The Titicaca Effect

by Richard N. Tooker

  “No. The spaceport will open for testing and development of ongoing launch operations by the end of the year.”

  “Keep in mind that we don’t yet know how far the antigravity field extends, Freeman interjected. “If it dissipates within the earth’s gravitational field, anyone using it for a launch may need to supply on-board power to complete the escape from the earth’s gravity. We just don’t know at this point. We do know that even if the effect will get objects into space, they will still need to come home if they are carrying astronauts. Of course, the amount of energy required to do that will be smaller by several hundred orders of magnitude if the object is already in space. Almost all of the energy required to complete a round-trip is used on the way up, in the effort to escape the pull of gravity.”

  “So you’d still need rockets.”

  “Maybe, but if so, on a vastly smaller and less expensive scale, at least at first,” Freeman replied. “We believe that ultimately, some safer and less volatile method of propulsion will evolve to fit this circumstance. The only reason rockets with liquid propellants are used in space travel now is that they are the only known means of generating the massive thrust required to reach orbit. When power requirements are reduced exponentially, as they will be at Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca, there may be no need to employ such an inherently dangerous energy source. But for now, rockets of some kind will no doubt be used.”

  “And obviously we will want to make sure that both the launch facility and the Titicaca Effect itself are safe,” Maldonado said. “Especially since our business partners in this venture will no doubt desire to use it to put humans into space.”

  “Business partners?”

  “Certainly. We have the internal resources to build the spaceport ourselves, but we see no reason why the other nations on earth, particularly the countries who already possess the technology to be space faring, should be denied access to this new and inexpensive gateway to space. Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca will be a business, essentially run like an airport. Any nation who wants to reserve a launch window will be able to do so, just as airlines reserve gates at an airport.”

  “Any nation? What about nations like Red China? Suppose they want to use the spaceport to launch orbital weapons?”

  “Again, we see no reason to exclude anyone who wants to use the facilities of the spaceport for peaceful purposes. But like any airport, we reserve the right to exercise control over what materials are launched. No commercial airport on earth allows unregulated planes carrying high explosives to land or take off. Neither will we allow dangerous substances or weapons of any kind to pass through the spaceport.” He paused, leaned forward and looked directly into the camera. The show’s director took advantage of the pause to zoom in for a close-up. “Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca belongs to Bolivia, but it will be used for the benefit of all mankind. To do less for the people of the earth would be profane.” Maldonado smiled, knowing that he had just delivered a carefully crafted and rehearsed sound bite that would be played repeatedly all over the planet.

  “How much will it cost to reserve a launch window?” King asked. “Will you let corporations buy one?”

  “We believe that limiting the business partnerships to governments will make policing the operations of the spaceport easier. For example, we know that the United States will wholeheartedly support our efforts to monitor what the People’s Republic of China is planning to launch, and vice-versa. All participating nations will be offered an opportunity to take an active role in maintaining spaceport security, since they will each need to be assured that their traditional adversaries are not launching potentially dangerous objects into space. In fact, the spaceport may serve as a common ground where the nations of the earth may finally learn to trust each other. As far as the participation of corporations is concerned, of course any government that wishes to involve its own private sector will be free to do so. In fact, we expect some governments to resell their launch windows at a profit. But we will only allow that to happen if the original purchaser remains responsible for the safety and security of the launch. Reselling the window will not release a government bidder from its obligations in that respect.”

  “And the cost?”

  “As you may know, Larry, I have always been an advocate of the free market,” Maldonado answered, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Launch windows will be sold at periodic auctions, open to all nations who wish to participate in this truly international venture.”

  “An auction? How much do you think it will cost a nation that wants a launch window?”

  Maldonado shrugged his shoulders. “Who is to say? There can only be one launch each time the Titicaca Effect erupts, once a day, so there is a theoretical limit of 365 per year. And the actual number will be far fewer than that, because it will surely take longer than 24 hours to prepare for each launch. Initially, we’re planning on 100 launches per year. But that would be at least twice as many launches as there have been in any year since the space age began, so that should drive the auction price down. On the other hand, getting into space will cost billions less than before, so space travel should now be within the reach of dozens of new governments, which should increase competition.”

  “It sounds like Bolivia could make some serious money,” King said.

  “I believe we will. Any government that would elect to continue spending billions of dollars using traditional and dangerous technologies to enter space would be foolish to do so. There is a market for what we have to offer. We expect to sell all available launch windows quickly.”

  “How will this auction be conducted?”

  “Publicly. In fact, I am prepared to invite CNN to broadcast the bidding, if you wish.”

  King laughed. “I’ll have to discuss that with the powers that be. But I’ll bet they’ll want to. So when is the first auction?”

  “Invitations to bid are being delivered to all governments today and tomorrow. They have three weeks to respond. The first auctions will only offer the first month’s launch windows. Eight launches.”

  “But you don’t yet know when the spaceport will actually open for business. How can you auction specific days?” King asked.

  “Obviously, we cannot. The first launches to be auctioned will be contingent on bringing the spaceport on line. Instead of specific dates, the first auction is for launch one, launch two, and so on. Of course, the real first launches will be made by Bolivia, during the testing phase.”

  “What’s to keep a single nation like the U.S. from buying up all the launch windows?”

  “We will not allow that to happen. The bid offering includes a lottery system that will go into effect if the demand exceeds the available dates. And in order to make sure that every nation who wants to use the spaceport has an opportunity to do so, we are prepared to accept bids other than the highest offer if the lottery becomes necessary. Our intent is to make certain that no nation who wants to participate will be denied the opportunity to use the spaceport’s launch facilities. The exact formula for doing this has not yet been worked out, but as I said, we plan to run Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca for the benefit of all mankind.”

  The camera shifted to King again and the host called for a commercial break. During the four minutes that the program’s commercials were running, King left the set to confer with his producers. When he returned with barely 30 seconds left in the break, he leaned toward Maldonado and said in hushed voice, “Mr. President, the switchboard is overloaded with callers. Would you mind staying and taking some calls?”

  “Not at all, Larry,” the president responded, delighted at the opportunity. The interview was going exactly as he and Freeman had hoped it would.

  The director cued King, who began the next segment, “We’re back with the president of Bolivia, Alberto Maldonado, and FAA investigator Tyler Freeman. He turned to face his guests and the image on the screen resolved to a wide shot of the set that included all three men. “Mr. President, before we ta
ke calls from our viewers, would you care to comment on the fact that both the United States and Red China have stepped up their military presence in the southern hemisphere? Our analysts say the level of military activity in the area is unprecedented, especially for the Chinese.”

  “Yes, my advisors have informed me about that,” Maldonado said. “It does seem that the timing is more than a coincidence. The Americans have not conducted exercises in the area since the war in the Falklands, and to my knowledge, the Chinese have never before had a presence of any kind in the area, at least nothing overt.”

  “Do you think either country might be planning a takeover of the site?” King interrupted. “We keep hearing rumors to that effect.”

  “I cannot speak for the governments of the United States or the People’s Republic of China,” Maldonado replied. “I can only guess that both nations have already guessed what the Titicaca Effect is and grasped its implications, and have a desire to assure their own access to the spaceport. But a takeover or an invasion? I think not.”

  “Why not?”

  “The Americans are our friends,” Maldonado said, pausing to let the word sink in, “and a takeover would be uncharacteristic for the U.S. The only time they use military force is in response to terrorism. No such threat exists in Bolivia. And of course, the Chinese will not invade Bolivia because of the American presence. To do so would risk war. No, I think both countries are there to keep the other honest. We are hoping that our plan to make the spaceport available to all nations will allay their fears.”

  “What if it doesn’t?”

  “We have already intensified security at the site to make such an action impossible. All governments are being advised about the security arrangements at the same time they receive their invitations to bid.”

  “What kind of security arrangements?

  “Larry, if I were to describe our security arrangements, it would be a violation of our security arrangements. I’m sure you understand.”

  King laughed, then said, “Let’s take a call. Salt Lake City, you have a question for the president?”

  “Yes, Mr. President,” the voice at the other end of the line responded, “Does Bolivia have the technical expertise to build and test the site? You’ve never had space travel.”

  “Good question,” Maldonado answered. “We are planning to hire outside contractors to assist in testing the launch facilities, individuals from organizations that have run space programs, primarily from the United States and the former Soviet Union. As you know, both of those nations have downsized their space programs in recent years, and there are a great number of experienced engineers who would welcome the opportunity to find work in their chosen profession again. We have already begun recruiting.”

  “Who’s going to direct the program?” King asked.

  “I have someone in mind for that job, but I have not yet talked to the him about it. An announcement will be made as soon as the arrangements are finalized.”

  “Let’s take another call,” King said, “Go ahead, Miami.”

  “Yes,” a female voice responded. “President Maldonado, what will you do if it turns out to be impossible to launch things into space? Aren’t you spending a lot of money on something that’s unproven?”

  Maldonado smiled. “The chief scientist at the site assures me it will work and I believe him. But suppose it does not? We will still have a renewable source of free, non-polluting electrical power. The worst case scenario is still good for my country.”

  “I have another question for Mr. Freeman,” the woman said. “What’s your role in all this?”

  “I’m just investigating the crash,” Freeman responded. “And it was my team that discovered the cause. Now that we know what caused it, we need to know all we can about the antigravity field to make sure it never brings down another airplane. We’re also hoping to study the way the field interacts with the winds at higher altitudes. As you may know, we haven’t found all the wreckage, and we’re guessing that some of it got carried away by those winds.”

  “Mr. President, what about the dissidents in your own country who don’t agree with your plans for the development of the spaceport?” King asked. “There are news reports that a man named Manco Capac has filed suit in the Bolivian courts to stop you. What do you make of that?”

  “Manco Capac claims to be descended from the original founder of the Incas, and the legend is that the original Manco Capac first came to the earth from the sun at Lake Titicaca. For that reason, he and his followers apparently believe that any benefit that comes from the Titicaca Effect should belong exclusively to the descendents of the Incas. He has no legitimate claim.”

  “Mr. President, everyone knows that there have been a number of forced takeovers of the presidency in Bolivia’s history. Do you think that Capac is capable of something like that?”

  “No. Bolivia is a democracy, the government has been stable for years, and we enjoy the complete support of the Bolivian people. His followers are dedicated to the cause he promotes, but we have no information that they are fanatics or terrorists. The fact is, Larry, the spaceport will benefit all Bolivians. Capac and his followers will ultimately come to realize that.”

  “Mr. President, I’m afraid our time is up,” King said. “Would you visit with us again when you’re in the U.S.? We’d like to keep the people informed as you develop the spaceport facilities.” He reached across the desk to shake his guests’ hands.

  “I’d be delighted,” Maldonado responded warmly, then looked directly at the camera. “The development of Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca will be a world event, an event of importance to all mankind. We will do everything possible to keep your viewers informed.”

  With that, the director cut to a commercial, King shook their hands again, and the two men left the set as the next guest, an actress with a new film to plug, settled in.

  “That was great, Mr. President,” Tyler said excitedly. “Exactly what we needed. The whole world now knows what’s going on.”

  “I hope it works.”

  “It should. My gut tells me Truesdale can’t invade now. You just announced that the U.S. can use the spaceport anytime they want, and you gave every second-tier and third-world country on the planet a chance to become a space-faring nation. The pressure on the U.S. to cooperate will be enormous. Plus, you exposed his invasion plan in a way that will allow him to cancel it without embarrassment. The Chinese will back off for the same reasons. Mr. President, it was a masterful performance.”

  “Were you successful in setting up a meeting with President Truesdale?”

  “I talked to the White House this afternoon and asked for a meeting. They said they’d let me know. After what you just did, my guess is they’re clearing the president’s calendar as we speak. You’ll see him, probably soon.”

  “Good,” Maldonado smiled, paused for a second, then added. “So, Tyler, do you accept?”

  Freeman looked confused. “Accept what?”

  “The position as Director of Espaciopuerto De La Titicaca. I want you to take charge of developing the spaceport and running it once we begin operations. I’ll pay you twice whatever you’re making now. I’ve been watching you work, and it’s very obvious that you have incredible organizational skills. I also need your U.S Government connections, and I want you to employ your friend Dr. Stout to head up scientific operations.”

  Freeman frowned. “Mr. President, there’s something we need to clear up before I answer your question.”

  “What is it?”

  “Did you ask Alicia to spy on me?”

  “Yes,” the president answered without hesitating.

  “All right. I just wanted to be sure you’d give me straight answer. I can’t work for you unless I can trust you. Will you promise me that in the future I won’t have to worry about anything like that happening again?”

  “You have my word, Tyler.”

  “In that case, I accept, Mr. President. Who could turn down a job like that
? I’m going to get fired anyway for the stunt we just pulled. I wasn’t even supposed to talk to you about the Titicaca Effect, much less appear on Larry King Live to help you explain it to the whole damn world. But I have a better offer for you, one that limits your risk and ties my performance to the success of the spaceport. Hire me as an independent contractor at a rate that pays me half what I’m making now and give me a piece of the revenues.”

  “What size piece did you have in mind?”

  “Two percent?”

  Maldonado paused, thinking it over. After nearly a half-minute of silence, he finished his mental calculations and said simply, “Done!” Then he smiled broadly and extended his hand.

  Freeman shook the president’s hand to seal the bargain and said, “If I know Thad, he’ll jump at the chance to join up. He’s a scientist, and this is the greatest scientific event in history. He won’t be able to resist the opportunity.”