The next day, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN demanded that the UN Atomic Energy Agency launch an investigation of Brazil and the Alcântara launch site to find out if Brazil had a secret nuclear program. Brazil denied any knowledge of the reactor aboard Man's Hope, and reminded the General Assembly that they already possessed a nuclear power plant, and there was nothing secret about it.
But the U.S. Ambassador demanded that the UNAEA investigate, and inspect the Alcântara site. Brazil reluctantly agreed to allow the UN Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, a majority of whom seemed to be American, access to Alcântara. The inspectors were disappointed that they were not given access to the buildings on the launch site. They had, however, been carefully guided by Brazilian military personnel who insisted that they run their Geiger counters around and over the outside walls and curtained windows of every locked building to verify that there were no nuclear materials there.
In the General Assembly, Brazil produced the head of the UNAEA, who was forced to admit that the inspection was sufficient to establish that no fissionable material existed at Alcântara. Unsatisfied, The U.S. demanded that the UN Security Council censure Brazil, and impose sanctions, claiming that the Brazilians had "interfered" with the UNAEA inspectors.
Luckily, the Russian people had been some of Frank's most enthusiastic supporters since it had been announced that Frank was going to launch a Buran, and launch it using an original Energia Booster. When Frank's hundred million dollar investment in the Kliper/Parom project hit the news, one wag on Russian TV said it was a good thing Frank was not on the ballot for President of Russia, because he would be elected in a landslide.
The Russians had watched the U.S. persecution of Frank in amazement and puzzlement. When the U. S. proposed the actions against Brazil, the Russian UN Ambassador actually laughed aloud, and asked the U.S. Ambassador if Frank had stolen his girlfriend or something. Russia, China, and France vetoed the American proposal.
Claiming puzzlement and disgust, Brazil announced to the General Assembly that it was cutting all trade ties with the U.S., since it was obvious that Brazil was under diplomatic attack by its northern neighbor.
Frank was amazed. This went far beyond professional jealousy or bureaucratic resentment. It was as though the U.S. government had declared war on Frank Weatherly. He tried to contact a number of friends and acquaintances in Washington; he finally succeeded in reaching an old friend on his personal cell phone after office hours. He asked him what was going on.
The man laughed. "Frank, you've made an enemy of the President of the United States. This President campaigned on support for the space program, and he tried to raise NASA's budget by fifty billion dollars. He was making quite a fight of it, too.
"Then you came along, and in less than two years, with a piddling two billion and some obsolete Russian hardware, you made NASA look like a bunch of amateurs. Hell, you're still making them look like amateurs. The NASA Director has been on the White House carpet three times this week. This reactor brouhaha is the best news the President has had in months. You're going to be on Washington's hate list until this President leaves office. You might find some opposition Senators or Reps that might talk to you, but that's about it. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't call me, either, for awhile. Especially my office number."
Frank stared at the buzzing receiver, stunned.
The U.S. wasn't finished, however. The U.S. Attorney General filed charges against Frank and the entire crew of Man's Hope before the International Court of Justice. They were accused of nuclear terrorism, violation of UN Treaties concerning nuclear power in space, and crimes against humanity in exposing the people of the Earth to the possibility of nuclear and radiation dangers had there been a malfunction during liftoff.
Frank received a call from President Teceres. "I suggest you find a place to hide, Senhor Weatherly. I fear we will no longer be able to protect you. Brazil long ago accepted the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, with only a few exceptions. If the charges are accepted, they will be able to come here and take you."
Frank's shoulders slumped. "Senhor President, your country has been more than simply hospitable to me. You have defended me against the U.S., and sometimes it seemed like the entire world. You have my gratitude.
"I must ask only one other favor. I have a booster and a payload at Alcântara, containing supplies for the Hope's crew. If I can arrange it with Senhor Almendes, and sign a launch contract under a genuine corporate name not connected with me, will you permit the launch? It cannot be launched until the comet completes its course around the Sun."
There was a pause. "Mr. Weatherly, since we have met you have been completely honest with me, even about the reactor. If you can do it in such as way that it will not be connected with you, I will permit the launch. I will call Gilberto immediately.
"Meanwhile, I suggest you seek a refuge. The Americans will have the CIA combing the world for you. I think I can hold them off for a week. I am afraid that is all I can do to return your generosity. I am sorry."
Gilberto Almendes was expecting him. He greeted Frank warmly, and apologized that it appeared Brazil could no longer shelter him.
"I understand, Senhor Almendes," Frank replied. "I have expressed to the President my appreciation for all you have done for me. Did the President brief you on my current need?"
Almendes nodded. "Yes, but I am not certain we can do it. Oh," he waved carelessly," I'm sure you can come up with a 'clean' company to book the launch. But I assume it will be a large payload?"
Frank nodded. "I would love to have had an even larger one. But I could not obtain an Ariane 5 without launching from French Guiana, and as soon as they found out who I was, they hung up on me. But I have another Zenit 3SL booster, and it will lift about four and a half tons to TLI. The booster is in the assembly building, the payload is installed on it. But I had to wait until the Hope comes back around the sun."
Almendes looked thoughtful. "Can you afford another booster? If we receive a booster after you have disappeared, and have a valid contract from a valid customer, I'm sure we could do it. It is only if someone connects the fact that the booster was here before you disappeared that makes me suspect that spies would report it."
Frank sighed. "I can afford it, barely. But I'll no longer be a billionaire. Those things cost sixty million apiece, you know.
"All right, I'll have the contract here tomorrow, and Ms. Andrews will sign as a director of the company. It will be postdated about a month, of course We can't have my signature show up anywhere. I'll call in the order for the booster immediately and arrange the payment."
"I am sorry, Senhor Weatherly," Almendes said. "I wish there were another way, but I do not see one. The American CIA can be very efficient. I hope your escape plan is successful."
They shook hands, and Frank left, wondering if he would see Almendes again. Or Brazil
The next day Susan took the contract to Almendes, and signed the papers.
That evening they took a commercial flight from Brasilia to Rio de Janeiro, checking into the Hilton.
Very early the next morning, a loud, obnoxious, very drunk American in a lurid flowered shirt and Bermuda shorts, carrying a small suitcase and accompanied by an obvious prostitute carrying an overnight bag, stumbled through the Hilton lobby. The Night Manager, scandalized, approached them. The woman started to speak Portuguese, but the American silenced her. "Speak Amurrican, Dammit. Y'all ain't rippin' me off by talkin' Spanish!"