The Right Man is the 16th chapter of Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway. It is another cutscene chapter showing the promotion of a soldier to a squad leader of 2nd squad after Hartsock paralyzed.
Summary[]
War is filled with difficult choices, and there is often no correct answer.
Plot[]
Colonel Sink meets up with Baker after the events of Black Friday. Confirming that Red will not return to combat, Sink asks Baker to select who should be Red's successor as 2nd Squad's squad leader. Corrion overhears this and believes he deserves to be promoted.
Baker, despite knowing this, selects Paddock to become 2nd Squad's new squad leader. This leaves Corrion confused and in disbelief of being passed over for promotion yet again. Corrion subsequently confronts Baker, believing he must have done something wrong to Baker. Baker shouts at him for letting Franky go, which resulted in his death. He then walks off, leaving Corrion surprised that Baker had treated him as a regular soldier and not as his friend.
Transcript[]
Sink is walking towards Baker who is sitting down the ground pondering the events that happened today. Baker look up and saw Sink.
Sink: Are you Baker?
Baker gets up and answers.
Baker: Yes, sir.
Sink: I need a quick moment of your time, son. The aid station made it clear, Sgt. Hartsock ain't coming back. Hasn't been an easy few days, so I wanted to speak to you in person.
Baker: I Understand.
Sink: Son, now, I'm here on behalf on Captain Wilder. Wouldn't ask but it's important we keep recon on the move; time is essential here. Normally I wouldn't do this, but you know these men better than anyone.
Meanwhile, Corrion saw the conversation between Sink and Baker over the promotion of sergeant to take command of the leaderless 2nd Squad.
Baker: Yes sir, I do.
Sink: Who's the right man to take command of second squad?
Baker notices Corrion overhearing the conversation and waiting the promotion he believes he deserves. Baker makes his decision.
Baker: Corporal... Paddock, sir.
Sink: Are you sure, son?
He look at Corrion again, knowing that his decision won't be taken lightly.
However, Bakebelieves he is making rhe right choice. t.
Baker: I'm sure, sir.
Sink: Well, I'll notify him of the promotion. You boys are doing good work.
Sink leave to find Paddock for his promotion to Sergeant. Soon, Corrion confronts Baker about his decision.
Corrion: So, that's it?
Baker: Sam, what?
Corrion: Tell me... what I haven't done for you, Matt? Tell... Tell me one order I haven't followed to the letter.
Corrion is being surprised and confused with Baker decision and believed he must done something that Baker upset.
Baker: It's not about that.
Corrion: Then what?
Baker: Stand down, Sam.
Corrion: Stand down? Stand down. We are corporals together, Matt, and I guess none of that means shit to you!
Baker: Corporal!
It was a change since Baker usually called Corrion by his first or last name. However, Baker called Corrion by his rank instead.
Corrion: What?!
Baker: It's my job to keep you alive. You follow orders or you die. Those are your words! I heard them you say to Franky... Right to his face... and he died in my fucking arms because you couldn't make him understand!
Baker left with Corrion on the verge of tears that his friend had scolded him and treating him like a soldier. He now felt what Franky felt with Corrion and now left devastated in this revelations. This would be the 4th and last time Corrion tried to have a promotion.
Characters[]
- Colonel Robert F. Sink
- Captain Wilder (Mentioned)
- Staff Sergeant Matthew Baker
- Staff Sergeant Joseph Hartsock (Mentioned)
- Corporal Sam Corrion
- Corporal Franklin Paddock (Mentioned)
- Private Franky "Beans" LaRoche (Mentioned)