Former cosmonaut Alexei Varlamov was never able to settle into the new realities of a world with a “closed sky.” No family, no decent work, even communication with former friends was almost interrupted. But nothing is permanent in this world. A major nuclear provocation is being prepared against Russia, and a new illegal, but extremely profitable “sport” is entering the world stage - gladiator fights on real historical aircraft using real weapons. And the ideal candidate for reaching out to the organizers of inhumane battles is Alexey, for whom all his “shortcomings” are now playing, including real combat experience in the last war with China. Will three pilots and a handful of adventurers from the extremist organization "Lithuanian Riflemen" and the sect of "New Leninists" be able to break the plans of the world behind the scenes? The book uses the lyrics of Alexander Bogolapov's songs. The cover design uses the painting “On the Earth and Above the Earth” by A. Sokoolov, 1941. Cover design by Sofia Drugovskaya.