Eryx is part of a team of scientists charged with monitoring and protecting relocated animals on a privately owned planet. When sensors indicate poachers, Eryx leaves base to confront them, only to lose his way in a sudden snow. After trudging to a nearby observation station for shelter, he comes across an unexpected intruder.<br><br>Smuggler Leander flies an old, sometimes unreliable ship. When the engine starts to fail, he attempts to set down on the nearest planet where he’s stashed supplies, but his descent turns into a crash, and he’s forced to take shelter wherever he can.<br><br>The two can’t possibly trust each other, but storm projections show they’ll be stuck together for days. Worse, the poachers aren’t letting a little inclement weather stop them, and they’re armed and ready to kill. Can Leander and Eryx put aside their differences and save the animals -- and themselves -- before something disastrous happens?

Under Snow and Stars

“Yes,” said Eryx, turning to face the way he’d come. His boot prints were already eaten up by fresh snow. “Ready.”


“Turn to two o’clock and walk carefully. The area there gets rocky.”


Eryx paused. He definitely hadn’t come from that direction.


“What? Please confirm that’s the way back to home base.”


“We’re not guiding you to Base Home. It’s too far. There’s a minor station in your area where you can wait out the storm. Base Four.”


The voice was definitely Mandy’s. Just at the edge of the transmission, Eryx heard someone who could only be Tina.


“That asshole. If he gets himself killed—”


“Copy,” said Eryx, adjusting his direction. Well, at least he could put off getting chewed out by Tina. He wondered how many times she could write him up.


He didn’t think he’d regret getting fired. Not really. He doubted his parents wanted more bad news, though.


Chapter 3