Capítulo 5: Chapter 4: Blood and Steel II
December 14, 1942 - Medjez el bab
The war was still raging, but the Allied forces had mostly been regrouping and reorganizing after their losses at the Battle of Tebourba. It was a major loss for the Allies, and Tommy had clearly noticed the significant weaknesses that had been exposed. Poor coordination was one thing, but the inadequate anti-tank capabilities and lack of air cover were problems that needed to be addressed immediately.
However, he wasn't really in a position to worry about such things. His job was to follow orders, like a soldier should.
Besides, Tommy had something else to be concerned about as he placed his cap over his head—he was about to meet someone important. He glanced at the wall made of rough mud bricks, the coarse texture bearing the marks of wear from years of desert winds and time.
This small town might be a great location to occupy, but it lacked formal barracks, which was why they had to sleep on the ground in these buildings that were likely abandoned homes, small shops, or even barns. Last night had been quite unbearable. The dust, kicked up from the dry, crumbling walls, clung to everything, and he could still feel it irritating his nose as he lightly touched it.
Tommy's gaze fell on the piece of fabric he had used as a bed—little more than a worn-out sheet, folded neatly compared to the other five scattered around the room. The thick smell of earth overwhelmed his senses as he slowly made his way out, walking on the clay floor he had slept on, which made it especially hard to rest.
The bright sunlight from outside made Tommy squint as he stepped through the doorway.
"Tommy..."
He heard someone call his name and saw his squad members waiting outside, either standing or leaning against the wall. He could see the fatigue in their eyes from the lack of good sleep. He turned to the one who called his name and said, "Arthur..."
Tommy noticed Arthur's mouth half-open as if trying to find the right words, only to close it again in hesitation. The others had similarly conflicted expressions, much like Arthur's, as they gazed at him while he continued to walk.
He already knew what this was about—Jack's death.
It had been hanging over their heads for days now, and Tommy had been waiting for this moment to finally come.
The squad had been questioned about Jack's disappearance a few days back, and it wouldn't have been a surprise if any one of them had given him up. It was his turn now, and Tommy felt none of the anger, fear, or even guilt he might've expected. Instead, there was just an acceptance.
Looking at their expression, Tommy chuckled and said, "Let's smoke some cigars tonight."
"We don't have any but alright. See you later, Tommy." Bucky muttered in response, the sound barely registering in Tommy's mind as it drifted off once more.
He knew he'd been letting his thoughts wander too much lately, but the emptiness gnawing at him left little choice. If he didn't let his mind slip away like this, he might lose it altogether. The existential crisis had been creeping in for weeks now, and with no real purpose or goal to latch onto, everything seemed to be spiraling further into a void.
The road stretched out before him, lined with weathered stone buildings. They blurred in his peripheral vision as he walked. The other soldiers—those who still had the energy to care—avoided him. Tommy didn't blame them, he had just beaten a fellow soldier for bumping into him quite ruthlessly, but he just kept walking as he arrived at the command post.
"I wonder if he smokes..."
Tommy paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the modest field headquarters before him. It was far simpler than some of the more impressive command posts he had seen, yet still far fancier than the cramped, filthy barrack where he slept.
Noting the small barred windows, Tommy finally turned his head toward the narrow doorways. As he approached, his boots crunched softly against the gravel, and he raised his hand to knock. The sound of his knock echoed in his own ears as he waited.
A gruff yet calm voice came from within. "Come in."
Tommy pushed open the door and stepped inside. The sharp scent of roses immediately filled his nostrils, an odd fragrance for a place like this, causing him to scrunch his nose slightly.
He saw a large wooden desk set against one wall, strewn with maps filled with scribbles before his eyes fell on the figure behind the desk—General Patton.
"Sir! Private Shelby reported as ordered!"
He saluted as per the procedure though his mind was clouded with confusion.
A general summoning him for a matter like this? That wasn't typical—captains handled disciplinary issues, not high-ranking officers like Patton.
As Tommy waited for a response, his eyes took in the Patton's stern face. Looking away from the general's pale blue eyes that seemed to have completely lost its color, he got distracted his receding hairline and thought, 'It must've been stressful.'
"At ease, Private." Patton leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed thoughtfully on the maps strewn across his desk. After a brief pause, he turned to Tommy, "I was supposed to be taking care of matters in another region, but our current situation required me to come here as soon as possible. You likely already know why I called you to report, but let's consider this an informal meeting, Private. Please, sit down."
"Sir, yes, sir!"
He pulled out the worn wooden chair in front of him and sat down, feeling the uncomfortable stiffness of the seat as soon as his weight pressed down on it. The hard surface made it clear why Patton had leaned so far back in his own chair—it was either that or suffer the discomfort.
Tommy saw Patton's expression remain stoic before explaining, "Our operation in Tebourba was somewhat a mistake. We shouldn't have scattered our squads across the hills in an attempt to regroup with the front lines, only to be ambushed and annihilated. We didn't anticipate the enemy would send reinforcements that strong."
Patton paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "It doesn't make sense, does it?"
"Yes, sir."
Tommy responded when the words barely registered.
Why was Patton explaining this to him, of all people? He was a Private, a man who should be expecting punishment, not debriefings.
Looking at his unfocused eyes, General suddenly paused, "Your mind still seems to be at war, Private."
"...Yes, sir."
"Out of all the squads we sent to the front line, do you know how many survived?"
It couldn't have been many. They had been ambushed, caught off guard by a force far stronger than expected. Still, he didn't know the exact number, so he answered truthfully. "No, sir."
"Only one. And it's yours," Patton said. "Or should I say, Jack Donovan's little squad, the one formed just before this operation."
He went quiet after hearing Patton finally mentioning Jack's as he looked at those pale blue eyes that didn't seem to have any emotion in them. It looked suffocating, but strangely, Tommy felt comfort in those eyes. It felt like staring into a mirror—reflecting his own emptiness back at him.
Patton picked up a report from his desk, flipping through the pages as if searching for something. "Do you understand what you've done? You probably don't fully grasp it, but I'm sure you have some idea of what you deserve."
"...Yes, sir."
Tommy nodded. He didn't feel guilty at all. It was something that had to be done to survive. But then, Patton's next words shattered his expectations, "Then, congratulations on your promotion. You'll take over Jack's position..."
"Pardon?"
Of all the things he had expected—life imprisonment or even death sentence—promotion was the last thing on his mind.
"You pulled off an impossible feat, Sergeant. Even though you lost one man—your former sergeant." Patton's eyes remained unreadable, and Tommy couldn't tell if he was being scrutinized or merely observed. "But I heard you took charge of the squad, is that correct?"
"...Yes, sir," Tommy replied quietly. The faces of his squad members flickered through his mind which made him curl up his lips. He didn't realize his unfocused slowly regained its muddy color, but he could feel his mind getting a lot clearer.
He could see Patton raising his eyebrows at him as the general then said, "I want to personally thank you for that. We've already suffered enough losses. The intel you brought back has prevented even more casualties on our side."
"Thank you, sir. I was just doing my duty."
Patton nodded, his no-nonsense demeanor clear as Tommy watched him put down the report in his hand. The general asked, "Tell me, Sergeant. How's the rest of your squad holding up?"
"Morale's low," Tommy admitted. "Not just my squad. Everyone's exhausted. With supplies running thin, tempers are flaring. The men are on edge, sir. The situation's grim."
"That's what I figured," Patton said, his gaze fixed on the map spread across the wooden desk, cluttered with hand-drawn circles and marks. His fingers traced the inked outline of Medjez el Bab. Then, without looking up, he added, "Especially after you knocked out that British soldier recently."
"You're a smart guy, Sergeant," Patton said as Tommy grew silent, "What would you do in this situation?"
Tommy looked at Patton, unsure why the general would ask his opinion on strategy. His eyes drifted to the map laid out on the desk. Both men remained quiet as Patton gave him time to think, gesturing toward a pen, "May I?"
With a nod from Patton, Tommy took the pen, leaning forward as he began his explanation. "Medjez el Bab is a crucial defensive point. The town is surrounded by olive groves and hills. Given our weakened state, it's surprising the Axis forces haven't made a more aggressive move."
He paused, recalling the rugged landscape he had observed from the transport carrier days earlier. His pen traced the outline of Djebel el Ahmera on the map, circling the hill. "But soon, they'll strike. And if we wait, it'll be too late. We need to capture this hill first."
"Didn't you just say morale was low? Why would you suggest sending them into another battle so soon?"
"Because their morale is low, we have to act now," Tommy said as Patton finally showed a reaction. The general furrowed his eyebrows at his words, which he thought wasn't a good reaction.
He didn't know why, maybe it had something to do with his squad saving him by lying through their teeth on Jack's death. Perhaps, in some twisted way, the adrenaline of another fight was the only thing that kept him from spiraling. "A victory, especially at a key position like this, will boost morale. It'll remind them what they're fighting for. Give them a sense of purpose again."
"Shelby," Patton said, addressing him by name, "What do you think would happen if I actually agreed to your plan?"
"Victory, sir."
Tommy's gaze fixed on the hill as his eyes finally regained their clarity. The fog that had clouded his thoughts seemed to lift. Maybe it was his squad standing by him, or maybe it was just time to take control of his own life.
'I can't be cannon fodder anymore...'
"This might be a first, but I actually like your suggestion," Patton said, leaning back in his chair. "It's risky, but it could work. I'll run it by the strategists, and see if we can pull something like that off."
Tommy watched as the general nodded, seemingly making up his mind. Patton gestured dismissively with his hand. "You've done good work today, Sergeant. Get back to your squad and get some rest."
"Yes, sir. Thank you!" Tommy stood up sharply, saluting, before turning to leave. As he approached the door, he paused, a thought crossing his mind. He turned back to face Patton. "Sir, could I ask you a favor?"
"What is it, Shelby?"
Tommy hesitated for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "Do you have some cigarettes?"
General Patton looked at him quietly. It seemed to be the first time the general had met someone as peculiar as him.
Tommy then left the command post, returning to his squad with a pack of cigarettes in hand as they had a good time burning their lungs that night.
---
General Patton wasn't supposed to be here at this point in the timeline, before the Battle of Kasserine Pass in February. However, due to a slight shift in history with Tommy's intervention, I decided to introduce him earlier so we could fast-forward the war.
In the next chapter, we'll move right into the canon, where everything begins.
I've also added a bit more detail to my writing, thanks to some very valuable feedback, which I truly appreciate. I'm curious how you guys feel about this style compared to my other story.
Any feedback would be appreciated!
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