Defying Mars (Saving Mars Series-2) Read Online Free PDF Page 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.
    “What’s your mission?” asked Pavel.
    “I must transfer control of the satellites orbiting Mars from the Terran government to Mars Colonial Command,” replied Ethan.
    Pavel’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding, right?”

4
    GENERALLY A MECHANIC
    Mei Lo’s answer to Jessamyn’s impassioned plea arrived three days later. Crusty was the one to notice it first. When Jess arrived for morning rations, he gave her the news.
    Her heart seemed to skip beats. “What did she say?” asked Jessamyn.
    “Weren’t addressed to me,” said Crusty. “Figured you should be the one to read it.”
    Jess dashed to the ship’s helm and sat in her brother’s seat, searching for the communiqué. Crusty followed her at a slower pace.
    The news was not good.
    “Well?” asked Crusty, his gravelly voice laced with what might have been hope.
    “She said, ‘ No ,’” Jess replied. She felt suddenly cold, as though an icy breath had passed through the bridge. How could the Secretary have said no? Jessamyn’s argument had been logical, impassioned, and complete. She shook her head in disbelief. No? It wasn’t possible.
    Crusty grunted. “There’s no and there’s no ,” he said. “Which flavor of negatory would you call this one?”
    Jessamyn couldn’t answer. She rose, gestured to the view screen and murmured, “Read it for yourself,” before excusing herself from the bridge.
    Jessamyn experienced a sudden yearning for the quarters that had belonged to her brother—the place where he had suffered his great anguish.
    They weren’t going to let her rescue him.
    She slammed the flat of her palm against the hatch button and entered the quiet room. Her