Night, Harare.
The temperature dropped quickly. Ernst put on an extra coat. Africa's weather—how should he put it?—gave Ernst a strange sense of familiarity.
Ernst did not much like Africa's coastal climate, but Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania's most developed city in his previous life, happened to lie on the coast. There were also fairly developed places inland, but their infrastructure and modern amenities still fell somewhat short.
Thus, Ernst most enjoyed being assigned by the company to capitals of inland countries like Nairobi and Harare. They had everything they ought to have, except that the internet was a bit worse, while the climate was also pleasant. However, most of Ernst's work had still been concentrated in rural areas. After all, construction work—especially road and bridge building—was often carried out in the wilderness.
Walking along a country road outside Harare, Ernst said, "Svit."
"Present, Principal!" Svit instinctively jolted upright and answered stiffly, as though he had returned to his student days.
Ernst said, "No need to be so nervous. You have spent quite some time in the army in my stead. I would like to learn about some of the army's actual circumstances."
Although Ernst oversaw the big picture, he could not rely on his own imagination for the condition of the troops. People like Svit, as major commanders of the East African Army who had also taken part in several campaigns, were the ones with the right to speak on such matters.
Svit respectfully said, "Yes, Principal! But which aspects would you like to know about?"
Ernst thought for a moment. "Let us start with conditions at the grassroots level of the army. Especially the soldiers' living conditions and morale—either would do."
Svit said, "Very well. I will speak of some of what I have personally seen and heard.