On another note,
@Blackstar have another omake. Yup, the wrooter is back!
TBH this one has troubled me for a while. First half went well but the second fought me tooth and nail. I'm not good with scenes that are supposed to be emotional. I'm not entirely happy with the finished product, wish I had given Malenkov more to say. But now that I've finally got a complete narrative I'm happy to finally declare it done.
Megamag and Mikonyan IV: The Changing of the Guard
1947.
Something was off, Magnitogorsk thought. The workers and railway men were nervous and muttered among each other with their head down. She didn't dare ask what about, Mikonyan had warned her what happened to those who asked too many questions under Stalin's reign. One thing she did ask about was why no order for steel production had come in this month. "Something's going on in the government. Moscow was in chaos when I was last there, maybe the MNKh was caught up in it.", a jumpy engineer had said.
That did explain things, but it was not reassuring to Magnitogorsk. Had Mikonyan got caught up in whatever was going on? That fox was strong and brave, but strength alone was no defense against the whimsies of the Bolshevik part. She tried to banish those worries by focusing on her work- with the reconstruction of Europe after its butchery at fascist hands continuing apace, the steel demand was pretty stable and a misplaced order was no excuse to slack. The climbs to the remaining ore deposits had grown long, and she busied herself focusing on the rocks and bushes.
Finally, one day a passenger train rolled into the freight depot, bearing the markings of the Union's highest offices. Mikonyan stepped out. His majestic fox-ears were straight as ever, but the uniform he wore seemed to have only grown in fanciness. A second man walked by Mikonyan's side, staring in awe at everything around including her. And as they approached, she realized it was that second man, not Mikonyan, who's uniform bore the emblem of the MNKh. Something major had shifted, indeed. But it could not be that Mikoyan had been driven out against his will, he held his head too high for that.
Holding back excitement she knelt down to meet the man who was practically her father, and his entourage. "Mikonyan! It's been a long time and there's been strange rumors going around. I am so glad you are OK! Umm, what's with the fancy clothes?"
The fox smiled. "The last months have been chaotic indeed. But I've weathered it, and even risen in station!" Mikonyan stopped, and put on a serious face. "Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself. Here's the
really big news: Joseph Stalin is dead. A stroke got him two months ago."
"Well, I guess that's something for all of us to be happy about!" But before she could cheer, the full implications of the news hit Magnitogorsk and she froze. "He had so much power, and now he's gone. Who will be the general secretary now?" She gasped out.
"Him." The second man who now wore the MNKh uniform pointed a thumb at Mikonyan with a tired smirk.
"What."
Mikonyan's eye twitched, then he elaborated: "With Stalin dead there was inevitably going to be a power struggle. And I couldn't let some butchers with more party clout than sense ruin the union fighting over his place. So, I stepped up to the plate myself."
"Yes, you've done a good job of exploiting this crisis to gain power and change jobs. But I suppose I can't really complain about having someone much more level-headed than Stalin as the big boss." The second man said dryly.
"Hey, I've taken care of the MNKh for fifteen years. I know a thing or three about managing underlings." Mikonyan's smug smile faded as he turned to the man. "I hope for your sake you also know about it, since you wanted the ministry in exchange for backing me."
While Mikonyan crossed his arms, Magnitogorsk processed what he had just said. Her eyes widened. "Wait, so this guy is now in charge of the Soviet economy?" Her voice was slightly shaky.
"Ah right, about that." Mikonyan sighed. "Sorry you had to see that bickering. But yes, I had to leave that post for bolder pastures. Magnitogorsk, please meet Georgy Malenkov, the new head of the MNKh!" Magnitogorsk looked closely at the newcomer. His egglike head and his nervous attempt at a smile contrasted with the resolute seriousness her 'father' carried outside of their personal moments. At least he didn't look frightening. So why did Magnitogorsk feel worried? She muttered the name. Malenkov, Malenkov… Mikonyan had said it before, many years ago. Something about axes…
"You've heard something of me, I can tell. Well, I'll be square: Yes, I did do a lot of dirty work for Stalin." Magnitogorsk flinched and stared at the man. "But I tired of it. Being the hatchet man of a tyrant is very stressful work and I am very glad I finally have an excuse to take a different job." He seemed regretful, at least, even a little… relieved?
Mikonyan just rolled his eyes. "And once I'm done cleaning up the mess little Joe made of the government, it won't be possible for functionaries like you to casually sign people's death warrants even if you wanted it. Anyways," He walked closer to Magnitogorsk. "Please give Malenkov a chance. I know he's a stranger, but he is at least competent at organizing. He did manage to get an engineering degree, so for sure he knows his way around technical matters. And surprisingly, he does care about people's well-being a lot. Maybe a little too much. Point is, he's not dumb," Malenkov flinched at that. "And you can trust him to try treating you and the railroad workers well".
Behind him, the former hatchet man sighed and crossed his arms. "Well thank you for that endorsement, Anastas." Magnitogorsk found their banter slightly amusing, but that did not stop the tears welling in her eyes as she looked between the two.
"He… he looks OK I guess. B-but it's just that… You were always there for me when things were difficult. I can't imagine going years without you."
"It makes me sad too, Megamag. But please, try not to worry too much." A smile came over the fox's face again. "You faced hard challenges these past nine years and I am absolutely proud of how you have grown to face them. You can handle most work without me around, I know you can. And for the few things that are economic problems or just out of left field? Heh, well that's what Mal is for." He stepped back to elbow Malenkov, who blushed nervously. Magnitogorsk still sniffled, but a relieved smile began to form. He continued. "True, I won't be able to visit as part of work duties. But I'll still have some time off here and there. I will still visit you whenever I can, I promise! Until then, Malenkov will do his best, and you must continue to do yours. For the union, and for the freedom of all socialist people!"
"Thank you dad, thank you so much. For we serve the Soviet Union! Magnitogorsk pumped her fist, and while her voice still shook her enthusiasm was genuine.
"That's the spirit Megamag! Come on, let's have a hug!" Mikonyan spread his arms, and there was silence.
Malenkov looked up, then at the general secretary. "Umm, how do the logistics of that work exactly?" Everyone roared with laughter. Yes, Magnitogorsk thought, things would still turn out alright.
(A/N: I didn't have any japanifying beam'd version of Mal to work with, for want of an active imagination I just went with his real life physical build as jarring as that is next to foxy Mikoyan and little boy Stalin.)
