text: In all of his years as a soldier Sergeant Myrnov had seen many dead bodies in his time. But never one such as the one he had the displeasure of staring at now. Before him his company commander, Captain Solinkov was absolutely sobbing next to a dead hooker on the bed while his XO, Lieutenant Artyom was beside him staring in disbelief. He had no idea what he was walking into, but sadly he was now here. After a moment Captain Solinkov rubbed his eyes “This isn’t how I wanted things to end, this isn’t how I wanted things to end at all”. As he spoke Lieutenant Artyom was already shutting the curtains and spoke to comfort his commander “no Sir we know you didn’t mean to its alright.. did anyone see you come in here?” Captain Solinkov just shook his head, unable to focus “no, no I don’t think so” he then stood up and began to pace the floor when Sergeant Myrnov spoke “I think we should inform the police, with your rank and connections Sir I’m sure everything would be fin-“ However Lieutenant Artyom cut him off before he could finish “That won’t be nesscary Sergeant, do me a favor and look down the hallway to make sure if anyone is there”. Sergeant Myrnov then sighed and creaked open the door to see the inside of an empty cheap hotel before discreetly closing the door and replying “the hallway is empty Sir”. Lieutenant Artyom then spoke as if he was the one wearing the double bars “now Sir we will take care of this whole thing for you.. But we’d better get our story straight. She died of a heart attack and there was nothing more that could be done, do you understand Sir?” Captain Solinkov nodded and began adjusting his uniform as he took a deep breath “Alright, she died of a heart attack and there was nothing more that could have been done.” Lieutenant Artyom then nodded “good.. now you go ahead Sir and get another room and we will sort this out.” The captain then nodded and took one last glance at the hooker before putting on his cap “it’s a damn shame, she was very nice you know. We spent the whole evening talking about my ex wife and our kids over some drinks.” Sergeant Myrnov then asked “What was her name Sir?” However Lieutenant Artyom answered for him “that doesn’t matter Sergeant” he said reminding him of his rank. The very dreadful reply reminded Captain Solinkov of their situation and he extended his hand to Lieutenant Artyom “you’re a good friend Pavel. Per usual I won’t forget this”. Lieutenant Artyom then said the same to the good captain. And with that Captain Solinkov gave a slight nod to Segerant Myrnov wishing him the same before he left. Lieutenant Artyom then got to work immediately, as if he had done this a hundred times before and rolled the frail woman’s body into a spare bedsheet from the closet and Sergeant Myrnov helped him carry her down the hallway and towards a cemetery when Lieutenant Artyom whispered “no, the river” They then went towards the local river and took every back alley they could to avoid crowds of drunken soldiers and annoyed townsfolk until they came to the river and Lieutenant Artyom was preparing to throw her in when Sergeant Myrnov stopped him. “Sir aren’t we going to say a few words for her?” Lieutenant Artyom answered him with a stare and they then quietly threw the poor girl into the river and began walking off back towards the hotel with an awkward silence coming over them. After walking a few blocks Sergeant Myrnov finally asked the question he had been thinking about for the past hour. “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking.. how have you remained your composure this entire time?” Lieutenant Artyom walked some time before he finally answered. “Because this isn’t the first time he’s done this”.