After the exercise, Easy Company, along with the 506th Regiment, transferred to Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky.
There were comfortable barracks and hot showers.
Of course, most importantly, the officers and soldiers of Easy Company had a ten-day leave here.
Parks knew that after the ten-day leave, Easy Company would enter its final assembly, preparing to depart for Europe.
Parks decided to use this leave to go to New York.
Although he knew he would eventually board a ship in New York to go to Europe, he didn't have time to stay, not even to have dinner with Virginia.
On the first day of his leave, Parks boarded a train with White and others.
Parks wanted to see Virginia not because he missed her; in his opinion, Virginia might not have truly deep feelings for him.
They always had some common ground, which was to see if they could gain some benefit from each other.
Of course, this was just Parks's thought; Parks wasn't sure what Virginia truly thought.
Parks met Virginia in a coffee shop.
Virginia was wearing a well-fitting long dress made of silk satin, which perfectly showcased her figure, making her appear noble and elegant yet approachable.
"I never imagined it would be so long until we met again!" Virginia elegantly stirred the spoon in her cup, occasionally glancing at the cup and then smiling faintly at Parks.
Parks smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's been several months, but aren't I in front of you now?"
Virginia covered her mouth and chuckled, then looked at Parks, her eyes filled with apology, "I'm sorry!"
Parks knew what she was referring to and said with a laugh, "It's nothing, that was just a gun, it doesn't count for much.
Actually, I came here this time for something else."
"Alright, go ahead and speak!" Virginia seemed a bit helpless.
Parks nodded and said, "If there were a semi-automatic rifle that could be compatible with the current M1 ammunition and also had a large 20-round magazine, would the U.S. Army adopt it?"
Parks wanted to hear her opinion; if possible, he would bring out his modified version of the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, which he knew intimately.
Virginia looked at Parks in surprise, remained silent for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I don't know, Parks, but I think the prospects aren't good.
I know you're a firearms expert."
Then she said with a wry smile, "Is this all we ever talk about?"
"I'm sorry!" Parks looked at Virginia's somewhat helpless gaze and couldn't help but smile apologetically, "Alright, let's not talk about that for now!
I'll be here for three days."
For three days, Parks and Virginia were together.
During this time, Parks somewhat understood Virginia's feelings, but he was still a little worried, at least he couldn't give her anything right now.
"Today is the last day!" Parks lay naked on the bed, with the sheet draped diagonally over him.
Virginia sat naked on his back, her rounded buttocks resting on Parks's thighs.
Her fingers were massaging him according to Parks's constant prompts.
A satisfied smile played on her lips.
After a groan, Parks said, "There are some things I must tell you! This concerns both you and me, do you understand?"
"Go on, my dear, I'm listening!" Virginia brushed back her long hair, and her soft buttocks twisted again on Parks's hips.
Her hands gripped Parks's shoulders, then she leaned down, her two soft breasts gently pressing against Parks's back.
Her upper body tilted down, pressing against Parks's back, her face very, very close to Parks's, so close he could even feel the faint fragrance of her breath and a slight tickle on his face.
This position was too intimate.
"After some time, I will design a semi-automatic rifle.
Of course, whether it can be manufactured or promoted in the U.S. Army depends on you.
Don't force it; if it doesn't work, then so be it.
As for the previous automatic rifle, I hope you don't give up on it.
Since we don't need it now, we might use it later.
Further refine it, or perhaps we can sell it to countries outside of America."
Parks rolled over and pinned Virginia beneath him.
He embraced this tempting body, feeling another surge of desire.
His voice became a little hurried: "Perhaps… perhaps it will have a very good future?"
"My dear, stop talking about that, use your 'gun' to shoot me! Hurry!" Virginia's hand slid down and gripped Parks's other 'gun'.
At this point, no more words were needed.
Passion overshadowed everything.
All that remained were the sounds of bodies colliding, gasps, and the creaking of the bed.
Parks spent most of the last day in bed with Virginia.
Virginia's demands seemed endless; even Parks found it hard to keep up.
They never discussed firearms again.
Parks had brought it up several times, but Virginia hadn't been very enthusiastic, perhaps the previous setback had disheartened her, or she had encountered difficulties with her father.
So, Parks decided not to say anything at all.
In the evening, Virginia and Parks parted ways.
That night, Parks thought a lot, even recalling Jennifer in Georgia.
When he woke up the next day, Parks quickly tidied himself up and prepared to go to the station.
Just then, a car horn sounded downstairs.
He looked out the window and saw Virginia standing in front of a black Ford, looking up.
"Virginia!" Parks stuck his head out and called out, then saw her lightly walk in and come upstairs.
"Parks!" Virginia kissed him fiercely as soon as she entered the room, then pressed her whole body tightly against him.
They embraced for a long time before finally separating.
"Parks, I thought about it all night." Virginia released Parks, then looked at him deeply, "I've decided to wait for you to come back.
I hope that after the war ends, you can return to New York, and we can be together, okay?"
Parks felt a surge of emotion.
He cupped Virginia's face in his hands and smiled, "Are you really sure?"
"Yes, yes! I can't live without you, my dear." Virginia seemed a little agitated.
"Alright then, I promise you, as soon as the war ends, I'll come find you!" Parks nodded, then looked at his watch, "But, I have to go now, wait for me!"
Virginia nodded.
They both got into the Ford.
"To the train station!" Parks said.
Their hands held tightly together, never letting go.
"My dear, goodbye!" Parks put an arm around Virginia, then kissed her lips—sensual, cool, and her lingering gaze made Parks feel a slight reluctance.
As Parks turned to board the train, Virginia suddenly said, "Parks, I remembered what you said."
"What?" Parks turned around and looked at her, puzzled.
"Last night I talked with my father for a long time, and he decided to take your advice.
If the domestic U.S. Army cannot adopt it, after further refinement, your automatic rifle will be taken to the international market for a trial."
Virginia's eyes sparkled with a hint of eagerness, "I hope you can see with your own eyes how wonderful and popular your design is!"
Parks couldn't help himself.
He took a few steps forward, hugged Virginia tightly, and kissed her hard.
Now he understood why she had insisted on going home last night.
It turned out she was just trying to persuade her father before he left.
It was incredibly difficult to convince a businessman to continue refining the design of an automatic rifle that had no future in America.
Watching the familiar face outside the window gradually recede, gradually disappearing beneath the vast sky, Parks's turbulent emotions gradually calmed down.
With the future of the AK47 uncertain and Virginia's deep affection, Parks opened the car window, letting the wind blow away his worries.
Parks returned to camp, not particularly early, and most of his comrades had already returned.
Since the incident where Doyle was humiliated last time, no one dared to be late anymore.
"Parks, did you go on a date with a beauty? Was it the one you met in New York?" White had also returned to camp early.
He saw Parks and said with a grin, "Don't look at me, it's because you smell like a woman."
"Hey, White, when did you get so sharp?" Heffron interjected, "Actually, I knew it because Parks looked so pleased with himself; only a woman can make a man like that."
Parks shook his head and laughed, "Alright, brothers, don't say I didn't warn you, once the leave is over, we'll have to move out.
Just wait, this might be our last hurrah in the United States of America."
"Are we going abroad?" Cobb suddenly seemed to perk up; he had been feigning sleep nearby.
"I can't say for sure, but I'm certain that going abroad is imminent, there's no doubt about it!" Parks nodded, "Get ready, fellas."
Everyone fell silent.
Their hearts were both nervous and excited.
Hadn't over a year of training been for moments like this?
Each person was lost in their own thoughts, losing interest in talking.
Things indeed turned out as Parks had said.
After the leave ended, the entire unit moved out.
They took a train to Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
Fort Bragg was the assembly and transit point for troops before deploying overseas.
Brand new barracks, hot showers, and newly issued uniforms, new weapons, and new equipment.
All of this indicated that they were making final preparations to leave America and head to Europe.
"I hope this is a new beginning," Parks wrote in his diary the day before leaving Fort Bragg for New York.
On August 14, 1943, every officer and soldier of Easy Company received a booklet—the "Overseas Operations Preparation Manual."
Parks, who was in charge of distributing the manuals, repeatedly shouted and reminded, "Guys, remember the contents of the manual.
It will be good for you.
You'd best memorize it line by line after you return to camp."
But it seemed the brothers were not very interested.
Many people glanced at the booklet once and then threw it aside, or simply put it in their boxes, ignoring it.
What they anticipated more was when they could leave the U.S. Army.
Many people felt both nervous and uneasy.
The next day, the entire 101st Airborne Division, organized by regiment, began to queue at the train station, waiting to depart.
A band played "Over There," and there were also eye-catching Red Cross nurses, their eyes red-rimmed, some even crying.
"Hey, girls, I'll miss you!" Cobb shouted loudly, waving his hand from the side.
"Shut up, Cobb!
That makes you look uncultured!" Martin said from the side, "They're not being insincere, I can tell, what you're saying is meaningless!"
Cobb had no choice but to shut his mouth, but he still glanced over, unwilling to give up.
"Brothers of Easy Company, prepare to board!" Parks stood on a chair in the waiting room at this time, shouting loudly to the Easy Company brothers who were still waiting, "Pack your gear, don't leave anything behind."
"Do you know where we're going?" White asked Heffron next to him, "Didn't Parks say we're going to New York?
Why do I feel like we're heading to California, maybe we'll be deployed in the Pacific!"
"Want to make a bet?" Heffron chuckled, "I bet we're heading to New York, and then we'll go to Europe or the Mediterranean or something."
"I think it should be California, we should go to the Pacific.
I heard the Marine Corps got beaten pretty badly by the Little Japanese in the Pacific, maybe we'll descend from the sky and rescue them from hell!" Malarkey interjected from across a line of troops, "Fifty dollars, I bet, anyone want to join in?"
"New York—Europe, I bet fifty dollars."
"California—Pacific.
I'm in!"
At this time, the entire troop was whispering, their bets had spread, and most of the company was keen to bet on whether they were going to Europe or the Pacific.
"White, where are you betting?" Guarnere asked from behind.
"New York!" White chuckled, "I believe Parks, he said we would go to Europe."
Guarnere couldn't help but shake his head and say, "You're finished.
Although Parks has some dumb luck, he doesn't win every bet.
I think we are the elite of the U.S. Army, and right now, the ones fighting us directly are the Japanese in the Pacific.
Hehe, God bless you, White, I have to say you're in trouble this time!"
White, not to be outdone, retorted to Guarnere, "You've got that wrong.
Precisely because we are the elite, we have to deal with even more elite troops.
Do you think the Germans sweeping across Europe now are worse than the Japanese?
The Little Japanese are completely enough for the Marine Corps to handle.
We are the elite!"
"Yes, White, I support you!" At this moment, a chaotic chorus of voices rose from the ranks.
Accompanied by these small murmurs, the brothers of Easy Company boarded the long, twenty-car train, which resembled a giant monster.
With a slow, deep "clack," the train trembled for a moment, then slowly began to move forward.
No matter where they were going, the brothers of Easy Company would depart from here, heading to an unknown battlefield, facing an unknown future.
"Joining me?" Nixon walked over from the corridor with a slight smile.
He sat behind Winters.
He wanted Winters to sit with him, so he came to check.
"Wherever the train goes, I go!" Winters returned a smile.
He was jotting something down, as if he could misunderstand Nixon's words.
Next to him, Harry was dozing off.
"I don't know where we're actually going!"
"Then want to guess?
Just like those brothers in Easy Company, make a bet?
Atlantic?
Pacific?
Atlantic?" Nixon chuckled, "Why not give it a try!"
But Winters looked uninterested.
He shook his head and said, "I'm not an intelligence officer.
You'll have to find someone else to bet with!"
At this moment, Nixon suddenly leaned in, close to Winters' ear, and whispered, "I know where we're going, but if I tell you, I'd have to kill you, because it's a secret!"
"Then don't tell me!" Winters smiled slightly, "I don't want to put myself in danger!"
Nixon stepped forward, changed his seat, and sat opposite Winters, mysteriously whispering, "First to New York, then onto a troopship, then to England.
We're landing in Europe, brother!" He then pulled out a small flask and offered it to Winters, "Surround Europe!"
Winters looked at Nixon and smiled, "When did I start drinking?"
"If I knew you drank, I wouldn't have offered it to you!" Nixon chuckled, twisted open the cap of the flask, and took a sip.
Winters was silent for a moment, then asked, "Nick, if you were on the battlefield, what would you do?"
Nixon paused, then laughed, "I'm a opportunist, don't worry about me.
And, I have a case of aged whiskey hidden in your locker!"
Winters couldn't help but chuckle, "Really?"
"Of course!"
At this moment, Harry Welsh, next to Winters, suddenly opened his eyes.
He vaguely saw Nixon sitting in front of him, and couldn't help but smile at him in greeting.
"Morning!" Nixon greeted.
Then he handed over the flask, "It's on me!"
Harry smiled contentedly, took it, took a sip, smacked his lips, and exclaimed, "This is going to be a wonderful journey."
Then he let out a long sigh.
Seeing his comfortable expression, Winters and Nixon couldn't help but exchange a smile.
The train finally went to New York, which made White, Heffron, and others happy for a while, because he had won a sum of money again.
This greatly annoyed Guarnere, Malarkey, and others, who even said enviously to White, "Hey, buddy, don't celebrate too early.
Sooner or later, you'll know the taste of losing."
Finally, the train carried them to Shanks Camp, 30 miles from New York City.
Here, the officers and soldiers of Easy Company waited to board the troopship.
The day after they arrived was their boarding day.
During one of these days, Colonel Sink showed mercy and gave all soldiers a holiday to relax appropriately.
They were only forbidden from spending the night outside the camp.
"I want to go sightseeing in New York, Parks, coming along?
Don't you have a sweetheart in New York?
Go find her!" White said to Parks, "I promise I'll just take a look, I won't be in your way!
Or you can treat me like a statue."
Parks couldn't refuse him, so he agreed.
And on the day the train arrived, Virginia already knew of his arrival.
She even sent someone to bring a message, which was actually just to see Parks again.
Thinking that he was about to embark on a distant expedition to Europe, Parks couldn't bear to refuse, and he indeed wanted to see her.
"Alright, you have to promise not to cause me trouble!" Parks got White's assurance before agreeing, but when they went, several more people suddenly joined them.
Heffron, Luz, and Christenson also insisted on going to experience it.
A group of people sat by a fountain in a park, waiting for Virginia to arrive.
Then they saw a black car pull up next to the park.
The driver opened the door, and out stepped an elegant, beautiful woman wearing a fashionable wide-brimmed hat and a black long dress.
She looked over this way, then her face lit up with surprise, and she walked gracefully towards them.
"God, she's too beautiful!" White exclaimed in admiration, "Parks, you really make people jealous."
"Hey, guys, that's the latest model Lincoln car, I know it.
Streamlined design, I know it has a name, what was it called?
God, I can't remember, Parks, you'll have to help me ask later." Christenson exclaimed in surprise.
"I believe Parks definitely won't take your words to heart, because the beautiful lady has already arrived!" Heffron mumbled, then stood up with Parks.
"Let me introduce you!
White, Heffron, and Christenson." Parks introduced, "This is Virginia!"
"Hello, beautiful lady!" The three of them were a bit flustered.
"Parks!" Christenson reminded him in a low voice from the side.
He was truly a persistent person.
Parks shrugged helplessly and chuckled, "Christenson wants to ask, what's the name of the car that brought you here?"
"Continental!" Virginia smiled slightly, "Brand new streamlined, V8 engine."
"Woah!" Christenson exclaimed, "I remember now, yes, it's the Continental."
Then he gave Virginia an embarrassed smile, "I didn't expect a lady to know so much about cars."
"Alright, guys, are you leaving now?
Aren't you going shopping?" Parks began to usher them out, "White, remember to buy me a few packs of cigarettes!"
Watching his brothers laughing and leaving arm in arm, Parks made a helpless gesture to Virginia, "They insisted on coming to see for themselves!"
Virginia reached out, linked her arm through Parks', and leaned close to Parks' ear, her breath like orchids, "Don't you want to experience it again?"