A letter to an old friend

[Bussie]

The shuttle, carrying the Colonel and his guards, departed to Planet Jiangxi that same day. The trip would be covered by the budget, and the Colonel would explain that he needed to visit a military hospital for an inspection or other purpose. The appropriate reports would be prepared and submitted upon returning from the "inspection," as Biryukov called the trip.

A day later, the shuttle arrived in Jiangxi around 12:00 a.m. New Moscow time, and soon Biryukov was strolling through the military hospital, accompanied by guards and a nurse who kindly escorted them to Shmatko's hospital room. The guards stood outside while the Colonel conversed with his old commander and comrade.

"Zdravya zhelau, Comrade Shmatko!" With a slight, playful smile, Biryukov stood at attention and greeted the patient with the Coalition salute.