"All right, gentlemen. One hundred million U.S. dollars is one hell of a lot of money. I am prepared to invest it in the Kliper/Parom project in exchange for the following:
"First and foremost, from the Russian Federation, I want three Buran orbiters of my choice, two complete, and one that may be cannibalized for parts. I also want all associated hardware and equipment, to specifically include the special crane used to lift the Burans onto the Antonov AN-225 transport aircraft, but to also include any similar special equipment used for handling or working on the Burans. I would consider it an act of courtesy and a favor if you could allow an independent examiner to inspect the two VM-T Atlant aircraft, to see if one may be flightworthy or repairable. I believe one of them is here, at Zhukovsky. Unless both are beyond repair, I want one of them and any parts or repairs needed to make it flyable. I reserve the right to name or rename the Burans as I choose, though out of respect for your country, I agree not to use names including or referring to America.
"From Molniya, I want copies of all of the design specs, engineering specs, documented modifications that occurred over time, and all engineering drawings, whether on paper or computer tape. I want the technical assistance of company personnel to assist my computer experts in adapting the 1980's computer documents to documents usable on modern computers. You will not be required to translate the documents from the Russian. Molniya will also make a qualified engineer available for telephone consultation as our liaison, in case any questions arise concerning the space frame, etc.
"From Energia, I want at least one complete Energia Booster, capable of launching a Buran into orbit. If possible, any improvements developed over the last twenty years should be included. For example, I'm told the original booster used Soyuz-2 engines for the strap-ons. But time has marched on, and it may be advisable to use the Zenit 3SLB rockets, or the Proton-M. Yes, I know the Zenits are not produced in Russia; but this is something open to negotiation. I also want an engineer assigned as liaison to my program, to assist us in getting the Buran into space. If we should decide to launch the second Buran, additional payment would be negotiated for the necessary launcher, as I know the Energia Booster is considered 'retired', and only the one may exist.
"Finally, In exchange for all this, I agree to invest the sum of one hundred million U.S. dollars, at today's official exchange rate, in the Energia-led project to develop the Kliper/Parom space tug. I also agree that the project may use my name in an effort to attract additional investors."
After only a few desultory questions, all parties signed the tentative contracts. The Russian's legal staff would write up the formal contracts for everyone's signature, but it was clearly understood that no changes would be made without the consent of all parties. Gorneliev volunteered the information that a partially disassembled Buran, OK-2K1, was housed at Ramenskoye Airport near Moscow, and that he would immediately draft directives authorizing its release to Frank, together with any removed parts available.
A smiling group left the conference room. It seemed that everyone had gotten what he wanted from the deal.
Frank sent Paul and David back to Baikonur to start scouring the cosmodrome for Buran-related materials. They carried authorizations signed by Gorneliev, and expected no trouble from the local authorities.
Meanwhile, he decided to spend a day with Dr. Ternayev at Energia. He had gotten the impression that the engineer had an idea about how to obtain the "inside" Buran at Baikonur, the one belonging to Kazakhstan, and he wanted to hear about it. Given Energia's pervasive presence at Baikonur, Frank was sure that Ternayev was familiar with the way to get things done in Kazakhstan.
"In a place like Kazakhstan, corruption is a tradition, and these things can always be arranged," Ternayev said in a confidential tone. "The Minister of Economic Development and Trade is also the Minister for Space. For a modest bribe, it is possible that the clerk in that office could, uh, 'correct' the numbers on the paper in his files transferring ownership. Your people will of course be working in the same hangar with the Kazakh Buran. And of course, they will need to bring in the 'outside' Buran for inspection and possible repair. With two identical Burans in the hangar, why, mistakes are bound to happen. But the Buran whose numbers agree with the records in Astana must be the Kazakh Buran!"
Frank was reluctant. "I'm no virgin. I've done business in places like the Philippines, where corruption is a way of life. But I still hate to promote it."
Ternayev shrugged. "The Kazakh Buran, OK-1K2, is the last intact 'flight' Buran. It was intended to fly the first manned mission. All the others, including our fine example here, were assembled for testing purposes. I can tell you there is no difference between them; but was there a difference to the worker assembling them? Might he not have been a little more careful in his work if he knew that carelessness might cause the ship to crash in front of the world with cosmonauts aboard? I can understand your scruples. But the success of your program and the lives of your crew might depend on that slight difference."
With great misgivings, Frank agreed to let Ternayev get the numbers 'corrected', and asked how much the bribe would be. But Ternayev waved him off. "It would be my honor to take care of this small matter."
Aside from that, Frank and Ternayev found that they were kindred spirits, both "space freaks." By the end of the day, they were the best of friends. Frank gave him the flash drive containing Paul's 'spaceship train' idea, and briefly summarized it. Ternayev smiled and nodded. "We had considered this also. All it would take would be to have the cargo canisters identical on both ends, and an attachment system that would be quick and airtight. But this is only among the engineers. It is far too radical to mention to the politicians before the Kliper is actually flying. But I am glad your man likes our design. It is always nice to have one's work appreciated by another professional."
Frank mentioned Paul's doubts about the lifting body concept. Ternayev grinned. "I, too have my doubts. But the lifting body makes dramatic drawings and models to show investors, no? I am sure that the final design will have some sort of wing, unless they decide to just go back to parachutes."
Finally it was nearly time for Frank to return to his hotel. "Will you be returning to Baikonur?" Ternayev asked.
Frank told him he would be going on to Brazil, and possibly India. Ternayev gave him the name of a contact at the Alcântara Launch Center. He also promised to help Paul find dependable local help. By the time he left, Frank was confident he had found a friend.
Before he left Moscow, though, he had more business. He had included the possibility of renovating a VM-T Atlant aircraft mainly to insure he got maximum bang for his bucks. The VM-T was a modification of an already old, 1960's M-3 bomber. The tail section was modified to permit it to carry oversized loads, specifically the Buran and its booster tank, before the Antonov 225 had been completed. They were much smaller than the AN-225, and had much less load capacity, but they had completed 150 Buran-related flights, and had proved to be dependable, capable aircraft. Only three were converted, and two still existed. Frank held out little hope that one of them would be economically repairable, but if one was, it might save millions over having to charter the AN-225 several times.
The problem was that everything Frank was buying was located in landlocked countries. He had connections and investments in shipping companies, but unless he could get everything to a seaport, he would have to depend on ground transportation and airlift; and Frank was under no illusions that chartering the AN-225 would be cheap. Owning his own transportation for the cost of the renovation could be a real money-saver.