(2nd Shift, Finish)

Following the launch of the Soviet aircraft carrier Kuznetsov, the Varyag has also entered the final stages of preparation. Eight months ago, the Varyag, which had completed 80 percent of its progress, finally ushered in the moment of leaving the Black Sea shipyard, and the director of the Makarov plant witnessed the historic scene of this landmark aircraft carrier from the factory to the launch with tears in his eyes.

In the end, the central government's key appropriation allowed the Varyag, which was gradually in trouble, to complete the final construction, and also gave the legendary aircraft carrier, which could have been stillborn, a chance to be reborn. After all, the great Motherland did not fail Makarov's life's work, and the Black Sea Shipyard, which had spent countless efforts, finally ended his great mission at this moment.

The Varyag will surely become a great monument in the history of the Soviet Navy, and will also become a legendary aircraft carrier for the Soviet Union and even the whole world!

The launching ceremony of the Varyag even attracted the presence of Defense Minister Yazov, who tightly held the black oil-stained hand of the director of the Makarov plant and said excitedly, "On behalf of the party and the state, I thank you for everything!" You have completed a major engineering project for the country. ”

"Thank you Minister of Defense for the praise, this is what I should do for the Motherland. I still have a task on my body, and the Ulyanovsk must also hurry up to complete the task, preferably by the end of next year or the middle of the next year, after which it can be tested. Makarov appeared calm, in stark contrast to the cheering crowd at the shipyard. He looked at the majestic aircraft carrier under the clear blue sky and muttered, "A Kuznetsov aircraft carrier." One Varyag. It's still a little too little. The replacement of naval aircraft carriers has lagged behind the West. Therefore, three aircraft carriers can form an aircraft carrier battle group that is enough to match the world. Moreover, it will take several years of running-in time to fully form combat effectiveness. ”

"Well, it's good to have that determination." Yazov patted Makarov on the shoulder, "If there are any difficulties that can be raised, the central government will vigorously support you." ”

"Funding and technical support." The director of the Makarov plant bluntly stated his difficulties, "When will the follow-up problems of funding in Ulyanovsk be solved?" Don't be like the Varyag, where we all get the most crucial money when we are all desperate. ”

Yazov was about to light the cigarette in his hand, and when he heard Makarov's words, he almost spit out the cigarette in his mouth, he scratched his head and said embarrassedly. "There will be, Comrade Makarov. Even if the Navy sells the aircraft carrier Kiev, it will provide you with financial support to build the aircraft carrier. ”

Makarov's eyes widened, and he simply couldn't believe what Yazov said, "What did you say?" The Navy is going to sell aircraft carriers to support the construction of the Ulyanovsk? It turns out that the rumored thing is true? When did our navy need such a heroic way to support construction? ”

"It's not a decision on the part of the Navy." Yazov lowered his voice, "This is the decision of General Secretary Yanayev, who even took out his own private funds to support the construction of the Ulyanovsk. The general secretary said that it would be better for him to go hungry himself, and for the Ukrainian Black Sea shipyards to build an aircraft carrier fleet sufficient to protect the territory of the USSR......"

Speaking of which, Defense Minister Yazov quietly red-eyed. It was the first he'd ever seen. He is also the only general secretary who dedicates everything to the Motherland. If the phrase that others will serve the people is on the lips, then Yanayev is proving it to everyone by his own actions. The obligations and accusations of a party member.

There were always people who did not understand what Yanayev was doing, and they denounced him as a "tyrant of the Soviets", a "cruel red tsar" and a "monster against humanity". The vast majority of these voices come from the outside, and some from the inside, whose interests have been damaged by the reforms. Of course, those who shouted the banner of democracy and freedom would never know that the general secretary often stayed up until the early hours of the morning for a livelihood construction project, nor would they know that he adopted the underage children of those political opponents and donated his salary anonymously to the welfare home.

Just as Surkov angrily retorted in the face of the duties of the democrats, "The benefits you are taking for granted, the things you have that you do not value, the current system that you want to overthrow, everything you are spoiling, all come from the man you call a tyrant!" ”

The others will more or less hide a little selfishness, but Yanayev is the only one who loyally fulfills his mission and accusations, defends the Soviets, and maintains the last dignity of the Red Empire.

And the reason why Yazov knew this was that the representative of the CPSU who wrote the biography of Yanayev in the first place, recorded Yanayev's oral narration for nearly six hours, in exchange for almost 500 densely packed manuscript papers. But Yanayev made a request that the biography be published only when he was buried under the loess after his death.

"I am not a god, just an ordinary citizen of the Soviet Union, who had the privilege of sitting in the position of leader. There have also been some small achievements and major mistakes. I hope that after my death, it will be up to the people and history to make a fair judgment. ”

Thinking of this, Yazov's thoughts were pulled back to reality, and the First Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Smirev, appeared in front of him, and since the Minister of Defense had all appeared in public in this public place, there was no reason why the admiral, who was promoted by Yanayev, should not appear at the celebration.

The director of the Makarov plant retired first with great interest, leaving Yazov and Smiryev to discuss military "secrets" without a match. Smiryev approached Yazov's side, his eyes were casually staring at the aircraft carrier, but he was asking in a low voice, "Didn't Moscow say that it was ready to sell the Kyiv-class aircraft carrier?" Is there any follow-up to this matter? It has been a long time since the center moved. ”

"There must be." Yazov nodded, "Recently, we are looking for a buyer, among which the Kiev-class aircraft carrier of the North Sea Fleet must be sold, otherwise the military expenditure of the central government will not be able to support so many ships." Eliminating old ships and building a modern aircraft carrier fleet is the top priority of the Soviet Navy. ”

"Which country are the Kyiv-class aircraft carriers going to be sold to? Can you tell us about it beforehand? This incident aroused Smirev's curiosity, since he had Ulyanovsk and Varyag, the remaining Kyiv-class aircraft carriers were not very attractive. Instead of clinging to these old toys, it is better to build a fleet of aircraft carriers that are capable and impressively combative.

"India."

Comrade Yazov replied with a smile. (To be continued.) )