…” Yes comrade, not one single bomb fell on Baku and
repairs continue on the damaged caused by the atomic bombs. The other remaining
facilities were not touched as well. The raid sent by the Amerikosi was turned
back after slightly damaging our airfield infrastructure…”
Novikov is alone in his office and is in an almost
complete state of disarray. He is sweating and looks like a man who is talking
to the devil himself. Some say he is. Some consider the man on the other end of
the phone line the devil incarnate. He almost misses the cue to further twist
the reality of the situation because of the lack of sleep. He had been dreading
this call for hours.
“Yes comrade that is true but the losses are minimal in
the larger scope of things. The oil is still flowing at the same rate as
yesterday and the other facilities are being repaired rapidly. With our
reserves and the captured supplies we should be able to carry out normal
operations for the next 4 months in defense of the oil facilities. I am
confident that we can beat back any more attempts at attacking Baku and soon
any of the other facilities. I will admit that many of the other operations
will have to wait until the spring. We will not be able to support fully all
the operations in the West and still defend our vital oil fields.”
His mind was reeling with the possibility of his death
being very imminent. His only salvation seemed to be that Stalin was under
heavy sedation. He was not probing for weakness like usual and not mining his
every sentence for mistakes and lies. This is what probably saved him…this
time.
He did not fear that Beria would stab him in the back,
for that bald cretin had as much to lose as he did. Both could be found fully
culpable for the disaster that had occurred to the oil production facilities.
Both could easily be tied to a chair and experiencing excruciating pain at this
very moment if not for both of them holding to their agreed upon version of the
truth. He had seen Beria’s second in command in action and he had no doubt that
he would enjoy working on his superiors.
“Yes Excellency I fully understand the consequences of
allowing others under my command to fail again and I do understand that it is
ultimately my responsibility.”…
The phone in his hand suddenly jumps to life with the
familiar ferocity he has come to know over the years. Stalin has garnered some
strength from somewhere and is as menacing as ever. Besides being scared almost
witless, Novikov wonders at how a small and frail old many can be so
threatening over a phone line. How can a pocked marked, old man be so
intimidating from thousands of miles away? He personally could manage it but
only when he was physically present.
“No comrade I will not let those responsible avoid
responsibility and they will be punished appropriately.”…”Yes … I understand
perfectly.”