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

On the rock wall, the image filled with motion beyond the falling snow. The poacher moved off, reappearing a few moments later with the first poacher. Between them, they carried the limp body of a snow leopard.


Eryx bit his lip as he watched. “That’s one of the younger ones. She doesn’t stand a chance on a pirate’s ship. Do they even know how to set the atmospherics right? Last time they were here, they didn’t take any sheep or other food. What do they feed them?”


“All right, come on.” Leander took Eryx by the shoulder and pushed him at the couch, then sat next to him. “Look, you know these bastards are dangerous. It’s sad, but it’s nothing we can do anything about.”


“How are theydoing that?” asked Eryx, pointing to one of the poachers as they touched their ear and spoke. “Transmissions are down. How are theycommunicating?”


Chapter 21