Bard Welstaad is a model Uni-Fleet officer. He’s not sure what his unit is to accomplish, marching up an icy peninsula in the frozen hell of Gelada, but without his NCO, Gordon Farrell, he knows he could not keep the unit together fighting off Snow Wasps and the savage deadly cold. Not until tragedy strikes does he admit the big sergeant means much more to him than simply being his right hand man.<br><br>Gordon Farrell idolizes his captain, who represents everything he reveres. The threat of imminent death finally forces him to admit the strength of his feelings as he fights to save Bard’s life. With death stalking at their heels, they can only hope to live long enough to share more than a single incredible night. Fate seems to conspire against them at every turn. Still they cling to the frail hope that somehow their love will find a way.

Fire on Ice

Suddenly he wasn’t tired anymore or lethargic. Life had new meaning, hope and a destination for him.5


At first Gordon didn’t recognize the emotions surging through him, All at once he felt light, a bit dizzy, something wild, wanton and wonderful singing through his veins. Then he found a name for it—happiness. The line, the wait no longer chafed. The next few hours would pass too slowly no matter what he did, but they would pass. And then…His pounding heart would not let him follow the line of thought much farther into a future rife with possibilities.


He found his seat, strapped in, and tried to relax while the ship lifted off. Compared to troop transport, even economy class was pure luxury. The seat shifted to mold to his body, supporting him fully in the high-g force of lift off. The protective helmet had headphones, which poured forth soothing music with an option to turn on entertainment vids inside the goggles. He didn’t bother with that.


Chapter 14