North of Moscow, near the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

  "No one would say they miss the old Soviet Union — except when it comes to space exploration."

  "Yes, we've been adrift for too long. Interplanetary missions and astronomical research seem abandoned. If this continues, we'll eventually become nothing more than a workshop designing modules for the International Space Station."

  "Victor Koptev, that's precisely why I'm here. The invention of the new engine is NASA's opportunity, but it's also ours — and ours a bit more. We've already conceived a complete propulsion system layout for the new Soyuz programme, which will enable long-distance voyages in the future. All that's left is to fill in the blanks on the blueprints with actual designs."

  "Mikhail Keller, our funding isn't as robust as it seems. Annual growth of 5-10% barely offsets inflation. What may have helped us more was the major downsizing two years ago. If you're expecting grand ambitions, like planting the tricolor federal flag all over Mars, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

  "That's precisely why I say we'll become a workshop for designing modules for the ISS! Our actual projects pale compared to NASA's, but if we can't even match our planned ambitions, what dignity do we have left?! We are, after all, the world's second-largest space agency, the first nation to stabilize nuclear explosion propulsion!" Mikhail Keller suddenly roared in fury, as if venting all his pent-up frustration, completely disregarding the person before him.

  "Whatever. Just give me the gist of that design. I'd rather you faced the reality of our funding shortage, though." Victor Koptev sighs, and says.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "This is our current layout for the propulsion system of the new Soyuz's planned 3-meter radius service module." Upon hearing that Victor is willing to listen to his design, Mikhail perks up considerably. He opens his notebook to a diagram and points to several areas, continuing, "Here, here, and here are the nozzles for the conventional chemical engines. They are used for propulsion in near-planetary positions and vectoring assistance for attitude control when necessary. And the large central nozzle reserved for the nuclear saltwater thruster. We've done some rough calculations. With current liquid-fuel engine specific impulse, this..."

  "...You see the charts? These are all theoretically achievable figures..."

  Виктор watches the man's presentation in silence. Only after he finishes does he respond slowly: "I find the new Soyuz program equally unrealistic — financially, technologically, even politically. Where is Russia's focus now? I don't know, but it certainly isn't on our Roscosmos."

  "As Administrator, you're more pessimistic than I am. Russia is at its prime moment for resurgence. Trump's presidency will be a disaster for America. Humanitarian-wise, I hope he leaves office peacefully without civil war. From a national perspective, I hope the United States becomes the Disunited States."

  "I doubt that. Trump has already infringed upon their interests. He'll be removed from office with a gunshot. Then America will elect Hillary as the new president and successfully avert a crisis of division. Continue with your topic. We seem to have strayed off course.”

  "Mars is a desirable destination, sought after by spacecraft from all nations. However, it is clear that it cannot unleash the full potential of the new engine. An exceptional opportunity now presents itself to us. Through precise calculations, we have determined that a mission to Enceladus in three years will align with a perfect window of opportunity. Only the new engine can capitalise on this opportunity. Even placing a massive bronze statue of Gagarin on Enceladus's surface would be to reawaken the entire space community to our existence."

  "What did you say?"

  "To reawaken the entire space community to our existence."

  "The line before that — you said a huge bronze statue?"

  "Ha ha, exactly! I'm a cult of personality! Are you ready to condemn me?"

  "Ha ha."