Chapter 2: The death of H. F. Hrynko
4 July 1936, Olkhovka, Central Russia
Marshal Tukhachevsky watched with great interest as the new medium tank prototypes were put through their paces.
He enjoyed getting out of Moscow as much as possible, particularly with the charged atmosphere which existed after the untimely demise of Comrade Hrynko. He hadn't known the People's Commissar for Finance very well, but he mistrusted Stalin and the Politburo more and more each day. He felt free out in the Eurasian steppe, with nothing but the intoxicating smell of gasoline to fill his lungs. He waved over an adjutant.
"Yes, Comrade Marshal?"
Tukhachevsky saw that his aide, a Colonel, carried a copy of
Krasnaya Zvezda ((Red Star)). "Is that the latest edition, Comrade Colonel?"
"It is."
"
Otlichno! ((Excellent!)) I do enjoy Grossman's writing." He enjoyed the story on the BT-5s, in particular, although he made himself a note to indeed, order more training for the drivers. "Colonel, how are our new tank divisions progressing?"
The Colonel checked his clipboard. "Very well, Comrade Marshal. When the other two divisions receive their equipment at the end of this year, we will have a new Armored Corps."
"Good news, indeed." Looking about, he whispered to his Colonel. "Have you heard what the devil happened to Hrynko?"
The Colonel paled for a moment. "NKVD, sir. Apparently, Hrynko opened fire on the arresting agents."
Tukhachevsky scoffed. "I wonder if Hrynko even owned a pistol. I sincerely doubt it. It's probably that rat Comrade --"
"No names, Comrade Marshal. We do not know who may be listening."
The Marshal glared at his subordinate for a moment, then nodded curtly. "I'd like to you assign some of the new medium tanks to the new divisions, let them try them out. If tests progress well, I will recommend their adoption to the rest of the army. The tools and dies at the Chelyabinsk factory should be finished in November."
"By your command, Comrade Marshal." The Colonel saluted, and left.
27 September 1936, offices of the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, Moscow
A. I. Petrova looked with disgust at the telegram she'd just received.
Defeated. Comrade Stalin will not like this news.
As she looked forward to an unpleasant meeting with the General Secretary, M. V. Kamensky entered. "Anastasia, I have good news. The supply problems have been completely corrected!"
"That is good news, Milena, although the situation in Spain may ruin Comrade Stalin's mood, even with this news."
Kamensky scratched her chin in thought, then a sly grin spread across her face. "Perhaps if Comrade Rakobolskaja were to give Comrade Stalin the news...?"
Petrova started chuckling. "Yes, indeed. A fine suggestion. Even the worst of news can be mitigated with the proper... message."
"Exactly my thoughts."
After a few moments of mirth, Petrova and Kamensky shared a bit of gossip. Kamensky was bothered her cousin, a very fine fencer, was unable to participate in the recent 1936 Olympic Games.
Petrova remarked on Turkey's disinterest in the Comintern, another item Stalin would not be pleased with.
It is perhaps remarkable that at no point did the demise of Hrynko come up.
1 January 1937, Politburo chambers, Moscow
As they waited for the rest of the Politburo to arrive, Yagoda and the Soviet ambassador to the United States, A. F. Pasternak, held an urgent meeting. Charles Hughes, the American head of FBI Counterintelligence, was becoming a very significant problem for the NKVD.
Yagoda seethed with rage as he looked at October's report. "That damnable Hughes! My men have made almost no progress in reducing American effectiveness. ((In game, they go down to a 6 in between October and January of 37.))"
Pasternak's official title as Ambassador was merely cover for his unofficial title:
rezident in Washington. ((
Rezident doesn't have a direct translation into English; the CIA equivalent would be a station chief. IRL, an Ambassador would almost never hold this position.)) "I have done everything I could, Comrade Yagoda. He is very well protected; assassination is possible, but would be very bloody and almost certainly blamed on us." Pasternak was about to go into further detail when a very loud rumbling startled him. "What the hell was that?"
Yagoda's expression briefly changed to one of amusement. "Comrade Gey." A sharp kick to the Commissar of Agriculture's ribs earned Yagoda a "Huh? Whozzat?" before he resumed his snoring.
The two started discussing plans as Comrade Stalin entered the room, trailed by the remaining Commissars. Stalin briefly nodded at Yagoda before sitting down. As everybody followed his lead (after a few more kicks, Gey clambered into his chair and sat quietly), Stalin opened the meeting. "Comrades, before we begin, I would like to congratulate Comrades Glazkov and Teterev for their joint work in restoring the faith of our people following the disappearance of Comrade Hrynko and the turbulent circumstances from the attempt on Comrade Kirov's life."
Comrade Sokolov looked gratefully at the two men that sat farther down the table. Their success had helped mitigate Sokolov's own very tenuous position after the Hrynko affair. It certainly did not look good for somebody allegedly under the protection of the Commissariat of Justice to be killed during the arrest by NKVD. Sokolov and Yagoda had argued for a couple of hours about who would take responsibility, before Yagoda insisted it was the province of the NKVD. At least with national unity improving, Sokolov could draft some new laws that would help to restore his popularity, he hoped.
Stalin lifted a hand to quite the congratulations, after a brief smile at Rakobolskaja and her shiny new Order of the Red Banner pinned to her chest. At least, it appeared he was looking at the medal. "Comrade Vatutin has, by the order of Marshal Tukhachevsky, been promoted to Lieutenant General for his exemplary work as Chief of the General Staff." Polite applause greeted that announcement. "Finally, I am willing to listen to nominations for the new People's Commissar of Finance."
Sokolov nodded, and began extolling the virtues of V. M. Sakharov, as the meeting continued...
As always, comments are appreciated! We do not presently have vacancies in the AAR, but I will, as usual, announce them here.