Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

Red Oak
By : DarkDavea
Category: Twilight Series > Het
Views: 1346 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.
Chapter List
- 1-Red Oak
- 2-Maggie
- 3-Parsons'
- 4-Away
- 5-Elliot
- 4
- 5
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited. I do not own Twilight, and I do not make any money from these writings.

~~~ Okay, now i need to sit down an finish the ones I'm still working on.
~~~

12th Texas Cavalry Battalion Encampment, Ellis County Texas, September 12th, 1861.

“Jasper?” A man in plain civilian clothes called out my name from beside the only command sized tent I could find with no posted Guidon. He was tall and well built, though it looked like he had never shaved a day in his life. He could be no more than 30 but I could tell by the way he held himself that he was very obviously military, if not former.

He was confident, not just in his outward appearance, but inside. He had no doubt in his mind about whatever it was he was doing. Thusly it occurred he was not asking me if I was jasper, he was asking if it was alright to call me that.

“Jasper is fine.” Best to sound confident myself.

“Jasper, I represent what would be your First Sergeant. I am the senior Non Commissioned Officer in your outfit.” Again, very out right and factual this was going to be an interestingly short and informative conversation. “You can call me Elliot.”

“From the tone of your voice I take it that Elliot is not your first name, nor your last.”I was aiming for confident and astute. With a little bit of ‘Remember this is my command’ thrown in.

“Yes, and you won’t find any Sir’s, Sergeant’s, Top’s or private’s here either.”

“This is an irregular outfit.”

“Yes”

“Bushwhackers?”

“Rangers, Jasper.” The point had been nailed to the wall. I was to be in charge of a guerilla element operating under Colonel Parsons’ Command.

“Elliot, where do you keep your horse?”I asked while dismounting.

“I’ll show you where I’m going to take your mare once you’ve meet with the Battalion Commander.” I gave him a wary look. “Don’t worry Jasper, your horse will be treated just as good as mine.” Surprisingly he came across very friendly, evidently he wanted to ensure our mutual friendship.

I let him take the reins, and Anna didn’t so much as jerk when he lead her on. His attitude around her was similar to what I had come accustomed to men and their daughters, and not as much for their mounts. Elliot I could trust, as long as Anna did.

I opened the toggles that held my tent closed and slipped my pack inside and I was startled to find that it contained a foot locker, and bed. No desk, no table and no light. I placed my pack at the foot of the bed I supposed to be mine and barely had time enough to take the top button off my blouse when the shade had been broken by a body coming into my new abode.

“Lieutenant William O’ Riley Sir.” The man, or boy rather, stood tall with his hand rendering a salute, his square face and thick build would have been impressive, is it weren’t for his quivering.

“As you were O’ Riley.” He was a bit started and looked down from the top of my head to my eyes before snapping to. “What’s on your mind?”

“Sir, the Colonel would like to see you over lunch, Sir.”

“Thank you, is the Colonel expecting anyone else?” hoping to pry a bit of intelligence.

“Sir, Lieutenant O’ Riley has no idea, Sir. He has only been told to tell you that message Sir.” Nothing but his chest and mouth moved when he talked.

“William,” my words intentionally personal and calming.

“Yes Sir” I could feel his uncertainty so I clarified.

“Will?” I paused briefly while he nodded. “Will, I just became an officer again, and as much as I liked to improve myself and others, there has always been on thing that follows me though out my missions.”
“Yes Sir?” his eyes searching me as though the answer to my riddle was written on my clothes.

I leaned in and eyed him closely.“Officer’s in my tent don’t call me sir.”

I laughed a little bit to encourage him to do so and he took the bait.

“Tell me Will, you sure you don’t mind if I call you Will”

“Bill.” He quickly corrected and suddenly shied away.

“Bill, tell me, how many of the other Commanders are here and who has the Colonel seen.”

“Well Sir, or uh…”

“In here you can call me Jasper.”

“Jasper,” he righted himself, “all the other Commanders arrived earlier this morning, and I heard talk of the Colonel wanting to meet all the line Commanders for Supper. And that’s when he told me to come get you for Lunch.”

“All right Bill, I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for the information.”

“Thank you sir,” his military training taking back over, “oh, and one more thing, the Colonel is going to be having mushroom stew.” He donned his Stetson and headed out my tent in time for Elliot to reappear.

“Jasper, Let’s go, best not keep the brass waiting.” Elliot’s voice was more of a respected friendship than when we met moments ago.

As we walked to the center of the camp, I realized that Elliot was now wearing a Cavalryman’s uniform, and he was indeed a First Sergeant.

“That’s a mighty fine Mare you have their Jasper. And if you treat your men as good as you treat her, I think we might have us a Commander.” I was being accepted to take command of a Ranger element by the men themselves. Though my face was not marked my mind was, the elation would surely be given away for anyone who could look deep enough into my eyes.

“Elliot, please don’t take this the wrong way, but I was told I could choose my men.” Our conversation was as briskly flowing as the pace in our matched steps.

“None taken sir, your prerogative to hand select from the finest.” This was the first time he called me sir, but it didn’t have any military implications, it was respectful without authority. “It just so happens they are all in the same company.” He glowed with the honor he held for his men but did not smirk or smile, as though it were not at all a boast but simple matter of fact. Whether I could rely on his judgment as his confidence was so solidly placed in the capabilities of our men was yet to be seen, but I had the strongest feelings of respect and authority exuding from him. the best way to test a man, such as this in his resolve is to place it on a bet.

“Beg your Pardon Top, but isn’t it my assessment?” I kept my head straight forward but threw him a sideward glance.

“It is indeed sir, but I bet a round that you won’t lose a one in your ‘Assessment’ and furthermore, if I am correct, I want that nice hat on your head too.” He had caught me, but I was not about to back down.

I stopped and placed my hand in front of his chest. “I hope for your sake your right.” The gloves were off and I wanted him to know I was a man of my word and not just some airbag officer.

“And your hat’s.” He snapped back and laughed when he snatched my hand up in confirmation.

Now this was going to be something to see, my hat, or my beer and ultimately my men.

The rest of the way I asked about the Company’s readiness and the overall experience of the various assets available. He wasn’t at all shy in any of the short comings, though there was little to score against him or the men personally; shortage of weapons, ammo, gear, food rations. He was however able to point out to me that each man was an expert at this that or the other and that I would have the smallest company in the battalion. It was little more than a platoon’s worth from my last command, but I was in no way disgruntled, a handful of men as skilled as he says would be worth more than the same amount and then 3 fresh arms for every one skilled. It essentially meant two things; that I would have far fewer experience related issues and that I would also have far fewer letters to write home in the event of a catastrophe.

This time the Colonel’s tent was quick unremarkable. The only thing to discern it from all the other khaki colored drapes was the size, which is to say that it was about 4 times the size of my tent and far better furnished. The table Elliot and I sat at, opposite the Colonel and his Sergeant Major, was surely mahogany, nearly 4 inches thick and no less than 200lbs, this rendered a look from Elliot of his distaste of indulgence. In honestly I agreed, what worth was a carriage trailing this beast when I could easily be filled with supplies. I made no remark however but I did knowledge his distaste with a slight shake from my head.

The Colonel pointed out various military citations and awards that prettified the tent, his family’s coat of arms and an overall story of how he earned each one that swooped from one to the other, making it seem as though there was not a time when he was not heroic or noteworthy. In due course it came to my realization that he was trying to impress me, as honorable he portrayed himself to be, there was something still to be proven to Elliot and I, as though we had something far better to offer the world.

I took in what I could and tried to maintain the story line, and to my surprise Colonel Parsons was able to finish his soup right along with Elliot and I. The bowls were barely finished with when from behind the Colonel; a dark skin man appeared with the look of obedience on his face whisking up the table ware and clearing off all traces of a lunch meal all together in one trip. I smiled at while I stacked my own and found that Elliot was doing the same. Another remarkable trait I would have to note was his good manners.

Mean while the Colonel Parsons had stood and we followed him out to the ‘attached’ sitting room. There we found three more luxuries, mahogany rocking chairs, wine, and a bathing tub. The later being stored in a corner for lack of space.
“Jasper, First Sergeant, I would like to thank both of you for coming on such short notice.” The tone of his voice echoed the concern in his eyes and was both hasty and troubled. He turn from us and peered out the open window flap over his troops and the various ‘goings-on’ out in his camp.

“Sir?” I asked and I almost wanted to take a step forward, but my military training was besting my concern.

“Jasper, Elliot, you will be surprised to learn that from here on out you are both to be considered non- military advisers.”

I was mid step and almost into a full throated rebellion of my own, I came to do the job I was trained to do, and it was a disgrace on the principles of my return to ask me not to fight, fortunately Elliot caught my chest and set me back in place, also fortunate that the Colonel was still facing window and other wise unaware.

Colonel Parsons waited a moment as if he was anticipating my anger to become a verbal exchange and right before he turned his shoulders dropped in disappointment. “But there is good news.” The twinkle in his eye was trying to convey his excitement despite the change he had to make in the delivery. “You will only be civilian advisers when you are asked what it is you will be doing. Do you understand?”

Fortunately I understood all too well. “Clandestine operations.” My tone professional and now without my typical cheer.

“Precisely, and you will need to do this with only monetary assets. Do you understand this?” He was being intentionally cryptic, but again I was not a stranger.

“You will give us enough money to perform each mission and expect results.”

“And wages, Jasper, you will still be a military asset and we cannot afford to let you go unbalanced for your contributions.”

“I will be a Liaison Officer?” my face may not have been distorted in disgusted but my pitch was surely.

“In title only.” He corrected to my easing tensions.

“I think I understand Sir, you will give me the orders, and the money and I will be in charge of completing the mission and distributing funds.”

“You will need to use some moral grey area to complete these operations Jasper, are you capable of doing that without jeopardizing the Confederacy?” Playing on my lifelong morals with civic duty.

“Yes Sir.” I made my reply short.

“Good, see the pay clerk and the Executive on the way out.” He turned to the window again as Elliot and I were about to render a salute. We were now officially of the books.
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Red Oak	By : DarkDavea Category: Twilight Series > Het Views: 1346 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Red Oak