# Escape explained — The Master Mind of Mars > Chapter companion for The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## What happens Vad Varo revives Gor Hajus and Dar Tarus from their preserved bodies, enlisting their help to restore Valla Dia's body from Xaxa. They also recruit the ape Hovan Du. The group debates escape plans, ultimately stowing away on the flier Vosar. During the voyage, they are nearly discovered by a search party from Vobis Kan but are saved when Bal Zak, the ship's captain, misdirects the searchers. They arrive in Toonol under cover of darkness. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Body Transfer The chapter revolves around reviving preserved bodies and the plan to restore Valla Dia's original body from Xaxa, highlighting the fluidity of identity. ### Love and Sacrifice Vad Varo's mission to restore Valla Dia is driven by love, and the allies risk their lives for this cause. ### Ethics of Science Ras Thavas's unregulated body preservation and brain transfers raise ethical questions about the use of corpses and the value of life. ## Character check-ins ### Gor Hajus Revived from his preserved corpse; agrees to serve Vad Varo in exchange for freedom and a chance to kill Vobis Kan. ### Dar Tarus Revived from his preserved body; joins Vad Varo's quest to avenge Xaxa's wrongs and reclaim Valla Dia's body. ### Valla Dia Her anesthetized body is concealed in the vault; the mission is to restore her original body from Xaxa. ### Hovan Du The ape with a human brain; revived and agrees to help in exchange for brain restoration. ### Bal Zak Captain of the Vosar; unknowingly aids the escape by misdirecting Vobis Kan's search party. ### Vad Varo Leads the escape, revives the allies, and orchestrates the stowaway plan. ## Key lines > It was the work of a few minutes to carry them to adjoining tables, where I quickly strapped them securely against the possibility that one or both of them might not be willing to agree to the proposition I was about to make them, and thus force me to anesthetize them again. Vad Varo quickly moved the bodies to tables and strapped them down in case they refused his offer, so he could re-anesthetize them. _Shows Vad Varo's cautious and prepared approach to reviving potential allies._ > I promise you life; but with the understanding that you serve me faithfully and none other, undertaking no business of your own, until mine has been carried to a successful conclusion. Vad Varo offers Gor Hajus freedom in exchange for exclusive loyalty until the mission to restore Valla Dia is complete. _Establishes the terms of their alliance and Vad Varo's leadership._ > Gor Hajus questioned the wisdom of my choice, saying that the ape would attract too much attention to us. Dar Tarus, however, believed that it might be helpful in many respects... Gor Hajus worried the ape would draw unwanted notice, but Dar Tarus argued it could be useful, especially in the marshes and in Phundahl. _Highlights the strategic debate among the group about including Hovan Du._ > We heard a scraping as the other ship touched ours. 'We are coming aboard to search you in the name of Vobis Kan, Jeddak of Toonol. Make way!' shouted one from the other ship. A search party from Vobis Kan's ship boarded the Vosar to look for the escapees. _Moment of high tension as the group hides in the cargo hold._ > I slipped my short-sword into his hand. 'Fight!' I replied. 'Good, Vad Varo,' he replied, and then I handed him my pistol and told him to pass it on to Dar Tarus. Vad Varo armed Gor Hajus and Dar Tarus, preparing to fight if discovered. _Demonstrates Vad Varo's readiness for violence and the group's solidarity._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-escape - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters