Command was just hell on a guy, and Isaac had just taken the reins.

He didn't think he was gonna be really any better here.  True, he knew something of getting a pack to move, so he could be direct and decisive and strong, but let's just face it: He was just the replacement widget for what was considered the better man.  Jean-Robin Charpentier was both the hero of the hour and the hardest one among the living that was hit, with Franz as the runner-up on that account.  It's not that the farmer and wolf-trainer felt he was being overshadowed.  It was more like he saw that Jean had something in him that worked in a crisis, and that despite all things he had come out of it all whole.  He deserved better.  Perhaps, if he weren't so broken up, he even deserved proper command and respect, but Middleton wasn't going to give it to him.  He doubted that the Lieutenant would treat him any better, and that's [i]before[/i] he realizes that Isaac hated him.

And yes, of [i]course[/i] he did.  He was the same as that recruiter, blinding shoving people into the line of fire.  Oh, he and Middleton were going to be the best of enemies, he was sure.  Well, that particular event had yet to go forth, as he hadn't really talked to the man yet.  Right now, though, the only other NCO had effectively taken command, lacking anybody else of a higher rank and Jean needing a break from the pressures of it.  It did not feel heavy so much as...like he really [i]was[/i] holding onto it for someone else, shielding them from further harm.  Well...that's the life of a Gunner, after all.  He was the support man, making sure people come back alive.  Machine gun support kept him honest.  Everyone else before him, getting out of a pinch, and everyone guarded by him as he drops the enemy ahead of them.

Now, largely unchanged, just because he was in charge, he was addressed by Diana.

[color=f7941d]"Yeah, I'm getting tired of the squelch beneath my feet, and I live on a farm."[/color]

There might've been boards in the trenches, but not enough and you still heard the sounds of the mud underneath [i]those[/i].  Reyna and Diana were now trying to get Jean to respond, to go with them to the rear in order to get some rest.  Again, it seemed like Diana was really attached to Jean.  It wasn't that surprising.  The machine gun fire and the charge was well-executed, he was a proper gentleman, and he cared a whole lot.  Hopefully, there wasn't going to be alot of friction going on here.  Just then, though, Jean seemed to pull out of his stupor long enough to address those in front of him.  He wanted Isaac to make sure everyone got some sleep before they got pulled to A-

[color=f7941d]"Another battlefield.  Right, I gotcha.  Don't worry, I'll take care of things, I promise."[/color]

He assumed that Jean stopped because he didn't want to say something he most certainly dreaded, which was thinking of them being thrust into conflict once more.  Couldn't blame him.  Isaac hadn't realized what he HAD almost said, but it was of no consequence.  He nodded as Diana wished him a good night's sleep just as Britta was coming back.

[color=f7941d]"I will, once I'm done here."[/color]

[b][color=ed1c24]"Oh, aren't you going to take another nap?"[/color][/b]

She was just teasing him, because he fell asleep beside Lucia.  Issac first answered by taking out a folded sheet of paper and a pencil.  The pencil had been snapped in half, but it was still useable.

[color=f7941d]"My Sergeant told me that the first day can make or break you.  I hope Jean doesn't stay broken, but for me, I need to let the folks know I'm still alive."[/color]

[b][color=ed1c24]"I see.  Well, don't take [i]too[/i] long.  The Lieutenant's liable to be weighing down on you now, if Jeans's in a bad way.  You'll need every ounce of strength."[/color][/b]

[color=f7941d]"Don't I know it."[/color]

So, once she was heading off to get some rest herself, Isaac took a seat to compose a letter.  It wasn't anything fancy, really.  He just wrote down the address clearly on the back of the paper, then started composing on the front.

[color=f7941d][i]Mom, Dad, Alex, Emeri, 

First of all, hello.  I'm still alive.  It was rough and alot's happened, but I made it, and I hope most - if not all - of us make it to the end of this war.  I dunno how that'll work out, but I'll work AT it, so we'll see.  I'm not going to bother you with the details, since it's mostly my still being around that matters.

One thing, though.  Does the name 'Mila Wagner' sound familiar to any of you?  I feel like I know that name and it's the name of one of the soldiers out here.  Maybe their family is in town.  Check on that, would you?  I have my own work cut out for me.

yours, 
Isaac[/i][/color]

He folded that up and put it back in his pocket.  He'd get someone to send it off home later on.  For now, he was getting some rest, and he was doing so with the impression that he would be getting a rude awakening from Middleton anyway, so the Gunner positioned himself in a manner that would basically force the Lieutenant to address him first.  That way, he could keep the pressure off of Jean.