The Troubles Are Over !

The day had seemed to have begun so promisingly as there were no reports of actions and all had been quiet on the intelligence front.
'Able'company were preparing for the morning patrol and all were in good spirits. The general millitary banter was much the same as any on other day.
Charlie was the first to have all his gear on and was encouraging his comrades to get a bit of a move on but he did it with good humour which was his way.
"Fuck Chas, we've still got a half an hour before we have to move out!," said Pillkington who was one of the more serious carachters eventhough he was only eighteen.
Charlie hated being called Chas! It reminded him too much of Chas and Dave, the awful cockney singing duo.

Everyone was ready on time and 'A'company moved out at exactly 06:00 hours. Helmand Province was no laughing matter but 'A'company seemed a little too lighthearted that morning. Maybe because of the fact that after two months they hadn't lost a soul and they seemed to be getting on pretty well with the locals. But still they patrolled with the usual caution and in the right formation.
"Man on the left, fifty yards, looks a bit dodgey...., said Pillkinkton, but as they passed he just gave a toothless grin.
"Feeling on edge ?" said Charlie when they had passed the toothless old codger.
"Just looking out for you and yours Sarge!"
"Tosser", said Carlie.
"We all have our purpous in life", said Smithy, who was the real joker of the pack.
Then a sniper shot rang out though the bullet had obviously passed by before the crack of the shot was even heard.
"Cover!!", shouted Charlie and everyone found a wall to hide behind. The children who were playing in the street payed no attention whatsoever and just carried on kicking a ball around.
"Where the fuck is he, where the fuck is he?" shouted a worried Pillkington....
Charlie had a vaque susspicion that the shooter was firing from a small farm house about fivehundred yards away. But he was not convinced.
Then the whistle of another bullet passed close to Pillkingtons head and the crack of the shot followed shortly after.
"Farm house, fivehundred yards to the north ! Return fire!! shouted Charlie.
All of 'A'company opened fire and the children just carried on playing football.
Afgan snipers were usually pretty sharp but it seemed this guy was having an off day. Or maybe it was just too early for him.
As this was only a patrol, 'A'company knew that this was just a skirmish and would not turn out to be a full blown battle.

The toothless old geezer stood and just watched the soldiers still smiling his toothless grin.

The farm house had been riddled and 'A'company ducked down again for a few minutes. Sergeant Charlie Harper was the first to stand again but fell almost immidiately.
Apart from the perfect round hole in his forehead there was only a small trickle of blood that slowly made it's way down his chin as he lay slumped against the wall.
Charlie would never be troubled by the name 'Chas' again!

The Fucking End !