Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel Read Free Book Online

Galileo, for Jupiter.’” Mr. Lunardi chuckled. “Fabulous stuff, eh?”
    “It’s very stirring,” Kate agreed.
    “Here’s the matter at hand,” said Sir John, lowering his voice and leaning in toward us. “What I’m about to say is a matter of great secrecy, you understand, and I know I can trust the three of you, as patriotic Canadians, to respect that.”
    Kate and I murmured our assent. I felt a prickling of gooseflesh across my neck.
    “Our government,” Sir John resumed, “has entered into a joint venture with the Lunardi Corporation to explore outer space.”
    I leaned forward so quickly, I nearly toppled out of my chair. I looked at Kate in amazement, then back at Sir John. “I didn’t even know the Canadians had a space program!”
    “We’ve been keeping it all very hush-hush. We’re in the lead and we intend to stay there.”
    “But the French—”
    “Forget about the French,” said Mr. Lunardi. “They haven’t a hope. That tower will never make it through the stratosphere. It’s sad, really. One almost wants to say something, but there’s no arguing with the French.”
    “You have a ship, then?” I asked.
    “We have a very fine ship,” said Sir John. “Mr. Lunardi and his team have taken care of that.”
    “We’ve been working on it for almost two years now,” Mr. Lunardi said, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. “The ship is built, and ready to fly.”
    “We’re assembling a group of people we’d like to be on her maiden voyage,” said Sir John. “We want the best people in their fields. And you came to mind very quickly, Miss de Vries.”
    “Did I?” she said, trying to sound surprised, but I don’t think she’d ever sounded more delighted.
    “We’ve been following your work,” Mr. Lunardi said. Even sitting, the man crackled with energy, his hands aloft, gripping the air for emphasis. “And your lecture just now convinced me you’re exactly what we need—a set of fiercely inquisitive young eyes. If there’s life up there, you’ll find it.”
    Kate seemed to positively blaze at these compliments. And I was burning just as brightly—with envy. They’d just invited her to take part in the first voyage into outer space! I would’ve given anything to be on that ship.
    “Well, it’s very kind of you to think of me,” Kate said modestly.
    “Will you join us, then, Miss de Vries?”
    “I’d love to,” she said without a second’s hesitation.
    “Your parents,” chimed in Miss Simpkins, speaking for the first time.
    “Oh, my parents,” said Kate carelessly.
    “We’d ask their consent, of course,” said Mr. Lunardi.
    Kate waved her hand. “I wouldn’t bother—they’re terribly busy.”
    “They’ll never consent,” said Miss Simpkins. “And you’ll not have me as a chaperone this time. Nothing could convince me to travel to outer space. I’ve had quite enough of your absurd adventures.”
    “I won’t be bound by my parents’ wishes,” Kate said frostily. “Anyway, I don’t see why they’d need to know—would they, Marjorie?
    She gave her chaperone a bright and terrifying smile.
    Sir John cleared his throat. “Well, I’m afraid this isn’t something that can be kept secret, Miss de Vries. Once we announce the expedition and its crew, your name will appear in every newspaper in the world. Your parents will have to be told. And since you’re technically a minor, we would need their consent.”
    “Shouldn’t present a problem,” Kate said breezily.
    “I’ve met your father several times in Lionsgate City,” Mr. Lunardi said to Kate. “He seems a reasonable fellow, and I can wager he’d appreciate the historic magnitude of our venture. Let me speak to him. Perhaps I will be able to bend his ear a little.”
    “You can peel his ear right off his head,” Miss Simpkins said, “but I can’t see it making any difference to Mr. de Vries.”
    “If it’s propriety they’re worried about,” said Sir John, “there will be another