WOLF DAWN: Science Fiction Thriller/ Romance (Forsaken Worlds) (44 page)
Read WOLF DAWN: Science Fiction Thriller/ Romance (Forsaken Worlds) Online
Authors: Susan Cartwright
Tags: #Romance, #Science Fiction, #Dark Heroic Fantasy
He had taken care of the Delians, except for those surviving two. Could it be that the Queen and the traitor Forseth were also on Opan? If so, the Testimonials and the Talisman would be with them. He was close to his goal: complete eradication of the Delian people. Then he would be safe. He needed to be safe. For he alone was vital to the expansion and survival of the human race.
A tadium message would need to be sent to the
Conqueror,
notifying Neopol immediately. Neopol would know exactly what to do.
A
board
Conqueror
, Admiral Neopol stood on the bridge. They travelled in normal space, toward the nearest Omni corridor. Over time, while working on other missions, he had searched a dozen Freeworlds, and had not yet located
Assurance
, the Lady Sartha or her son, Ashton.
The Admiral’s eyes narrowed as he seethed with an old fury.
Opan. There was no other habitable planet remotely
en route
from Delian to Kalar. Even Opan was well off all plausible charted possibilities. According to Captain Forseth’s mindtap they had been bound for Kalar. Had he somehow lied? Even during mindtap? The Lady Sartha must have lied to Forseth, but that was out of character. A woman like her would tell the truth to her lover. He frowned. That old mystery still irritated him.
Thinking of Larren Forseth made his blood temperature rise. Forseth had escaped and they had been searching for him off and on for almost five years. He would have found them if not for the other tasks that HC had given him. Meanwhile, the Delian affair was the only blemish on his record. His only failure.
Never mind, Neopol thought, willing himself to calm. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t found many interesting things to achieve over the few years. He had been kept busy and was closer to his goal: complete control of the human race.
Neopol had not given up. The game was still in play. He would have the last laugh. All things come to the man with persistence and proper motivation. Completing that mission would ensure his promotion and he still desperately wanted the power that it would afford. He was High Lord Andros’s right-hand man. As such, his long life was assured.
He patted his vest pocket, reassuring himself that the legal document that he had been given was still there. The Vice Regal of Opan would welcome him with open arms, for Neopol was a formal emissary from the UWG. If
Assurance
was here, he would soon find it, along with the woman, her son and Forseth.
“I’ll be in my quarters,” Neopol said, turning toward Gene Pagett, Captain of
Conqueror.
Neopol took the tube and entered his quarters with his aide, Sub-Lieutenant Janson, trailing behind. As usual, Janson was an enigma. Neopol had been so concerned and distracted by his recent pursuits that he hadn’t much considered the mystery of how to break Janson. Nothing ever affected Janson. The man was part of the scenery. Like the walls of the ship, he was nondescript and emotionless. Leaning back in his chair, Neopol studied his lieutenant for some time, drawn to the puzzle that was Janson. Jason stood motionless, his eyes rarely blinking. The man was undisturbed by Neopol’s scrutiny.
A knock sounded.
“Come.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Pagett said. “We were just about to enter Omni, and this message caught up with us. I have a sealed tube from HC marked, “Urgent and Important — Neopol’s eyes only.”
The Admiral took the tube. “Fine. You may go,” he ordered. Taking precautions that he could not be overseen, he opened the message. It read: “Delian Prince confirmed dead on Opan. Find Queen and Forseth. Secure Talisman and Testimonials. JA.”
Neopol laughed out loud. Here he was, already moving toward Opan. His reasoning was correct. No surprise there. After sending Pagett an Icom message, confirming orders to continue to Opan, Neopol threw the message into a disintegrator and nodded toward his Aide. Janson began to unbutton the Admiral’s tunic, helping him remove his dress uniform.
Neopol lay down on his bed and snapped his fingers. Janson immediately removed his boots and gently, albeit robotically, began to massage the Admiral’s feet. Neopol had always loved having his feet rubbed, even when he had been a woman.
He shut his eyes. His tension eased with the good news and the foot massage. All his plans would come to fruition in due course. So. It seemed the Delian woman’s son was dead, but the woman herself may yet live. If so, she and Forseth would be together.
Assurance
, the Testimonials and the Talisman would all be found on Opan. He would go there. He would search every meter of that world. He would confirm every report and view Ashton Chayton’s corpse for himself.
Neopol smiled. Such a lot of work for a man with his skills. On Opan he would be able to engage himself in his favorite activity. Anyone connected in any way to the Prince’s death would need to be thoroughly interrogated.
The Admiral mused about Janson for a bit, his attention on the excellent massage he was receiving and the mystery of the sub-lieutenant. But soon he was aware that Janson’s ministrations had sent him into an almost meditative state. Neopol’s thoughts were drawn back to Opan. Was there anyone on Opan who would be a challenge to break? He hadn’t had an interesting subject for some time. What he needed was an intelligent individual, someone he could really pit his will against. His skill level was too extensive now, and most people were boringly normal. The vast majority were completely transparent to him, with moderate intelligence and utterly predictable actions and motivations. None could really command his interest. Perhaps someone on Opan would be unique and clever, and most valued of all, difficult to break.
Neopol breathed in deeply and tingled with excitement. He often had moments of almost prophetic insight. Usually it happened when his attention was fixed — for example, when engaged in breaking a subject and tracing the source of the subject’s fear. It occurred to him then that he was beginning to feel that familiar sensation
right now.
It was a strong sensation, a combination of
déjà-vu
and premonition. He held perfectly still and examined the feeling.
Yes.
In the depths of his being he felt certain. The idea electrified him.
Suddenly Neopol sat up on his bed, putting his feet on the floor. Janson, who should have been surprised … wasn’t. Janson remained at the end of Neopol’s bed on his knees. He simply stopped massaging the Admiral’s feet, straightened and waited.
Neopol’s brows drew down in a frown, his mind deep in thought as he focused. There was someone on Opan, someone different from the others. He knew it. An individual who was capable, intelligent and unique. Was it a woman, perhaps? Women, the weaker sex, had a genetic need to be sly in order to compete with the strength of men. They could be quite cunning. A woman might be a proficient adversary.
Neopol stood up and went to the bathroom. As he washed his hands he looked into the mirror and smiled at himself. It was a broad grin that he thought would be considered quite charming, except perhaps for the expression in his eyes. His brown eyes held a cold glint of predatory malice. This was a part of him he could not show anyone, the real him. Neopol liked his eyes, as he was a predator. It was a choice, really, and he had made his choice early in life: He chose not to be prey.
As he wiped his hands, he realized that he liked everything about himself. For he was a genius and he had work to do, and a whole new world to do it in.
Whoever it is that waits on Opan, woman or man,
Neopol thought,
I will treasure and value them as only I can. Then I will take my time …
He smiled with cruel satisfaction.
… and I will destroy them completely.
T
hank you for reading
Wolf Dawn.
The sequel is
Wolf Revenge
, Book Two of the
Forsaken Worlds
series. Here is a short synopsis:
T
he man killed his family and was responsible for the genocide of his people. Ashton Chayton wants revenge, and he has unique, superhuman powers to help him get it. Not to mention more wealth and power than governments or kings.
But is his target the real villain? Or a hero mistakenly accused?
Will Ash kill the wrong man? Will Lindha, the love of Ash’s young life, become a victim of the sadistic genius Admiral Neopol while Ash is away on his mission of vengeance? Can Ash save a world fallen victim to a vicious plague? Ultimately, can he even save himself?
The answer to those questions lies somewhere in the vast spaces between planets. And the Red Wolves of Opan may deliver the final verdict.
Wolf Revenge
is the sequel to
Wolf Dawn
. Enjoy the continuing nail biting adventure of love, spaceship chases, plagues, alien planets, mind-control and the wonderful Red Wolves of Opan.
You are welcome to write me via my website:
http://www.susancartwright.com
In Order by First Name
Anton and Dorian:
Identical twins of Greek descent. Light-brown skin, green eyes, with wavy black hair. Both damaged by working as sexual slaves during early childhood.
Ashton Rynan Chayton:
Prince of Delian, heir apparent to the throne. Known as Ash. Small for his age, prone to illness, barely survived birth and failed to thrive during infancy. Weak in body he has a powerful psychic ability. Surrounded by people, isolated by circumstances, he is shy, awkward and intelligent.
Batalov the Thrice Damned:
Murdered Prime Minister of Delian. Referred to traditionally as the “thrice damned,” having been damned first through the loss of his wife; secondly, through the madness that came to him when he avoided healing mind-touch; and thirdly, by violating strict moral convention in unlawfully reading minds and keeping a comprehensive diary of the knowledge he acquired. He and his family were torn apart by a mob.
Brent Jenkins:
PhD in quantum physics who discovered Omni-space and Omni-drive in 2050. Half Sioux Indian. Changed his name to Brent Chayton and settled on Delian as King in 2080. Husband of Janice Chayton, the renowned Seer.
Carrah:
Sister of the Opan High Temple of Jana. Elvan features, slim, hair tinged with flecks of red. Light brown eyes, and a sprinkling of freckles. Her manner of achieving goals is at one with her personality, subtle and unassuming. Close to her brother, Dwanne.
Ching:
Admiral Neopol’s personal physician. Calm and meticulous. Mannequin-like, his Asian features never seem to move — only his eyes seem alive. Specialist concerning anything physical to do with the human body. Can tell to the minute when a bone will break or a subject will reach unconsciousness.
Clinton D. Williams:
Head of the Alliance on Kalar, gifted seer. Barrel-chested, balding, with slightly crooked teeth. Kind and cunning. Husband to Em, father of four.
Del and Ein:
Self-serving Feral brothers on Opan. Orange red hair, dark beards, enormous jutting jaws and pale blue eyes.
Dorian and Anton:
See Anton and Dorian, above.
Emily Williams:
Wife to Clinton, known as Em. Lives on Kalar with her husband and four children. Thickset, square jawed, plain faced with prematurely gray hair. Crooked nose, palsy causing one eye to droop slightly. Courageous and kind.
Gene Pagett:
Lieutenant Commander, second-in-command of
Conqueror,
and best friend of Captain Barlow. Tall, slim, always clean shaven, having eradicated his beard as a teenager. Brown hair. Pagett genetically altered his hazel eyes to deep green, the better to attract women.
Janson:
Sub-lieutenant, adjutant and aide to Admiral Neopol. Neopol usually destroys his aides, driving them to suicide or homicide. Janson is a mystery because Neopol has been unable to break him. Medium sized, brown hair and eyes, white-faced, taciturn. Follows orders to the letter; never questions anything or offers an opinion.
Jarith Chayton:
King of Delian and Ashton’s father. Light brown skin, dark eyes, prominent cheek bones and straight black hair, characteristics that reflect his Native American and Asian ancestry.
Jani:
Honest trader and Feral woman living on the fringe. Wrinkled, bearded, stooped, grey haired, toothless. Friend to Ash. With virtually no education, she still has more common sense than most people.
Jeeha:
Temple Second at Temple of Jana on Opan. Dark almond eyes and long dark brown hair. Best friend to Temple Prefect, Lady Lindha.
John Andros:
High Lord Minister and most powerful person in the United Worlds Government. In charge of Enforcement, including Freeworld Police, Army, Navy and Cirani (Prison planet). Neopol is his subordinate. Considers himself the gardener of humanity, and the end always justifies the means. Blond haired, but changes his identity and appearance every hundred years or so. Has the secret to eternal life and is two-hundred and fifty-five years old. Practiced, boyish charm, hundreds of years of political experience.
Jon Barlow:
Captain of
Conqueror, a man of honor and intelligence.
Has thick brown hair, honey brown eyes.
Larren Forseth:
Captain of Police Freeworld Cruiser 171,
Darla Wu.
Strong sense of justice, honest cop, intent on helping others. Would never abuse his position. Six-four, lean, broad shouldered, brown eyes, with gray in his brown hair. Ill-set broken nose and unsightly pink burn scar from left ear to chin. Neglects physical modification even though “body beautiful” is the norm in the United Worlds.
Latnok:
Delian Imperial Seer. The white-haired crone, thin, wrinkled and blind. Mother Latnok has cast a foretelling about Ashton, the Prince of Delian:
“He will be alone. No father, no mother, no people, no home.”
The only hope she gives is
“The Wolf is coming.”
Lindha:
Prefect of High Temple of Jana on Opan. Fit, trim and well-formed figure. Of average height, blonde with sky-blue eyes edged by a deeper blue rim. Intelligent, kind and a commanding presence. Wears Delian Damithest on her right nostril as all Temple Sisters do.
Long Fang:
Red wolf of Opan. Pack leader. Adopted father to Ash.
Malcolm Drake:
Pilot of police cruiser,
Darla Wu
and best friend of Larren Forseth. Older man with brown-grey hair and eyes.
Narda Chayton:
One-hundred-and-fifty-year-old woman living on Opan. Retired Temple Sister, grandmother to Lady Lindha. Seer with secrets Ash needs to know.
Neopol Jones:
Admiral of the battleship
Conqueror
. Fascinated with the study of humankind and obsessed with what will “break” an individual. Tall, heavyset, yet also quick and agile. God-like capabilities in observation and intellect. Always impeccably dressed, well-manicured, with thick, soft hands and heavy golden rings on his fingers. Between forty and sixty year old, black hair in a precise military cut. He was once a tall, muscular woman who has undergone a sex change.
Sartha Chayton:
Queen of Delian, mother to Ashton. Genetically reprogrammed wavy gold hair and striking blue eyes.
Seeta:
Red wolf of Opan. Mate to Long Fang. Adopted mother to Ash.
Smith:
Admiral Neopol’s personal physician. Forty years old, thin, excitable and balding. Has an irritating twitch in his eye that, despite all his science, he is quite unable to cure. Specialist in the mental side of medical pursuits.
Teella:
Female Opan wolf pup of Long Fang and Seeta. “Sister” to Ash.
Tynan:
Prince Ashton Chayton’s devoted childhood pet, a hunting wolfhound. Thick black coat with downy gray fur beneath. Ash has a paranormal bond with the dog.
