After that discussion, General Zhukov and Wegener von Braun both agree with their Tsar’s view as strange as it might be. Alexander being their employer plays a part in their obedience to his orders of secrecy regarding the advanced technologies.

They went to another hangar to inspect another aircraft the Imperial Dynamic Systems had built for the Ruthenian Air Force.

Upon entering the hangar, Alexander saw the cream of the pie. The long-awaited F-4 Phantom Fighter Aircraft that will be adopted as the main fighter aircraft of the Ruthenian Air Force are now finally built and can be put into service anytime necessary.

The length of the F4 Phantom is twice that of most pre-world war 2 and world war 2 fighter planes. With its advanced avionics integrated with radar, targeting system, and weapon systems made it a formidable foe, shooting down aircraft before the pilots of the targeted aircraft is still swiveling their heads around finding the bogey.

Alexander walked over to one of the F-4 Phantom Fighter Aircraft. Its height is more than twice his height. He brushed a hand on its smooth composite armor that could take a hit from a 20-millimeter caliber cannon.

Compare to the original, this Ruthenian copy uses microprocessors instead of the CPK91/A24G Flight Data Analog Electromechanical Computer. Giving it more data processing power and calculations for flight, ballistics, telemetry, and many other systems the original F-4 Phantom did not have.

Impressive the feat and the specifications may be, it can be useless if flown by an inept pilot.

To fly this aircraft, or any other aircraft, the pilot must pass the 4-year course in the Ruthenian Air Force Academy and undergo stringent pilot training. This is to of course make sure that every ruble used to create this beauty is worth it.

Since it’s just been four years, the Ruthenia would not be able to see an F-4 Phantom flying in the air until the first batch of skilled pilots graduated.-.

“This one is a beauty, Your Majesty,” General Zhukov said with an awed expression plastered on his face. “It has the greatest speed, the best armaments, best systems, and great maneuverability.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Alexander said, nodding. “However, while we are waiting for this beauty to fly, the IDS has also built propeller aircraft to compensate for our lacking inventory in the Air Force.”

The situation earlier applies to the jet fighter aircraft, if an enemy were to see that they are not using propeller-driven fighter aircraft, suspicion will ensue. To make sure that this won’t happen while they are developing advanced military hardware, Alexander decided to produce prop-driven WW2 aircraft to dissuade their plans of espionage.

The prop-driven aircraft they produced are Vought F4U Corsair, P-51 Mustang, and Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. Most are Earth’s American models. The reason being is that he is most familiar with these aircraft and to save money from research and development.

However, the insides are way different than the originals. These planes have many new things such as better piston engines or the new turboprop engines that give them more power speed and stability, simple targeting computers using microprocessors, lighter digital controls, missile and bomb attachments, ejector seats, and auto-self-destruct to prevent enemy capture like all the other aircraft seen in this secret area. And if needed, retooled to fly as unmanned reconnaissance, bait for enemy anti-air batteries, and attack drone.Though they are obsolete compared to what they are creating currently, they still have a purpose as the enemy isn’t advanced technologically. It can also serve as the trainer aircraft to train pilots. Even though they have the T-38 Talon for that.

However, this endeavor of his is costing the Ruthenian millions of rubles. The defense budget keeps increasing by the year and every time they have to propose an increase in their budget, it’s getting harder and harder to convince and justify it to the Ruthenian Senate Committee on Armed Services, especially since what they are building is classified.

“Wegener, I believe you have something you want to show me?” Alexander said, his eyes flickering to Wegener.

Wegener blinked as he was snapped out from his reverie. His eyes have bewitched the aircraft behind Alexander, especially its Imperial Electric J79 turbojet engine.

“Yes sir, it’s in the next hangar,” Wegener said.

“Lead us to it,” Alexander said and Wegener nodded in acknowledgment. He led the way as they followed him.

Arriving at the next hangar, Alexander’s eyes were met with another beauty, charming him.

“You really did it, Wegener,” Alexander said, his eyes brimming with excitement. It was the SR-71 Blackbird. This titanium beast is perfect for reconnaissance missions due to its high flight ceiling of 85,000 feet or 25,908 meters, almost three times that compared of commercial aircraft which can only cruise at 30,000 feet.

Although Wegener was glad of His Majesty’s praise, it’s not the feat of the Blackbird SR 71 he is happy about but the fact that it is possible to fly in space. Over his career, he has been studying and researching ways how to fulfill his lifelong dream of getting into the moon. He thought it was impossible at first because there’s not an engine in the world that could reach such an astonishing height. But when Alexander invited him to visit Ruthenia, he was enlightened.

To make him realize that his dream is possible and not just a mere fantasy, Wegener von Braun swore his loyalty to Emperor Alexander and will do everything with his knowledge to help him build impressive aircrafts such as this.

“Your Majesty, what’s this plane capable of?” General Zhukov inquired.

“Well, this beast can spy on our enemies in the air without them noticing,” Alexander answered in the simplest way possible. “While they also used reconnaissance planes to scout their enemies, they can still be detected by radars or a human eye. However, this is not the case for this plane as it’s flying over 25,900 meters or even higher than that, making it impossible for them to spot it.”

“Do you have a name for such a beast?” Zhukov asked.

“Her name shall be… “Gamayun”.”

“It’s astounding Your Majesty. To think that in just a span of four years we are able to create a plane with capabilities so amazing that it sounded like a fantasy.”

“It’s not a fantasy anymore. And if you think this is the best thing we can create, then our next project will baffle your sense of reality even more,”, Alexander wiggles his eyebrows at Zhukov.

“Your Majesty…don’t tell me…you’re going to do that now?” Wegener stammered, containing his excitement brimming inside him.“Yes. Since you’ve done a lot of great work, contributing to the Ruthenian Empire, you deserve a reward,” Alexander paused and glanced at Rolan. “Get my briefcase on the plane, I have something there I need to show to Wegener.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Rolan said and dashed off.

Ten minutes later, Rolan returned with a briefcase. “Here you go, sir!”

Rolan handed the briefcase to Alexander.

He opened it and grabbed what was inside. It was a neatly folded blueprint. He then handed it to Wegener who was grinning in anticipation.

“Is that—is that….” Wegener trailed, unable to finish his sentence as he received the blueprint.

“That is your reward,” Alexander said.

Wegener unfolded the blueprint and there he saw the most spectacular thing he had seen in his life.

“This is…!”

“That’s a schematic of a rocket, “Delta” model,” Alexander said. “I figured that we should start sending up space orbital instruments first to orbit around this world before sending men into the void to land on the moon.”

“We’re going to the moon?!” Zhukov exclaimed. “Is that even possible?”

“I can’t believe it,” Rolan added.

“It’s possible with a copious amount of money, which we don’t have now unless we asked for more,” Alexander said. “I don’t think the Ruthenian Senate Committee on Armed Services will approve of that.”

General Zhukov rubbed his beard before speaking. “I see that it’s understandable that the Imperial Council wants to learn where money is being spent and justify the high tax.”

“Well, that’s easy, Your Majesty. You just have to show them what we are building here,” Wegener suggested.

Alexander hummed in thought.

“How long till the next budget hearing?”

“One week sir.”

“Good, I will come alongside my Minister of Defense, see if we can wiggle something here.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Wegener said, his excitement bubbling out of him like a geyser.

“Well…it’s also my dream to reach the moon.”