by their pieces. And try to look confident!"

He began to bark out a few orders of his own. "Hargin. Shaw. Krebs. McLintic. Captain's ordered me to tell you to go among A and C squads, and make sure they're totally stocked with ammunition. Jones, the Captain knows the field radio isn't working, but have another try. Every man who can, get onto a tank or truck. Doesn't matter if it's crowded."

He watched the Captain out of the corner of his eye. Her formally immaculate dress uniform was rumpled and stained. The tunic had ridden up at the back, revealing a few inches of her pale flesh and the top of her underwear. It showed how upset she must have been, that she hadn't even bothered to fix it. Standing behind her, he quickly tugged it down. She could not afford to look ridiculous now. If the men were laughing at her, they'd never obey her. He straightened her shakoe, and tried to tuck some of her mass of blond hair out of sight, making her look as efficient as possible.

He wondered how she'd take this. Rumor had it she'd never even had a boyfriend, and wasn't used to being touched by a man. Especially a rough-handed working class guy like himself. Well, if it upset her, too bad. Someone had to save them.

 

[Alan23]

It seemed to be working. The Captain was giving orders, and while her voice did not sound perfectly confident, at least she sounded as if she had a plan in mind. The art of command, he knew, is being able to give orders in a way that people obeyed them. If everyone worked together, there was a chance. Even if the orders were bad, that was better than having your leader be frozen with no idea what to do.

There was a roaring overhead. The enemy planes were back, now. Many more of them. Up ahead, he could hear the sounds of battle. The tanks he'd - no, he corrected, SHE'D - sent to the front were forcing their way through the enemy. If the people in command ever got to hear of this, Captain McCoy wouldn't look a total fool. It would look as if she'd made some attempt to save her men.

In fact, some of the army did get through. A few tanks and trucks, and a lot of men. But it wasn't nearly enough, and he knew it. The bulk of the forces, hundreds of men, would still be trapped. The men that were on the outskirts were fighting bravely enough, but they were outnumbered.

He knew what would happen. If the Captain fell into enemy hands, there was no way she'd be strong enough to stand up to their torture. She would probably reveal all their plans, and the war could be lost. Already the planes were starting to drop bombs and strafe the troops below, and there were not nearly enough guns to fight them off. He'd done what he could, but it would not be enough.

He had to get her to safety. And himself, of course!

Quickly, he grabbed the bridle of the horse, and pulled it towards them. He whispered to one of the men he was going to get their leader out of it. Before she knew what he was doing, he grabbed her, and lifted her up onto the horse, then jumped up behind and kicked the horses flank. It was already panicked and spooked by the gunfire, but that only made it run faster.

He had to grab her around her middle to keep her on the horse, so she was being touched by a man again, Well, she'd have to deal with that. He was trying to save her, after all. A mass of enemy soldiers loomed in front of them, and there was only one chance. With bullets whistling by them, he charged straight at them, and jumped the horse, right through them. Luckily, the enemy had not had time to bring up many men, and the ground was flat. More bullets whizzed by, but he kept the animal galloping, and after a few minutes he knew they were clear.

Ten minutes passed, and neither of them spoke. Then, he whispered gently in her ear.

""Ma'am, I had to do that. If they'd captured you, who knows what they might have found out."

He did, in fact, find it quite enticing, though he was scared. Her body was pushed right up against his, and he had his hand around her waist. If this had been other circumstances he might have been even more aroused. But he wondered what she was going to make of it all.

 

[Devlishangel]

More planes were on their Way...she cursed silent as she already Knew theycwere not going to be enough to fight the enemy. She was still thinking of how she could get as many people as possible from her infantry out of here alive. She didn't had a clue though since she had no military Background at all. She didn't Even think One moment about her own safety as this man...who just made Fun of her,lifted her roughly on her horse and the horse started to run. There was no Time or moment to say something,to protest...as he caught her by suprise she just hold on tight and didn't say anything.

She saw the enemy soldiers pointing their gun at them as he just kept on Running in their Direction...what the hell was he doing? Was he killing her on purpose now so they don't have to deal with that little spoiled rich Girl anymore? She closed her eyes as she heard the bullets around her and she couldn't believe they made it through the enemy lines alive...

As they were on clear ground now and the horse calmed down she just didn't know what to say...what was it he had in mind? As he told her that he did it to Save her before she could be captured and Tell the enemy every strategie she says nothing first. Than she says without any Emotion in her voice: Well...who Said They would chave captured me in the First Place? And who brings the Rest of the infantry out now?

It seemed to be working. The Captain was giving orders, and while her voice did not sound perfectly confident, at least she sounded as if she had a plan in mind. The art of command, he knew, is being able to give orders in a way that people obeyed them. If everyone worked together, there was a chance. Even if the orders were bad, that was better than having your leader be frozen with no idea what to do.

There was a roaring overhead. The enemy planes were back, now. Many more of them. Up ahead, he could hear the sounds of battle. The tanks he'd - no, he corrected, SHE'D - sent to the front were forcing their way through the enemy. If the people in command ever got to hear of this, Captain McCoy wouldn't look a total fool. It would look as if she'd made some attempt to save her men.

In fact, some of the army did get through. A few tanks and trucks, and a lot of men. But it wasn't nearly enough, and he knew it. The bulk of the forces, hundreds of men, would still be trapped. The men that were on the outskirts were fighting bravely enough, but they were outnumbered.

He knew what would happen. If the Captain fell into enemy hands, there was no way she'd be strong enough to stand up to their torture. She would probably reveal all their plans, and the war could be lost. Already the planes were starting to drop bombs and strafe the troops below, and there were not nearly enough guns to fight them off. He'd done what he could, but it would not be enough.

He had to get her to safety. And himself, of course!

Quickly, he grabbed the bridle of the horse, and pulled it towards them. He whispered to one of the men he was going to get their leader out of it. Before she knew what he was doing, he grabbed her, and lifted her up onto the horse, then jumped up behind and kicked the horses flank. It was already panicked and spooked by the gunfire, but that only made it run faster.

He had to grab her around her middle to keep her on the horse, so she was being touched by a man again, Well, she'd have to deal with that. He was trying to save her, after all. A mass of enemy soldiers loomed in front of them, and there was only one chance. With bullets whistling by them, he charged straight at them, and jumped the horse, right through them. Luckily, the enemy had not had time to bring up many men, and the ground was flat. More bullets whizzed by, but he kept the animal galloping, and after a few minutes he knew they were clear.

Ten minutes passed, and neither of them spoke. Then, he whispered gently in her ear.

""Ma'am, I had to do that. If they'd captured you, who knows what they might have found out."

He did, in fact, find it quite enticing, though he was scared. Her body was pushed right up against his, and he had his hand around her waist. If this had been other circumstances he might have been even more aroused. But he wondered what she was going to make of it all.

 

[Alan23]

"The rest of them will get out fine," he replied. he wasn't sure if he believed it or not. What he really meant was "They're MORE likely to get out safely without you making things worse," but he wasn't going to say that to her. Not right now. Either she could work that out for herself, or she was better off not knowing. "And yes, Ma'am, they would have captured you. You really stand out in that uniform, and naturally they'd regard the leader as a prize. And you can't fight or ride well enough to escape alone."

Now that they had escaped danger - at least, for the moment - he was starting to feel conscious of what he had done. He'd probably broken all kinds of military regulations. But then, since it was just her and him, and they probably wouldn't get out of this alive anyway, what did that matter? He was also conscious of the fact that a very pretty woman was pressed right up against him. He was getting a massive erection, and he didn't know if she'd noticed.

"It's my duty to get you to safety if I can," he said. "It's not going to be easy. We're both in uniform, and even if we could get some civilian clothes, a girl as pretty as you is going to stand out."

 

[Devlishangel]

Even though she heard the compliment of her being pretty,this only made her more angry. She roughly Takes his hands of her Waist and jumps down from the horse yelling at him: "you think I am useless do you?? Just a Spoiled Little brat,only here to Get attention or what??!? Do you think I Chose this ridiculous uniform myself?!?

Than the tears of anger and also of Frustration and fear started to roll down her cheeks as she sat down on her knees and putted her hands for her Face not able to speak anymore...she just lost controll...she realized this...why the hell did she do that? She was Trained to shut up and be beautiful...that was the only Thing she was good at....

"The rest of them will get out fine," he replied. he wasn't sure if he believed it or not. What he really meant was "They're MORE likely to get out safely without you making things worse," but he wasn't going to say that to her. Not right now. Either she could work that out for herself, or she was better off not knowing. "And yes, Ma'am, they would have captured you. You really stand out in that uniform, and naturally they'd regard the leader as a prize. And you can't fight or ride well enough to escape alone."

Now that they had escaped danger - at least, for the moment - he was starting to feel conscious of what he had done. He'd probably broken all kinds of military regulations. But then, since it was just her and him, and they probably wouldn't get out of this alive anyway, what did that matter? He was also conscious of the fact that a very pretty woman was pressed right up against him. He was getting a massive erection, and he didn't know if she'd noticed.

"It's my duty to get you to safety if I can," he said. "It's not going to be easy. We're both in uniform, and even if we could get some civilian clothes, a girl as pretty as you is going to stand out."

 

[Alan23]

He could see that she was losing it. Losing what little self confidence she'd started out with. He guessed he didn't blame her. She'd been defeated in battle, and then come close to breaking down in front of her troops. And then, who knew how long they'd stay free, here in territory controlled by the enemy. He moved towards her, not sure what he was going to do, how he was going to react...

And then something he saw from the corner of his eye pushed everything else out of his mind.

It came over the horizon, the turret appearing first, then the hull. A dark gray hulk, clanking and whirring, the unmistakable sound of the diesel engine of a tank. He guessed it was a lone straggler, maybe having broken down and needed repair, for he didn't expect any enemy tanks, especially a heavy one, in this area. The hatch was fastened down, so there was the chance they hadn't seen them yet. Had they been alert, they might have been able to find cover, but with Captain McCoy crouched down and crying, she was in no state to react quickly.

Then he saw it was too late. The turret of the gun was swiveling towards her.

There was only one chance. And it needed split-second timing. He sprinted towards the huge vehicle, from one side to avoid the machine gun in the hull, pulling a grenade from his belt and taking out the pin as he did so. Once the pin was out, he had eight seconds before the small bomb would explode. He had to get this just right.

He scrambled up onto the tank's hull, and shinned along the large cannon, rolled the grenade into it, then dived clear. He charged at the Captain, flinging himself on top of her. He was just in time before the grenade exploded inside the tank.

The explosion was muffled, made almost silent by the thick walls of the vehicle, but the effect could not be doubted. The tank flared up, on fire, and it was obvious the crew had no chance to escape. But he knew the ammunition inside would go up in an even bigger explosion, a chain reaction. Bits of metal landed around them, and he felt a burning at his back as something hit. Luckily it hadn't done any damage to him, but it was agony.

He picked up the captain, ignoring any protest she might make, and desperately carried her away from the vehicle. He was just in time to get her behind a thick wall, before the tank went up in a massive conflagration.

"Shh, shh, pretty one," he whispered in her ear, all thoughts of addressing her by her proper military title shelved, for he knew she needed soothing. "It's OK, now. we're safe."

It was a strange situation. He'd fought for her, saved her life, and taken out a heavy tank single handed. In a normal battle he'd receive a high ranking medal for it. But he wondered how she'd react, to the fact he'd unceremoniously hurt her dignity by carrying her as if she were a child!

 

[Devlishangel]

As she was sitting on the sandy Road, crying she suddenly heard a Vehicle coming close. She was too Late to realize what happened. As she tried to See what was going on through her tears she could only See the huge tank that Drove in her Direction. She couldn't Even find the Time and the Courage to Get up from the Road, she was like a deere standing in the Big headlights of a Truck. The only thought that crossed her mind was 'now they kill me..' Than suddenly somebody jumped on her, a Heavy Body Pressing her to the ground as something exploded.

The next Moment she was carried away from Strong hands hiding with her rescuer behind a wall she looked who the hell did Save her....it was him...how did he manage that? She was too shocked to say something in the next Second, her ears hurting from the explosion. She looked at herself, than again to him...she realized he did Save her life. She yelled at him and than he Save her life? She thought it could only be an automatical reaction because of his military Background and because he is a man...she just Nodded at his words. She could only mumble " y..you saved m..my life...why? I am useless..." Tears Running again from her eyes. She felt so alone, so misunderstood in this war...why did her father exposed her like this...she was the One they made Fun of from the beginning...and now she was here all alone,with a man that made Fun of her...she would bet he wouldn't Save her again the next Time...

He could see that she was losing it. Losing what little self confidence she'd started out with. He guessed he didn't blame her. She'd been defeated in battle, and then come close to breaking down in front of her troops. And then, who knew how long they'd stay free, here in territory controlled by the enemy. He moved towards her, not sure what he was going to do, how he was going to react...

And then something he saw from the corner of his eye pushed everything else out of his mind.

It came over the horizon, the turret appearing first, then the hull. A dark gray hulk, clanking and whirring, the unmistakable sound of the diesel engine of a tank. He guessed it was a lone straggler, maybe having broken down and needed repair, for he didn't expect any enemy tanks, especially a heavy one, in this area. The hatch was fastened down, so there was the chance they hadn't seen them yet. Had they been alert, they might have been able to find cover, but with Captain McCoy crouched down and crying, she was in no state to react quickly.

Then he saw it was too late. The turret of the gun was swiveling towards her.

There was only one chance. And it needed split-second timing. He sprinted towards the huge vehicle, from one side to avoid the machine gun in the hull, pulling a grenade from his belt and taking out the pin as he did so. Once the pin was out, he had eight seconds before the small bomb would explode. He had to get this just right.

He scrambled up onto the tank's hull, and shinned along the large cannon, rolled the grenade into it, then dived clear. He charged at the Captain, flinging himself on top of her. He was just in time before the grenade exploded inside the tank.

The explosion was muffled, made almost silent by the thick walls of the vehicle, but the effect could not be doubted. The tank flared up, on fire, and it was obvious the crew had no chance to escape. But he knew the ammunition inside would go up in an even bigger explosion, a chain reaction. Bits of metal landed around them, and he felt a burning at his back as something hit. Luckily it hadn't done any damage to him, but it was agony.

He picked up the captain, ignoring any protest she might make, and desperately carried her away from the vehicle. He was just in time to get her behind a thick wall, before the tank went up in a massive conflagration.

"Shh, shh, pretty one," he whispered in her ear, all thoughts of addressing her by her proper military title shelved, for he knew she needed soothing. "It's OK, now. we're safe."

It was a strange situation. He'd fought for her, saved her life, and taken out a heavy tank single handed. In a normal battle he'd receive a high ranking medal for it. But he wondered how she'd react, to the fact he'd unceremoniously hurt her dignity by carrying her as if she were a child!

 

[Alan23]

"You saved my life. Why? I am useless..."

It was hard to know how to answer that one. Certainly, in a military sense, she was speaking accurately enough. A commander whose position had been bought by a rich family, who did not even have the sense to change into battledress when on campaign, who burst into trembling and tears when in sight of the enemy was hardly a Hannibal in the making. He wondered why he had acted as he did. Certainly, he'd saved his own life as well, but that didn't fully explain it. A sense of duty maybe? She was, after all, his superior officer, however unfitted for the role she might have been. But something deep inside told him it wasn't that, either.

Could it be, he thought, that bad a commander as she might have been, she was still another human being, and a woman, and his natural instinct was to protect her?

Or even (though he dared not think this) would he have moved so quickly in her defense if she hadn't been so attractive?

He sat with his arm around her. She looked quite a sight, with tears streaming down her face, her hair all over the place, and the tight uniform all wrinkled and creased. An urge came to him to protect her, get her to safety if he could, though he didn't quite know why.

"Nah. Not useless," he said, softly, stroking her hair, trying to calm her down. "Beauty can never be useless. And you're beautiful."
He winced, as a spasm of pain shot through his back. Touch as he was, he'd had a huge chunk of skin gored out, and it was excruciatingly painful. "Just sit there a minute, and calm down. You've been through a bad time."

 

[Devlishangel]

She couldn't believe it..she pushed herself away from his Touch " Beauty is not useless?!? Is that the only reason? Because you have a penis and I am nice to fuck with?!?" She got angry again...her Feelings where all over the Place...the Professional hiding and Controlling her Feelings was all gone...how was it possible she was teached to be Professional, always smile and be politie since she was 5 years old. "She looked into his eyes, seeing in this moment he had been Hit by something on his back...she wasn't sure if she had to help him now, he did Safe her life After all...but from his reaction she understood that this was only because she was Looking good. She decided not to help him since he would probably laugh at her, Even when she Knew excactly how to take care of wounds since she was Trained to nurse...Nobody just Knew. It was a Secret her dad forced her to hide. That was the deal.

She tried to Get on her Feet " you know what? I just go ahead and try to Get out on my Own than, when the Enemy comes along I can always try to convince them to let me pass if they sleep with me, After all I am beautiful" she Said sarcastic as she started to walk to the left. She was sick and tired of being here After all...they would kill her anyways so it didn't matter anymore.

"You saved my life. Why? I am useless..."

It was hard to know how to answer that one. Certainly, in a military sense, she was speaking accurately enough. A commander whose position had been bought by a rich family, who did not even have the sense to change into battledress when on campaign, who burst into trembling and tears when in sight of the enemy was hardly a Hannibal in the making. He wondered why he had acted as he did. Certainly, he'd saved his own life as well, but that didn't fully explain it. A sense of duty maybe? She was, after all, his superior officer, however unfitted for the role she might have been. But something deep inside told him it wasn't that, either.

Could it be, he thought, that bad a commander as she might have been, she was still another human being, and a woman, and his natural instinct was to protect her?

Or even (though he dared not think this) would he have moved so quickly in her defense if she hadn't been so attractive?

He sat with his arm around her. She looked quite a sight, with tears streaming down her face, her hair all over the place, and the tight uniform all wrinkled and creased. An urge came to him to protect her, get her to safety if he could, though he didn't quite know why.

"Nah. Not useless," he said, softly, stroking her hair, trying to calm her down. "Beauty can never be useless. And you're beautiful."
He winced, as a spasm of pain shot through his back. Touch as he was, he'd had a huge chunk of skin gored out, and it was excruciatingly painful. "Just sit there a minute, and calm down. You've been through a bad time."

 

[Alan23]

He got to his feet. Slowly. The pain searing across his back made him wince. Anger seethed through him. He'd risked his life, taken on a fucking tank, to save her. And now she was abusing him.

He looked her up and down, contempt in his hard eyes.

"So what makes you think," he asked, "that I'd want to fuck with you?" He shouldered his machine gun, trying not to show the agony that it caused to his bleeding back. "So sorry if saving your life upset you." He pointed to the burned out tank. "Next time one of those comes along, I'm sure your wonderful new strategy of asking them to spare you because you're so beautiful is going to work fabulously. As for me, I quit. From right now, I'm officially a deserter."

Grinding his teeth, he removed one of the water bottles he carried - the full one - and tossed it at her feet. Then he turned away and, without looking back, walked away from her.

 

[Devlishangel]

As he turned around and wanted to leave she saw the Big stain on his Shirt,all wet and stitching to his wound, he was really hurt badly..the nurse Inside of her came out and she forgot her anger, her fear..she walked to him, Stopping him by Holding his arm, without saying anything she Took his backpack and opened it " where is the emergency Kit you all Carry around?" She Asked him as she searched for it, without letting him Time to answer she told him in a confident tone "sit down, take the Shirt off, we need to clean it and stop it from bleeding" she didn't look into his eyes. She realized he had really risked not only his Job but his life for her. Even if it was just because she was beautiful and he wanted to fuck her...it didn't matter....he risked his life and got hurt. As she without asking started to pack out the emergency Kit on the floor and with quick movements directly Found What she needed to take care of the wound. Without Even noticing she showed him a lot of Routine in what she was doing there, she didn't realize he could See she did this like a Million Times...as she realized it her First thought was "damn my dad is going to kill me for this" than she shuckled her shoulders on her thoughts and mumbled very soft "the hell with him"


quote='Alan23' pid='1484197' dateline='1406902690']
He got to his feet. Slowly. The pain searing across his back made him wince. Anger seethed through him. He'd risked his life, taken on a fucking tank, to save her. And now she was abusing him.

He looked her up and down, contempt in his hard eyes.

"So what makes you think," he asked, "that I'd want to fuck with you?" He shouldered his machine gun, trying not to show the agony that it caused to his bleeding back. "So sorry if saving your life upset you." He pointed to the burned out tank. "Next time one of those comes along, I'm sure your wonderful new strategy of asking them to spare you because you're so beautiful is going to work fabulously. As for me, I quit. From right now, I'm officially a deserter."

Grinding his teeth, he removed one of the water bottles he carried - the full one - and tossed it at her feet. Then he turned away and, without looking back, walked away from her.
[/quote]

 

[Alan23]

He stood still, allowing her to slap on the soft pad that staunched the bleeding. There was nothing in the emergency kit that would still the pain, but he guessed she was trying her best. And while she was no good at fighting, she'd at least had the army training that enabled her to help him here.

"You needn't have bothered," he replied. "I doubt I'll have to put up with it much longer. As soon as one of the enemy finds me, I'll either be killed or taken prisoner. But I appreciate the thought I guess."

Then he kept walking, with a quick "best of luck."

 

[Devlishangel]

"No...no please...don't leave.." She whispered...she Fell down on her knees again..her body started to shiver at the thoughts of being alone...why did she got angry at him...he was the only One Who could maybe Get the both of them out of here, Even when the Chances were very small. She started crying out loud now..."don't you leave now....please..." She got up on her Feet again, following him and Almost begging him "please I am really scared...I didn't mean to be so..angry...i...i'm sorry..." She couldn't believe he was leaving...he really was leaving...she got so scared,the fear Took controll over her and drove her Almost Crazy. Her legs couldn't Carry her anymore as she sat down After the Few steps she followed him...she sat down and cried,her Body went from shivering to Shaking uncontrollable...what was she thinking, if he wanted to leave he would...she couldn't stop him....

He stood still, allowing her to slap on the soft pad that staunched the bleeding. There was nothing in the emergency kit that would still the pain, but he guessed she was trying her best. And while she was no good at fighting, she'd at least had the army training that enabled her to help him here.

"You needn't have bothered," he replied. "I doubt I'll have to put up with it much longer. As soon as one of the enemy finds me, I'll either be killed or taken prisoner. But I appreciate the thought I guess."

Then he kept walking, with a quick "best of luck."

 

[Alan23]

His first thought was to be strong. Alone, he stood a much better chance of survival than hampered by her. She was not strong enough to stand up to life in the wild, and would be a hindrance. He told himself he wouldn't look back.

If he'd stayed true to that resolve, he might have walked away, left her alone. But something made him pause. Did he want a last look at her? Did he plan to hurl one last insult?

But when he turned and looked at her, something snapped in him. She was crouched on the ground, shaking and crying, like a helpless child. Her hair was spilling over her face, her body racked with sobs. She looked helpless, almost pathetic. Her formerly smart uniform was a mess, tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Yet somehow, he had to admit - she looked sexy!

He told himself that wasn't the reason. That it was just duty made him go back.

he sat down beside her, draped an arm around her. Holding her was like protecting a small, frightened bird. If he left her, he knew, there was no way she could survive. She could not even manage to stand up, she was so afraid.

He spent a few minutes pushing her hair out of her eyes, gently brushing a finger over her eyes, to get rid of the worst of her tears. She was still shaking, but there wasn't much he could do about that. But he knew they had to keep on the move, if they stayed here the enemy would find them eventually. He had to snap her out of her fear... somehow.

And then the idea came to him.

He turned his body, ignoring the pain, and gave her a single kiss. Just one, a quick brushing of the lips, slipping his tongue in and out, just once. Either it would get her so angry, he thought, that she'd forget to be afraid. Or it might give her confidence some other way.

After the single kiss, he moved away from her, waiting to see what she would do.

 

[Devlishangel]

As he came back and she felt him Holding her, taking care of her she was so relieved, her Body still Shaking but at least she was not alone. As he kisses her she looked into his eyes her eyes widen..she had Never been kissed that sudden before. She forgot her fear for a moment, her Body relaxed a Bit and she whispered "thank you" still her lips close to his. He was so soft now...she didn't expect him to be like this. This moment between them seemed to Last forever. She Almost kissed him again but she could controll herself. She dried her tears as she Said..."s..so...wh...what is the...Plan..now....?" Still she shivered a Bit.

His first thought was to be strong. Alone, he stood a much better chance of survival than hampered by her. She was not strong enough to stand up to life in the wild, and would be a hindrance. He told himself he wouldn't look back.

If he'd stayed true to that resolve, he might have walked away, left her alone. But something made him pause. Did he want a last look at her? Did he plan to hurl one last insult?

But when he turned and looked at her, something snapped in him. She was crouched on the ground, shaking and crying, like a helpless child. Her hair was spilling over her face, her body racked with sobs. She looked helpless, almost pathetic. Her formerly smart uniform was a mess, tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Yet somehow, he had to admit - she looked sexy!

He told himself that wasn't the reason. That it was just duty made him go back.

he sat down beside her, draped an arm around her. Holding her was like protecting a small, frightened bird. If he left her, he knew, there was no way she could survive. She could not even manage to stand up, she was so afraid.

He spent a few minutes pushing her hair out of her eyes, gently brushing a finger over her eyes, to get rid of the worst of her tears. She was still shaking, but there wasn't much he could do about that. But he knew they had to keep on the move, if they stayed here the enemy would find them eventually. He had to snap her out of her fear... somehow.

And then the idea came to him.

He turned his body, ignoring the pain, and gave her a single kiss. Just one, a quick brushing of the lips, slipping his tongue in and out, just once. Either it would get her so angry, he thought, that she'd forget to be afraid. Or it might give her confidence some other way.

After the single kiss, he moved away from her, waiting to see what she would do.

 

[Alan23]

He kept holding her, trying to stop her shaking.

"Ma'am, we have to try to get somewhere safe," he said. "And we can't go back towards our own army. That would be the worst possible thing. We'd have to somehow get through the enemy front line, with them all fully alert. On my own I might manage it, but there's no way you could manage it. I'm sorry, Ma'am, but you just don't have what it takes for that kind of thing." And then, before she could again react "Shhh. It isn't your fault. You can't help it. But we do need to find a way to get safe. I suggest we actually go the other way, into the heartland of the enemy. We'd be moving through territory that's already occupied, and they might be less alert. And anyway, they'd only be actual soldiers in areas that they think are important. If we stick to the country, we might make it. Then we can lie low for a while, and try to get on a fishing boat or something and get to a neutral country."

As he spoke, he found his arm was still around her, drawing her close. Her tunic had rucked up again, and his arm was against her bare flesh. Somehow, without him planning it, his hand had found its way upwards, and was now just underneath her breast. He could actually feel the bottom part of her bra. It reminded him of how long since he'd been with a woman, but he repressed the thought.

"Ma'am, you have to try not to be scared. I know it's difficult, but try. Soon, we're going to have to get up and start moving."