Chapter 255: Sharing the Cost
Charles had presented a comprehensive aerial warfare system.
First came fighter planes equipped with machine guns to seize air superiority. With control of the skies, reconnaissance planes could freely roam over enemy positions, swiftly gathering real-time intelligence. Many pieces of information that would be impossible to obtain from the ground, even at high casualty costs, could be captured in a single sweep from above.
Then came the bombers. Once reconnaissance planes provided the intelligence, bombers could strike any desired target, bypassing enemy lines to inflict devastating damage on strategic positions behind enemy lines. During trench warfare, this was creating a new form of "asymmetric warfare," one that deeply impacted enemy morale.
The Germans had also envisioned a similar approach, but their focus had been on "airships."
That dream, however, had been shattered when Charles used a single small rocket in Antwerp to bring down an airship.
…
The first to contact Charles was Russia.
To be precise, it was Russia reaching out through the French government, which in turn reached Charles through Gallieni.
After receiving a phone call, Gallieni summoned Charles and, frowning, asked, "They want to know what price you'd agree on for licensing production?"
"Licensing production?" Charles asked in surprise. "I'm already manufacturing these for the French military and can produce as many as they need. Why would we need to…"
He paused. "Wait… could this be Schneider? No, that's impossible. I wouldn't agree to that, no matter the price!"
Charles assumed Schneider was using Parliament to pressure the government into this absurd decision.
"No!" Gallieni shook his head. "It's not Schneider. It's Russia!"
Gallieni explained further:
"Russia has logistical difficulties. In winter, everything is ice and snow, making transport nearly impossible, and in spring, the melting snow turns the land into a muddy mess."
"On top of that, Russia's military is vast and has much higher supply needs than Germany. The recent closure of the Dardanelles has only added more pressure on their supply lines."
"Therefore, they have a great need for bombers capable of bypassing enemy lines to strike supply routes and key targets behind enemy lines."
There was one reason Gallieni didn't mention. Since joining the war, Russia had been worried about domestic morale and needed victories to boost the spirits of its people.
Even without Gallieni saying it, Charles understood. In less than two years, Russian citizens would be under such pressure that they'd push their country out of the war.
Charles didn't mind; he was in business, and it didn't matter who he sold to, as long as it wasn't a competitor like Schneider.
But Charles hesitated, putting on an expression of reluctance.
"General, we know the Russian military is quite disorganized. Licensing production effectively means that our technology could easily be leaked."
"This would mean that our enemy, Germany, could very likely end up with similar bombers."
"Could the Allies bear such a cost?"
Gallieni nodded slightly, sharing the same concerns, and Charles's words hit close to home.
What Gallieni didn't know was that Charles's hesitation was strategic.
In reality, the Caproni bomber wasn't much of a secret. Planes of this era were simple—one look at the design was often enough for a country, especially an industrial powerhouse like Germany, to produce a replica.
The key was the engine technology. Germany didn't need to go through Russia to get the blueprints; they had the capability to reproduce it themselves. The threat of leaking the plans was practically nonexistent.
"And," Charles continued, "this would also pose a significant risk to my business. I could suffer tremendous losses."
Gallieni nodded in agreement.
If Russia leaked the bomber's design or technical details, Charles's monopoly on the bomber would disappear, and potential clients might opt to produce replicas instead of buying from him.
After a moment of consideration, Gallieni spoke seriously. "I hope you understand, Colonel, that this isn't just about money—it's also a matter of national security…"
"I understand," Charles interjected. "Russia needs these bombers to stabilize the Eastern Front. The Allies need Russia to keep the Germans occupied there; otherwise, the entire German force would bear down on the Western Front."
Charles was aware of this, which gave him the leverage to negotiate with the government.
He knew his product was indispensable, and whether the country fell or not was not his concern. The more urgent the need, the better positioned he was to drive a hard bargain.
"But, General," Charles said, shaking his head with a smile, "no capitalist would make such a foolish move. If anyone did, they'd soon be out of business because that's just inviting trouble."
Gallieni was at a loss for words; what Charles said was indeed true.
Feigning hesitation, Charles finally spoke, "Unless…"
"Unless what?" Gallieni's eyes held a glimmer of hope.
As a general concerned with France's interests, Gallieni was naturally eager to see this deal go through.
"Unless I'm compensated for potential losses," Charles stated his price. "The licensing fee would be 70,000 francs for each bomber Russia produces."
"My God!" Gallieni exclaimed. "That's impossible, Charles! That's even more than the purchase price. Russia might as well buy directly from you!"
"Of course," Charles replied. "Russia could choose to do just that."
Gallieni immediately grasped the issue: the Dardanelles was now blockaded. If Russia purchased planes directly from Charles, they'd have to go through the Atlantic.
A bomber's large frame might need to be disassembled, then reassembled in Russia. And that wasn't even considering the fact that Russia's ports would freeze in winter, making transport impossible.
Factoring in these transportation costs, buying directly from Charles might not be viable.
Gallieni suddenly realized Charles was doing some clever accounting, setting a price Russia would find hard to refuse.
Gallieni chuckled lightly. "You've thought this through well, Colonel. But you seem to be overlooking one thing: Russia's economy isn't exactly thriving. They might be forced to decline because they simply can't afford it."
"I understand," Charles replied calmly. "But as allies, shouldn't France and Britain consider providing Russia with some financial support?"
Gallieni paused. "You mean…"
Before he could finish, he understood.
France and Britain would cover part of the cost, treating it as support for Russia on the Eastern Front, while the money would essentially go into Charles's pocket.
What a cunning move—Charles had been aiming for this all along.
Still, the plan seemed viable. With the Dardanelles blocked, France and Britain had few options for assisting Russia. Sharing some of the costs for bombers would be a meaningful way to help an ally.
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