Defying Mars (The Saving Mars Series) - By Cidney Swanson Page 0,8
for me own self,” he said, patting his large belly.
Ethan, who had remained silent until now, spoke. “You ought instead to decrease your caloric consumption, and then you would not find the need of such a conveyance.”
Wallace laughed. “Aye, lad, aye.”
With Wallace’s assistance, Pavel helped Ethan into the hoverchair, explaining its responsive design. Ethan was soon comfortably settled.
“We should see about re-growing those limbs,” said Wallace, indicating Ethan’s leg stumps.
“We can’t,” said Pavel, his voice flat. “I reported the death of his consciousness at New Kelen Hospital. We don’t want anyone questioning that report when they start scraping cells and realize who he is. Word would get back to my aunt.”
“I am puzzled,” said Ethan, “as to the nature of your relationship with your aunt.”
Pavel laughed dryly. “There’s no love lost between us. Not anymore. Especially since I colluded with an enemy before her eyes.”
“Did ye now?” asked Wallace. “From my recollection, ye stood hostage whilst a crazed young inciter stabbed and drugged Lucca Brezhnaya.”
“I lied to her guards,” said Pavel.
“The individuals in question are deceased,” said Ethan.
“What?” asked Pavel. “How do you know that?”
“I’ve obtained information on many subjects pertaining to the Chancellor,” said Ethan. “It has not been difficult, given that this ship is registered to her. She reports the guards as having been murdered by the inciter known by only by the name ‘Jessamyn.’”
“We know that’s not true,” said Wallace.
Pavel ran a hand over his face. Those guards were dead because of him. “It’s not hard to guess how they really met their end,” he said. “In any case, there’s no question of my returning to Lucca. That life is over for me.”
“I understand,” said Ethan.
“I hadn’t thought about this ship having my aunt’s security clearance,” said Pavel. “Although, in a day or less Security will remind her that whoever stole her ship has access to her data.”
“You can bet on that,” said Wallace.
“It is not my intentions to place bets,” replied Ethan. “However, I have been cross-loading information to my chair’s computer which, fortunately, is quite robust.”
“Oh, yeah,” said Pavel, smiling at the holoscreen display on Ethan’s chair. “I’ve read about that Z-board. It’s powerful. It’s meant to be an amazing entertainment center.”
“As my requirements for entertainment are modest,” said Ethan, “I have completed modifications to the Z-board, freeing up a great deal of space, and I am in the process of retrieving as much as I can from the ship’s computer.”
“Good,” said Wallace, nodding.
“I have, in addition,” continued Ethan, “discovered Captain Kipling’s whereabouts. She currently resides in the intensive care portion of the hospital from which you rescued me, Pavel.”
Pavel looked at the data and frowned. “Brain injury,” he said. “Those aren’t easy to work with.” He ran a finger along a line of diagnostic code. “Still in her firstbody. That means she’s either in a coma or in significant and irreducible pain.” He placed a hand upon Ethan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, man.”
“It is most unfortunate,” said Ethan. “However, I am relieved to know she survives. Harpreet, I have located as well.”
Wallace stepped over to peer at Ethan’s screen. “Well, my friend, so ye have. And how would ye like to rescue our good friend Harpreet Mombasu from the New Timbuktu Gold Processing and Re-educational Center for the Retirement of Criminals?”
“I should like that very much,” said Ethan.
Wallace grinned from ear to ear. “I’ve got some connections that might prove useful.”
“Regrettably,” said Ethan, “It is not a matter of what I would like.”
Wallace looked puzzled. “Ye’d like something else, then, lad?”
Ethan hesitated a fraction of a second before answering. “I should like to visit a zoological facility and see elephants and tigers,” he replied. “I should also like to see Terran snow.”
Pavel shook his head, confused. “Are you saying you want to do those things instead of rescuing your crewmate?”
“I am not,” replied Ethan. “Brian Wallace asked what I would like to do. I answered.”
“Aye, lad,” said Wallace. “Ye’re quite literal, are ye not? Allow me to rephrase. What is it that ye feel ye must do, as opposed to the things ye’d like to do, exactly?”
“I believe the time has arrived for me to discuss the nature of the mission I failed to complete,” replied Ethan.
Pavel felt his heart beating faster. A week ago a change from dutiful nephew to fugitive would have sounded ludicrous to him. But now, how eagerly he yearned to pass from merely a fugitive to someone in active defiance of the No Contact Accords and of his aunt.