Defying Mars (Saving Mars Series-2) Read Online Free Page A

re-bodying me. I’ve no wish to play those odds.”
    Pavel realized he would face the same problem if he attempted to re-body. Or even get reconstructive surgery to disguise his appearance. “ Shizer ,” he muttered under his breath.
    “I do not with to interrupt your negotiations,” said Ethan, “But I require assistance to reach the communications panel. It is imperative that I relay a message to the Red Galleon .”
    Pavel turned his attention to Ethan. “Look, I know you didn’t have a chance to say your goodbyes—”
    Ethan interrupted. “This is more urgent than a mere greeting. I have just concluded that MCC has no information regarding the extent of my success or failure upon the mission with which I was charged.”
    Wallace shrugged. “Your call,” he muttered to Pavel.
    Pavel bristled. Of course it was his decision to make. “Here’s the thing, Ethan,” said Pavel. “My aunt’s got ears everywhere. You send a transmission out to deep space, it’s possible it could be intercepted.”
    “Ah,” said Ethan. “You fear that the transmission, if it appears to be directed past the regulatory boundaries, might be subject to additional scrutiny.”
    “Something like that,” said Pavel.
    “Then I shall consider how to cloak the message in secrecy,” said Ethan, attempting to sit upright. He began to slip out of his seat.
    “Hold it, there,” said Wallace, reaching for Ethan. “Beg pardon for grabbing ye.”
    “Touch appears to affect me differently in this new body,” said Ethan. “Which is fortunate, as it would appear that I will require frequent assistance.”
    Wallace contrived a method whereby Ethan could be strapped onto his chair more securely.
    “What he really needs is a hoverchair,” said Pavel. “When we stop to recharge the ship’s fuel cells, we can pick one up.”
    “Excellent idea,” said Wallace.
    Pavel glanced over to see Ethan’s one good hand flying across the communications screen.
    “And I’ll take a look at that bad arm,” said Pavel. “Looks to me like the muscles just need reattaching.”
    “Aye,” said Brian. “Can’t have the lad going through life with one hand tied behind his back.” He laughed briefly.
    Ethan did not laugh. “Humans are capable of remarkable adaptation,” he said.
    “If that was a joke,” said Pavel, glaring at Brian. “It was in very poor taste.”
    Ethan frowned. “I am not an ideal audience for jokes that involve non-concrete imagery. However, I believe I can enjoy the humor in my situation.”
    Pavel’s brows drew close. “You’re not really like your sister much, are you?” He swallowed back against the ache of remembering her.
    “We share few traits,” agreed Ethan as he finished.
    Pavel shook his head. If there was a boy-version of Jessamyn, it wasn’t her brother.
    “The message has been transmitted,” said Ethan. “I have attempted to delay the receipt of an actual message by encrypting it in a rotating algorithm. It should be some days before the transmission becomes something the Galleon will recognize as a message intended for the crew.”
    “Huh,” said Pavel. “Brilliant.”
    “Further, if it is intercepted by your government, the message will appear to be merely a quotation from ancient literature.”
    “Ingenious,” said Brian Wallace.
    “Given additional time I could have created something to match the epithets you dispense so readily,” replied Ethan.
    “Now we’ve got the goodbyes out of the way,” said Wallace, “I’ll just mention that the ship’s looking a mite hungry at the moment.”
    “Hungry?” asked Ethan.
    “Requires refueling,” said Pavel. “Lucca makes her drivers crazy that way. She’s always pushing to get underway with no comprehension that her demands have consequences.”
    “She expects others to bear the burden of those consequences,” said Ethan. “It is a common failing of the powerful.”
    “Yeah,” said Pavel. “You totally get her.”
    Brian Wallace