Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel Read Free Book Online Page A

woman aboard ship, so you’ll be properly chaperoned.”
    “I do so like being chaperoned,” Kate murmured.
    “And as for your safety,” Mr. Lunardi added, “I can assure you I’ve never built an unskyworthy vessel in my life. The captain and crew will be unrivaled in their expertise.”
    “They’re lucky fellows,” I said.
    “Indeed,” said Mr. Lunardi. “The first astralnauts.”
    “The French are calling them spationauts ,” I said.
    “The French can call them whatever they wish,” said Mr. Lunardi, chuckling. “I’m sure their uniforms will be splendid. But they won’t be the ones in space. Which brings me to you, Mr. Cruse. How high would you like to fly?”
    A smile soared across my face. “As high as I possibly can.”
    “An excellent reply. We’re starting the training program next week, and we want you to take part.”
    “Next week!” I said.
    “You have a more pressing commitment, perhaps, Mr. Cruse?”
    “It’s just…I have a job here for the summer.”
    “At the Celestial Tower, yes—we made some inquiries,” said Sir John. “That’s not a problem. You can give notice immediately. The Ministry of Air has arranged very generous compensation for all the astralnaut trainees. Twelve hundred dollars, I believe.”
    It was triple my salary for the entire summer. I knew what my mother would say, though. Once you’ve accepted a job, you should finish it. But only a fool wouldn’t seize this chance. I would’ve taken it for free.
    “Not bad, eh, Mr. Cruse?” said Mr. Lunardi. “And that’s just for the training. If you’re selected for the expedition, there’ll be additional remuneration.”
    My smile faltered. “So there’s no guarantee I’ll make it on?”
    Lunardi shook his head. “Afraid not. But you’re an extremely promising candidate.”
    “You came highly recommended,” said Sir John. “And space travel is for the young. We shan’t be looking at anyone over thirty for flight crew. We reckon it requires an entirely different set of skills than sky sailing.”
    “I can’t imagine they’ll find anyone more able than you,” said Kate, with an encouraging smile, and though I smiled back, it irked me that she’d simply been invited while I had to prove myself.
    “I mean to be on that ship,” I said to the two gentlemen.
    Mr. Lunardi smiled. “Excellent.”
    “The last century belonged to France,” said Sir John, “but this new one shall be Canada’s. We’re about to make Kepler’s dream come true.”
    “May I see your chits, please?”
    With a start we all looked up to see a uniformed park attendant looming over us, his little silver whistle dangling from his neck.
    “Pardon me, our what?” asked Sir John.
    “Chits.” His exasperated gaze strayed past us, as though he couldn’t bear our stupidity.
    “We have no chits,” I said.
    “To sit you will need a chit . Do you know what a chit is, monsieur? A token, a ticket, that allows you to sit in one of the park chairs.”
    “And where would we find such a chit?” asked Mr. Lunardi, sounding impatient.
    “That must be bought at the chit counter.”
    He pointed across the park, and I saw a small, shuttered kiosk.
    “It looks closed,” I said.
    “Of course it is closed, monsieur,” the attendant said. “It is three o’clock. Therefore, you will have to purchase your chits from another counter. I believe the one in the Champs de Mars is open.”
    “But that’s miles from here!” Kate protested.
    “Yes, mademoiselle.”
    I looked around the park, at all the happy people sitting on benches and chairs. “All these people, they have chits, I suppose?”
    “Of course. And if they do not, I will ferret them out, and they will be dispersed.”
    “This is incredible,” I said.
    “I direct you, monsieur, to the park rules, located, ironically , not ten paces behind you.”
    I turned to see a tall wrought-iron post on which was framed a large, impressive notice. REGLEMENTS DU PARC , it said in bold