#thepacific

Sledge: Of course.

Snafu: Not even a little.

Sledge: Obviously.

Out of the stick in ‘46

Click for better quality. Please don’t steal or repost, though feel free to use.

Summary: SOE Agent Lily Darlington is unexpectedly demoted from her position and offered a life changing opportunity to become the first female Paratrooper in US history?

Pairing: TBD - love the suspense 

Warnings: Mentions of violence, language, Mentions of SA

A/N: Here is chapter 2! I really hope you like it, because I can't wait for Lily’s journey to really begin!

Chapter 2.

Camp Toccoa, August 1942

In Lily’s opinion, you might as well say it as it is, and in the interest of being entirely honest, there was no denying the fact that she was incredibly nervous. She and Colonel Sink had been sat together in his office for the best part of 30 minutes, in complete silence, broken only by the turning of a page or the short “Hmm” when she assumed he had found something particularly interesting. It was a blisteringly hot day in Georgia, not helped by the brand new uniform swaddling her. Lily could feel tiny droplets of sweat forming on the back of her collar, and she wasn’t entirely sure if it was due to the heat, or her nerves. 

“Three years with the Special Operations Executive, specialising in espionage and reconnaissance in Occupied Europe. Joined the ranks in ’39, first in your class, excellent marksman, skilled in hand to hand combat, you speak both French and German fluently. A figurehead of Operation Banquet, took part in Alphabet ’40, Operation Lancelot through to Arthur in ’41 and Operation Guinevere earlier this year. Wounded in action twice, the last time quite recently.” Colonel Sink raised a singular eyebrow as he continued. “Honourably discharged and sent to us, sounds like their loss.” His eyes rose from the thick file to meet hers. 

“Indeed, Sir.” Lily smiled nervously.

“We are mighty grateful you chose to join us, you have an impressive track record if ever I’ve seen one. The knowledge and experience you amassed during your time on The Continent will prove invaluable to us as we begin this next phase, for both the men and the intelligence division. That being said, I would like to have you meet with your Company’s Intelligence Officer afterwards, to share any important information you have, our men are yet to see any action and I believe any insight to be invaluable.”

“I think that’s a very smart idea, Sir. I’ll bring my reports from my last operation. I personally found that the more information shared with me, the less of a shock going in was. I would also like to personally thank you for accepting me into Daisy, I understood you faced a lot of opposition in taking part.”  

“There’s many who don’t agree with women joining the ranks, they don’t think it’s a woman’s place. I however disagree, you women are doing a fine job behind the lines, and alongside them. Your record is one of many glowing reports, I’m sure. I plan on showing the American public just what a woman is made of. I understand that your service record is evident that you are deserving of an officers rank, however, with many wishing us to fail and waiting for any hint of foul play, we can’t be seen as giving handouts, nor can we reveal your service record to the greater public. Do you follow what I’m saying?”

“I understand your meaning, Sir. Three years with the SOE and I’m undecorated, I don’t believe it has hindered my performance thus far.” Lily let a cheeky grin grow on her lips.

“Well with that all dealt with, I can officially welcome you to the 101st Airborne, 506th 2nd Battalion. Easy Company has been selected for you, and they are one hell of a fine Company, they are excelling in training and I know you’ll fit right in.” The Colonel stood extending his hand. “I’ll send you on you way now, wouldn’t want you late for your first meeting. Good luck Private.”

“Thank you, Sir.” 

As Lily made her way to the door the Colonel called out once more. “And Darlington, give ‘em hell.” With a wink she was gone, her mind absorbing the enormous responsibility she found herself with. 

—-

Lily hastily made her way back out into the glorious Georgia sunshine, the cool breeze of the afternoon offered a blessed relief from the confines of the stuffy office. She was well and truly in the thick of it now. No longer a British agent, no longer part of a tag team, a sense of apprehension crept over as the young woman realised that for the forceable future she was Lily Darlington. One tiny cog in the large machine that was the US Military. No code name, no mask, entirely exposed. Now would be a bloody good time to start smoking she chuckled to herself. Taking in a deep breath she composed and reminded herself of what Jack had shared during her rather booze filled last night in London. 

“You look ridiculous when you sulk, Darlington” Jack leaned in across the dimly lit table.

“I am not sulking.” Her eyes snapped up from the scratch in the wood she had been staring at. 

“Of course you are, you’ve been nursing that pint for over an hour, and you’ve got a pouty lower lip. You’re acting like a child.” 

“Am I not allowed to be nervous?” 

“What on earth do you have to be nervous about. You’ve spent the past three years in the arms of Herr Hitler, surely you can handle a bunch of yanks.” He spoke quietly.

“That isn’t what concerns me.” She lent back in her chair, unwillingly allowing her doubts to race through her mind.

“You know they let me choose my partner?” His words brought her attention sharply back into the room. 

“Excuse me?”

“Hmm. I had the pick of the bunch really, 14 active agents, but I chose you.” 

“Why?” 

“Because you had tenacity, and pluck. I heard rumours about some troublesome young lady in training who despite all odds was top of her class. There was a betting pool over whether or not you’d pass.”

“And what did you bet?” Lily could feel herself becoming defensive, her eyes glaring at her partner. 

“Who do you think started the pool.” He winked, finishing his drink. “My point being, I took a risk with you, and it payed off. They offered me a new partner after our first mission, I offered them my resignation, they gave you back to me. It’s not enough to just have the training, you have to have spirit. I trusted you with my life and you never let me down. You’re Lily bloody Darlington for Christs sake, pull yourself together.” 

—-

With a deep breath she entered the building, finding herself in a small hallway with a singular desk and a young Private sat behind, furiously typing away at a report on a battered looking Underwood. 

“Afternoon.” She spoke across the empty hall. the young man’s eyes snapped up at the sound of her voice, his posture shifting when he realised he was speaking to a woman. “I have a meeting with the Intelligence Officer of Easy Company.” Lily smiled as the young man sprang to attention, knocking a pile of carefully balanced papers about his desk. 

“Oh, uh, yes ma’am, they’re up the hall, first door on your left.” Lily wasn’t in the mood, nor the position to question it, however, she also wasn’t entirely blind to the obviousness that the private had not been expecting a woman to be attending the meeting. Brushing the thought off, she made her way up the hall and paused just outside the room, brushing her hair behind her ear and bringing it closer to the door. She couldn’t seem to hear any voices coming from within, she had always hated feeling unprepared. It had been a while since she was the lone female in a meeting, yet she reminded herself that this was probably going to turn into a common feeling during her time spent here. Taking a second to compose herself, she knocked sharply on the door, preparing herself for whatever lay within.

 It was opened almost immediately, and before her stood a tall gentleman, with fair hair and a confused look on his face. 

“Good Afternoon?” His voice was gentle.

“I’m Private Darlington, your transfer, Sir?” Making note of his rank, she slapped a smile of false confidence across her white teeth.

“My apologies Private, please come in.” Moving aside he motioned her towards where he had been sitting just moments before. She felt her shoulders relax as she sat her satchel down next to her chair, she had worked herself up over nothing.

“Will it just be the two of us, Sir?” Eager to get the meeting going.

“We’re just waiting on the Company’s Intelligence Officer, he shouldn’t be too much longer.” He spoke into his watch. “Lieutenant Winters.” Extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m sorry about earlier, Division wasn’t entirely clear on who we should expect.” He smiled apologetically. 

“They never are.” Lily joked in an attempt to lighten the mood. Just as she was about to kick herself for speaking so informally in-front of a Commanding Officer, the door swung open with a loud thud and a deep voice travelled into the room. 

“I told him I had a meeting, I told him I had to leave, apparently I was being unpatriotic to the cause. I swear that Sobel has a stick so far up his…” 

“Lieutenant Nixon, this is Private Darlington. The transfer we were told to expect.” Winters butt in, gesturing towards the young woman stood in the centre of the room.

Lily could have sworn her heart stopped beating for a split second, and she felt her breath catch in the back of her throat. This must be some sort of game.

“Lily?”

The pair both stood in silence, taking each other in. Her eyes glided over his smart uniform, not a thread or button out of place. She noticed how much older he looked, granted it had been almost four years since she’d last been in the presence of the Great Lewis Nixon. His hair was styled differently, the ring was new too. Just before her mind allowed her to think she was hallucinating, he spoke, his attention moving between her and the uncertain looking Lieutenant Winters. 

“What are you doing here?” He broke the silence, closing the door behind him.

“I was transferred.” She spoke, not realising how quietly her voice sounded.

“You’re the British Intelligence transfer?” He made his way across the room towards her. 

“Am I missing something?” Winters interjected, snapping the pair out of their daze.

“I’m so sorry Sir, Nix and I, that is, Lieutenant Nixon and I have met before.” She spoke to the obviously perplexed man.

“What are you doing here?” Nix looked at her even more confused.

“I think it might be best if we all take a seat.” Winters motioned to the chairs, shooting a look at Nixon. As Lily sat she retrieved the copy of her file from her bag, all too conscious of Lewis Nixon’s look of confused bewilderment staring into her. 

“I believe the best explanation you’ll find is within my file.” She smiled softly at her old friend, passing her documents across the table, all too aware of how her heart was racing as she sat back into her seat and prepared to unroll the last three years of her life.

The following hours ticked by, the men remained relatively silent, absorbing the information as Lily recounted her time in the employment of the SOE. Beginning at her recruitment, she spoke of how, in admiration for her brother after he joined the RAF, she had seen a job advertised for ‘Strong Willed Women’ who wished to aid in the War effort. She explained how she had initially envisioned it to be a secretarial post. A role so many of her friends had become involved in across the city for the various governmental departments, rooms of women armed with typewriters, essential to the cause. Much to her shock, she had arrived at the interview and upon swearing secrecy, was met with a series of tasks. The day had been spent translating newspapers, interviews in both French and German, deciphering of codes, and mapping routes using satellite photos of the rural countryside. It was during that which she had come to the realisation she was not being recruited for the typing pool. Lily recounted how she had left the interview with a thousand unanswered questions, remaining that way for two weeks before a telegram was sent to her, requesting her presence the following evening. 

Lewis Nixon found himself glued to his seat as he listened to Lily detail her extensive training in the Scottish Highlands. How she had spent weeks learning how to assemble, and disassemble British and German firearms until she could do it blindfolded. Gruelling physical training mixed with map reading and intensive Morse code classes. His mind unable to process how the young girl he once knew was sitting before him, speaking so eloquently and easily about how she had excelled in demolition and explosive handling, and had received top billing during her marksmanship training. He listened attentively as she went on to recount a particular night on the moors during unarmed combat training, whereby a young recruit had made a simple, yet fatal mistake. it had been her first realisation into how dangerous of a situation she was walking into. He watched as she almost seemed to slip into herself for a split second, before turning the page in her file and directing the mens attention to the information within.

He noticed her energy picked up as she talked the men through her first assignment and partner. Her eyes almost looked as if they were sparkling as she spoke about her first meeting with Jack, how he was the personification of whit. He had been on The Continent for a handful of weeks prior, and she had been so thankful to have a pair of experienced hands to help guide her. Their first operation together had been a simple one, locate and report. The pair had spent 3 months creating maps of Germany’s munition factories and radioing them back to HQ in preparation for bombardment. It had proved incredibly successful, and almost as soon as they returned home they were sent back out again, carrying a larger responsibility this time. Nixon found himself almost uncomfortable as the young woman revealed how their second operation was far more layered than the first. She had spent the second half of the year on the arm of Germany’s most powerful players, giving her an invisible seat at the table, it seemed that British Intelligence was at the heart of German brothels, under their very nose if you will. Lily had spent weeks attending dinners, Galas, meetings, passing information back to Jack regarding Nazi plans to invade Britain without so much as a whisker of suspicion. After all, no-one with a sensible head on their shoulders would dare to question a married and respectable German General as to the origins of his evening accoutrement. It was becoming crudely apparent to Lewis Nixon that the Lily sat before him was not the same girl he had last met. He found himself feeling heavier as she explained how draining she found the operation. She would spend weeks in the company of a target, brought out like a show pony to events, expected to play the game in the evenings. They’d get bored of her eventually and she’d be sent back to the brothel where she would reconvene with Jack, collect their findings and escape across the coast to England. 

The following Operations copied the same patterns, she confessed how she began to feel restless in her role, how it started to take its toll, amusing over how her debutant days gave her better preparation, rather than tracking around the Scottish Highlands. After returning from an Operation in early ’41, she had relayed this feeling to her Commanding Officer, and to her relief, her and Jack’s next orders were to camp out in the Netherlands in order to locate a double agent. Her voice became softer to a certain degree as she spoke about how much of it was spent waiting, exchanging information back and forth with the underground resistance movement that had begun growing, until they received orders to move their operation forward to the final stages. It was the first time she'd actually used hand to hand combat since training, and how she had received her first official injury, it was also the first time she had taken a life. The afternoon glow began to fill the room before either of the men chose to speak.

“You were involved in a final operation earlier this year, before your honourable discharge?” Lieutenant Winters questioned, dissipating the tension that had creeped in.

“Yes Sir, I was. Guinevere. It was meant to be a simple information extraction, but it didn’t go to plan. My cover was compromised and I was wounded. We had to emergency evacuate. I was honourably discharged once I was released from hospital, and following that, I was offered the transfer here. There’s not much else to it.” She pushed her shoulders back and sat up straight waiting for a response.

“Thank you Private Darlington. This is an incredibly detailed report, and alongside your own personal experiences I believe it will give us valuable insight into the conflict ahead. You deserve some well earned rest, Private Mullins will show you to your barracks and introduce you to your men.” Lieutenant Winters spoke as he collated the pages together. “It was a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to working alongside you.” 

The men stood together as Lily made her way out of the door and down the hall, Winters waiting till he could be sure the young woman was out of ear shot. “Are you going to explain?”

“Jesus Dick.” Nixon sighed as he sat back down in the chair. “I know her. Well I knew her. We were neighbours for two years, Hell her and Blanche went everywhere together.” 

“That somewhat explains your behaviour.” Winters replies, joining Nixon back at the table.

“Yeah, no shit. Her brother Clarence and I kept in touch. He mentioned she joined up in some of his letters. I thought he meant as a nurse or a secretary, not as a goddamn spy.” 

“She said herself she just wanted to do her part.” Winters offered up.

 “This is a bit more than doing your part.” Nixon muttered aloud, flicking through her file. His eyes stopped as he scanned the page. “Do you not think she was rather offhand about what she’s been through?”

“It wouldn’t be right for me to say. Neither you, nor I have dirt on our boots yet.” He looked at Nixon with a raised eyebrow. 

—- 

“Hey Perconte, what are you thinking of, blousin’ your pants?” Johnny Martin grunted as he burst open the barrack door, stopping at the threshold. His eyes widened as a small brunette head popped up from beneath a newly laid cot.  Before he had a chance to react, he was shoved further into the room, a disgruntled Liebgott and Perconte pushing past him, confused as to what the man was hanging about for.

“Shut up, Martin, alright? He gigged everybody.” The short man turned to face him, following his confused stare to the row of cots behind him. “What the hell.” Perconte muttered under his breath drawing the attention of the men towards the disturbance.

“You lost nursie?” Liebgott chimed in.

Just as Lily opened her mouth to reply, Carwood Lipton’s voice filled the room.

“Alright, let’s go, on the road in PT formation. What’s the hold up men?” Lipton made his way through the crowd that had formed around the entryway. 

“There’s a girl here, Sarge.” Liebgott motioned towards the brunette who was making her way out from beneath the cot and towards the group.

“Private Darlington, Sir. I’m your transfer.” She smiled and extended her transfer papers toward him.

“She’s a limey?” Perconte whispered to Shifty Powers.

“She’s a she?” He added back, his face full of disbelief.

Lipton looked from the papers, to the girl, and back to the papers again. He had been briefed that morning about the incoming transfer, initially confused when he was informed there would be a British transfer, but who was he to question Colonel Sink’s direct orders. It had, however, been left out that the transfer would be a girl. He could feel the stares of the men bearing down on him, and he pushed his surprise aside, handing the papers back to the girl with a smile. “Listen up Easy Company, This is Private Darlington, a transfer. You will make her feel welcome and treat her the same as any other member of this unit. Is that clear?”

A resounding “Yes, Sir!” was returned from the men of the barrack. 

“Now move on out, we’re running Currahee in two minutes. Private Darlington, change and meet outside for PT formation.” Lipton called as he made his way out.

Lily watched as the men filtered out of the hut towards the field in front, not entirely blind to the mix of stares and glares shot in her direction. “Well this is going to be bloody good fun” she mumbled to herself. 

________________

eugene sledge and sidney phillips🍂 balthqzar on pinterest

lately I’m just an animal

trapped out in your cage

but baby you’re something beautiful

something yet to be tamed

THE PACIFIC (2010)