Sorrow (Open)

[Deleted]

Sam stretched his stiff and reluctant muscles in the fresh evening air; he had just woken up from a light nap and was still feeling a little groggy. He hadn’t much flight time lately and had grown bored with all the sitting around and waiting, the ground crews had kicked him out of the hangers and garages because he kept on doing all their work and they where complaining of having nothing to do. So without the clanking engines and roar of propeller blades to keep him occupied he had become very sullen and depressed. He spent most of his time napping or reading up on new upgrades for the fighters, but after a while just reading about them didn’t do it for him, he wanted to build something, he wanted to pull something apart. He looked at his hands, they spotless and soft, like most of the pilots around, he preferred his hands to covered in oil and grease, he missed it.

He had just started walking back to the hanger when someone called out to him. Turning around he saw his old friend Greg running towards him with a letter in his hands. He stopped walking and waited for Greg to catch up.
‘Hey Gregory you old digger. What’s got you running about like a headless chook?’ Greg caught his breath and handed Sam the letter. ‘This just came in, it’s for you.’ Sam took the letter, looking at it with a strange sort of expression. He looked at Greg and wondered what was so important about this letter that Greg had run out to deliver it. He flipped it over and looked at the sender, he stood there shocked as he read the address of his old home back in Australia. The letter was from his parents, and it was the first one they had sent since he had joined.

A large smile broke out on Sam’s face as he tore open the envelope. He had sent many letters home letting his parents know how he was doing and that he was still alive, but in the many months since he had been away this was the very first response he had gotten. Greg smiled too as Sam unfolded the paper and began to read.

Dear Sam
I know we haven’t kept in contact since you’ve been away, but things have been busy here without you. The shop has become so busy that we are going to have to hire a new worker soon.

We got all your letters and I am very proud of you, I know you want to go into combat and do your part but I am hoping they keep you as you are. You are the only thing I have left in the world now… I’m sorry to tell you this but your father has died. He was bitten by a brown snake and before they could treat him the venom took him. I wish I had more joyful news, but its very busy around here now and there isn’t much good to tell you. I hope this letter finds you well.

Best of luck.
His mother had signed the letter and Sam could do nothing but look and very short and impersonal writing in his hands. Despite the words of love and pride Sam felt that his mother had been quite detached when she wrote this, and looking at the date he realised it had taken almost two weeks for him to get the letter. His father had been dead for over two weeks and he hadn’t known it. He hung his head as Greg took the letter, noticing the sad look on Sam’s face. He read it and stood there silently, unsure of what to say, all he could do was put a supporting hand on Sam’s shoulder.

‘I um… I just need a minute Greg.’ Sam said as he walked off, he wandered aimlessly for a while before finding himself sitting at the back of an assembled group of soldiers who where raptly listening to a lecture on tactics and commanding troops. Sam only heard scattered parts of the talking, his mind was looking back on the days he had spent with his father and his heart dropped when he realised that he had actually spent very little time with his father. Sam had always been at the hangers with the engineers working and learning about machines while his father spent a lot of time at work. The voice of the Captain speaking broke though his thoughts.

“A battle is but a small part of a much larger picture. A wise commander will not commit to battle unless he is sure that it is a battle he cannot possibly lose. He will fight the enemy on his terms, choosing the battle ground well before the battle has begun and luring his foe into a well-prepared position. Yet even fighting a battle that you cannot possible lose is the ultimate foolishness unless that battle will take us one step closer to ending the need for further battles. Do not lead your men into an unnecessary battle just because they will follow, for it is a waste of life. Your primary mission must always be to win the War, not just the battle.”

[Armond Cassidy]

Armond was standing listening to the lecture on tactics and command. He was a floater that had just arrived here. He was shipped here from his home town of Portland Oregon. He was off duty for awhile and then when the war broke out he was assigned back into active duty and shipped out. Armond was new to the base and didnt know a single soul here. Not even the captain that was speaking to them.

When the lecture was over Armond turned to leave. His rifle slung over his shoulder and headed for the exit to hit the mess hall and get some grub. Armond looked down for a quick second and bumped into the fighter pilot standing listening to the lecture the captain just gave.

After recovering from the simple bump into each other "Im sorry, Names Armond. I didnt see you there." Armond held his rifle strap with his left hand and held out his right hand to shake the new man he just bumped into hand.

"I just arrived and Im sorry I ran into you." Armond told him.

Armond was new here that was for sure and the first person he met was a guy that he ran into. What a great first day Armond thought to himself. Keeping his calm nature Armond smiled to the man. He didn't want to upset him or start a fight with the guy. He didn't look like a soldier so he didnt want to start a feud or anything between forces. They were all on the same side and fighting amongst themselves was not something Armond wanted to be a part of. He wanted to take this all out on the enemy. Which reminded him he should head to the shooting range and get some practice in.

[Deleted]

The lecture continued but Sam didn’t hear the rest of the words, his mind was far in the past, searching though his memories for anything that he could have done to upset his mother, searching for any reason for her detached words. One thing was bothering though; in the short impersonal letter there was no mention of his sister, Jessica. He was wondering how she was taking the news, she was closer to their father then Sam was, as a child Sam was too busy down at the hangers talking with the mechanics about aircraft engines. So it was Jessica who was at home all the time, their father would take her out fishing and other bonding things while their mother was left at home. Maybe that was it, maybe Sam had spent too much time away from home and his mother no longer felt that she had a son?

The thought gripped Sam’s heart, She had acted to happy when he gotten the job at the airfield, it meant they wouldn’t be relying only on their fathers income from the small corner shop they owned. On the days when Sam wasn’t needed at work and his boss forced him to go home he would go and help his father in the shop, serving customers while his father was filling out reports or other forms of paperwork. He held back a sob, his father was dead and his mother no longer felt any real love for him. He thought he was making his parents proud by being a successful mechanic, and then when he became a pilot his father couldn’t stop smiling. He didn’t remember much of his mother, the strongest memory being when she was yelling at him for putting his dirty greasy hands on their clean tablecloth. The stains had never been able to be removed and as far as he knew, where still there, unless his mother had replaced it.

One of his sister’s poems reached out and slapped him in the face.

You spread your wings and reach for the sky
And sore free and clear.
You leave your home and friends behind
And all those you hold dear
You’ve flown so long and far and wide
Across lands both old and new
You’ve lost your way and roam alone
In a sky of radiant blue
And though your gone forever more
What a wonderful life you’ve made
Find a way to return home
Before your loved ones fade

Sam was about to bust into tears at the memory of his sisters words when someone bumped into him. It wasn’t hard, but due to Sam’s current state he almost toppled over, catching himself before he hit the dirt. He was somewhat glad for the distraction; he didn’t want to break down crying in front of someone else so he quickly pushed his feelings down. He would greave properly when he was alone.

Sam heard the man who bumped him talking, saying something and holding out his hand. Sam looked at it for a second; regaining his composure before forcing a smile and shaking the young mans hand. “No worries… Armond was it? There’s no skin off my nose.” His Australian accent and phrasing had gotten a few other Americans confused at times. Sam often took joy in confusing the men with his words. Armond continued speaking, apologizing again and stating that he was new to the camp. Sam kept his forced smile up, “The names Sam. It’s always good to meet new diggers.”

He looked around and realised that he was blocking the doorway, he quickly stepped aside and allowed the grouping of people to being leaving. “Say Armond, you feel like grabbing a bite to eat? I could show you around the camp afterwards. I’ve got nothing on.” Sam said, suddenly he didn’t feel like being alone. He knew he wouldn’t break down in front of a stranger. Maybe he wanted to hold off the grief for the moment, maybe he wanted to talk about it to someone other then Greg. An outside party who would take his problems and leave, someone he would probably never see again. Sam shook his head, he hated that weak thought and decided that he just needed a distraction for the moment. He started walking towards the mess hall, the smell of the food cooking drifting through the open windows.

[Armond Cassidy]

Armond shook the mans hand and then he asked if he wanted to join him in the mess hall.

"That would be great Sam." Armond replied and started to follow him into mess hall. The man was Australian and spoke like one. He used to have two Australian friends in his company before they were all killed in WW1.

"So your from Australia? I can tell by your accent, what part were you from? I used to have two buddy's from Australia." Armond asked

This sam guy seemed like he was a cool guy. He needed a new friend here to show him around the place. Making friends was all about how you did it and who you did it with. It was like high school all over again but in the harsh world of war.

Armond followed Sam to the mess hall. The smell of food hit his nose and he smiled. It smelled like breakfast. Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and coffee. Armond entered the tent and saw the room was actually dead. The cook looked at them both and smiled "Got here a little late eh? No worries we got plenty to go around"

Armond grabbed a metal tray and went down the line to grab some breakfast. Once he was done he found a bench close by and set his try down along with his coffee. Armond then un-shouldered his rifle and leaned it against the table barrel pointing upwards to the sky. Armond went and grabbed a fork and then sat back down at the bench and motioned for sam to do the same opposite of him. The man that lead him to the mess hall seemed like a good guy and Armond had a feeling they would meet on the battle field as well as here more times then just this.

[Deleted]

Armond was still talking, trying to keep the conversation going. Sam was grateful for it simply because it drew his mind and attention off the letter in his pocket and kept it from going back. Tuning back in to what the young Corporal was saying Sam was actually a little surprised to learn that he was not the first Australian that the man had met. A little disappointed at losing the chance to play his favourite game, he never the less answered Armond’s question. ‘I was born in Byrock, New South Wales. But moved around quite a bit when I was young and ended living just outside of Perth, Western Australia.’

The mess hall disserted, the long rows of tables where empty of the usual chatter and laughter of soldiers and other personnel who where normally filling the large hall. The lecture had caused most to eat quickly and rush off to too get an earful of words that was meant to give them a better idea on tactics, Sam hadn’t listened to much of it, but what he caught seemed to be just common sense. Sam followed Armond up to the line of food; he wasn’t feeling very hungry so just opted for the large cup of tea instead. He added his sugar and milk and mixed them all together before walking over to Armond and taking the seat across from the Corporal.

Sam sipped at his tea and let out a long, slow breath. His feelings about his mother where now a dull ache in his stomach, they wouldn’t bother him again until he let them. But rather then thinking of what he’s lost he concentrates on what he may gain, and that is a new contact on the ground. This Corporal Armond could come in handy at some point, and aside from that it was always good to know people in places. ‘Where you from yank?’ Sam asked with a large smile. He wanted to dive his mind into someone else’s story, someone else’s memories of home so then he wouldn’t have to think too hard on his own.

Greg walked into the mess hall as Sam asked the question, the other pilot looked at Sam and stared at Armond for a second before walking back out, deciding to give them some space. Sam was amazed at how Greg always seemed to know where he was, the two men had rarely been out of each others company since they had joined. But Sam guessed that Greg knew that he needed some time to think things over, and the look on Greg’s face told him that he understood the distraction.

[Cpl. James "Jimmy" Murdoch]

Jimmy was walking away from the serving hatch in the mess hall, just having picked up a cup of tea and a scone. Jimmy had loved scones ever since one Christmas when his mother had decided to make as many as possible to sell. They had sold hundreds, and managed to buy a new plough for the farm with the proceeds. Jimmy had never been away from home before and he knew not to expect letters for a while - the post was crap and he knew his mother couldn't write very well, although one of his sisters could help her.
Jimmy missed the rolling fields of the deep Northern Irish countryside, missed the little brook that ran behind the farmhouse, missed the barn where he could lie in the hay with a bottle of ginger beer, a book and just while the time away. He had loved building dams, and climbing trees, and taking part in all the activities a young boy could be expected to.
The army was just one way out of the boredom that occasionally set in at home. He had lost his job a year ago, and had been forced to stay at home and help on the farm. While he loved the animals, he sometimes got bored and wished for adventure. When the war had started Jimmy had been sceptical of signing up, but he'd done so three months ago as the boredom got worse. The training had been hard, but it was over now and Jimmy was looking forward to getting stuck into the Germans when the unit was deployed overseas.
Jimmy looked around at the sea of unfamiliar faces. One problem of the army was that there was no guarantee that any of his mates who had enlisted would get posted to the same unit, and that had reared its ugly head here. He knew not one of the men in front of him, but knew he'd sink into loneliness unless he at least tried to make friends now. He looked around once more and saw two men sitting at a table, obviously not closely acquainted, but talking nonetheless. Jimmy made his way towards them, having to ask people to move and apologizing more than once for bumping into someone.
Jimmy reached the two men and stood awkwardly above them. "Excuse me lads, is it OK if I sit down? I'm only new, this is my first day here." He looked down at them and hoped he wasn't about to be given the brush off - he knew he'd be humiliated and it would be harder to make inroads in the social aspect of the base.

[Armond Cassidy]

Armond looked up at the new comer "No its fine sit down Im new here as well. The only one thats not is my friend here that I just met. Names Armond whats your name?" Armond asked the man.

The man looked infantry like he was but appearances were always something never to take lightly. Armond turned back to sam and anserwed his question.

"I was born on the west coast of north America in a state called oregon in the city of portland. I was raised as a country boy in a city filled with people. It was a lot of fun and I was constantly working in the fields and getting into trouble." Armond laughed.

Armond then turned to the new comer. "Where you from?" Armond asked the man. He wanted to include the new guy as it was always hard to meet new people in the Army these days without getting your teeth kicked in first to see if you fit the type of the people around you. Armond was never like that he welcomed anyone around him. He always was interested to learn about new people and their lives or tell them about his simple life.

Armond finished his plate of food and started in on his drink pushing the metal tray aside and put his elbows on the table to continue just talking with the two men.

[Deleted]

(OOC: Sorry if my post is..... lacking. My brain isnt working.)

With distant eyes filled with memories of a life gone Sam looked up at the solider that had come over to join them. He thought he recognised the soldier but dismissed this thought nearly as soon as it had arisen, but even though he had pushed it aside, it still nagged at him that he had seen this soldier somewhere before. Rather then racking his brain for a memory that would not come he simply nodded and motioned for the newcomer to sit.
‘Sam Coller.’ He introduced himself before falling silent again as Jimmy took a seat and Armond started talking about his home in the country. There where so many farm boys around that Sam was starting to believe that whole army had been recruited from the country, young hicks with bits of straw in their mouths given a weapon and told to shoot. Most of the time Sam couldn’t understand the range of accents that filled the place, they all may as well of been talking German. But every now and then someone would come along who could be understood and was interested in making friends. Sam liked to have friends; he was going to need them.

He turned to face Jimmy as Armond asked him where he was from, he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew or knew of the man, but rather then openly question him he decided to wait so the soldier could speak, and then maybe with what was reviled Sam would be able to place him in his memory. He lifted his cup of to his lips and took a long sip of it, sloshing the liquid around his mouth to get the taste of it before swallowing, feeling the liquid warm his innards.

[Nathan Whyte]

Coller: 5CP
Cassidy: 3CP
Murdoch: 1CP