Ch.345The Priest of Siberia

# * * *

“Whether this will actually work properly is the question.”

“The Roman Emperor is particularly pushing for this. We must succeed.”

Korolyov and Glushko swallowed as they gazed at the spacecraft.

Space development was essentially a project driven by the Tsarina as a national policy.

The Tsar frequently spoke about spacecraft.

“Don’t we already have plans to experiment with animals?”

“Eventually humans will have to go up there. We should rightfully send people. We need to select and train them in advance.”

Though it was their first attempt and somewhat unclear how to proceed, it wasn’t impossible.

“Our United States of Greater Russia, which values human rights, cannot conduct experiments recklessly.”

“Don’t we have people we can use for this purpose?”

“Are there volunteers among the Bolsheviks?”

Yes. The Bolsheviks, of all people.

It’s simply a matter of selecting volunteers from among the Bolsheviks.

“If we send Bolsheviks and succeed on the first try, the first human in space would be a Red. Wouldn’t that be problematic?”

The first human astronaut being a Red?

This could potentially be controversial.

The Reds might start causing trouble again, claiming that great achievements are accomplished by Reds.

“Those Bolsheviks are all old now, they don’t have the capacity to become astronauts.”

They don’t have the capacity to become astronauts.

Damn Bolsheviks. They’re never helpful for anything.

“We should begin extensive astronaut training.”

“Is space development even possible in our time?”

It should be possible.

After all, they’ve already nearly developed a spacecraft.

“Since we’ve already tried launching, it’s worth attempting.”

“We should at least try a launch by the late 50s.”

The late 50s. By then, it should somehow be possible.

Though it’s unclear what will happen by then, ultimately they’ll have to make do with manpower.

“Recruiting students nationwide for space flight would be one approach.”

Recruiting students for space flight.

Honestly, it’s problematic in many ways since they haven’t even attempted it yet. But there’s no harm in trying.

Has there ever been anything attempted according to the Tsar’s instructions that didn’t succeed?

No. Almost everything has been accomplished.

So this too should be possible.

“Still, we should find some way to use the younger Bolsheviks.”

The Reds are useless anyway.

They’re filthy people who are still alive, wasting food and consuming the country’s taxes.

So this is the time to use them and reduce their numbers.

“Wouldn’t they cause damage if they went on the spacecraft? Those guys must all be filled with resentment now.”

“They won’t be advanced enough to pilot what we’re building. By the time we secure that level of technology, the Bolsheviks will all be dead.”

In that case, it’s not a bad idea to begin development in earnest.

“That might be a good approach.”

Right. That’s one way to do it.

Even if they’re old Reds with no other use, they should be used somewhere. Don’t you agree?

Even if they’re almost useless due to age, they can at least prove that humans can venture into space and survive.

That’s all that needs to be proven.

“Let’s ask Father Stalin for help.”

The help of Stalin, who was sincere about deceiving the remaining Reds in the camps with smooth talk and selling them to the Roman Treaty, was absolutely necessary.

Stalin, having received the message at the Siberian camp, licked his greasy lips from eating chicken and faced the man before him.

# * * *

Siberian Camp

In the Siberian camp, Father Stalin of Steel was laughing dejectedly.

Before him stood an employee from a research institute he had seen before.

Space or whatever. An employee from a research institute developing such things. Previously they took Bolsheviks from some nuclear research institute, and now it’s space.

“Well, this is quite amusing.”

How could it not be laughable, the way they’re exploiting the revolution’s comrades as they please?

Stalin could only laugh.

“Would it be possible?”

Of course it’s possible. While Stalin felt somewhat uncomfortable being treated as a joke, considering how those Bolsheviks had betrayed in the camps, he didn’t care whether they were taken or not.

Though they now followed him because they had no one else to trust, well…

Stalin had naturally guided them to leave several times before.

And he could clearly see how they would have been used for the development of the United States of Greater Russia. For the advancement of humanity.

“Well, it’s not impossible.”

Stalin had now lost all the driving force for revolution.

More precisely, even if the revolution had succeeded, it wouldn’t have created as much as the current United States.

At most, communism in this era served as a sufficient warning to the bourgeoisie. That might be the one thing worth acknowledging.

Anyway, now these bourgeoisie were once again demanding blood from the Bolsheviks.

They wanted to use the remaining Bolsheviks for spacecraft. Honestly, Stalin didn’t care anymore.

Perhaps it was his age. He could now boldly say “Those who must go, must go” even when a Bolshevik comrade who had once stood arm-in-arm with him collapsed before his eyes.

“This is a matter for our motherland. I understand what feelings you must resolve, Father, but for our Russia to lead humanity, we must be ahead of everyone else. That requires many sacrifices.”

The researcher said, adjusting his glasses.

So in the end, they’re going to dispose of them as Bolsheviks.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time, so it didn’t matter.

It’s the truth. Stalin had become so kind because the Roman Treaty had taken Bolsheviks for research, crippling them or making sure they never returned. There was nothing to resolve.

When his mother passed away, they allowed him to be at her deathbed, so he felt grateful for that. If there was any complaint…

Besides the researchers who visited today, there was also someone who appeared to be from the Okhrana.

That person from the Okhrana was Beria, the Okhrana director.

The reason he hadn’t readily answered was because he was curious about what that man was thinking.

“It’s not difficult. I’ll select young ones for you. But is there another issue?”

Given that today there was not only a researcher but also someone from the Okhrana, this seemed unusual.

It didn’t seem like they had any other intentions now. The fact that they came to him now suggested it might be related to old connections.

Yes. For example, Trotsky.

“We’re thinking of persuading Trotsky.”

I see. I heard he was in Japan. Was that right?

He must be causing quite a bit of trouble for Japan, I imagine.

“Hmm, I heard he was in Japan.”

The man who sparked revolution in Japan after America.

Perhaps he could truly claim to be Lenin’s successor.

“That’s right.”

Indeed, Trotsky. He truly was exceptional.

He succeeded in revolution in that barren land.

Apparently he’s been troubling those American Yankees.

But eventually the end will come. Who would support Japan when no one else does?

Trotsky would ultimately be defeated.

He could help to some extent to let such a person live.

“I don’t think my words will mean much, but I can try.”

He can try. He wishes for that man to live peacefully now.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that revolution is now impossible.

Even the guards at the camp praise the Tsar, and the prisoners are no different.

The radios and televisions installed in the camp are filled with voices praising the Tsar.

What would have happened if the Bolsheviks had taken that position back then?

They would have even monitored people to ensure they followed the party’s orders. Would Trotsky’s revolution be any different?

“Really?”

Whether Trotsky could be persuaded was another matter.

“But I have conditions of my own.”

Always being in a position to run errands like this was somewhat uncomfortable.

Regardless of their relationship, he had ended up helping that damned woman, the Tsar.

Then shouldn’t he receive some appropriate compensation?

He no longer had the will or youthful body to plan revolution again, and the world no longer desired revolution.

Now he simply wanted to be free.

Of course, life in the Siberian camp wasn’t so bad.

He was essentially living like a king here.

But that was a separate issue.

He wanted to leave the Siberian camp and live a comfortable retirement.

If the Tsar had any conscience, she would help this foolish old man at least once.

“What conditions do you have? I will properly convey them to the Tsar.”

That was better for Beria too.

Stalin clearly had neither the will nor strength to commit to revolution anymore.

If they could easily capture Trotsky in exchange for releasing one old man, what would be the problem?

“I’ve been in this nonsensical position as a priest here. Haven’t I?”

“Hmm. You want to leave the Siberian camp.”

That’s right. He wanted to leave the Siberian camp now.

Hadn’t he lived there for a very long time?

By now, he felt he deserved to leave.

“Anyway, after this is over, there will hardly be any Bolsheviks left.”

There were almost no Bolsheviks left in the camp now.

Nor were there many political prisoners. This was all thanks to choosing the Duma system.

Beria also saw sincerity in Stalin’s eyes.

While he still ideologically opposed the Tsar, there was no justification to oppose her again at this point, and Stalin was not foolish enough to deny reality.

“I will request it from the Tsar.”

“Thank you.”

If the Tsar granted his request, perhaps he could return to his homeland.

The thought suddenly occurred to him.

# * * *

How wonderful it is to return to the Kremlin Palace.

Oh, I’d like to visit Korea again too, but that’s not my country but the Balhae Federation, not my home, and this Kremlin Palace is where I belong.

She wore a blissful expression as she ate the mint chocolate Maria had brought her.

“Ah, there’s no place like home.”

This place truly feels like my home.

Having to wear a hijab was quite difficult. Gradually implementing westernization would make that irrelevant too.

“Your Majesty, it’s only been half a year.”

“Come now, half a year? I gained the Middle East in half a year.”

I gained the Middle East in half a year? Isn’t that good?

In that half year, I’ve taken everything I could. For me, it’s a gain, certainly not a bad thing.

Greece is somewhat concerning, but it will work out well.

After all, I’ve received a significant share of Afghanistan’s resources.

Of course, that’s essentially shared property of the Roman Treaty anyway, but the Islamic-Hellenistic Federation was created by Greece.

For their country, I can give them resource priority.

“Wouldn’t it be better if Your Majesty trusted the Duma more now, rather than doing everything by yourself?”

Trust the Duma more? That Duma? Me?

That’s nonsense. Why should I trust them?

“Do desk-bound scholars know war? I’ll handle all external affairs, and the esteemed Duma members can handle internal matters.”

I’ll handle all warfare. That’s the answer.

“Still, isn’t this a bit too much?”

Hmm, is half a year too much? No. No. Taking the Middle East in half a year is actually satisfactory.

If they’re worried about my age, it doesn’t matter. This body is still vigorous.

“Too much? I need to handle everything while I’m alive.”

Of course, despite doing this, the situation might not be good in the future.

New enemies might emerge.

A second or third bin Laden might appear in the Middle East, which I don’t want.

“Then, why don’t you rest for at least a day? Attending the Duma immediately after returning must be tiring.”

“I’m still full of energy.”

In body and mind, I’m like a woman in her twenties.

It’s been a while since I attended the Duma, so I should go and do various things.

I’ve perfectly resolved the Middle East issue. Your Tsar has accomplished all this. So you can be as grateful to me as you want.

Thus, despite Maria’s dissuasion, she proudly entered the Duma and declared:

“I have perfectly resolved the Middle East issue, everyone.”

Your Tsar has done it again!

So everyone should dance with joy.

Unfortunately, our old Duma members are sighing deeply, seemingly displeased about something.

“We already know, having received the message.”

They already know, having received the message. I think they should be grateful like my idol Anachang fans.

“Congratulations indeed, Your Majesty. However.”

However, what? When you say “however,” it makes me very suspicious.

You’re just sitting there receiving evaluations from me, yet you have so much to say.