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

Leander realized his mind had blanked only when the strap tightened across his chest. The cord also encircled his wrist again.


“Do you really need to tie those?” he asked. “Just leave mode two on. I’ll behave.”


He didn’t expect that to work, but with an annoyed grunt, the man left Leander’s wrists unbound and picked up the coat. He dug through the pockets and laid everything across the nearby counter, frowning as he examined what little Leander had brought with him. A small amount of food and water, a multitool, and the portable transceiver. The man picked up the last one.


“How many of you are there?” He brought the transceiver to the wall pad’s access port and began trying to hook them up.


Chapter 8