Defying Mars (The Saving Mars Series) - By Cidney Swanson Page 0,30
secures outside, but when I snuck a peek a moment ago, they were re-entering the building. Now’s the time to make a break for it, lads!”
“Sit,” ordered Pavel, pointing to the area of Ethan’s chair intended as a footrest. “And hold on tight.”
Brian Wallace raised an eyebrow. “Thank ye, but I’ll stand,” he replied, stepping onto the footrest and gripping the arms of the chair with all the dignity he could muster.
“Ethan, re-engage the chair’s overdrive,” said Pavel.
As they blasted out of the building, Brian swearing up a storm, Pavel heard the sound of a large craft. This time it was no commute cruiser. A sleek black ship hovered just over the edifice.
Pavel cursed and aimed the hoverchair back beside the satellite facility, hugging the building as he pushed forward.
“Lad, the ship’s that way,” said Brian Wallace, pointing to the side.
“I know,” said Pavel, “But Lucca has strict disincentives for anyone in Red Squadron to fire upon buildings in Budapest. The government looks weak if buildings go up in smoke here in the capitol.”
“Sounds like our Chancellor,” muttered Brian.
There followed several tense seconds as Pavel raced across the street. Sure enough, just as they dashed across to hug another building, a small missile was directed to where they’d been a moment earlier, striking the middle of the street.
Pavel swerved to avoid flying debris.
“Give the ship the order to open the hatch now,” Pavel shouted to Ethan.
The door remained closed and it looked as though they might crash into the side of their getaway vehicle, but at the last second, the door engaged and the three shot inside, coming to a jarring halt.
“That was cutting it close, Jaarda,” shouted Pavel.
“Figure of speech,” murmured Brian Wallace.
“Everyone hold on to something now,” said Pavel. He’d already rumbled the ship to life, the hatch still closing. Pavel lifted off and turned his craft sideways to hug the buildings once more.
The secures’ craft, bulky and deadly, took chase at once, firing as Pavel brought his ship alongside the facility they’d just fled.
A smattering of armaments flashed past, missing Pavel by centimeters, piercing the roof of the satellite facility.
“Shizer!” called Pavel. “Hold on!” Pavel pulled the ship away from the exploding building, up into a straight climb that would have been impossible in his aunt’s ship. Then, looping over and swerving off to the left, he engaged the ship’s powerful thrusters.
“Ethan’s eyes just closed,” Brian shouted.
“Wallace, take over for me here!” called Pavel, jumping up from the pilot’s seat and dashing to the back of the craft.
Brian struggled to pull himself forward and then assumed command of the helm, flying the ship swiftly, outrunning their pursuers. Another powerful blast sounded from behind them and Brian veered hard to port.
“Hey,” cried Pavel. “Trying to treat a patient back here!”
“Apologies,” returned Brian Wallace. “Trying to avoid missiles up here. There now. We’re out of range. Treat away, lad.”
“Come on, Ethan, wake up,” muttered Pavel. “I made a promise to keep you safe, man.” He ripped the seal on a med-patch and slapped it on Ethan’s forearm, then grabbed a length of skin-seal and applied pressure to both an entry and an exit wound. “Come on, man, wake up. Wake up.”
Ethan’s eyes fluttered and opened. “Pavel,” he said softly.
“You’re going to be just fine,” said Pavel to his patient. Then he turned his attention to the front of the ship. “Get us somewhere safe, Wallace.”
The dirt-brown ship pulled to starboard as Brian Wallace said, “Aye-aye, sir.”
“The satellite facility,” said Ethan. “I thought I saw …”
“Not a literal description, I assume?” asked Ethan.
Pavel thought about the flames engulfing the building they’d just fled. Toast sounded about right. “No,” he said. “Not literal. But the building’s gone, just the same.”
“That will render my task impossible,” said Ethan. Then he closed his eyes, a pinched look upon his face that Pavel didn’t think came from wound pain.
Pavel felt terrible. Could he have flown the ship differently? Probably. “I just didn’t think they’d fire on a building,” he said at last. “Lucca will kill those guys for blowing up a building in the city limits. They know that.”
Ethan’s eyes closed for several minutes. Pavel checked his vitals. His body would be fine. But his mission? What would it do to Ethan’s mental health? At last Ethan reopened his eyes.
“Pavel,” he said, “I believe it is time for me to consult with my remaining crew. Might we visit Harpreet next?”