Dividend

1947. Reborn, Empress Airways, flying ex-military aircraft, gains government contracts for troop flights, later the Berlin Airlift. Soviets create danger for streams of aircraft flying in safe air corridors to the besieged city. A laden Empress DC3, attacked by Soviet fighters, suffers engine damage, crew seriously injured. Dusk allows escape. Landing on an abandoned runway in the Soviet Zone, their wireless operator found critically wounded needs urgent help. An ex-Luftwaffe engineer offers help, and introduces a doctor. Caught by the Volkspolizei, punishment is harsh. They hatch a plan to repair and escape, but time is critical. Elsewhere, Empress continues to fly, on a financial knife-edge. Newer aircraft are needed to compete with larger airlines. American machines offer a solution. Restrictions on foreign purchases stymie ambitions. A seemingly legitimate source of finance is found with interests in the African diamond trade. The outcome is violent and unexpected for those involved.