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

“What?” he asked as he straightened and put up his free hand again.


“That’s your weapon? A little outdated shocker?” The man adjusted the gun. “No tranq rifle? No personal gun or handgun? No flash grenades?”


“Sorry if you were expecting more. I don’t like actually killing people.” Leander found it difficult to keep the upbeat expression on his face. This was definitely not going well. “And right now I’m really hoping you don’t either.”


The man eyed him, then gestured with a half nod. “Move over to that wall.”


Leander swallowed. The notion that he could be shot execution style and his body left in a cave on some random planet was not a comforting one. The pain in his head seemed distant now, but his stomach flopped harder. Halfway to the wall, his adrenaline surged and he turned back. “I want to face you.”


The guy looked confused, then surprise quickly covered the hardness. “I’m not going to shoot you unless you try anything.”


Chapter 5