Matzov strode purposefully into his offices, a picture of action and purpose.
"Cmdr Matzov! Matzov sir!" cried out Matzov's assistant, Carpenter. "Not now Carpenter, sorry" Matzov replied as he barrelled onwards towards the door to his private office.
"Er, but there is someone waiting for..." Matzov didn't catch the last of it as he shut the door... Only to find himself face to face with Shiv Premji, Doctor Mukesh Premji's son and assistant.
"Hello Shiv, good to see you. What can I do for you? How is your father, and your studies?" he managed, hiding his irritation at the presumption of Shiv Premji waiting inside his personal sanctum.
"Ahh, Colonel, I am well. My father is well, thank you." Premji flashed his famously infectious smile. "He has a little favour to ask. Well, more of a necessity than a favour..." Shiv went on a little sheepishly.
"Go on, whatever I can do," hurriedly adding, "although things are very busy in the company right now. Very hectic indeed."
"Well, he needs you to provide an escort to Amijara, as soon as possible."
Matzov looked pensive. A little more than guardedly, he offered, "Yes. I suppose I can fit that in, alongside other business there."
"Excellent, my thanks Colonel. I have the details here," handing Matzov a dossier, which Matzov glanced over quickly. 'A quick there and back for an unnamed VIP' he thought to himself. 'Not really a Mukesh Premji thing, but I will worry about why that is later'.
"Well, this looks all in order. Good day Shiv, and regards to your father" Matzov said as he slunk to his desk chair and placed the dossier to the side, before reaching for a contract from the pile. He was suddenly aware Premji was still there.
"Something else Shiv? I've missed something perhaps? I'm very sorry, I don't have time for chit chat, there are systems in turmoil and contractual re-negociations to execute."
"Yes, there was one more thing" the young engineer ventured in a tentative voice. It set Matzov immediately alert, for Shiv Premji was normally so enthusiastic and fulsome.
"A small matter of a special project for you. You must go to Chaudhary in LTT 11478 where my father's man waits for you, with further instructions" he said, this time firmly, and with a slight edge to his voice, as if nervous of the reaction.
Matzov sat straight faced staring at Premji intensely, whilst he burned inside. A full half minute passed in silence.
"I really do not have time for this, no matter what the nature of this mysterious instruction" he said as flatly as he could.
"As I said, a necessity I'm afraid. Not a favour." Premji managed with more conviction this time.
"As in something that head office believes is a necessity, or as in one of your father's, um... unique, necessities?"
"Head office. You may call on them if you wish. Now I must leave, I am late for a seminar on modern FSD design and engineering" Premji stammered, shuffling toward the door, realising the anger on Matzov's face. Of course, he knew full well that Matzov barely had the time to breath in this moment of difficulty for the company, let alone take up some special baby-sitting project, such as this one might be viewed.
As Premji slid out the door like a scalded cat, Matzov bellowed after him, a welter of pent up frustration, "I shall not forget this Shiv! Tell your father I will not forget!" thumping his desk for emphasis.