When Johann opened his eyes, his skull was buzzing. He had to get his bearings: Was he in a storage room? In the semi-darkness he recognised tightly lashed crates with Russian lettering and the Soviet coat of arms. He himself was lying on a pile of sacks. He carefully felt the rough material: the contents of the sacks were very soft. When he tried to stand up, he could not keep his balance and fell back onto the sacks.

He finally succeeded the second time and kept a lookout for the end of the strangely elongated warehouse. Suddenly he saw two uniformed men coming towards him from the far end. He quickly tried to hide behind two crates, but they seemed to have noticed him already.

With great relief he recognised Shakhlikov's voice: "Good morning, doctor. I hope you are feeling better by now." The two had now come to his camp. Shakhlikov was - surprisingly for Johann - wearing a uniform. The second uniformed man was Staff Sergeant Winter, who also wore a uniform, but a Thuringian one. "It's better if we sit down. This bandage material is not the most comfortable pad, but it's better than the wooden boxes. What is the last thing you remember?"

At Shakhlikov's invitation, all three sat down on the sacks. Johann rubbed temples to drive away the headache. "I don't feel quite up to it. Honestly, I feel even worse than after that unfortunate adventure with the hookah. Even there I could hardly remember anything from last evening and was very grateful for Doctor Bodin's headache tablets. Could we please contact him?"

Winter gave Leonid an angry look, but the latter only shook his head indignantly. Leonid replied, "Doctor Bodin can't give us medical attention here, but the headache will pass on its own this time. What do you remember?"

Johann continued, "It's Sunday. An excursion is planned for the afternoon. Then, unfortunately, everything is dark. I can't imagine it at all. I certainly haven't had anything to drink. I have no idea where I am."

At that moment Alexandra, also in uniform, joined the group and stopped opposite the three men. Johann's gaze first went straight to her lower legs and then wandered doubtfully upwards over skirt, jacket to Aleksandra's face: was she a soldier?

Shakhlikov immediately translated what Aleksandra said: "I am very sorry for the inconvenience. But the timing of events took us all by surprise."

Johann's blurry look irritated her a little: "You saw me in uniform yesterday, too. There was an attempted coup in Moscow. At the moment the legitimate government is trying to regain authority, but the situation in Moscow is not safe for such special guests as you. Since the reason for the coup is the question of new dealings with the West, you are a living nuisance for the revolting side. We are on our way to a safe place."

Johann still didn't quite understand. Staff Sergeant Winter continued in response to Aleksandra's nod, "Since you weren't exactly cooperative yesterday and wouldn't put on the Thuringian uniform that had been prepared for your camouflage, Doctor Piatnizkaya had to inject you with an anaesthetic. We then changed you and took you to the airport."

Only now did Johann look down at himself and notice that he was also wearing a uniform. It matched Winter's outfit. The latter continued, "I was to pass as your escort; Leonid mimed the motorist, Doctor Piatnizkaja's harsh appearance in the general's uniform caused immediate entry into the airbase, which was on high alert due to the coup. A plane was waiting at the airport to take you back to Weimar, according to officials."

Johann looked around again. This was not a warehouse; this was the cargo hold of a plane. He was puzzled, "I'm not that familiar with military customs, but this doesn't look like the passenger compartment of a plane where foreign guests are supposed to fly, does it?"

Aleksandra interfered with the description and cut it short: "The plane took off for Weimar, however we were not on board. I was sure that suspicion had been aroused in the meantime. With the help of Comrade Colonel Bogenza, we took the next plane that left the airport. While the plane to Weimar was probably still intercepted over Soviet airspace, we are now safe. We are on board a transport plane taking medical support supplies to friendly comrades."

Johann asked in amazement, "How long have we been on the road? Where are these friends?" Aleksandra replied, "We have been on the road for about seven hours. Since time was pressing, we couldn't be choosy. The next plane had Zanzibar as its destination; and we will land there in two hours. The plane is carrying food and bandages for the freedom fighters who want to free the island from the British slave yoke. We will change at the airport and then move into a hotel in Stonetown. After that we will wait and see. But it is definitely important that you all play the game. I don't know what news has already reached here from Moscow. We won't tell anything; and probably the people here don't know anything yet either, until the coup is over one way or another."

What Aleksandra had described as an "airport" was nothing more than a hastily asphalted airstrip in the middle of jungle in Nungwi in the north of the island, just long enough for the large transport plane. After the plane had come to a halt, the tailgate of the aircraft was opened, and a gush of hot, humid air hit them. From the airport building, which was no more than a wooden shed with a corrugated iron roof, came running some dark-skinned workers who began unloading the plane.

Behind Aleksandra, Johann, Winter and Leonid also got off. The glaring light of the sun blinded them. Winter put on Johann's uniform cap and supported him because he was still a little dazed.

When he saw the four uniformed persons approaching the airport building, a man sitting there lazily jumped up hastily. He was wearing a mud-green uniform with a short-sleeved shirt unbuttoned to the middle of his chest. A civilian sitting next to him, who had been asleep, was woken by the jumping up. The uniformed man grabbed a cap and pulled the civilian with him. In front of Alexandra, he saluted awkwardly and addressed the group in Russian: "Comrade Major General, Lieutenant Lamprin reports as commander of Alpha 5 airfield without incident. Of course, if I had known you were inspecting us, I would have made special preparations. It..."

"Comrade Lieutenant, if I had wanted special arrangements to be made for my visit, I would have let you know. This is an unannounced inspection to investigate the effectiveness of our support for the Zanzibari liberation struggle," Alexandra cut him off in a sharp tone.

Johann, despite his limited perception, was more than surprised at her unfamiliar demeanour. "I am accompanied by two comrades from the Thuringian People's Republic, who may also launch a support mission in Zanzibar. Comrade Major and his adjutant are fully briefed on our approach and have access to all security areas, though..." she glanced around, "for once I suspect there is not much else to see here. Comrade Lieutenant, you will now take us to the base of operations. There I expect appropriate civilian clothing, which is inconspicuous enough here. We will then drive to the capital. You will organise accommodation there. The fewer people who know of our presence, the better for the cause."

Shakhlikov had quietly translated her words for Johann and Winter. The lieutenant, still standing tensely at attention in front of Aleksandra, considered for a moment. "Comrade Major General, I am obliged to ask you for identification and orders before I can give you any further information."

Aleksandra nodded, "That is correct." With these words she gave him her identity card, which he looked at closely. Shakhlikov also gave him his identity card. Winter gave him his and Johann's forged Thuringian passport. "That I do not carry a written order with me will be understandable to you. Should I be captured, nothing must reveal my mission. My rank vouches for my credibility, does it not comrade?"

The lieutenant looked at her irresolutely. He had never spoken directly to a general before and did not know if this was such an intended measure. Possibly this was already a test: if he let her through now, she would punish him for negligence. On the other hand, if he did not let them through, she would consider him disobedient. And that seemed even worse to him. "Comrade Major General, may I introduce Abeid Karume. He is our liaison with the Zanzibar Communist Party. You can talk to him in English. We can go to our base of operations in a moment."

The group followed the lieutenant as two porters dropped one of the wooden boxes. It shattered on the asphalt floor, revealing a glimpse of its contents: among numerous bandage packs, 10 rifles were clamped there in a wooden rack. Johann couldn't help but comment on the discovery, "So this is what Soviet humanitarian aid looks like?"

Shakhlikov replied as the group walked around the shed to the waiting vehicle, "I'll explain as soon as we have time. It's not what it might look like at first glance. Right now, the important thing is to get to the hotel."

Aleksandra had taken a seat in the open SUV in the front next to the lieutenant. The others sat in the back and had to hold on tightly as they drove over the bumpy road. Aleksandra enjoyed the breeze that dried up the sweat that the sun and humidity brought to her skin. She had gambled high, but it had worked out. Why did people always forget their instinctive caution when others only appeared with sufficient self-confidence and respect-inspiring clothing?

Through Leonid's translation, Johann had a rough overview of the situation. Since there was nothing, he could do now but play along, he kept quiet. In a strange way, it was comforting for him that Staff Sergeant Winter had also come along on this bizarre escape. How that could have happened, he wanted to ask him, if no one was there. Many things went through his mind: how could he contact any agency that would free him from this situation. Yes, he trusted Aleksandra's good will, but what was he doing here, off the east coast of Africa? In a country ruled by a sultan who was tolerated by British grace? There would certainly be neither an Austrian embassy nor a nunciature through which he could slip under the diplomatic protection of the Church.

The friendly looking Karume addressed Johann directly, "Do you understand English?"

Johann nodded.

Karume shook his hand delightedly, "My Russian is not so good, but I learn every day. I am very happy that your country is considering supporting us as well: Look around, this magnificent country, this paradise on earth is soaked in the blood of centuries. Portuguese, Arabs, British, they all came to enslave and sell our ancestors. And whoever they left here had to work until they dropped dead. It is time to put an end to this. The people of Unguja and Pemba must become free, free from British rule and free from Sultan Abdullah bin Khalifa. We will become a state of justice, have enough to eat and sell our carnations to those who pay a fair price for them. For this, we need all the support we can get. If we also get food and equipment from your country, our people will stand by you forever as a grateful brother." Johann tried to nod sympathetically. It did not suit him at all to lie to a stranger's face like that. Not only could he not help him at all in this matter, he would not. For freedom for the people could not be enforced by force of arms. And it was certainly not desirable if a Soviet government were now to be installed instead of a British or Arab one. Could Aleksandra really be involved in these machinations? That didn't fit at all with everything they had thought about when they read the texts together?

Winter took the answer from him: "Comrade Major will look very carefully at the needs of the Party and the comrades here. Whatever our government can do to support you, we will try. If it is the will of the whole labouring people of your country to become independent, it will be possible to do so by joint effort.

The headquarters was a large country house overlooking the sea, with three basements underneath. The lieutenant introduced Aleksandra to the various staff members and explained how the radio station worked, showed the individual weapons and training camps on a detailed map and finally led her into a recreation room where various items of clothing were laid out: "With these clothes you will pass as European tourists. We will clean your uniforms and keep them here if you want, so that if you are checked in your hotel rooms, they won't find them."

"Thank you, that is a very good idea. We will change now, please wait outside." The lieutenant went out and locked the door. Aleksandra began to undress in front of Johann's stunned eyes, choosing suitable clothes from those on the table. When she noticed that Johann was looking bashfully in another direction, she had Shakhlikov translate for him: "I've had full training in the army. I don't mind showering or changing in the same room as men. And since I put your uniform on you, you don't have to be ashamed in front of me either, I've seen you in your underwear too."

Shakhlikov chuckled at the translation of the last sentence, which only made Johann blush more. He grabbed a pair of long linen trousers and a gruesomely colourful patterned shirt and stood behind a bench, behind which he was now changing. Even as she finished buttoning up the blouse printed with large flowers, Aleksandra continued, "There is no time to lose: After the commander's briefing, a coded radio message with a short situation report is sent to the Russian embassy in Addis Ababa every evening at 23h45. Normally they only receive an acknowledgement of receipt. I don't know how far the events in Moscow have got through to the embassy in the meantime. I instructed the lieutenant not to report our arrival to the embassy because we were here on military business. On Saturday, however, he has to send a written weekly report to Ethiopia by courier, which must also include all visits with purpose and duration of stay - but without mentioning the names. This means that we may not be able to use the infrastructure of this facility from Sunday onwards, depending on the outcome of the conflict in Moscow. We will therefore start looking for possible alternatives from tomorrow." Aleksandra looked at herself in the small mirror hanging on the wall, considered for a moment and then removed the hairpins. Another glance in the mirror showed a completely changed woman: instead of the plain grey or green of her other clothes, a screamingly colourful combination of blouse and floor-length light skirt, plus the flowing hair and - she reached back to the pile of clothes once more - a large straw sun hat.

Johann now stepped up to the mirror as well. Aleksandra looked at him with a laugh: the tight white linen trousers, the short-sleeved shirt that Johann had fastened to the top button and sandals. As if in defence, Johann said, "At least it's better than that uniform!"

Aleksandra thought for a moment, "If we want to pass as a tourist group, then we should stop addressing each other with ranks or titles. The more inconspicuous we appear, the better. I'm Aleksandra."

She extended her hand to Johann, Leonid and Winter. Shakhlikov introduced himself as Leonid and extended his hand first to Johann, then to Winter. The latter replied bitingly, "I know. Very well, I am Thomas!"

Johann also introduced himself with his name.

Aleksandra opened the door and called the lieutenant back. He already had good news for the group: "There is a hotel in the capital that belongs to one of our comrades. I have been able to reserve two double rooms there. The hotel is right in the centre and is popular with European tourists." When Shakhlikov had finished translating, Johann had him ask why they would use double rooms. The lieutenant replied, "It is not possible in Zanzibar for a woman to occupy a room alone. The traditional rules are taken very strictly here. She can only take a room with a female relative or her husband."

Johann interjected, "But Comrade Major General is not married to me. That will be noticed immediately at passport control."

Now the lieutenant grinned all over his face and took out of his pocket two passports emblazoned with the Bavarian coat of arms and two with a Hessian coat of arms: "I am very proud of our graphic department."

With these words he handed them the passports: "A married couple Rotberger from Landshut, with the wife Alina born in Kaliningrad. And the Winter brothers from Fulda. Relaxed holiday guests in our beautiful Zanzibar. Our driver John will now take you to the hotel."

Aleksandra whispered something in Leonid's ear and then followed the lieutenant. Leonid relayed what she had said to Johann: "She told me that at the hotel, of course, we will exchange rooms in consideration of your...well...concern. You will share a room with Thomas, and I with Aleksandra."

Thomas, who had overheard, intervened, "I prefer that too, brother dear!"

Johann, not understanding the biting undertone, nodded in relief and then followed the group upstairs.

The friendly smiling driver stood in front of a battered taxi that had also seen better days: "Hello, I'm John, your driver. John Okello. I'm the best taxi driver in all of Unguja!"

Outside the hotel, the taxi driver got out and spoke briefly to a hotel employee who began unloading the luggage. Johann could hardly wait to get out of the taxi. Leonid and Thomas had let him take the middle seat in the back. Throughout the bumpy ride, he had regularly been thrown to the right or left, and in deep potholes he had crashed his head against the ceiling of the car several times. Aleksandra had taken a seat in the front because, as Okello explained, women were only allowed to sit in the back seat with their husbands, not with a second man. "First we will drive the British and their traders off the island, then next the Arabs and their yesterday's moral codes. Then - and I am sure you will soon help us to achieve this - a new, free and progressive Zanzibar will arise, a truly African people's republic in which no one will have to be a slave, directly or indirectly, to foreigners any more," he had added as a comment to this regulation.

Johann felt uncomfortable about this in more ways than one: while the British were mostly not Catholic, they had - at least according to what he had learned in his studies - brought a certain degree of civilisation over many backward parts of the world. And hadn't they officially abolished slavery in Zanzibar? And what would happen if the non-Christian but similar Islamic moral codes were abolished: A sensible separation and specialisation of men and women was, after all, predetermined by the basic natural endowment? Didn't this also show the indirect will of God? And quite apart from that: how would the Sultan of Oman and the Ottoman Empire react to the expulsion of the Muslim ruling dynasty? The hour-long car ride in the humid heat did not promote finding an answer.

Drenched in sweat, Johann finally got out of the car. The heat, the restless drive and the previous night on the plane had left him very exhausted. But when the group entered the hotel through the narrow gate and walked through a dark corridor, Johann's breath suddenly stopped: The arcade-lined courtyard was shaded by a large awning. A fountain splashed in the middle, from which four small brick gutters distributed the water in the four cardinal directions. The flowing water not only provided a soothing sound, it also seemed to cool the entire room. Lushly blooming flowers were planted in large clay jars and exuded a sensual fragrance. For a moment Johann felt as if he had been transported to a paradise.

Aleksandra examined the room. Was there any sign of guards or watchers here. A clue that made the hotel manager's affiliation to the revolutionary movement credible?

Four dark-skinned employees handed the group refreshing towels, then a glass of tea with mint leaves and a pinch of cardamom. It was only a short time before the owner of the hotel, also a dark-skinned man in a white suit and tie, came and gave them an unexpectedly warm hug. "I welcome you to our humble home. Even though today is the first time we meet, your coming augurs a friendship that holds great hopes for us."

Aleksandra, with some reluctance, acknowledged this coded allusion with a friendly nod.

Thomas now said, "The journey was exhausting. Could we please move into our rooms?"

The director of the hotel nodded eagerly, "But of course, please hand in your passports at the reception, we can do the entering into the registration book later before dinner. We will enter the correct data and then you only need to sign. I have reserved our most beautiful suites for you, both of which give access to a magnificent balcony overlooking the Indian Ocean. Mr and Mrs Rotberger will stay - how appropriate - in the red suite. The Winter brothers will stay in the green suite. Both are connected by a spacious bathroom."

All four were now looking forward to finally being able to enjoy some peace and quiet and, above all, a cool shower. "If it is all right with you, we will have dinner in an hour. I look forward to treating you to the delights of our cuisine. I will have the best table prepared for us."

Leonid, who had understood Aleksandra's silent hint, turned to the director, "We appreciate the honour, but we would request to be able to dine in the room today. Tomorrow, however, we will be happy to join you for a full breakfast. Then we are also very interested in what you will tell us about this glorious country and its people."

Disappointment was written all over the director's face, but he quickly regained his effervescent friendliness: "That goes without saying. I will have a small feast of local specialities served on your balcony in an hour. Then tomorrow morning I will pick you up in front of your room at eight o'clock."

Not wanting to arouse suspicion, Aleksandra and Johann followed the first clerk, who carried a key adorned with a red fob. Thomas, carefully keeping his distance from Leonid, just enough not to be too conspicuous, followed a second clerk with him up the sweeping flight of steps to the first floor.

The red suite had its name from a red patterned wallpaper in the rooms. A spacious living room with a low, African seating area and double doors to a balcony was followed by another room with seating and large cabinets made of black wood. On the table was a lavish flower arrangement. Aleksandra smiled at the sight of the flowers: red carnations. The next room was the bedroom, with a large double bed against the front wall, completely covered by a red mosquito net. The curtains of the room were also made of heavy red brocade. Only at second glance did Aleksandra realise that the pattern of the curtains consisted of intricately intertwined hammers and sickles. A superficial observer would probably only see golden lines on red fabric.

The hotel clerk pulled open the curtains to reveal a large picture window facing the sea. A walk-in closet, with a door leading to a toilet, connected to the bathroom, where a stone bathtub and two marble sinks gleamed. "We have prepared various bath salts. If you wish, you can also have a massage." the clerk said in broken English, pointing to a massage bench covered with white oil pads. "And behind that screen is a shower for European tastes. I hope you like our bridal suite."

Because Johann didn't answer immediately, Aleksandra took the floor and addressed the clerk in English: "Oh yes, it's just as I dreamed it."

At that moment, Thomas and Leonid also entered the bathroom through the second door. They had already seen their companion off. Aleksandra took a banknote from her handbag and gave it to the hotel clerk, who then bowed. "We will bring dinner in an hour and arrange it on the balcony. The evening breeze will give you some refreshment." After these words he bowed again and went out through the door to Aleksandra and Johann's room.

Leonid turned on the water in the shower. Johann was puzzled, "Won't you wait until we have left the bathroom?"

Before Leonid, who was drying his hand on one of the spotless white linen towels, could reply, Thomas jumped in, "If anyone wants to listen to us, they'll get into quite a bit of trouble from the roar of the shower. I think we should leave our luggage in our respective rooms. They might be searched when we are at breakfast. Then for sleeping we will just switch."

With a friendly gesture, Aleksandra, wrapped in a large white towel, gestured towards the bathroom. Johann understood the hint to mean that the bathroom was now free for him to shower. He had already put together a new ensemble for himself from the clothes he had brought with him, which he took into the bathroom. He double-checked that the door to his and Aleksandra's room was locked, and then enjoyed a lovely cold shower. The water also seemed to clear his mind. He became aware of the bizarreness of his situation: while his friends in Rome believed he had left for his family, they believed he was in Africa. This was now suddenly true, but he was not in Algeria, but on the other side of the continent, on an island that must have been an image of paradise for many people he knew. Here he was mistaken for a representative of communism, welcomed as a friend and desperately longed-for helper; and, he also became aware of this under the cold shower, he shared a room, at least pro forma, with a picture-perfect woman who had pretended to be his wife and whose firm breasts Johann had not been able to get out of his head since he had looked at them all too clearly through the light blouse during the car ride. No one would believe him, the striving priest from Lower Austria. As if with a blow, he realised that he had not prayed over all the events of the last twenty-four hours. He turned off the water of the shower, frantically dried himself with one of the prepared bath towels and put on the fresh clothes he had taken with him. How was he supposed to pray. He knew the numerous texts partly by heart, but not well enough to recite the complete form of the breviary from them. Was it possible to get a Bible here? And be it an English one. Then he could at least use psalms and biblical readings. And how long would they stay here anyway? Had Aleksandra said something about Saturday at the latest? Would he be able to return to Austria then? What would happen to her? Could she come with him and thus give him a chance to explain the Austrian model to her? Or would she have to go back to Moscow? But the first thing now was to somehow get hold of a Bible.

Cautiously, he knocked on the bathroom door and opened it when he heard Aleksandra's English request. She was wearing a floor-length, flowing pleated dress whose shade of red matched the carnations better than the curtains. The narrow straps barely covered her shoulders and the fabric clung tightly to her waist. Johann struggled to stitch together a few Russian vocabulary words and punctuated his words with both hands, with which he tried to indicate a book, "A Bible book, please. Also possible in English."

Aleksandra tried to grasp the meaning of the words. Johann was already about to repeat his question in English when she went to her cupboard and pulled out a small black book. With a smile, she gave him the book and tried to comment on the handover in German: "From Rusia - with love."

Leonid took off his shirt and threw it into the woven laundry basket. The trousers followed the shirt. The room was wallpapered with dark green silk, the double bed covered by a green mosquito net mounted on four ebony posts. The brocade curtains showed small crescent moons and golden stars as patterns. Leonid passed through the next room, where Arabic-style panelling and a magnificent mirror mosaic adorned the walls and ceiling, into the living room, whose balcony doors were wide open, letting fresh evening air into the high-ceilinged room. The living room was decorated with green-patterned tiles in oriental style, the walls were lavishly covered with poufs and small tea tables with filigree inlay work. Thomas was standing in the open balcony doorway and turned around when he heard Leonid coming, "Is the bathroom free now?"

Leonid came closer so he could also catch a glimpse of the calm sea. "The other two are ready. Do you want to take a shower first? Or..."

Thomas turned abruptly, "Just so one thing is clear: I came along on this crazy trip because you forced me to. That's how I'll say it in front of any commission that will question me about my unauthorised absence when I return. And I came along to protect Johann. He is a good man, and I do not understand what you intend to do with him. But I will defend him if you want to harm him."

Leonid put his hand on Thomas's shoulder, "No one intends to..."

Thomas shook off his hand and continued unperturbed, "And just so you know one thing, I didn't come along for you. And if you make even the slightest attempt to approach me again, then I will know how to defend myself against it. And don't try to use your pitiful puppy-dog eyes or run around half-naked by chance. I am immune to your charm. And..." he added as he walked away, "I'm going to take a shower first."

Dinner, brought to the room on three trolleys by the four hotel staff, was a feast for the eyes, nose and palate. Nimbly, the four set the table there on the balcony under an awning with a white damask tablecloth, laid out cutlery and cloth napkins, set out glasses and oriental patterned plates, and then assembled an étagère consisting of four tiers of various hors d'oeuvres. Brass plates were placed on four rechauds, on which were arranged chicken breasts stuffed with gamba in lemongrass curry cream, grilled lamb, veal back steaks with honey-sesame crust and a grouper steamed in clove broth. Between them were large bowls of saffron rice and fufu, as well as plates of freshly cut fruit and small glass plates of halva and baklava.

Johann, who had been of an almost exuberant cheerfulness since he had made up for the prayers of the previous and this day, was the first to break the silence: "I have never seen such colourful food. And I'm hungry as if I hadn't eaten for days.

The group tasted their way through the various dishes with great relish, forgetting for an hour that they had fled here to the end of the world because of a coup. It was also not clear what to do next. In any case, they had to follow the news. If by Friday there was no signal from Russia that the coup plotters had been defeated, they would have to leave this dreamlike exile.

"It's late. We should go to sleep now." Aleksandra began, after everyone had finished eating, exhausted and full. "As we discussed, Johann, you will go to Thomas's room. And Leonid will spend the night in this room. Tomorrow at eight o'clock we will have breakfast with the director of the hotel. I will do the talking because I am the most familiar with the utilities of our state. I also don't want you to be unduly challenged by the representation of a communist soldier."

Johann turned to Alexandra sitting next to him, "You have done something very great for me, perhaps greater than you realised. I don't mean my abduction to this paradise island that I would never have seen otherwise. I mean your respect for my religious practice. You took my prayer book with you even though you reject its contents and my resulting life practice. It will not be difficult for me tomorrow to listen to the complaints and the wishes of the director. And as far as I can follow my conscience, I will try to answer in both our senses. Good night..." he stood up and bowed his head in farewell, "comrade."

Thomas stood up as well and followed him into the room lit only by a five-flame oil lamp.

"Leonid, before we agree on who sleeps in the bed and who sleeps on the bench, I would like to say two things: first, I thank you for helping to evacuate Johann without hesitation. I know that in the unclear situation of a coup, every loyalty is put to the test: Is it for the old system or the new. I know that your obedience was not self-evident. We will have to keep a close eye on how the situation develops in the coming days. But if the righteous side wins, you will be awarded for your courage and commitment."

Leonid was still disconcerted that his superior addressed him so familiarly. He was about to thank her when Aleksandra continued the word by a clear gesture: "The second request is a little more delicate, and I am considering what is the appropriate form to tell you under the present circumstances. Beforehand, what I'm about to say, I'm not saying as your commander, but as someone who has found you to be a hardworking and creative employee over the past few weeks."

Leonid was confused. Was Aleksandra trying to take their relationship in a more private direction? Leonid would have had no problem sleeping with his superior; he had already done so with several people who were more or less above him in the hierarchy. He would also not try to derive any personal benefit from it. If Aleksandra had any misgivings about this, he would have to allay them before she said something she might later regret.

With a swift movement that took Aleksandra completely by surprise, he grabbed a mango praline filled with vanilla marzipan and shoved it into the bewildered woman's mouth. "I know what you want to say now, but I want to make something clear first. Even if we were to sleep with each other, and it could only be once, our official relationship will not change. I will not try to take advantage or exploit your affection. But having said that, you don't need to feel guilty any more because I am your subordinate. Besides, there is no one here to watch us."

Aleksandra, who had finally chewed and swallowed the sticky sweet, which tasted delicious in spite of everything, gave Leonid a resounding slap: "How can all these women and men fall for such clumsy advances. I had no intention whatsoever of sleeping with you. And not just out of professionalism, but because you're not my type at all. I'm not interested in your private life for the most part, but a relationship with a foreign soldier will not go unnoticed in the long run. And even though I suspect that you are clever and controlled enough not to reveal secrets in a frenzy of lust or under the impression of feelings, such a relationship will certainly bring difficulties for your future in the Party and the Ministry. I just wanted to say that, and as someone who has seen many stumble over much less important problems."

Aleksandra stood up and turned to leave, but turned and took another praliné, "This one I will eat with more relish, for in terms of sweets your taste is excellent."

Leonid also stood up and said gravely, "Comrade, I would like to apologise for my impertinence. And just to clear up the misunderstanding: I am not in a relationship with Thomas. I have slept with him twice, he has a third time still open according to my personal rules. After that, we will not meet again in this way." Aleksandra shook her head and went inside.