Sylum Teaser: Kitchen Angels

 

So this is a teaser from a major story that is being worked on (in between all the other stories being worked on – the main one being Family … YES I’m actually working on it)

Anyway.

The reason it’s posting today is because it associates with D-Day.   If you read Assassins Creed: Masyaf you’ve been introduced to Matt – this is some of his back story.

Author’s Note:  This is only a small moment of the Normandy landings.   Respect to all those men who landed on the beaches, for those who lost and those who continued the fight.

Matt sent off a letter to the Rookery, he just needed to get some thoughts down and make sure Richard knew he was thinking of him.  Of course he hadn’t addressed it to Richard, instead used R, in case anyone read it.  

The amount of people around him was overwhelming, and they were so fucking young.   He had just turned twenty-eight and felt old.  The night before they were to report to the docks, to prepare to cross the channel, he finally put to good use the one thing his Sire did teach him.  So he found himself a hooker, paid her well, had her against a wall drunk enough to get him by and her off.   It was the easiest money she made, and he at least felt somewhat better.   

He wasn’t a very religious man, as a family they went to church on Sundays.   He took to heart, to be a good person, do no harm, basically don’t be an asshole.   His dad found comfort in the church after mom had died, which worried him about how he was going to feel about the changes to his son.  He shook his head, this wasn’t what he needed to focus on.

He needed his head in the moment.

Prepared to do whatever he had to, to survive.

To get home to Richard.

The one thing he should’ve asked Richard before he left, was how to deal with a moving boat.  Before he came across via transport ship to England, the biggest thing he had ever been on was a rowboat.   When he had been on the transport ship, he stood on the deck, looking out towards the horizon with the air in his face, helped calm down sickness and keep his ‘sea’ legs.

But the landing crafts were small, cramped, with the bulkheads above their heads, and stuffed with men.  Plus, it was dark, there was no light or reference point.  The only thing he could do was lean against the metal, which was wet and cold.  He moved with the rocking, letting his body roll with the motion, not fight against it.  He already dialed down his sense of smell.  It had become too much between the overpowering stench of fish and ocean, then the moment the landing craft started making the journey across the men started throwing up, from a combination of anticipation, fear, and sea sickness.   He was barely holding back the very little he was able to get down earlier that night.

“It’s a nice night for sailing.”

Matt glanced over at the older General that stood with the men, though it was likely due to his Vampire sight, that he was able to focus on any of the men near him.   

When they were loading up, he had moved among the men, patting shoulders, fixing straps, and giving the encouraging word.   Matt had watched with a sense of disconnect.   He thought it was nice of the General to talk to the men, on the other side, words meant nothing.   As they lined up into two by two, he was surprised to see the General step in at the last moment, taking the spot directly across from Matt.  No one said anything, likely not sure what to say.  Everyone knew the Generals would be coming in with the support staff, this was a young man’s war. 

“I can toss a fishing line over the side, see if we can get some fresh fish for breakfast.”  Matt muttered, thinking Richard would’ve likely done that.  He would’ve had at least three lines over the back or better yet a net.

The laugh was comforting, yet felt so out of place.  “Young man, yes you, the one who looked like he just had his first shave.”  The soldier startled slightly at being addressed by such a high ranking officer.  “What’s your name?”

“James, sir. James Bury, sir.”  His voice squeaked.  The kid barely looked eighteen, and was terrified.  

They all were.

“Where are you from, boy?”  The General asked, totally at ease with the situation they were in.  Hell maybe being on a boat heading to enemy shores wasn’t new or frightening to the General.

He was sure everyone was looking in the direction where the General was located, and all of them thought he was insane, which maybe he was.  As far as Matt was concerned as long as he didn’t get anyone killed, he really didn’t care.

“Los Angeles, sir.”  James kept his voice soft, no one wanted to alert the Germans of their approach.  “Going to be an actor.”

“Are you any good?”  A nearby soldier asked, a hint of humor in his voice.

“Did a few movies when I was a kid.”  He shrugged half heartedly.  The pack he wore looked like it weighed more than him.  “When I get home, should be a set to play a soldier.”

“If you can fake your way through this, you’re on the way.”  Matt patted him on the shoulder.  He sent a prayer to whoever wanted to listen, for the kid to make it through this war. 

“And you?”  The General turned towards him.  “I know all my Captains and you’re not one of them.”

“Matthew Thompson.”  He answered, a dark chuckle escaped.  “I pissed off the wrong person.”

There were a few snorts, and grumbles from those around him.  “Where are you from?”  The General continued his line of questioning.

“Denver via the South of England.”  He answered as he let go of his rifle for a moment to wipe his sweaty hands.  “I’m a chippy, was building fake airplanes to distract the Germans.  God, I really hoped it worked.”

“You’ve gone full native, I bet you got yourself a girl waiting.”  One of the soldiers further back called out.  

“Let me guess you sweet talked some General’s girl!” Another added, getting a few of them to hoot and holler, before one of the Sergeants shut them up.  

Matt blushed slightly, getting a few pats on the shoulder.   He sure as hell wasn’t going to tell him, he had a chef waiting for him to come home.  And, he honestly still couldn’t figure out what he had done to get singled out, the only thing he could think of was he pissed off one of the General’s he worked with, or showed a high ranking officer up who didn’t appreciate it.

“Doesn’t matter now, you’re one of us.”  The General clapped him on the back.  “I am a firm believer in fate, and I’m sure you’re meant to be with us.”

“I didn’t catch your name, sir.”  Matt wasn’t sure about fate, only that at the moment, it was a bitch.

“Theodore Roosevelt Jr..”  He could hear the pride and smile that went along with that announcement.  

“Oh, of course.”  He shook his head, chuckling softly. “It’s an honor sir.”

“The honor is mine.”  Teddy focused on the troops.  “Men.  I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could do this.  I know, I’m not my father, but I hope you will stand behind me and we’ll conquer our own Kettle Hill.”

“Sir.”  Matt waited until the men gave a soft cheer to the encouraging words.  “Like your father, you lead by example.  No other General is out here, but you.”

He leaned closer, and with a conspirator whisper most of the men could hear.  “I tried to get horses but they wouldn’t let me have them!  The nerve.”  

“Good thing sir.”  James’ voice was filled with humor. “I’ve never rode a day in my life.”

“Bullocks! I’ll teach you.”  The General gave him a nod, then focused once again on the men.  “I have faith in you boys.  I know this isn’t going to be easy, war never is, but I’ll do everything in my power to make sure we all make it across that beach.  And we’ll chase those Krauts back to Berlin!”

Matt could never truly explain what happened when they hit the beach.   

The one thing that stuck with him all these years was the complete silence, in that moment just before the gate dropped.   It felt as if the world had stopped for those few seconds.  He couldn’t hear seagulls, the waves, or even the men moving, it was completely still.   

Then the gate dropped and everything rushed at him.   The yell of charge from Roosevelt, the feel of the waves on his legs, the sound of bullets hitting the metal on the transport – it was war and he was in the middle of it.  

As they rushed off the transports straight towards death or glory, it had taken him a moment to realize the buzzing sound he was hearing were bullets.   Instinct had him diving to the side, only to be horrified when one of the bullets took out the soldier behind him.   The next time, he dragged the guy behind him, along for the ride. 

The beach was chaotic, they weren’t where they were supposed to be.  They had to shift their perspectives instantly.  General Roosevelt barked orders, moved men into positions, kept them as best as he could out of the line of fire.   

He had lost all track of time, what felt like minutes was likely hours.  What felt like hours was mere minutes.  

They had taken out the first installment, shocking them by coming from the side.   He lost his rifle in the middle of the situation, well more like he ran out of bullets then used it as a baseball bat.  He took out the first German by slamming it into his stomach, then upwards snapping his neck.   When the second rushed he shifted and swung, breaking the guy’s jaw, though it also took out his rifle, cracking it in half.  He tossed it to the ground, stole their machine guns.  One jammed, but he was able to use the other to take out a group of Germans that were moving towards some of the men.   When that was out of bullets he stole their pistols and ran towards the General.

Halfway there he found James trapped behind a small barricade, with Germans closing in.   Without thinking he screamed and ran straight into the thick of the small battle, emptying the bullets in both pistols.   It took James to grab his arm, for him to realize they were all dead.  

Matt grabbed James, and ran straight towards Roosevelt, who was camped out under the second installment.   The two of them slid next to him, both breathing hard and looked slightly unhinged.

“Not a very warm welcome.”  Teddy laughed through his own heavy breathing.  He glanced over the top of the sand dune, only to duck as bullets sprayed the area.  

“It’s just like being at home.”  James’ laughter boarded on hysterical.  He pulled out a handkerchief and tied it around his arm, the blood had already soaked through the sleeve.   “Christmas dinners are the worst.”

Matt couldn’t help his own laugh, at the moment ignoring the pain in his leg.  He was pretty sure a bullet went through his thigh, when they were halfway up the beach.  “You think if we ask them nicely, they’ll let us by?”

The three were soon joined by more of the unit.  They all had a variety of wounds, yet looked determined.  “The first bunker was taken down, but the Krauts destroyed the machine gun so we can’t use it against the second.   We got men moving up the side, trying to stay low.  Their goal is to toss in a few grenades.”   It was one of the other Captains, who was giving the quick update.  “The problem, there’s a gunman somewhere above the bunker.   He’s making it hard to get closer.”

“Anyone got a rifle?”  Matt asked, he wasn’t the greatest shot, but this whole time he’d been using his Vampire skills to move quicker, toss grenades further, and maybe he would be able to see the damn shooter better.  

“Losing your weapon is how to get oneself killed.”  Teddy gave him a disappointed look.

“I used it to take out a few Germans.”  Matt snarked back as one of the soldiers handed over his.  He shifted out of his pack, turned onto his stomach, and used it to balance the muzzle.  He took a deep breath, focused his eyesight on the German, it took three shots, but in the end he got him.  “That should …”

They heard the yell, followed quickly by a few explosions.  They looked over as a team of soldiers ran for the now smoking bunker, and took their prize.   “Who knew deer hunting would come in handy, in the middle of war.”  Matt flipped around, letting his back rest against the sand, he was exhausted.

“Dad always said hunting would make a man out of you.”  He patted the Captain’s leg, noticing the rip and bullet hole, yet no blood.  “Ever hunt Rhinos?”

“Not many of those in Colorado, sir.”  Matt closed his eyes, the laughter bubbling up as he realized they had survived at least this particular nightmare.  “Well, General, should you go claim the hill?”  

“It’s not my hill to claim.”  Roosevelt stood pulling Matt up with him.  He looked out across the beach to see the second wave of soldiers make it across the beach, moving past the bunkers chasing after the Germans.  “It’s theirs.”