Free Howl of the Wolf (Heirs to the Throne Book 1) by Diane Rapp

con?”  Donovan scrutinized Trenton’s face.  “Our lives are on the line here.”
    Trenton blustered, “You cut me to the quick, sir.  I wouldn’t lie to you!” 
    “Your whole life’s been a lie,” Donovan scoffed, “but a very clever one, I admit.  What do you say, Alex?  Do we head to his home planet?”
    Alex solemnly placed a hand on Trenton’s shoulder.  “If Trenton knows the place, so that may give us an advantage.  I’d prefer a planet with a defense system.”
    Donovan sighed.  “I sense that there’s something you haven’t told us, Alex.”
    The doctor nodded.  “Among the list of scientists escaping the Institute, they will be frantic to find me in particular.  I sabotaged the supply of mendilium crystals, a crucial element of Transfer mechanisms.”
    Trenton asked, “Can’t they just mine more?”
    Alex shook his head.  “The crystals are easy to mine but we guarded the secret of the hardening process.”
    “Why?” Donovan asked.
    Alex stared.  His gray eyes looked eerie, ghostlike.  “We wanted a trump card.  Mendilium crystals are the perfect bargaining chip against Institute interference.  We didn’t count on their willingness to commit murder.”
    “Why sabotage the supply?  Now they won’t give up until they find us.”  Donovan shook his head in disbelief. 
    “An insane government that rules men by coercion must be toppled.  I destroyed their control over humanity.  With only one life to live, people won’t allow the Institute to control their lives!”  The doctor’s spine stiffened and determination burned in his eyes.
    Donovan yielded.  “What’s done is done.  Now, we need a planetary defense system.  Trenton, does your little piece of paradise have such a system?”
    Trenton grinned.  “Aye, Captain.  It’s old but we should be able to make it work.” 
    “We’ll use shipping lanes to cover our ion trail, make our first jump into hyperspace at this position, and two more jumps to throw them off track.  Got that?”
    “I could chart it in my sleep,” Trenton boasted with a jaunty salute.
    Donovan nodded.  “We’ll hold a briefing at 1800 hours and establish the full schedule.”  He noticed Chella waiting impatiently.  “Dismissed, Trenton.  Alex, I think Chella needs your help.” 
    “What is it?” Alex asked.
    “Someone assaulted Krystal mentally.  I could see his eyes when I touched her.  They were like black pits absorbing her mind.”
    “It’s a memory.  Someone tampered with her mind, but there was no current contact.”
    “No!  This happened in real time, not memory.  He’s on this ship.”  Chella bit her lower lip. 
    Donovan frowned.  “Establish a rotating schedule so someone stays with Krystal around the clock.  Alex, you need to review the records of everyone on board.”
    “I personally scanned the crew,” Alex said.
    Donovan’s green eyes flashed with anger.  “I want everyone checked again!”
    “Yes.  I’ll give it top priority,” Alex replied, studying Donovan’s face.  
    “Don’t try to read me, I’m not the patient.  We’ve got plenty to worry about without analyzing my actions.”  Donovan turned back to the starchart with an air of dismissal. 
     
    *****
     
    As a voice called to her through a thick mist, Krystal twirled and a filmy orange and blue scarf caressed her skin in silken swirls.  Her body moved to hypnotic music and she tried to ignore the voice.  It was no use.  She stopped dancing and listened.          
    “Krystal! Please wake up,” Chella pleaded.  “We need you.”
    She yawned and opened her eyes.  “I was having such a nice dream.  Why’d you wake me?”
    Chella frowned.  “I couldn’t feel your mind.  Are you okay?”
    Krystal stretched, arching her back.  “You worry too much.”
    Chella said, “Worrying is part of my job description.  Speaking of jobs, do you feel well enough to work?  We’re short-handed.”
    “Sure, I feel