Tom Swift on the Phantom Satellite by Victor Appleton II Read Free Book Online

he’ll wait until you come in tomorrow morning."
    "Of course Dad and I will be there within the hour. I think I’ll have time to see what he’s after." Grinning, Tom hung up the phone.
    When Tom arrived at the plant, he immediately went to Ames’s office, and the glowering security chief nodded toward the redheaded young man seated in one corner of the room, next to his camera equipment. "Tom!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and offering his hand.
    "Hi, Gabe," responded the young inventor as they shook hands. "I see you’re back to setting off security alerts."
    "I seem to have a real talent for doing that," responded Gabe. "And by the way, sorry for getting out of line the other day. I was practicing my assertiveness skills and I guess I went too far. After that story in the paper, I thought I might be able to sneak a peek, by telephoto, at some of your astronauts, and—"
    "I know. You needed an interesting angle for the shot."
    "Right. I mean, there are buildings all over this place! And also—"
    "There’s an also?"
    "Isn’t there always?" Knorff sucked in a deep breath. "Tom, I’m asking you to take me with you to the satellite!"
    Tom’s eyes widened at the sheer nerve of the man’s suggestion. "Gabe, why in the—"
    "Now listen, Tom, be reasonable and think a little. I’m a pretty persistent guy, and mighty clever too. I’m sure I’ll be able to find a way onto your rocket island before the big launch. And look, you don’t want me to turn up in a crate aboard the spaceship, like that crazy guy did on your South Pole project."
    "No," said Tom. "I’d rather avoid surprises."
    "Well, here’s a great chance to avoid a really major one! Besides, everyone knows you Swifts work by intuition and taking chances more than by pure science. What does your intuition tell you?"
    "That I should have you locked up for about a month."
    "Oh really?" Gabe paused. "You must be joking. You know I’m a good guy and a fast learner. And I can follow orders, too—when I have to. Besides, I’m so small and compact you can stow me away in the luggage bin for the duration of the flight! But seriously, a professional photographer would be of real benefit to this historic—"
    Tom held up a hand. "I suppose if I’m willing to justify taking my chef along, I don’t have any business leaving behind the press. As it happens, it’s no big deal to slide in another acceleration seat."
    Gabe beamed. "Tom, buddy, you’ll never regret it!"
    "I already regret it," said Tom sarcastically, "but I’m willing to give you the chance— if you’re prepared not to set one foot off our controlled security zone between now and our return from space."
    "Agreed! I know I’ll need a few days training before—"
    Tom put a hand on Gabe’s shoulder and smiled. "I’m afraid you’re going into space with no training at all. I suppose that’s a worthwhile experiment in itself!"
    "No training?"
    "We leave for Fearing in twenty minutes. And we leave for Little Luna at midnight!"
    The young photographer gulped. "Th-thanks for telling me!"
    As the Sky Queen prepared to take to the air, Tom introduced the new team member to the others, who had assembled in the Flying Lab’s comfortable lounge on the top deck.
    The reactions to the abrupt announcement varied widely. Most of the space team greeted Gabe Knorff warmly, trusting Tom Swift’s judgment without qualm or question. But Jason Graves looked quietly apoplectic, Col. Northrup frowned, and Teodor Kutan withdrew into a calculated silence. Bud shook Gabe’s hand coolly—he had had some run-ins with the photographer before.
    As the others talked, Chow pulled his young boss aside.
    "Say there, Tom, you sure this is sech a good idea?"
    "Why?" Tom asked.
    "Wa-al, if’n you count ’em all up—now we got thirteen on this here crew!"
    "Don’t tell me you’re superstitious, pardner!"
    "Naw, not a bit," Chow protested. "But brand my fallin’ stars, nobody ever died from bein’ careful!"
    The Sky