Text Chapter 3 Crisis at Foros Villa (Part 1)

A special plane flew from Moscow to the Crimean Peninsula six hours earlier than the historically scheduled time. The identities of the delegation on this special plane included almost all the senior leaders of the Soviet party, government and military, including members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Secretary of the Central Committee Oleg Simonovich Shenin, Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Army General Varennikov, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Assistant to the President, Bolkin, and Director of the Ninth Bureau of the KGB, Yuri Sergeyevich Plekhanov. The reason that brought these high-level officials together was Gorbachev's damn "New Alliance Treaty".

No one on the special plane was interested in talking to each other. They either closed their eyes and rested their minds, or crossed their hands and prayed, because they knew that what they were going to do next was likely to change the history of the Soviet Union. Whether they will become the makers of history or be nailed to the pillar of shame remains to be determined. But at this time, everyone had the same obsession, which was not to let the Soviet Union fall apart.

And their destination is only one, and that is the presidential resort at the southernmost tip of the Crimean Peninsula, Villa Foros.

Schenin held the signing order to prepare for the implementation of the national emergency, and his heart was extremely complicated. On the one hand, Gorbachev bypassed the Politburo Committee when signing the new alliance treaty. This was an act that violated the constitution. Otherwise, Gorbachev would not hide in this villa for more than ten days to avoid members of the Politburo. So now they are begging Gorbachev, is it useful? There was a big question mark in Shening's heart that always interfered with his thinking.

Second, Shenin vaguely noticed that there were people in the emergency committee who seemed to have far-reaching considerations than them. In just two days, the emergency committee formed in a hurry actually had a firm and unified goal, instead of being a mess waiting for the enemy. Defeat each one. It seems that every order issued by the emergency committee has Yanayev's shadow behind it.

The Red Empire is like an old giant ship loaded with dangerous weapons drifting aimlessly in the vast sea. The captain at the helm has lost his way, but the anxious crew is eager to take over the captain's position and lead the empire out of the sea. Dilemma.

Seemingly sensing Shenin's uneasiness, Varennikov patted his shoulder and reassured him, "It's okay, everything will be fine, as long as we see President Gorbachev."

"I hope so." Schoening forced a smile. To be honest, he didn't have much hope for Gorbachev.

The plane passed through green mountains and vast plains, and finally reached the sky above a red villa. Through the glass window, you could see from above that the surroundings of Foros Villa were surrounded by elite soldiers. Plekhanov, who was in charge of Gorbachev's security work, knew very well that these were only partial guards. There were also many snipers ambush at the commanding heights of the nearby mountains. There were dozens of special service patrol boats within five nautical miles, day and night, at sea. Patrolling, and fifty kilometers away is the Black Sea Fleet, one of the four major fleets of the Soviet Union. The defense here can be said to be watertight.

No one is in the mood to enjoy the beautiful scenery near the villa now. They are anxiously waiting for the plane to stop.

In the end, the plane stopped at the end of the private runway of the Foros Villa. After getting off the plane, the group of people walked quickly towards the presidential villa without any sloppiness.

Although there were heavily guarded security forces, it was not difficult for the delegation to march straight in. Because the Ninth Bureau of the KGB led by Plekhanov was the Bureau for the Protection of the Supreme Leader of the Soviet Communist Party. These leaders and guards were all arranged by him. Just when the guards at the last checkpoint were about to stop the delegation, Plekhanov took the lead.

"Go away, these members of the highest delegation have urgent matters to report to Secretary Gorbachev. I wasted the opportunity to question you first." Plekhanov's majesty instantly overwhelmed the guards at the door. At the moment they hesitated, , the delegation forced their way past the guards and broke into the living room of the presidential villa.

At this time, Gorbachev was preparing to take a nap in the bedroom. When he heard that it suddenly became noisy outside, he couldn't help but put on his clothes and walked out to find out. As soon as he walked to the door of the living room, he was stunned by the lineup in front of him. The top leaders of the Soviet party, government and military gathered in their living room. Gorbachev couldn't help but angrily said to the delegation, "Who let you in without my approval? Get out."

"It's my order, President Gorbachev. I let the delegation in, please forgive me." Plekhanov stepped forward and spoke, his tone not humble or silent. The angry Gorbachev almost raised his hand and gave him a slap. At the same time, Gorbachev understood that what he tried to avoid had still happened, but he did not expect that this group of people actually took the extreme form of forcing the emperor to abdicate in order to oppose the treaty.

The Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Shenin, took out the signing order of the Emergency Committee from his pocket and placed it in front of Gorbachev. He said in a deep voice, "President Gorbachev, we must not let the New Alliance Treaty... This will destroy the foundation of the Soviet Union for more than ten years. I hope that from this moment on, the country will enter a state of emergency until order is restored in the Soviet Union.”

Gorbachev sneered, threw the signing order handed to him aside, and said, "Signing order? Emergency Committee? Who gave you the power, Comrade Shenin. Without my approval, the Emergency Committee is illegal. Yes, this is a coup! It is a betrayal of the supreme directive!”

Shenin's tone had almost no emotion. He said word by word, "This is the Vice President of the Soviet Union Yanayev, the Prime Minister Pavlov, the Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission Baklanov, the Minister of Defense Yazov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Minister Pugo, Chairman of the KGB Kryuchkov, Chairman of the Peasants’ Union S. Tarodubtsev, the authority given to me by the Emergency Committee composed of Ziyakov, Chairman of the Federation of State-Owned Enterprises and Industries, and President Gorbachev, has he forgotten that the Emergency Committee was yours in response to the war? How can we say that an organization established by oneself is illegal? ”

"You..." Gorbachev was so angry that he couldn't speak because of Shenin's retort. He pointed at Shenin's nose, and finally said harshly, "Hell, I am absolutely sure about this document anyway." If you won’t sign it, you can look for whoever you want. I won’t issue an order to declare martial law, and I will call you traitors.”

General Varennikov, Deputy Minister of Defense, also warned, "Your Excellency, the signing of the New Alliance Treaty is fatal to the Soviet Union. The country built by our fathers with countless blood cannot just fall apart. Please also ask the President Your Excellency, please think again." Varennikov's tone was almost pleading, but this only added fuel to the anger of Gorbachev.

"Shut up, what do you know, Varennikov? You are just a soldier, so you take this for granted, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders, not to participate in a coup." Gorbachev shouted at him rudely road.

"It's okay, Comrade Gorbachev, we'll just sign it for you." The director of the Ninth Bureau suddenly stood up and added, "Oh, it seems Comrade Gorbachev forgot one thing. , we cut off all the phone lines in the villa before coming here, so... you can't do anything."

Gorbachev had an uneasy premonition in his heart. Just as he was about to take two steps back, a guard responsible for protecting Gorbachev suddenly rushed up. Before anyone could react, his hands He strangled Gorbachev's neck fiercely. The attacker seemed to use all his strength in an attempt to make Gorbachev die suddenly on the spot.

"Be careful," exclaimed presidential assistant Bolkin.

The sudden change caused chaos in the entire living room.