New Garage, Old Friends (Dan, active members)

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

The Newly finished Garage area was vast and hollow. There were no allied armored units to rest inside of this repair fortress. But the new building showed them that some may be on the way in the near future. The concrete floors almost glistened, yet to be stained with oil and antifreeze, and yet to be chipped away by bulky parts and mishandled tools. McMillan just stood slightly inside the empty garage through the finally finished roll up door, they had to order another due to the fact that the original was badly damaged in a vehicular wreck not three miles from the base, they always had the best luck.

The sun had just set and the clouds were vibrant with oranges and reds an a little pink splashed about. The clouds were thin and spread apart, mainly because of the heavy rain they had just a few days before hand. Small generators were starting to kick on as the base started to be lit up for t he night. There was no distant combat to be heard, in fact they hadn't heard any for almost a week now, just didn't really seem right.

McMillan removed his cover from his brow and wiped away the few beads of sweat. He rubbed his five-o-clock shadow as he gazed around the interior of the new structure. It had been a long time since he had seen anything look so nice and shiny. He couldn't help himself, he had to do it before there was no longer the option. "Heeey!" He yelled out, just to hear his echo return the courtesy, brought a slight smile to his face. He figured he was far enough away from the majority of the population inside the wire to get away with it.

[♔ Liam J. Brentwood]

“Heey!”

A voice echoed from a structure nearby, it’s cavernous echo daunting and eerie as the Lieutenant phased a slight peculiar look to himself. It was obvious someone was inside the newly built vehicle “Warehouse”, soon to be home to the captured Nazi halftracks from the nearby front and home to the freshly built tanks and transport vehicles; sadly, however, none of them had arrived. The Lieutenant even knew this without needing to approach the quiet structure, but the voice was alluring and Liam became curious to who was slightly ‘trespassing’ into the structure at such a time.

Quietly, the C.O made his approach towards the big hollow shiny building. A big beacon for enemy aircrafts that could strafe by, but pushing the thoughts aside, he approached none the less. His hands raised towards one of the small back doors, his fingers curling around the cold steel handle, whilst his thumb pressed against the small ‘lever’ like latch at the top, that caused the locking mechanism to Clang as the bolt unlocked. A stiff and sturdy creek of metal soon followed, as the two fresh pieces of metal hinges grinded against one another, to the Lieutenant’s pulling on the makeshift door, yanking it open.

If any surprise he wanted to lurch upon the building’s inhabitants, would’ve long been gone, as the creaking and clanging gave the game away quickly. Which most likely aroused other questions - Who was it? Stepping into the hollow building, the Lieutenant looked around quietly, feeling the cold chill of the empty place, so empty? His boots clicked against the hard polished concrete ground as he stepped inwards, quite cautiously to begin with, feeling a little intimidated by the large open space, but his eyes soon catching sight of one of it’s inhabitants. The Company Sergeant Major, McMillan, who seemed a little lost to begin with? But perhaps that was just the Lieutenant…

Licking his lips, he glanced behind himself as the door clunked shut from the weight of it swinging inwards, almost startling Liam for a brief moment, as the noise echoed around the structure with a bouncing effect. “Evening, Company Sergeant Major” Liam firmly said, a small smile forming upon his lips as he continued to walk inwards into the building, his hands rubbing together a little, trying to form a snippet of warmth from the hollow feeling he was experiencing within the cold open place. “Quite the place to be” he uttered out curiously, wondering what the Sergeant was doing there, but it didn’t take much common sense to work out - he too must’ve been curious to what the place looked like. Hence him being there.

Approaching the male, he stopped just far enough the two men had a gap between themselves, Liam’s eyes watching the Sergeant quite firmly, as if the Lieutenant always had an intimidating look about himself? Even when he didn’t try. “We haven’t properly met, have we Sergeant?” questioned the Lieutenant, who soon to his own surprise, held out his hand for a firm handshake “Liam Brentwood, I’ve already heard a lot about you McMillan” he said with a profound praise towards the man, something he lightly done on occasions. “You’ll be a great asset to the Royal Marine Commandos, I can only hope we don’t lose you - If you haven’t heard already, our boys on the frontline aren’t doing too great” he revealed quietly, hinting towards their need in combat would arise pretty soon. “Nice place eh’? Shame it’s empty” muttered out shortly afterwards, taking a glance around.

[Daniel Brennan]

The shiny new structure leered down at the older shabbier buildings around it. It wasn't really tall, it was only the buildings around it were mostly only one story shacks. It had been finished earlier on in the week, but this was Daniel's first time seeing it up close. He had been busy for most of the week. Two huge double doors lay open; big enough to allow any vehicle that might need repairing to go in, from motorcycles to tanks. A smaller, human sized side door was around at the back and this was where Daniel was heading. He was hoping to have some piece and quiet for a couple of hours, for once.

He walked over to the door and opened it quietly; the hinges were well oiled. He stepped down onto the plain concrete floor and a smile lit his face. It was a huge building, with metal girders crossing the roof and new machinery and equipment placed carefuly on shelves. Over to one side were tens of shelves standing on their own, with tools and machinery lying all over them. Daniel walked down a narrow corridor between two of these shelves. He picked up odd tools that he had never seen before, and studied them closely.

A shout rang through the building. Daniel stepped out and walked towards the figure. "Hey, yourself" He said, looking at the man oddly. It was weird for someone to just shout out a greeting like that for no reason. He studied the man. He was sure that he knew him from somewhere. He spoke his mind, "Do I know you from somewhere?"

Daniel jumped as he noticed the second man behind the soldier. When he saw that he was a lieutenant Daniel straightened up quickly and hoped that he wasn't about to get eaten.
"Good afternoon, sir," He said hopefuly.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

Just as he had thought, McMillan's small shout did indeed bring some attention, but what he got was just fine. Shortly after the echos subsided the Lieutenant that McMillan had recently been assigned to showed up. McMillan snapped to attention but in a somewhat lax way, it was late and they were around no one, just becoming closer friends, or so he hoped. He raised his right hand as he straightened it to his eyebrow and rendered a salute.

"Evening sir." he thought it weird that the Lieutenant thought this place to be odd, but it was a fleeting thought, after all humans are curious by nature. "I guess it is sir." He said it softly but not inaudibly, so the Lieutenant could hear but also know that he was still in a bit of awe. He lowered his hand to his side as he saw the Lieutenant reach out for a hand shake.

"Well they are probably all lies sir, ha ha." He took hold of Liam's hand, and firm it was indeed, McMillan returned the favor. This Lieutenant was stronger than he looked, or tried too hard without looking it. "Just call me Mac sir, I figure it's shorter than Company Sergeant Major if you need to get a message across quickly." He said it with a smile and meant no insubordination by it.

"I hadn't heard that sir. What seems to be the issue with the men?" McMillan was deeply concerned and also pondering why he hadn't been told sooner, he hated to be blind sided. "Gotta train harder maybe?"It was a nice place and it really was pathetic empty. Then out of nowhere a voice erupted from behind, killing the moment he was sparing for the lost men. This somewhat irritated him, but he couldn't have known, no harm intended.

Do you know me? Well I would have to say that is a question only you can answer." A smile crawled across his face, partially because he thought it funny and the other part was because of how the man jumped when he saw the Lieutenant. He did recognize the man, then it really hit him where he knew him from, and it hit him harder than most any other memory he had. But he would wait to see if the stiff one standing before him would remember how he left McMillan near that ruble, with a German in his sights and didn't fire. But that was too much, McMillan had to step back so as to not lay the man out cold. Looks like he had been promoted since then.

[♔ Liam J. Brentwood]

The salute McMillan made didn’t go unnoticed, but keeping the relaxed tone, Liam was thankful the Sergeant took up his offer on the handshake. It wasn’t every day Liam considered a fellow Sergeant, NCO, as a gentleman. Most Sergeants were rough rugged men, cut from the cloth of battle, whereas most C.Os were men of rich ‘pompas’ families, whipped into shape with a pencil and paper and stoned with coins to earn them the rank their honourable family would’ve wanted. It was just the way of the Military. Thankfully, Lieutenant Brentwood didn’t come from much of a rich family, totally the opposite, but his step-father was a Major and having connections was perhaps another main priority in keeping your back clothed during the war… So Liam was a rough diamond… Who just happened to have a little luck along the way.

Grinning, the Lieutenant nodded quietly to himself, knowing the rumours and stories of McMillan’s experience weren’t lies. Documents always told the truth, but biting his tongue, he didn’t say no more on the matter. “Mac? Sounds good to me Sergeant” Liam said in agreement, but stiffly folded his arms, only to slip out “But I prefer Company Sergeant Major” his grin widening for a brief moment, as his somewhat half made joke amused him. Sure, Liam was at one with most of his men, knowing all their names and better half’s names, but he never forgot their titles either. It was just the way the Lieutenant was inclined, McMillan must’ve earned his title and simply calling the male Mac, would hardly make him feel better - none the less, he kept it in mind for future references.

Giving a slight long breath, the Lieutenant looked down and shifted his feet beneath himself. “Yeah, our boys are having a little stick from Jerry. One thing I can tell you Sergeant, is to start getting your gear packed and off record, I’d suggest sending some mail home within the next twenty-four hours. Our regiment could be hauled out for quite a fight” the Lieutenant wasn’t used to sharing what he knew, but McMillan was a senior NCO of his and if he was going to tell anyone what he knew, it was certainly going to be this man, or next to take his shoes, but as he went to add something else, someone emerged and caught him off guard, sending the Lieutenant into a startled stare towards the man who stood straight and addressed him.

Giving the Sergeant a quick salute back, he narrowed his eyes and shifted his weight, trying to work out who the man was, as McMillan spoke in a reply to his question. “I’m sure I know you… Sergeant” the Lieutenant bitterly said to start with, his eyes narrowing again as if to try and make sure the face looked familiar, but once again, reframed himself from saying much more as he awaited the man to either reply to McMillan or approach appropriately.

[Daniel Brennan]

OOC: Oh, I don't like this post, but I'm too lazy to change it.

Daniel shrugged at the First Sergeants unhelpful reply. He was sure that he knew the man from somewhere, but he decided not to press into it. They might have served alongside each other in some firefight, or he might have just seen him walking past him in a hallway. Either way it didn't matter.

The lieutenant then spoke up, telling Daniel that he thought he had seen him somwhere. Daniel gulped; this didn't seem like the type of man he would want to know. He seemed like the kind of person who would courtmarshial you for putting a small step out of line. "I'm not sure, sir. Maybe you just saw me somewhere around the base one day?" Daniel said cautiously. He didn't like the way the Lieutenant was looking at him, so he quickly changed the subject. "Have either of you heard of any new vehicles coming in to fill the space in here? I have heard a lot of rumours going about. People are talking about tanks and trucks and all sorts of vehicles being put in here." Daniel laughed. "Most of them are complete bull, but there could be some inkling of truth in them."

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

McMillan let a slight smirk appear on his face as the Lieutenant told him what he wanted to call him, felt nice after all Company Sergeant Major. But the small sign of emotion was short lived as he went on to talk about how we are losing men in the field. McMillan didn't have many emotions but they always got stirred up when he heard of losing men, especially when he couldn't be there to help in the fight. Which then brought on the next part of the Lieutenant's statement "I can be ready to go in about forty minutes sir. You give me the word and it will be done. The reason it would take so long is to make sure the rest of the men were ready as well." McMillan had no family to send anything back to, but that made this whole thing a little bit easier.

McMillan slowly unclenched his fist, his emotions had subsided. Good thing too, no use in being so upset over something that is over and done with, especially if no got hurt. He would, however, be more cautious as to who he yelled out for help to. Nothing is more important on the battle field than the man that is right next to you. Well unless there are more men right next to you.

The sergeant standing before him was unsettlingly nervous but it didn't seem to raise any suspicion, long as he did his job and did it right, no one would really care too much. He had heard the rumors as well apparently. But that is all they were, rumors. "I have a friend of a friend, so to speak, that works behind a desk in a building, oddly enough. He knows things, probably more than he should but he gets information rather easily. He knows nothing of any armor headed into our neck of the woods." McMillan figured he would at least try to subdue all the chatter, no sense in getting anyones hopes up only to let them down right before we go outside the wire. McMillan did have plans to try and see if he could get his hands on some vehicles for the unit, but with the way things were moving so slow, by the time he could pull it off it would more than likely be too late.

[♔ Liam J. Brentwood]

Sergeant Brennan cautiously beat-around the bush, insinuating he knew of the man from a glimpse down the corridor or a whisper in the bunks; highly unlikely, the Lieutenant never forgot a face, but remembering names however, well, they were a different problem altogether. So the man looked familiar, but any recognition of what the man’s name was, let alone who he might be in relation to the Lieutenant - on or off the battlefield, well, it deemed a mystery for now. It wasn’t the first, nor the last time the Lieutenant will serve beside men who disappear from one day to the next.

“Maybe Sergeant, Maybe” uttered out Liam, as he callously clawed his eyes away from the man who seemed nervous. Nerves just happening to be one attribute he associated cowards with; that soon lead to treason or deserting. The Lieutenant had a strange frame of mind, but he liked to think ahead, in this case, work people out.

For now, the Lieutenant ignored the Company Sergeant Major’s eagerness on getting ready within the hour tops, as the Sergeant plumped a new question towards the two men - what was going to be stored there? McMillan rose a grin upon the Lieutenant’s lips however, upon the mention of hearing such ‘behind the scenes’ exclusives on what was going to be stationed there. “Armour, I wish” muttered the Lieutenant subtly to himself, knowing some English Cromwell or American Sherman Tanks would fit the bill right about now, a big help. Shuffling is feet, he let them in on something he did know however “You see that little corner over there lads?” sprung the Lieutenant, as he pointed towards one of the distant corners “My Jeep’s having that spot” he soon revealed, with a smug grin. Well. It was something to tell them?

Licking his lips, the Lieutenant looked between the two men and pondered quietly to himself, feeling a little awkward for a brief moment on being stuck for talk? Well, he could do with getting to know his Company Sergeant Major a little better, the man looked like he was to be a great asset to the Royal Marine Commandos, perhaps even more experienced than himself? Then again, what Senior Sergeants weren’t better suited than their C.Os, none the less, Liam was competitive and he’d seen much deliberation upon the field of battle before… Promotions though… Well, Liam’s attitude earned him a black name when it came to being decorated or promoted, perhaps twice now, promotional aspects were going to be made for him, but his tongue and cheek earned him a slap on the wrist and re-think amongst senior heads. Ah! He couldn’t care less, he preferred the position amongst the men, rather than being a desk jockey.

Shrugging, the Lieutenant plucked up a few words to say, as he slipped out “Well, who’s up for a drink?” Liam’s lips coiling into a grin as he watched the two Sergeants, particularly McMillan, who he’d like to know better - after the all, the man was to be his Second in Command; Liam would rather a good relationship with his Senior SGT, rather than a purely business and job basis. Just because the chain of command say’s so. No, he’d make the effort. If not for himself, but for his men.

[Daniel Brennan]

OOC: Sorry I have to leave you, ladies.
But, I don't really have the time to keep up with this thread at the moment.

Daniel's shoulders dropped when both men said that they hadn't heard anything. He hadn't really been believing the rumours, of course. But, he was a small bit hopeful that there would turn out to be a shred of truth in them. It didn't look like the Lieutenant believed his guess at all, but it looked like he wasn't going to remember. Although he could have been remembering Daniels face from some sort of happy occasion, Daniel doubted it.

His interest was brought back to the conversation when the Lieutenant mentioned his jeep. Most of the conversation was going on about the Division that they were both part of, he had no notion of what they were talking about and he didn't try to understand. "A jeep.." He muttered, mostly to himself. "Just one of them?" He asked curiously. It didn't seem normal to have just a single jeep on it's own. There were usually small groups of them with Divisions.

At the Lieutenants proposed visit to the pub, Daniel shook his. He was not even sure if this drink included him. "No, I need to be going. I only came here for a small break," Daniel said truthfuly. He saluted the men and started walking away with a casual, "I might see you around." He pulled on the metal side door and walked back into the yard.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

McMillan looked over in the general direction of this corner the Lieutenant spoke of. "I'll go see if I can get a banner put up over there, that way we know it's the corner for your jeep." He said it with a smile, it would after all be the only vehicle in the unit until the funding kicked in. The Sergeant left in quite a hurry, but he must have better things he needed to accomplish.

The Lieutenant offered up the very friendly notion of going out for a drink, and that sat just fine with McMillan. "Splendid idea sir, I could use something to wet my mouth." He licked his lips as he said it. It had been an extremely long time since he had a drink and he almost started drooling at the thought of it. He wasn't an alcoholic or anything, but he liked to have a few every now and then. "Careful sir, it's been a while since I've had a drink. I'll probably end up being a cheap date." He let out a hearty laugh as soon as his words left his lips.

"What's your poison sir?"

[♔ Liam J. Brentwood]

The Sergeant seemed a little surprised and deemed a look to be questioned with, One Jeep? Liam contemplated the thought of having one jeep, not entirely contemplating the other thought - That’s all they had. A small frown took to his face and the Lieutenant became a little distant for a moment, funds were short, extremely short and it was a shame to say, but the Military were scrapping for metal now. So ideally, having a Jeep of your own, was perhaps a good thing after-all, just not good enough by the looks of it.

Soon enough, the Sergeant felt like he out-stayed his welcome and gave a final bid farewell, Liam nodded and gave a quick handed salute back, wishing the man would’ve stayed for a drink at least; Every man had to take a break from war now and again. Right? Glancing towards the Company Sergeant Major who suggested on getting a banner up, Liam grinned and threw his hand up to pat the man on the arm, pulling a look that suggested ‘Don’t tempt me!’, before breaking a small laugh and looking around at the slightly empty place again. Their voices bouncing in the short distance to the hollow walls roofing over their heads.

Sighing a little, the Lieutenant shuffled his hands into his pockets and gave an approved look as the Sergeant complied on the matter of going for a drink. “You do realise Mac, we’re not meant to be off the premises? Sure you still fancy that drink?” questioned the Lieutenant with a daring grin, which was true, they didn’t exactly have allotted leave time. “Hey, I’m a Lieutenant right - Surely I can pull a few strings to get us the night off, wet our whistles, do a bit of male bonding” he said with a quick continue to the daunting prospect of Court Martial, breaking barrack policy of unofficial leave.

Liam had enough of the same walls day in and out, heck, he’d even applied for his men to be given a little time to leave. That was until the bad news came through. The frontlines were crumbling and his Regiment was to be on standby for emergency shipping if need be, hell, he hated being the ‘reserve’, it was a horrible feeling, sitting back and waiting for the initial order to say “We need your help!”. It was wrong, his boys should be out there helping the battle now, not waiting until it’s too late… Shrugging the thoughts off, he looked to the Company Sergeant Major and awaited a reply, not wanting to push the man on the subject of going for a drink, of course however, who would refuse a Company Sergeant Major and Lieutenant prowling towards the toll booths at the main gates - they were the men that gave the orders, right?

“Whisky…” Liam slipped out quietly, as if replying to the Sergeant’s question quite sometime later, a small smile creeping up upon his face as he began to feel the hot rotten fluid succumb to his throat, causing his thirst to die all the more. It never did quench it.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

McMillan chuckled a little bit right along with Liam about the banner bit. He felt he may have said something that might have struck a chord but the Lieutenant seemed to shrug it off alright. Then the Lieutenant dampened the mood, only for a moment, with his statement about not having the leave time. He only hesitated for a second or two before he replied "Eh, what are they gonna do, send me over seas?" He laughed so hard he barely got it out, for it was true, there wasn't much they could do to him now, it was about as low as it was gonna get. Yeah they could take some of my pay, but I don't really need much, yeah they might take a stripe, but that's all the more reason to goof off, not as many people would look up to me, not like I wouldn't get it back in a month the way we all seem to be dropping like flies. His thoughts were brief and pointless.

The Lieutenant said he wanted whiskey "...and whiskey it will be sir. Ever had a shot of tequila? That's my favorite, always been a tequila man, not sure why, it burns like hell and will knock you on your ass if you aren't careful. Guess that's kinda like incoming though isn't it sir?" It was mainly a rhetorical question, no need to dampen the mood that they had too few of around here.

McMillan reached in to his pocket and grabbed his cigarettes along with his lighter. He put the rest of the cancer back in his pocket after he got the one he wanted. It took his lighter a few strikes to catch flame but none the less got the job done. "Care for a smoke sir? Everyone says they will kill me, but I look at it this way, 'If I survive this war, I'll put 'em down.' figure that is fair enough."

[♔ Liam J. Brentwood]

OOC: Start another thread? In the pub after this post?

Liam laughed to himself a little, send him over seas? The Lieutenant grinned at the thought, spurting out cheekily “They’ve already sent you over seas dear Company Sergeant Major” the Lieutenant trying to conceal his wicked smile as he looked around quietly, as if diverting his gaze a little, the chilled breeze sending a shiver throughout his body momentarily, before replacing his attention back upon the man before him, who owned up to liking tequila; He’d never have guessed.

“Is that so? Tequila eh?” questioned Liam with a narrow look, chirping a small laugh beneath his breath again, before nodding slowly and fixing his hands together to say “You haven’t felt your arse burn Sergeant until you’ve tried whisky and a splash of Rusky vodka”, Liam grinned deviously at the thought, Rusky’s (Russian’s) Vodka was pungent and when swirled in with a douse of whisky, it became a time bomb of a cocktail. No wonder the Lieutenant was never married, but as he dauntingly thought about the prospects of a good drink, the fellow Senior NCO offered up a smoke and some more daunting prospectsl Dying this time.

Shrugging a little, he gladly pulled out his own brand of cigarettes and slipped one out, sliding it up behind his ear a little as he replaced the packet back into his inside pocket and soon slipped out his lighter in turn. Sparking a light, he rolled it over the end of the tobacco and inhaled gaspingly to engulf the flames further, before slinging the lighter towards the Company Sergeant Major. “Use mine” he gusted out quickly, as if getting the Sergeant to think fast and catch it. “Let’s go get that drink eh? Name’s Liam by the way, I’m beginning to get dizzy with the whole Sir business” the Lieutenant said stiffly as he plucked the cigarette from off his lips, holding his hand out towards the Sergeant prosperously. “Just make sure the lads don’t hear you calling me that by the way” he said shortly after, winking somewhat.

Awaiting a good handshake, Liam glanced towards the bay-doors of the garage and began to hear voices. Perhaps they’d better scram? The night-patrol would’ve started by now and no doubt being caught in the premises of the garage, two highly established officers, would look a little strange when reported on the log at the end of the night… The whole ordeal with conspiracy and spies were strict lately… Least he’d want, is being branded a Jerry cloaks man.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

OOC: Just to clear up any confusion, I knew we were over seas, that's the humor, and a new thread sounds great. I know it's short, sorry but it was already over just helping close it out.

IC:

The Lieutenant started to speak of a drink that mixed both vodka and whiskey "Sounds horrible, better give that a try." He said with a small chuckle. The Lieutenant instructed him to call him 'Liam' which made McMillan relax just a tad bit more. "Will do sir,...Liam" He smiled. He placed his lighter back into his pocket after the Lieutenant tossed his over. "Thank you." One try and the job was done, McMillan tossed it back in the same fashion with a grin and exhaled a plume of smoke.

McMillan reached out and took a good grip of the Lieutenant's hand for a good shake, but as soon as they had finished, the Lieutenant's head turned, McMillan heard the voices as soon as it did and he copied the motion. "We better git. Last hing I want is more confusion that might hold us up from hittin the battlefield."

[PuNk! ™]

Thread Finished:

The following CP has been Issued;

• Lieutenant, Brentwood: 7CP
  
• CSM, McMillan: 8CP
  
• SGT, Brennan: 5CP
  

~Danny