章 38: First Battle
Lorenzo's exceptional performance in training and impressive scores caught the attention of the Officer Candidate School, which immediately accepted him due to his outstanding potential. He will still be trained at the same facility in Fort Dix, but with a more intense focus on leadership development.
The OCS curriculum will push him to his limits, as he'll be leading fellow recruits, enduring harsher physical training, and learning advanced tactics and military skills from high-ranking soldiers of Fort Dix. This rigorous program is designed to mold him into a skilled and effective leader.
With Lorenzo's newfound status at Fort Dix, almost every recruit agreed that he was now the leader, replacing the overbearing Howard, who mysteriously vanished from the training camp. Rumors spread about Howard and his cronies deserting because they didn't want to go to war, causing great embarrassment for Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, Howard's uncle.
The truth, however, was known to Leo, Ricky. They knew that it was Lorenzo who had dealt with Howard, while Max and Patrick had taken care of his cronies. Though Leo and Ricky hadn't participated in the actual act, they were still complicit, having helped bury the bodies to cover their tracks.
As time passed, the buzz around Howard's disappearance gradually faded away. Most recruits considered it a blessing in disguise, as they were glad to be rid of the bullies who had tormented them. The training was so demanding that they didn't have much time to dwell on the matter.
Especially to Lorenzo, who endured harsher physical training and advanced tactical lessons from high-ranking soldiers consumed his every waking moment.
Lorenzo's leadership role earned him respect from his peers, and they followed his orders without question.
The incident with Howard and his cronies was soon relegated to a distant memory of Leo and Ricky, a cautionary tale of what happens when you cross the wrong person. Life in the camp went on, and the recruits focused on surviving the rigorous program, each day bringing them one step closer to becoming skilled and effective soldiers.
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Nine weeks into Lorenzo's OCS training, the drill sergeants and high-ranking officers at Fort Dix realized they had nothing left to teach Lorenzo. His transformation from a promising recruit to a promising leader was nothing short of remarkable. The young man exuded a quiet confidence that intimidated even the most hardened soldiers.
The recruits and drill sergeants alike marveled at how effortlessly he led them through the most grueling physical exercises and tactical drills.
What they didn't know was that Lorenzo's physical improvement was all thanks to his cheat system, which allowed him to increase his attributes at an inhuman rate.
His hidden advantage kept him one step ahead of everyone else, fueling whispers that he was a prodigy or even a monster in the making.
After a grueling evaluation, the day finally arrived when promotions were announced. Lorenzo's exceptional performance earned him a well-deserved promotion to Second Lieutenant, granting him the authority to lead a platoon. Patrick and Max also excelled, earning their stripes as Private and Private First Class respectively.
Alongside them, other recruits who would form part of Lorenzo's platoon graduated after passing comprehensive reviews on combat training, logistics, medical training, and survival skills.
May 1943, Fort Dix. Standing at attention on the training ground, Second Lieutenant Lorenzo inspected his newly formed platoon of 25 soldiers. Among them were familiar faces like Max and Patrick, who had also excelled in their respective roles. Beside him stood Platoon Sergeant Richard Lawrence, a seasoned Sergeant First Class two years his senior. The platoon was further divided into three squads, each led by a sergeant.
The remaining recruits who hadn't graduated yet watched in awe as they witnessed the fruits of their peers' labor.
Brigadier General Mike Keller, the camp commander, paced in front of the disciplined formation, his eyes scrutinizing every detail.
"Follow me," the brigadier general barked, and led Lorenzo's platoon to a more secluded and spacious area.
"Second Lieutenant Lupo, step forward!" General Keller's voice boomed.
"Here, sir!" Lorenzo responded, stepping up to the general with his hands behind his back.
The general's eyes bored into his as he shouted, "You are now responsible for these men. Are you confident that you can lead them? That they will not die in vain but instead, give their lives with dignity and take down as many of the enemy as possible?"
Lorenzo didn't flinch. "I am confident, sir!" he replied, his voice strong and determined.
Brigadier General Keller studied Second Lieutenant Lupo eyes, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, he gave Lorenzo's shoulder a firm pat. "You won't disappoint us, son."
"Second Lieutenant Lupo, report to Lieutenant Colonel Johnson. He'll brief you on your deployment," the general ordered.
Lorenzo saluted and left to meet with the Lieutenant Colonel. The briefing was short but to the point: his platoon was being sent to Malta. The urgency in the officer's voice didn't escape him. This mission was crucial.
Sensing the urgency in their deployment, Lorenzo couldn't shake the feeling that their first mission was far from ordinary. The way the brigadier general had reacted to his platoon's graduation only solidified his suspicions.
"Don't tell me they're sending us into the thick of it just because I showed off my strength and intelligence," he thought, shaking his head.
Lorenzo returned to his platoon and ordered them to prepare for their upcoming assignment. Along with Privates First Class Max and Private Patrick, he headed back to their barracks to gather their gear.
Second Lieutenant Lorenzo and his platoon boarded an army truck that rumbled for hours before reaching their destination: New York Harbor. A massive convoy transportation ship loomed in the distance, already teeming with other soldiers boarding. It was clear they weren't the only platoon involved in this mission.
Once onboard, each platoon was assigned their quarters. The cramped quarters didn't deter them from maintaining discipline as ordered by the senior officers. The days at sea were filled with drills and exercises, ensuring they were combat-ready upon arrival.
The trip wasn't without its downtime, however. In between training sessions, the men found happiness in card games, sharing stories from home, and dreaming about their loved ones. The bond forged in these moments would prove invaluable in the trying times ahead.
During the voyage, the plood of soldiers received their mission briefings, it was related to Sicily.
Lorenzo's heart skipped a beat. He knew this operation all too well from his previous life: Operation Husky. It was a pivotal Allied invasion of the Italian island, a turning point in the war. If he recalled correctly, then they were being sent to Malta to join British and Allied forces before storming the beaches of Sicily.
The gravity of their situation dawned on him, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he doubled down on training his men, ensuring they were as prepared as possible for the battles ahead.
As the transportation ship sliced through the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, days passed by peacefully. The men on board went about their daily routines, trying to ignore the looming threat of war that awaited them in Europe. However, as they ventured further eastwards, the tension in the air thickened. The senior military officer, a seasoned veteran with a weathered face and sharp eyes, sensed the change in the air. He knew they were entering treacherous waters, both literally and figuratively.
Lorenzo's platoon, a motley crew of green recruits, stood at attention on the deck, their faces a mix of fear and determination. They eyed the horizon nervously, scanning the skies and the endless expanse of water for any sign of danger. The constant drone of the ship's engines and the salty breeze did little to ease their frayed nerves.
Lorenzo, their young but capable leader, stood tall among them. His sharp jawline and piercing eyes exuded an air of calmness that belied the turmoil within. He had seen his fair share of combat, and he knew all too well the horrors that awaited them on foreign shores. Yet, he couldn't afford to show any signs of weakness. Not in front of his men.
He walked among his platoon, patting a shoulder here, sharing a joke there, and offering words of encouragement when needed. His mere presence seemed to have a calming effect on the most anxious of souls. The men looked up to him, their confidence in their leader growing with each passing moment.
Seven days into their journey, the peaceful rhythm of the transport ship was shattered by the shrill blast of the alarm. The men of the platoon, who had just settled into a card game in the mess hall, bolted upright. The color drained from their faces as they realized the worst-case scenario had come to pass.
"German U-boats! Prepare for battle!" the senior military officer bellowed.
Lorenzo's platoon sprang into action, months of training kicking in as they rushed to their battle stations. The sound of boots on metal echoed through the corridors as they made their way to their posts. The ship's guns began to fire, the deafening booms reverberating through the hull.
Lorenzo's heart pounded in his chest, war battlefield is different to gang fights after all, but he refused to show it. He met the wide-eyed gazes of his men with a steely glare. "We've trained for this, boys. Remember your drills!"
"Aye, sir!" they responded in unison, their voices shaky but determined.
The first torpedo narrowly missed the ship's bow, sending a plume of water soaring into the air. The ship listed to starboard as the captain evaded the deadly projectile.
"Brace for impact!" the captain's voice boomed over the intercom.
Another torpedo found its mark, tearing through the hull like paper. The ship shuddered violently, and the lights flickered before going out.
Emergency lights flickered to life, casting an eerie glow over the chaos.
"Damage report!" the captain bellowed into the radio.
"We're taking on water, but we're still afloat, sir!" came the panicked response from the engine room.
Lorenzo's platoon reached their positions on the deck, manning the anti-aircraft guns.
The chilling sound of machine-gun fire filled the air as they engaged the enemy planes that emerged from the clouds like a swarm of deadly bees. Tracer bullets lit up the sky, crisscrossing with the enemy fire.
"Stay sharp, boys!" Lorenzo bellowed over the din. "Aim for the wings and tails!"
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