Chapter 42: Mutiny
"Brothers, we need to be more forceful, especially with Colonel Sink. He must know about the conflict between Winters and Sobel, and he must know what kind of officer Sobel is. We can no longer tolerate his disregard for our E Company," Ranney said, speaking passionately at the meeting, rattling off a list of complaints against both Sink and Sobel.
"That's right. We have to let them know how dissatisfied we are. We can't let all the brothers sacrifice their lives just to save face for Sink and Strayer," Guarnere added his agreement.
"Parks, what's your take on this?" Lipton suddenly asked Rhys, who was sitting opposite him.
At that, all eyes turned to him. They looked at Rhys with great expectation. He was the First Sergeant, which was very important. If Rhys were to join them, the impact on Easy Company would be immense.
"Alright, fellas, let's do it. But you have to think this through. If we do this, we could be lined up and shot. So you'd better be mentally prepared," Rhys said with a nod.
"I am not willing to follow that man into combat," Ranney said, shaking his head. "Alright, we're all in agreement. Let's do this, fellas."
Ranney took out a stack of paper and handed a sheet to each man. "Alright, guys, since we've made our decision, we have to see it through to the end. Does anyone else have any objections?"
No one spoke. They all took out their pencils and began to write:
'I hereby no longer wish to serve as a non-commissioned officer in Easy Company.'
Followed by their signature and rank.
"I'll be the one to give this," Rhys said, waving his hand at the sergeants and collecting all of their resignation letters. Rhys was the NCO on duty that night, staying in the company office to handle any problems that might arise and to wake everyone up the next morning. So, Rhys decided to place the stack of resignation reports he had collected into Sobel's "inbox."
"I think we should discuss this with Winters," Harris said. "I'll take care of that."
Everyone agreed that they should tell Winters, perhaps even to win his support. If they had that, the chances of Sink backing down would be greater. Ranney and Harris brought Winters to the company office.
"No," Winters said. "Don't even think about it. This is mutiny."
"Even if it is mutiny, it's worth it," Harris insisted. "Lieutenant, if we let Captain Sobel lead the brothers into battle, what will happen? I think we all know the answer to that. If by doing this, we can get Colonel Sink's attention, then it would be worth it even if they shoot us. At least the other brothers will be able to save their own lives."
"Yes, we are doing what we believe is right. Lieutenant, you're a part of Easy Company too. Why can't you fight for the brothers?" Ranney said. "This is our only chance."
Winters knew he probably couldn't persuade them. He shook his head, then saw Rhys and looked at him. "Parks, what's your opinion?"
"I agree with them, Lieutenant. If you don't fight for this, then you are abandoning the brothers," Rhys said. His words were harsh, but when you really thought about it, it was the truth.
No one spoke. They all stared at Winters, waiting for a positive answer. Winters was silent for a long time. Just as he was about to speak, the office door was thrown open.
"What are you doing?" the man who opened the door asked.
"Ten-hut!" Rhys shouted.
Everyone stood up straight. The conversation was cut short. All eyes in the office were on Captain Sobel. He glanced at everyone, completely uninterested in what they were talking about. He picked up a book from his desk and walked out.
As Sobel was leaving, he could hear Ranney's voice. "Lieutenant Winters, what should we do to improve the physical training plan?" His voice was loud and easily reached Sobel's ears.
Sobel knew they were planning something. He was furious, but he couldn't go to Horton or Sink. That would only show his own incompetence. If he couldn't control his own company, even if he did tell Sink, Sink might just transfer him.
"Damn it," he cursed to himself, not knowing who he should be cursing. Winters, or the sergeants who were trying to rebel.
"Parks!" he shouted from outside the door.
Rhys heard him, glanced at the others, shook his head, and walked out.
"Yes, sir. Is something wrong?" Rhys asked, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible.
After calling Rhys out, Sobel didn't know what to say. He stood there for a long moment before finally saying, "Remember, tomorrow's physical training will proceed as I have specified. There is no need for further discussion."
"Yes, sir. We'll be leaving now," Rhys nodded.
"At ease," Sobel said, then turned and left without another word.
When Rhys went back inside, he heard Winters complaining, "Damn it, it's not like it's a secret."
Winters was sure Sobel already knew what was happening. After all, anyone could see what a gathering like this, with these specific people, had to be about.
"I have to go, but I must advise you all again, think about the consequences of what you're about to do." Winters calmly straightened his uniform and then walked out of the office.
***
The resignation letters Rhys placed in Sobel's inbox that night were gone the next day. Sobel must have taken them. And the matter couldn't be kept secret. Now, almost the entire battalion was talking about it.
"Parks, are you going to be shot?" White was very concerned about Rhys's fate. "My God, you really dared to do this."
"Someone had to do it," Rhys just smiled slightly.
Almost all the brothers in Easy Company were cheering on the sergeants. And now, it wasn't just Easy Company that was talking about it; the rumors had spread to all the companies in the Second Battalion. Even Lieutenant Speirs, who rarely paid attention to gossip, was asking about it.
"It's been a few days now, and everyone knows about this. Why hasn't Colonel Sink reacted? Or does he simply not know?" Guarnere, losing his patience, asked Rhys.
"If Colonel Sink continues to ignore this, he's just playing dumb," Rhys said. He knew the final outcome. "I know he will intervene. We've done what we needed to do. Now, all that's left is to wait patiently."
The sergeants waited with uneasy hearts. And they had made one final decision. Although it wasn't Rhys's idea, it was a contingency plan. They would submit their resignations directly to Colonel Sink, which was tantamount to giving him a final "ultimatum."
"I advise you not to do that," Winters said, warning Rhys after he found out.
"I know that if we do that, the consequences will be even more severe. But we have to do it, Lieutenant," Rhys said, supporting the ultimatum.
A few days later, Colonel Sink finally came down to Easy Company and held a meeting with all the sergeants. This brought a sigh of relief to all of them. Even if they were going to be shot, it was better than the constant anxiety.
"I ought to have you all shot!" Sink thundered, having gathered all the sergeants in the Easy Company office. "At a time like this, as we prepare for the goddamn invasion of Europe, this is nothing less than an act of mutiny."
"Sergeant Harris, turn in your stripes and pack your gear. I'm transferring you out of my regiment," Sink said, pointing his finger at him.
"Yes, sir," Harris said, saluting.
"Sergeant Ranney, consider yourself lucky. I'm only busting you down to private," Sink continued, handing down sentences to the NCOs. "All of you NCOs have disgraced the 101st Airborne. We are on the eve of the largest action in the history of warfare, which leaves me no choice but to spare your lives."
"And you, Parks," Sink said, as if he had just remembered something.
"Yes, sir," Rhys said, standing at attention.
"You are no longer fit to be the First Sergeant. I am hereby relieving you of your duties as First Sergeant. The position will be taken over by Evans," Sink said sternly. "Also, the other day, Captain Sobel submitted a recommendation for you to attend Officer Candidate School. But I feel that at a time like this, it is an inappropriate recommendation. I have rejected it. Go back to being a good Staff Sergeant."
"Yes, sir," Rhys said with a salute.
"Now, all of you, get out of my office! Get out of my sight," Sink was still fuming.
The sergeants filed out of the office in an orderly line. Even though they had been chewed out, their spirits were still high. They had done what they thought was right.
"Parks," just as he was about to leave, Colonel Sink, who was last in line, called out to him.
Colonel Sink gestured for him to stand in front of his desk. "When the sergeants of a company rebel, you, as the First Sergeant, bear the primary responsibility. Do you know why I only relieved you of your duties as First Sergeant and allowed you to continue to serve as a Staff Sergeant?"
*****
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