Lost in Barbarian Space(11)

Niklas nodded and leaned forward, lacing his hands together on the table. “I also found a record of a second ship that left with the Excalibur.”

Conversation at the table died. Colm raised a brow. “We did not find a second ship inside the mines under Mount Furioso.”

“Our legends do not speak of others,” Kavon said.

“That’s what we’d like to investigate. The ships were traveling together. All the passengers were ex-military, and looking for a more peaceful life. Perhaps they parted ways before the Excalibur got this far.”

Or perhaps it, too, had been hit by the meteor storm that had caused the First Warriors to crash-land on Markaria. They’d eventually used their science to create the nanami and turn the native beast-like humanoids into the Markarians that existed today. They’d taught Colm’s ancestors the Way of the Warrior and how to control their beastly urges.

But for a few—his hand curled into a fist on the table—they’d also cursed them to an early death.

“The second ship was called the Valhalla. But there is more…” Niklas’ gaze met Kavon’s. “The Excalibur housed the group’s labs, but the Valhalla was their primary storage ship.” Niklas took a breath. “It was filled with treasures from old Earth.”

A round of excited gasps.

“Maybe they didn’t get hit by the storm,” Colm suggested.

“Or maybe they crashed in an inhospitable and unreachable part of your planet,” Nik countered.

“Possibly,” Kavon said. “If the second ship did land here, we need to find it.”

Nik smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Kavon inclined his head.

“We did run some preliminary surface scans of the planet as we entered orbit.” Niklas leaned back in his chair. “We found a few promising signs of what could be ship-grade metal. One on Mount Furioso.”

“The wreck of the Excalibur,” Kavon said.

“And a smaller sign just west of your estate.”

Colm frowned. “That is rolling meadow, dotted with a few lakes. If a ship had crashed there, it would have been discovered.”

“It could be buried,” Honor said. “It was a long time ago.”

“With your permission,” Nik said, “I’d like to take one team to the wreck of the Excalibur, and send a secondary team to investigate the second signature.”

Kavon nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. I will take your team to Mount Furioso myself. Colm will help your secondary team.”

“Agent Brandall will head security for the secondary team,” Nera said quietly.

Colm straightened. He remembered what had happened to Kavon on the mountain. “Kavon, I should come with you into the Darken Wilds.” The meadows were relatively safe; the Wilds, on the other hand, were teeming with beasts and dangers.

Kavon shook his head, his long hair brushing his shoulders. “Take care of our guests, Colm. They are unfamiliar with our world.”

Colm huffed out a breath.

“I’m sure we’ll be perfectly fine without you, warrior,” Honor said. “If you aren’t interested in a little treasure hunting.”

He saw the challenge in Honor’s eyes and he crossed his arms. “I follow my warlord’s orders.”

Suddenly, music started up on the far side of the hall. People started clearing away tables to make a space for dancing.

“Let’s enjoy the rest of the feast,” Kavon said. “Tomorrow, we will search for this lost ship of the First Warriors.”

Colm’s gaze went back to Honor and lingered. Oh, he planned to enjoy the rest of the feast.

And he planned to talk a certain female into his bed.




Honor pushed off the crowded dance floor, a little winded. Some of the Markarian ladies had lured her to join a woman’s dance. Most of the warriors didn’t dance, she noticed, but a few did. The Markarian style of dancing was energetic and athletic. Lots of dipping, kicking, and jumping. It reminded her of the Cossack dancing she’d seen in old Earth records.

A flash of pink amongst the dancers caught her eye. Lala was having the time of her life, laughing with the Markarians.

Honor’s face felt flushed, and the little bit of ale she’d allowed herself had gone to her head supernova-fast. She spotted Nera leaning against a wall. Honor’s boss hadn’t had anything to drink, nor was she dancing. The woman was keeping a close eye on the crowd and Niklas. She just didn’t seem to have an off switch.

The rest of the security team, those who weren’t on duty back on the Magellan, mingled with the crowd. They were drinking and talking with the locals. She spotted Derek Wu dancing with a pretty Markarian woman. She also spotted the newest member of her team, Wade Darzan, sitting at a table and scowling. She noted he had no drink, and wasn’t talking to anyone. The young man was a fresh recruit, with a chip on his shoulder and a bad attitude. She sighed. Something for her to deal with later.