The End

H.U.N.T

The sound of jovial chatter filled the air as the collective task force filed out of the debriefing room. It had been a light hearted and fast paced debriefing where the top brass, including Manson, fired off question after question at our various squad leaders and a few others, looking for any mistake that had been perpetrated. However no matter how hard they tried to hide it, the brass ended the debriefing with smiles on their faces and slow nods of approval. We had been cleared for regular duty. There was then a massive clamour as Manson called for recommendations for the title of the task force. A forest of hands had risen and it was a jovial period of jokes and laughter that even Manson joined in on as he took the suggestions. Slowly after the whittling down of the choices we had come to a decision.

H.U.N.T
Or High-risk, Universal, NATO, Task-force

A perfect choice that reflected our flexibility and purpose, yet still simple.

The task force now headed off in various groups away from the debriefing room to entertain themselves for the evening. "C'mon Jason!" Called a voice and I turned to see Myles gesturing for me to follow him as he and the squad were heading off in the opposite direction down the corridor. I smiled widely and jogged after them leaping into the groups midst, Kate imitated the way I had crushed the M113 with my foot in response leaving me feeling embarrassed and Ray punching me jovially on the shoulder as everyone roared with laughter. "Give me a break guys!" I pleaded as the entire group began imitating my M113 kill, laughing like children all the while leaving me frustrated but amused at the same time. "And to think you're NATO's best!!" I shouted over the relentless giggling and this just further amused everyone, "ah screw you guys!" I said and tried to run away but Geneis and Anna grabbed me before I could get away and Bull boomed "not so fast!". "Lemme gooooo" I yelled as without warning I was being dragged off, frogmarched down the hallway. "We're having a drink wether you like it or not!" Announced Anna and I groaned as Geneis giggled in my ear. "Off to the Bar!" Announced Ray and he marched forwards pointing onwards like a boy scout troop leader, my half hearted protests being happily ignored by the rest of the squad.

***

Half an hour later we were all clambering out of a black pickup truck, chatting jovially, after having driven to the entertainment part of Bastion. We had pulled up in front of a fairly large building with a bright sign on the front proudly announcing it to be 'The Worlds End bar & grill'. The inside was teeming with life as music thudded out from within and many men and women chatted, drank an ate, all enjoying themselves.

We walked in as a group, talking, as we were assaulted by the loud music from the dance floor and the delicious smell of grilled meat. My mouth watered as we neared the bar that had many bartenders mixing drinks stood behind it, and an open grill with sizzling meats wafting tantalising smells towards me. "Alright!" Announced Bull as we neared the counter, "we're doing shots! First successful op!" Myles, Anna and Ray smiled and nodded appreciatively but Kate, Geneis and I nodded somewhat half-heartedly. Bull stalked off to the counter while the rest of us located a round table booth in the corner of the bar, somewhere a little secluded from the dance floor.

We settled in comfortably with Myles on the far side followed by Ray then me, Geneis then sidled up next to me before Kate and then Anna squeezed in leaving just enough room for Bull's bulk to fit on the end. Soon we had lapsed into a happy state of conversation as we discussed the op and various other things, as we waited for Bull. "I have never felt so good after an op" sighed Ray as he relaxed into the leather booth looking happy, the other more experienced squad members nodded fervently smiles of their own on their faces. "Complete annihilation of the enemy without so much as a scratch!" Gloated Kate as she stretched in her seat. "Thank god or that" I muttered and Ray gave me a look, "nah religion doesn't have anything to do with this!" He said but Geneis reached across me and punched him on the shoulder saying "oh leave it for once". Feeling confused I looked at the others who chuckled, "Ray is firmly atheist" explained Anna as Ray pulled a pained expression. "Oh!" I said looking at him "sorry! I'm not actually religious don't worry", and the others laughed as Ray looked embarrassed. Ray was saved from responding however as Bull now came over with a round tray that had 7 shot glasses sat atop it interrupting the conversation by squeezing into the booth and sliding the tray into the table. "7 straight whiskeys!" He said brightly as he firmly placed a shot glass in front of each of us. He then smiled as he raised his glass and we echoed, raising our drinks. "To our successful op as H.U.N.T!!" He declared and we all cheered and threw the whiskey down our throats.