The Newest Addition [Open]

[Michael Brooks]

Location 3rd ID barracks,
Time: 8:57, January 27, 1943,
Weather: It's evening and becoming chilly out.

It had been a long, cold and bumpy ride from the replacement depot and Michael was anxious to get to his new unit. He hugged his trench coat closer to him. The fact that he had just come from North Africa, and his body was used to burning heat not cold, didn't help things at all. Finally the Half-track he had hitched a ride on dropped him off at the 3rd ID barracks. For the most part the Barracks he had been dropped off at seemed deserted. Michael only saw a few people here and there. He looked around, and not wanting to be out in the cold any longer the tired PFC made his way in to the barracks.

When Michael opened the door he expected to see other people there, but all he saw was a Corporal doing some paperwork at a desk. Michael was about to ask the man if had to do anything before he could get some much needed rest when. "Oh Johnson, your back," the Corporal said with out even looking up from his papers. "Well, your just in time, as soon as I'm done with these papers here it'll be your turn to man the desk. Over here," the Cpl. pointed to a stack of papers still not looking to see who was talking to, "is the list and where all the rest of the men are." The Cpl. finally looked up. "Hey?! Your not Corporal Johnson. Who are you?" The Corporal looked very surprised not to see the man who was supposed to relive him of his position. "I'm Private First Class Michael Brooks." The Corporal looked down at a piece of paper. "Oh okay well your room is number 207." "Alright I'll head on up there." "Okay, fine by me. I've still got some paperwork to finish." The Corporal waved good-bye before turning back to his work, as Michael walked off to go find his bunk.

After at least 30 minutes of wandering around the barracks Michael finally found his room. So he walked in, his legs almost dragging on the floor. Michael sat his stuff down at the end of the bed, crawled on to it, and went to right to sleep, face down with his helmet and trench coat still on. Not even bothering to wonder what the person who slept in the other bunk would think when he came back.

[reverend]

The next morning’s sun was only just beginning to peek the horizon, slowly turning the cloudless sky a brilliant shade of blue. James looked out a dirty window as the great ball fire so very slowly began crawling its way up into the sky. He turned to the rows of people sitting in the mess hall that was acting as a chapel.
“Behold the birth of a new day. So few are able to appreciate the beauty and splendour that is the rising of a new sun.”
He walked back to the centre of the small stage that had been set up for him and clasped his hands behind his back, looking out over the smiling faces of those who had risen early to attend his dawn service.

Most of them where from First Platoon, but there where some who weren’t, a few nurses and doctors or soldiers from other companies where here as well, James welcomed them all. It was customary for him to give dawn services, send everyone into the new day full of purpose and energy. He quiet enjoyed being able to give a little light to those who normally suffered in the darkness of a foxhole. He took a deep breath in and led everyone in the last prayer of the morning.

Into thy hands, O God, I commend myself this day.
Let thy presence be with me even to its close,
that at night I may again give thanks unto thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

He paused after each line for everyone to repeat and upon the final Amen blessed them all a good day. He watched as they all filed out in silence, hopefully considering the passages he had read to them, one of them being Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings
salvation has appeared to all men. It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious
appearing of our great God and Saviour,
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem
us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good.

James was the last person to leave and the house of god became a mess hall again, ready for breakfast. But before the morning meal James had a duty to do, and that was to inspect the new soldiers. A few new additions had come in and James wanted to meet them, as with almost all of his Company and most of the other two, James knew the men. They all knew that should there be a troubling thought in their minds they could come to James and discuss it, for he was a kind and caring person and would listen to them. But when combat struck he became a soldier, and he would lead his men into the fires of hell and back again on a noble crusade to quell the demons that had possessed the German People and the entire Axis force.

With a heavy boot James marched to the 3ID barracks and stomped inside, the Corporal behind the desk jumped to his feet and saluted. James returned the salute.
“At ease Howard, have any of the new boys shown up yet?”
“Yes Reverend, only one has shown up so far. A Private First Class Michael Brooks, sir. He’s in room 207 bunking with Williams.”
“There is only one? Hardly seems getting all dressed up for. I think I might just go have a chat with him one on one and save some hassle.”

Corporal Howard saluted again as James walked off down the hall. The barracks at HQ offered much better living quarters then those in more temporary camps. Other barracks where just one massive hall with rows of bunks filling the space, offering no privacy of any sort. But even a highly crowded hall was better then a cold lonely foxhole. James found the room quiet easily; the door was already open so James let himself in, spotting the newest addition to the 3rd Infantry Division. James held back a laugh at the sight of the young man. Passed out in full gear and helmet, looking like he just walked into the room and collapsed into sleep. James checked his watch, there was still a few more minutes before the day would start for everyone else. So James sat down on the opposite bunk and waited for the young man to awaken.

[Michael Brooks]

In his dream Michael and was being drilled by a mean D.I. with loud boots. Then the D.I. stopped moving, but the boots still made noise. Then they stopped. Michael slowly lifted his head, guessing the noise was only someone passing by in the hallway. Much to his surprise, when he turned his head to look out the door he saw someone sitting on the other bed. Michael sat up very much startled at seeing someone else in the room. "Who are you?!" When Michael saw the officer chevron on the man's collar, Michael jumped out of bed straitened his incredibly wrinkly trench coat and saluted as good and professional looking as he could. "Sir, Private First Class Michael Brooks." Michael stood as strait as he could, and waited for the officer to return the salute. It was fairly obvious Michael was trying to make a good impression on the Lieutenant.

[reverend]

James smiled as the young First Class Private stirred and woke; he wondered how he would react to seeing him there. He didn’t have to wait long for his answer as within a few seconds of waking up the sleeping Brooks was wide-awake and standing at attention before him. James got to his feet and returned Brooks’ salute with a formal one of his own.
“At ease Brooks. Have a seat if you like, I am Lieutenant James Goodwill, Charlie Company First Platoon. That is where you have been placed, and seeing as you’re in my Platoon I figured I’d come and introduce myself.” James took his hat off and tucked it into his belt before sitting down again.

“I like to get to know the men who I will be seeing for the duration of the war.” He smiled his bright smile, James looked quite young despite being closer to 30 then 20, his youthful looks often helped the men relax around him more, other times it was the cause of dispute. James looked over the young man before him, the simple fact that he could shoot straight out of bed showed that he was no new fish, and his tanned skin suggested he’d come from much hotter climates.

“So, Michael, if you don’t mind me calling you by your first name. Where have you come from?” The question was asked with a loose smile, James wondered how long it would take for Brooks to relax. He doubted that the First Class Private was use to officers being so down to earth. Some of the men around James still hadn’t gotten use to it.

[Michael Brooks]

Michael dropped his saute when the officer dropped his. "Nice to meet you sir." Michael said as he took his helmet and trench coat off, then he sat down on the bunk. He began to relax as James went on talking. Michael smiled when he thought of his hometown. "Well sir, I was born in Richmond Virginia." He liked the fact that his boss seemed fairly young and didn't take forever to get to a point.

[reverend]

James held his smile as Michael spoke, he could never get use to his men calling him sir, especialy when they where his own men in his own Platoon. He held up a dismissive hand.
"Please Michael, call me Reverend." James had grown to like his nickname, he would only accept his Christian Name and Military Rank during formal occasions and around other officers.

He brightened up at the mention of Michael's home town.
"A beautiful area, I come from Jackson, Tennesse. If you couldn't already tell by my nickname I was a priest before I joined the army." He noticed the tanned skin on Michael's arms. He guessed that he had spent a lot of time under the sun, more then likely a result of spending time in Africa. James had read Michael Brooks' file and knew alot about the man already, but to truly know a person you had to talk face to face.

He would hold off on the war talk for now, and maybe even hold off on it for the time being.
"What did you do before joining the armed forces?" James liked to get to know what skills his men had before they joined, most of them had a wide range talents that would more then likely come in handy at some point.

[Michael Brooks]

Michael had a feeling James wouldn't like being called sir. He smiled. "Sure thing reverend. and you can call me, Mike, Mich, I don't really care."

"Well I certainly don't have any objections to you past profession. Infact my grandfather was preacher before he joined the Army during the Great War." Michael noticed James glancing at his fairly tanned skin, but if he didn't want to know Michael wasn't about to bring it up.

"Well Rev, I didn't really have time to get a job before joining the Army, but I did help my Dad in his radio repair-shop a lot. It might not sound like it could make a living, but dang it with all the times the Browns broke their radio, we were fine money wise."

[reverend]

(OOC: Just a short one)

James listened carefully as Michael spoke, he could see situations where someone who knew how to operate and repair radios would come in handy. He looked around the room quickly noticing that there was no radio equipment here, nor was there any on the inventory in his file. It seemed that James had a radioman without a radio; he would have to see about changing that.

“It sounds like a good, honest trade. No doubt it will be useful, do you have any experience with communication systems and field radios?” James said as he stood up, brushing a strand of fluff from his knee and heading towards the door, motioning the young Brooks to follow as he walked outside.

[Michael Brooks]

OOC: Fine by me

IC: Michael thought for a minute then answered. "Well siiiiirrrr uh Reverend." Michael quickly caught his mistake, than he stood up. "No sir I haven't." Michael hit his forehead with his hand as he walked out the door in to the morning out-side. The young radio-man wannabe grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Reverend." It was a beautiful morning out-side the sun was just beginning to reach it place at the top of the sky. "I would like to try my hands on some though if I ever get the chance." Michael's stomach growled at him for not having eaten since the candy-bar on the drive to the base. "Rev, if you don't mind i'm gonna get some chow. You can join me if you want.

OOC: How bout 1 more posts then we'll be done, ok?
Doubt if we'll get more than 1 or 2 CP but every little bit counts right.

[reverend]

James smiled at the young soldier, he liked the mans enthusiasm. He looked around as the barracks began to come to life, he would be busy today.
“Well Michael, you may just have that chance. I’ll do what I can to help get you a radio and the training to use it. I like to make the most of the talented men who’ll I’ll be fighting with.” He held his smile as the PFC invited him to breakfast.
“I thank you for the offer but I have already eaten, besides I have a lot of paper work to fill out. You go and enjoy your breakfast.” James nodded towards the mess hall that had acted as his chapel before walking off towards the main office.

[☭ Joseph Petrov]

Thread closed.

~Brooks

[PuNk! ™]

Moderation Post:

[/b][/center]
The following CP has been issued.

James "The Reverend" Goodwill: 7CP
- Displayed short posts, with a mid-length average occassionally, with good punctuation and spelling.

PFC Michael Brooks: 5CP
- Displayed VERY short posts, in some instances, not even standard post limit. However, good punctuation and spelling overall.

~Danny[/color]