"Brazil has two other features that make it desirable to me, personally. Once the program gets underway, and the rumors start flying, I fully expect the U.S. government to come after me with search warrants and arrest warrants, for any charges they can dream up; probably violation of the technology transfer laws, for a start. They're going to want to use the charges and warrants to get inside my program; and I don't want them there. So, I find the facts that Brazil has no extradition agreement with the U.S., and that the military provides security at Alcântara most comforting."
It was the Minister of Science who asked, "You've told us what's in it for you. What is in it for Brazil? Why should we wish to take on the United States? At the moment we are, as you would say, in a state of benign neglect. What will make it worth waking the sleeping giant?"
Frank paused. "I think that I will be able to enhance your space program's capabilities enough to make Brazil a major player. At the moment, you compete with a number of other, smaller countries for the launches of small, light satellites, because your launch pads are small.
"But I cannot use a small launch pad. The Energia/Buran will need a big launch pad; big enough to launch the Buran, or the American Shuttle, or the Ariane 5, or any other large booster or manned program. As you know, ESA has a launch site in French Guiana. Yours will be closer to the equator, and have the capability of launching manned missions, which they cannot, at the moment. That means you could bid for jobs that now go to the U.S. or one of the other big boys.
"Once it's built, I could not pick up that launch pad and remove it if I wanted to, and I don't. The manned mission will also necessarily involve state-of-the-art control and monitoring systems that are not easily removable. Brasileiros will be trained to work on this expanded site. In other words, gentlemen, I'm offering to upgrade the Alcântara Launch Center to the capability of launching any booster system in the world, manned or unmanned, and train your people to run it, at no cost to your government."
"What about the technology transfer laws you mentioned?" asked the General. "NASA used that nonsense against us before. What's to stop them doing it again?"
Frank smiled. "Simple. We will use little or no U.S. technology. My ships and boosters are from Russia. We will purchase computers, tracking and monitoring systems from ESA, or from Japan. I have set a firm rule that we will purchase nothing from the U.S. that is technological in nature. Frankly, once they realize they can't get to me, I expect them to seize any of my assets or shipments left in the US, and block exports to me, and maybe even to Brazil."
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations snickered, and Frank smiled. "I know, the percentage of your trade with the U.S. has been dropping for some years. I believe it's barely ten percent of your international trade at the moment." He glanced at Joao, who nodded.
But it was Joao who asked, "What guarantees do we have that you won't run out of money in the middle of your project, and leave us with a half-developed launch pad?"
Frank shrugged. "There are no guarantees in life," he replied. "As of yesterday, my net worth was calculated to be slightly over four billion dollars U.S. And that includes a deduction of the hundred million for the Russian purchase. I anticipate spending somewhat less than that on the launch facility.
"But if I died tomorrow, would the project continue? Maybe. But probably, the whole thing would screech to a halt while people fought over my will for the next twenty years. So no, I cannot give you any guarantees. Only my assurances that this program has become my major purpose in life. I intend to revitalize the effort to spread humanity into space, so a single catastrophe cannot mean the end of our species. In other words, I'm a nut. But I'm a rich nut.
"So, that's my pitch, gentlemen. I'll leave the briefing papers with you, and leave you to your deliberations. I know you have a lot to think about before making any recommendations to the President. My hotel suite phone number is on the last page. Thank you for your kind attention."
"So, what did you think?" he asked Susan as soon as they reached the street.
"You did wonderfully," she replied, "except for that nonsense about NASA and the U.S. government. Surely you don't believe that!"
Frank stopped walking, frowned and paused. "Susan, I'm sorry, but I do believe it. Any day now, the Russians are going to announce my investment in the Kliper/Parom project. At that moment, alarm bells will start going off in Washington and Houston. First they'll want to know why I would want to invest in a program that was, for all practical purposes, dead. Especially since I suspect they had a lot to do with its death.
"They'll start poking around, and someone at Molniya or Energia will brag about the sale of the Burans. That will really worry them, and they'll start seriously trying to find out what's going on. In less than a month, we'll be receiving visitors from NASA and maybe the CIA, who will profess a delighted interest in my project, and will expect a tour, and maybe some details. When I refuse, we'll start getting unofficial visits, via break-ins, and we'll learn that the IRS, the SEC, and half of the other departments in Washington are taking a sudden interest in me.
"When they suddenly 'discover' that I have a space program, Homeland Security will begin an investigation to see if I'm a terrorist, and the CIA will be told to assume that I am. Search warrants will be issued for all my U.S. and overseas properties, and an arrest warrant will be issued for me, and maybe even for poor David Tarrant. The media will decide we're terrorists."
Susan snorted. "Nonsense! Naturally, they'll want to make sure you're not a terrorist nut, But that won't take more than a day. And nobody will try to arrest you! That's silly!"
He shook his head. "I don't think so, Susan. I won't be going back to the U.S. again until the mission is over, one way or the other."
He paused again. "But you should, before it all starts. I shouldn't have brought you down here. We'll get you on the first plane for the States. Go on home. When the FBI comes to visit, tell them everything you know. I think you'll be all right, if you go now. Wait a week, and your name might be up there with mine and David's."
Susan looked furious. "I'm not going anywhere! You're being ridiculous. We don't do things like that in America!
Frank gave her a despairing look. "All right, Susan. You're fired. I want you on the next plane home. I won't have you being arrested for being the terrorist's girlfriend!"
Her expression cleared. "Am I? Your girlfriend? You haven't shown it."
Frank waved his hands in exasperation. "Yes. No. Damn it, I don't want them coming after you! When we get back to the hotel, I want you packed in an hour. I'll get you a ticket on the next flight to the States."
"No."
Frank started. "What?"
She looked at him calmly. "I said 'no'," she repeated. "I don't believe all this nonsense for a minute," she added, "but I have an investigation of my own to run, now, and I'm going to stick to you like glue until I solve it. I don't care if you've fired me. I have my pension from the company."
"For the moment," Frank interjected. "They'll probably make the company stop paying it."
She snorted. "I don't think you'll let me starve. But I'm staying until I get this 'girlfriend' business sorted out, one way or another!"
"Damn it, Susan, I never called you that. I'm just pretty sure the government will. And they'll come after you, too. I don't want you ending up in jail just because we care for each other!"
"Do we?" she asked, "Care for one another, I mean."
Frank rolled his eyes and waved his hands in impotent frustration. He hadn't had to deal with feminine logic and modes of thought since Yoli died ten years ago. He was no longer prepared for it. Finally, he just threw up his hands and stamped off toward the hotel.
Susan followed serenely in his wake, blandly ignoring the smoke figuratively streaming from his ears.