Starclimber

  “Ladies and gentlemen!”

  We all turned to the stage as Mr. Lunardi strode out, arms held wide like a circus ringmaster.

  “Welcome, and thank you for coming at such short notice. For weeks the newspapers have carried rumors about an astralnaut training program in our city. I am happy to tell you the rumors are all true. The Lunardi Corporation, in partnership with the government of Canada, has created a vessel that will take us into the heavens. And we have just selected the astralnauts who will embark on the first-ever voyage to outer space!”

  There was a moment’s stunned silence, and then the ballroom erupted into thunderous applause.

  “This is history in the making, ladies and gentlemen,” said Lunardi. “And I don’t think I need remind you that others, all over the world, have been striving to do the same, so far without success. We Canadians shall be the first!”

  There was another burst of applause from the audience. I found the French ambassador in the crowd, his face pale with outrage. He hissed something at his assistant, and the two turned and walked toward the exit.

  “Aboard our ship,” Mr. Lunardi continued, “we will be carrying some of the world’s most eminent experts, whom I would like to introduce to you now. To chronicle our maiden voyage in words and pictures is the celebrated photographer and writer Miss Evelyn Karr. Miss Karr, please join us.”

  The crowd parted, keeping well clear of Haiku’s reach, as Miss Karr stomped across the ballroom. She took her place onstage, towering over Mr. Lunardi. The applause grew all the more enthusiastic when Haiku leapt onto the airship magnate’s shoulder and gave him a vigorous handshake.

  “Now then,” Mr. Lunardi continued, “this expedition would have been quite impossible without the phenomenal scientific knowledge of Dr. Sergei Turgenev. He has, shall we say, paved the road to outer space for us, and he will serve aboard our ship as chief science officer. Dr. Turgenev, please.”

  Leaning on his cane, the Russian scientist walked onto the stage and wearily raised his hand to the crowd, in a gesture more of resignation than triumph.

  I could see that Kate was getting agitated, clearing her throat and rustling her gloved hands against her dress, waiting for her name to be called.

  “Of course,” Mr. Lunardi went on from the stage, “we have little idea of what awaits us in outer space, but we must be prepared for extraterrestrial life.”

  I looked over at Kate and smiled. Her cheeks were very flushed, her eyes bright.

  “And so,” said Mr. Lunardi, “to observe the flora and fauna of the heavenly ether, our expedition will be joined by the illustrious zoologist Sir Hugh Snuffler.”

  My breath snagged in my throat. I turned to Kate, whose face was suddenly quite pale.

  “Mr. Lunardi never mentioned anything about this,” she hissed to me over the applause. “If I’d known, I’d have…”

  “Gone anyway,” I said.

  “I’m furious,” she muttered.

  “And working with Sir Hugh,” Mr. Lunardi was saying now, “will be Lionsgate City’s very own Miss Kate de Vries, who specializes in high-altitude life-forms. Sir Hugh, Miss de Vries, if you’d be so good as to join our team onstage!”

  Kate was breathing again, and began making her way to the front, wearing a smile that might have looked more at home on a wax dummy. I caught a glimpse of Sir Hugh as he passed, still patting his mussed hair and not looking at all pleased. I wondered if he was as surprised as Kate.

  They made it to the stage and stood on opposite sides of Mr. Lunardi. Haiku had spotted Sir Hugh and, even from a distance, was shaking his tiny fist and making threatening swipes at him.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Mr. Lunardi, “I present to you the specialist team aboard the first voyage to outer space!”

  I watched Kate onstage as she waved and smiled at the audience. Cameras flashed. She seemed so far away, and I felt like I was peering through a telescope, at stars I had no hope of ever reaching.

  “And who,” said Lunardi, “you’re now wondering, will pilot these brilliant minds to outer space?”

  The whir of newsreel cameras was the only noise to be heard as a hush fell over the audience.

  “It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the commander of the expedition, as fine a pilot as ever sailed the skies, Captain Samuel Walken.”

  Captain Walken strolled onstage and let the applause die down. “These past two weeks,” he said, “a group of one hundred truly exceptional gentlemen have been undergoing rigorous trials. What they endured would make your blood run cold! By the end we’d narrowed the candidates to twenty. But only three will be joining this first expedition.”

  Three! I’d never thought it would be so few. What chance could I have? Across the silent ballroom Tobias and I caught sight of each other and moved together. My insides were roiling.

  “There’s no way,” Tobias whispered to me. “The underwater stuff’s all I was good at.”

  “These, then,” announced Captain Walken, “are the astralnauts who will form our crew. From Halifax, Mr. Chuck Shepherd!”

  Shepherd gave no whoop of joy, just strode purposefully toward the stage as if he’d never had any doubt he’d be called. The crowd parted around him, applauding wildly.

  “I’d have chosen him too,” I murmured.

  “Makes perfect sense,” Tobias said, his eyes fixed on the stage, where Mr. Lunardi was shaking Shepherd’s hand. Camera bulbs exploded with enough light for a fireworks display.

  One down, two to go.

  “From Victoria,” Captain Walken said, “Mr. Tobias Blanchard!”

  It was my shout of pleasure that drew everyone’s eyes, for Tobias himself was mute. I grabbed him by the shoulders. “You did it!” I said.

  He nodded, dazed.

  “You’re an astralnaut!” I said. “Go on!” And I gave him a little shove.

  Even though it meant there was one less place for me, I was still glad for him. The way he moved weightlessly underwater was a marvel. He had the fire too, kindled by that bit of space rock he kept in his pocket. Maybe I’d be searingly jealous of him later, but right now I felt only delight to see him walking up onto the stage and shaking everyone’s hand.

  “And finally,” Captain Walken called out, “the last member of our crew—”

  I took a deep breath.

  “From Saskatoon, Mr. Joshua Bronfman!”

  As the applause rang out, I had to remind myself to let out my breath, and smile, and clap. Bronfman was whooping and hollering and pumping his fist in the air as he jogged up onto the stage. I felt ashamed. I was glad I’d not asked my mother and sisters to be here tonight. I didn’t look at Kate, in case she was watching me with pity in her eyes. I’d failed, and she’d think less of me now. I thought less of myself.

  I’d tried to be sensible, and realize that my chances were slim. I was still clumsy in the suit, I fought claustrophobia. I was the youngest, and not as strong as some of the other men. But I was good in the air, and I’d hoped that would be enough to see me through.

  As the photographers and reporters pressed closer to the stage, bombarding the astralnauts with flashbulbs and questions, I made my way toward the exit. I knew I should stay and congratulate everyone, but I just couldn’t face it. I passed Kate’s parents, and they scarcely acknowledged me.

  I was crossing the lobby when someone grabbed my arm from behind.

  “I don’t understand!” said Kate as I turned to face her. “How could you not be chosen!”

  “I wasn’t good enough,” I said simply.

  People were beginning to exit the ballroom, and Kate took me by the hand and led me down a quiet hallway.

  “They made a mistake,” she said. “I’ll talk to Mr. Lunardi—”

  “You’ll do no such thing. Those three will make excellent astralnauts.”

  “But…” She looked completely dispirited. “I’d never imagined you wouldn’t be on the ship with me!”

  “I’m sorry,” I said
. “I tried as hard as I could.”

  All my life, I’d been used to trying my best, knowing that determination and hard work were my only ladder to a loftier life. It had worked so far. I’d done well aboard the Aurora; I’d been accepted into the Academy; I’d fought pirates and salvaged ghost ships, and survived. But this was the first time I’d met with total failure. I felt stunned and…lesser.

  She took my hands. “You’d be every bit as good as those three,” she said.

  I smiled at her loyalty, grateful, knowing in my heart she was wrong. I’d been bested, and that was all there was to it.

  Through her left glove I felt something hard.

  I touched it and looked up at Kate’s eyes. She stared back, silent, guilty. I didn’t care that there was a couple walking down the corridor, I seized her glove and peeled it off her hand. On her finger was an engagement ring.

  “What have you done?” I whispered.

  She swallowed, and the guilt in her eyes was extinguished by a flare of defiance.

  “This,” she said, “is my ticket to outer space.”

  THE ASTRAL CABLE

  The sight of the ring and the hardness of Kate’s face made my stomach turn over, and I was worried I might be sick. I walked away. I heard her calling out, but I didn’t stop. Out through the doors and onto the street, not knowing where I was going. My stomach clenched, and I made it down an alley before I retched, tears springing to my eyes. After a few minutes I pulled myself together and ventured back out onto the busy street. Still in a daze, I bumped right into Reg Perry. He was with a group of other finalists, all loosening their ties and looking morose.

  “Cruse!” Reg said, clapping me on the shoulder. “We’re off to Gassy Jack’s to drown our sorrows. Come with us.”

  I went. I sat with them at the bar, inundated by the noise and smoke and glad of it, for I didn’t want to talk or think. They bought me drinks and slapped me on the back and said, “You should’ve been up there, Cruse.” They said, “You land dived like a falcon! You saved Tobias’s life. That should count for something! What’re they thinking? Really, you should’ve been up there, mate.”

  They thought I was disappointed; they didn’t know my heart had just been clawed from my body. The clock ticked through the hours of the evening and the small hours of morning, and when I arrived home in a cab at an ungodly hour, my mother said nothing. She had heard the news on the radio. Silently she made up a bed for me in her sewing room behind the kitchen.

  I wasn’t drunk, but I pretended to be, for all I wanted was to sleep and forget. But sleep would not come, leaving me to see again and again that ring on Kate’s finger and the defiant look in her eyes, and to know that I’d lost her now for good.

  When finally sleep did take pity and tug me under, it seemed mere seconds before my mother was gently shaking my shoulder.

  “Matt, there’s someone to see you. Get dressed.”

  I squinted at the sun-filled window. It must’ve been late morning. I pulled my trousers and shirt on, hoping it was Kate; dreading it was Kate. I walked out to the parlor and saw Captain Walken talking to my sisters.

  “Ah, Matt,” he said. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, sir.”

  “Sylvia, Isabel, let’s give them some privacy,” my mother told the girls.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Cruse,” said Captain Walken. “It’s lovely to see you again.”

  “And you, Captain Walken.”

  I ran a hand through my sleep-tousled hair, knowing I looked bedraggled. He’d probably come to try to cheer me up. He was a bighearted man, and I didn’t think ill of him for not choosing me.

  “I wanted to talk to you last night,” he said, “but I couldn’t find you.”

  “I left early.”

  He smiled. “But stayed out late, I hear.”

  “Some of the other fellows sort of swept me along with them.”

  The captain nodded. “A hard night for you.”

  I cleared my throat. “Maybe I wasn’t cut out to be an astralnaut.”

  “Not so, Matt. Not so. It was very difficult to pick only three. It’s the size of the ship that limits us, not the quality of the men.”

  He was being kind. “I think you made the right choices, though. They’re all excellent.”

  “They are,” he agreed. “Unfortunately, Mr. Bronfman celebrated a bit too much last night. In his drunken frenzy he broke his leg.”

  “He didn’t!” I said, aghast.

  “Quite badly. He’ll be in a cast for some time.”

  “But when does the expedition leave?” I asked.

  “Immediately. You’re our next choice.”

  My heart leapt. “I am?”

  “You’ve not gone and made other plans, I hope?”

  I chuckled. “No, sir.”

  “We leave tomorrow morning for the launch site.”

  My mother appeared in the doorway, her eyes wet.

  “You’ve heard,” I said.

  She nodded, and I went to hug her. “I’m going to outer space!” I said.

  “And what about these Babelites?” she said, glaring at me.

  “It’ll be fine, Mom. Captain Walken’ll keep an eye on everything.”

  She smiled through her tears. “I’m sure he will.”

  “There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about,” said the captain. “I assume you heard that Miss de Vries is engaged to James Sanderson.”

  My mother turned to me in dismay. “Matt, is this true?”

  I nodded. “I found out last night.”

  Captain Walken looked at me closely. “Is this likely to interfere with your performance aboard my ship?”

  The thought of seeing Kate right now was almost too painful to bear, and I felt my enthusiasm curdle. But I also felt my heart harden. I wasn’t going to let her ruin this for me. I’d worked for this, harder than I’d ever worked in my life.

  I looked the captain in the eyes and shook my head. “No, sir.”

  “Did you have any idea she meant to get engaged?” my mother asked.

  “It was a surprise,” I said.

  “I think very ill of her now,” said my mother darkly.

  I sighed. “We’d made no promises to each other, Mom,” I told her.

  Her eyes were angry. “Still, I think it a very sly thing to do. I’m sorry, Matt. But you’re well rid of her.”

  I nodded. “Maybe you’re right.”

  But I didn’t believe a word of it.

  The sun had yet to crest the horizon, and the morning still had an invigorating chill when I arrived at the aero harbor. It was all activity around the Bluenose, a sleek air schooner that would take us to our launch site. Judging by the supplies and provisions being loaded aboard, the trip would not be a short one. The location of our launch site and spaceship was still a secret to me. After the latest Babelite plot, Mr. Lunardi was taking no chances. Armed security guards were posted all over the landing field, and my papers were examined by two sentries before I was allowed up the gangplank.

  I left my bags with the ground crew and went aboard. I found my way to the starboard lounge. It was a luxurious ship, intended for private charters, and was very well appointed, with armchairs and sofas and writing tables. Shepherd and Tobias were already there, and Tobias came toward me with a big smile on his face.

  “They just told us you were coming!”

  “I guess you heard about Bronfman,” I said.

  “I was there!” Tobias said. “He tried to skate down the banister of the hotel’s grand staircase!”

  I winced. “There’s quite a curve to it.”

  “Yeah. You can imagine what happened.”

  “Damn foolishness,” said Shepherd. He cut an imposing figure in his gray Aeroforce uniform. He looked at me with his cool, appraising eyes. “Bronfman should’ve been here.”

  “Not with his leg in a cast,” said Tobias, giving me a wink.

  I hated benefiting from Bronfman’s misfortune, but I couldn’t
help that, and I’d be a fool to let my reservations stop me coming. All I could do was work my very hardest, to make sure I earned my place aboard ship.

  Through the windows I saw a fine motorcar pull up, with many trunks stacked on the roof. The driver opened the passenger doors, and Mr. and Mrs. de Vries stepped out, followed by Kate—and James Sanderson.

  I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I saw Mr. de Vries shake his daughter’s hand—which seemed a rather stiff farewell, considering she was embarking on a long journey that was hardly free of danger. Mrs. de Vries placed her hands lightly on Kate’s shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. James, on the other hand, seemed very eager to wrap his arms around Kate and lean in for a kiss on the mouth, which Kate hastily deflected to her cheek. My teeth clenched, as if sharpening themselves for an attack. I wanted them very sharp.

  “Who’s that?” Tobias asked beside me.

  “That,” I said, my jaws still tight, “is Miss de Vries’s fiancé, James Sanderson.”

  “Isn’t he heir to the Sanderson fortune?” Tobias asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Interesting,” said Tobias, giving me a strange look.

  Outside, another car drew up and Miss Karr emerged, with Haiku hopping about on her shoulder. She spoke at length with the de Vrieses, and I guessed she was promising Kate’s parents that she’d keep a strict eye on their daughter. Mrs. de Vries looked a bit uncertain, and her eyes kept drifting to the monkey, who was gleefully chewing on Miss Karr’s hat. Everyone made their final farewells, and I saw James push a letter into Kate’s hands. Then Miss Karr and Kate headed up the gangway.

  I felt my stomach shift; I wasn’t sure I was ready to see Kate yet. I hurried out of the lounge and headed aft, but the passageway was jammed with porters wrestling with Kate’s steamer trunks. I headed back the way I’d come, rounded a corner, and ran straight into her.

  She stared at me in astonishment. “What are you doing here?”

  “You don’t sound very happy to see me.”

  “But—”

  “Bronfman broke his leg. I’m his replacement.”