The sun streamed through the wide hospital windows, casting soft light over the room where Oscar reclined on a cushioned bed. His recovery was steady but slow, the bullet wounds a persistent reminder of how fragile life could be. Despite the pain and enforced rest, his mind was anything but idle. This hospital room had become the nerve center for his ambitions, a hub for charting the empire's future.
A knock on the door broke the quiet. Carl von Jonareit entered, ushering in a tall, thin man with silver-streaked hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. Gustav Lilienthal's reserved demeanor bore the weight of a man who had seen the heights of promise and the depths of loss.
Oscar greeted him warmly. "Mr. Lilienthal, my apologies for meeting you in such an undignified setting. A hospital ward is hardly appropriate for the gravity of our discussion."
"Your Highness, there is no need for apologies. It is my honor to be in your presence," Lilienthal replied, his voice respectful yet firm. "And I must apologize for disturbing your recovery."
Oscar waved the comment away with a slight smile. "It's no disturbance. In fact, this meeting is long overdue. Your work, and that of your brother Otto, has long inspired me."
At the mention of his brother, Gustav's face softened, touched by a deep, lingering sorrow. "Otto would have been greatly moved by your words, Your Highness. His passion for flight was boundless, though it ultimately claimed his life."
Oscar nodded solemnly, allowing a respectful silence to settle before steering the conversation forward. "His sacrifice was not in vain, Mr. Lilienthal. Pioneers often pay the highest price for progress. But their work lays the foundation for the future. That future is why I have called you here today."
Gustav leaned forward slightly, his curiosity piqued. "I am at your service, Your Highness."
Oscar's expression grew serious, his voice imbued with conviction. "The Wright Brothers in America have made great strides in aviation. Their accomplishments have captured the world's attention. But I believe Germany can achieve even more. I see a future where aircraft are not merely marvels of human ingenuity but tools of unmatched strategic importance. Tell me, Mr. Lilienthal, have you considered the military applications of your work?"
The question visibly unsettled Gustav. He hesitated, carefully choosing his words. "Your Highness, the aircraft is still in its infancy. Its time in the air is limited, and its capabilities are modest. I had not yet dared to think of military uses."
"That is precisely why I am speaking to you," Oscar said, leaning forward. "It is often those who dare to think beyond the limitations of the present who shape the future. Imagine fleets of aircraft patrolling the skies, dropping bombs with precision, or engaging in aerial combat to defend our homeland. The battlefield will no longer be constrained to land and sea. Control of the air will be the key to victory."
Lilienthal's eyes widened at the vivid imagery Oscar painted. "Your Highness, such ideas are bold—visionary even. But the challenges are monumental. Engines lack the power required, and stability remains elusive."
Oscar smiled knowingly. "Challenges, yes. But they are not insurmountable. That is where I come in. I am prepared to provide you with the resources, funding, and personnel necessary to overcome these obstacles. I have already directed Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company to develop engines suitable for aviation. They will work in tandem with your team. With the right support, I am confident you will achieve remarkable results."
The inventor's skepticism gave way to cautious optimism. "If these resources are made available, Your Highness, then I see no reason why we cannot achieve significant advancements. But to reach the vision you've described—a practical, militarized aircraft—will require extraordinary effort."
Oscar leaned back, his gaze piercing yet encouraging. "Extraordinary effort is what I expect, Mr. Lilienthal. I have full confidence in your abilities. To that end, I propose a timeline. Within three years, I want to see an aircraft capable of exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, reaching an altitude of at least 2,000 meters, and carrying both a pilot and an aviation machine gun. The range should surpass 200 kilometers. This will not only lay the foundation for military use but also establish Germany as the leader in aviation."
Lilienthal's breath hitched at the ambitious specifications. The challenge was daunting, but his pride as a German and a scientist stirred his resolve. "Your Highness, I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations. But I must warn you, the path will not be easy."
Oscar nodded, his expression resolute. "Nothing worth achieving ever is. But the rewards will justify the effort. This is not just about creating a machine; it is about ensuring the future of the empire."
The conversation turned practical, with Lilienthal detailing his immediate needs—materials, manpower, and access to testing grounds. Oscar assured him that everything would be arranged, his royal authority ensuring that no request would go unfulfilled.
As the meeting drew to a close, Lilienthal rose to leave, his initial reservations replaced by a sense of purpose. "Your Highness, I am grateful for your trust. Together, I believe we can usher in a new era."
Oscar extended his hand. "To a prosperous partnership, Mr. Lilienthal."
After Lilienthal departed, Carl von Jonareit entered the room with a stack of documents. "Your Highness, the arrangements for Mr. Lilienthal's team are underway. Do you truly believe his work can meet the specifications you outlined?"
Oscar's gaze lingered on the door through which Lilienthal had exited. "I do. And if not, we will find another way. But Germany must lead the world into the skies, Carl. It is no longer a question of ambition—it is a matter of survival."
Carl nodded, sensing the weight of his prince's words. Though the vision was audacious, he had learned to never underestimate Oscar's resolve. The empire's future was in capable hands.
As the light outside dimmed, Oscar reclined back onto his bed. Pain coursed through his body, but his mind burned with possibilities. The wings of the future were beginning to take shape, and he would ensure that Germany soared higher than anyone dared to dream.