Starclimber Read Online Free

it, but the Babelites do have a point.” She gazed off to the east, where the base of the Celestial Tower was clearly visible, outlined with twinkling construction lights. “I do think it was foolhardy to build it so close to Paris. It’s tempting fate. They could at least have built it off in the countryside. That way, if it falls, it only crushes some cows and chickens.”
    “Maybe one or two farmers,” I added.
    She took my arm. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
    “And I still managed to get here before you,” I said, nudging her playfully.
    She looked a little embarrassed. “Well, my day was nothing compared to yours, of course. But remember the talk I was supposed to give about the aerozoans in two weeks?”
    I nodded. Last October, during a high-altitude salvage expedition, Kate and I had encountered a bizarre and deadly airborne creature. It was like a combination squid and jellyfish, with electrocuting tentacles. She’d named the species aerozoans.
    “Well,” Kate said, “they moved my talk up. To tomorrow!”
    “But why?”
    “I suspect Sir Hugh Snuffler’s behind it. He thinks I’m a huge fraud, and he’d love me to make a mess of it in front of the Zoological Society. Anyway, I was in a frenzy all day trying to prepare.”
    “Don’t worry. You’ll be brilliant,” I said.
    “I don’t want to think about it tonight. Now, tell me about this special treat you’ve got planned.”
    “I hope you weren’t expecting a night at the opera,” I said, eyeing her evening gown.
    “A night at the opera can be very nice once in a while.”
    My spirits flagged. I’d been worried she wouldn’t like my surprise. For a girl like Kate who was used to the finest things, maybe it would seem paltry.
    I took a breath. “I thought…you might like to watch the stars with me.”
    “Ah.”
    She didn’t seem disappointed exactly, but certainly surprised. I watched her carefully. By now Kate’s expressions were well known to me, and I was hugely relieved when I saw that thoughtful look in her eyes. She lifted her face to the sky. “Well, I see why you suggested Montmartre. The stars are much clearer up here, aren’t they, away from all the city lights?”
    “It gets better,” I said, taking her hand. “Come on.”
    Behind us, rising from the very summit of Montmartre, was the Paris Observatory, an imposing white stone fortress with observation towers and a large central dome for the telescope.
    “But surely it’s closed now,” Kate said.
    “Not for us,” I said with a wink.
    “Really?” Her eyes widened. “Do you know the director?”
    “Someone much more useful,” I said. “Night watchman.”
    I led her around back to the loading doors and rapped three times. After several long minutes, I heard the bolt being shot back, and the door opened.
    “I thought you weren’t coming,” said Richard.
    “We both got held up,” I said.
    He ushered us inside. “Come in, come in.”
    Richard was a fellow student at the Academy, and this was his summer job. He was an American, and the two of us got on very well.
    “Thanks so much for this,” I said.
    “Your timing couldn’t be better,” he said. “The staff’s all in Zurich at some sort of top-secret meeting. The place is all yours. Promise you won’t break anything.”
    “We promise,” said Kate. I could tell she was very excited. I felt really relieved my surprise was working out.
    Richard led us down a wide marbled corridor to a grand set of doors and pulled them wide. Total darkness greeted us, for the room was windowless. Richard flicked a switch, and several sconce lights dimly illuminated the vast circular hall rising to its soaring dome. Occupying the chamber’s center was the famous Paris telescope. It was one of the world’s most powerful, the size of a small house. Its central cylinder was tilted toward the dome’s underside.
    “Shall we open it up?” I said.
    I’d visited the observatory once before at night, and Richard had