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

recommended a remote location in Newfoundland where they were able to refuel with relatively few eyes upon them. Pavel suspected the facility was operating without proper government permitting in place. But that suited his new life as a fugitive.
    They left after Wallace acquired a top-of-the-line hoverchair for Ethan. Pavel tried to repay Brian, but the Scot wouldn’t allow it.
    “Got it for a song,” he said cheerfully. “Unreported manufacturing. Tax-free, ye know.”
    Pavel nodded, reconsidering his assessment of the man—Wallace’s black market know-how would be invaluable. The hoverchair in question was powerful, he noted, removing the shielding from its compact engine. Pavel grinned at what he saw and began the task of making a few modifications to the chair to allow Ethan greater speed and maneuverability. Tinkering with the chair made Pavel think of the limitations of his aunt’s ship.
    “You know, we should think about swapping this ship out for something faster,” said Pavel, musing aloud.
    “Faster, lad?” asked Brian Wallace. “The ship’s untraceable. Who needs speed when you can’t be chased?”
    Pavel frowned. He might prefer something faster, but he couldn’t see how to refute Wallace’s position.
    Wallace stepped close to admire the improvements to Ethan’s new acquisition. “I really should look into one of these chairs 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