Lost in Barbarian Space(24)

There was so much out there. Aurina had shared many stories and obtained archives of information for Kavon’s scholars. Colm knew they were beyond the galaxy’s official edge, deemed uncharted space, but Markaria was no longer alone, and life for their people would change.

They just had to ensure it changed for the better. At first, he’d worried that having more technology would make warriors obsolete. He glanced at Honor. But it seemed that even people with more technology still needed their protectors.

Finding this treasure was beneficial to Markaria. It would offer them more of their history, bring more interest from the outside, and also bring much-needed riches that Markaria might need in these new times.

Colm tapped a finger against his belt. Not that it mattered. He doubted he would be there to see all these changes.

“Nothing,” Agent Abora said. “Moving onto the final quadrant.”

He had to admit that the walls of the ship felt far too close. Despite the vast space outside the glass, he still felt claustrophobic in this ship. He fell into a warrior breathing routine, one he used a lot to calm his nanami. He pulled in another breath, tasting the recycled air, and forced himself to calm.

“Nothing.” Agent Abora flopped back in her chair. “There’s nothing here.”

“We have another moon to search, Ning,” Honor said with a small smile. “Patience is vital on these kind of expeditions.”

“I have a friendly bet going with Agent Hant on the Magellan that we’ll find the wreckage up here. He thinks it’s on the planet.”

Honor crossed her arms. “Well, let’s move to the next moon and see if we can win that bet for you.”

The science officer’s comp made a strange beep.

“Wait!” She leaned forward, her hands dancing over the screen. Then a frown drew her brows together. “There’s something showing on long-range scanners.”

Colm watched as Honor changed. Her easy, relaxed posture disappeared and she stiffened. “Report.”

Agent Abora shook her head. “Nope. It’s gone.” She swiped and tapped some more. “Running a full secondary scan now.” After a few seconds, the science officer relaxed. “Nothing. It must have been some interference.”

“Run it again and check,” Honor said, voice firm.

“Yes, Agent Brandall.”

A moment later, Agent Abora shook her head. “It’s all clear.”

Honor nodded. “Good. Okay, are we ready to check out the second moon?”

The ship moved, changing course. Now Colm watched the white orb of Ansar fill the screen.

As they moved closer, he saw that it was completely covered in ice and snow. “It looks like the north of Markaria. Cold and icy.”

“If we find wreckage down there, we’ll have to plan our trip down with precision.” Honor stared at the moon with a frown. “No one wants to be lost in that.”

He smiled at her. “I spent several weeks in the north’s icy climes on a warrior’s test. It…wasn’t pleasant, but survivable.”

“I like warmer weather.” Her gaze dropped down his body. “Besides, I’m guessing your nanami help you from feeling the cold.”

“They help us withstand the cold, but we still feel the pain.”

Agent Abora turned in her chair. “Prelim enviro scans show survivable temps…just. But there are wild snowstorms in places, and it looks like they are brutal and move fast.” She reached over and tapped the screen. “Wow, under the snow I’m reading a large network of ice tunnels. Some look pretty big.” Then she grimaced. “And I’m showing very faint heat signatures in places.” Her large eyes looked up. “There are some sort of lifeforms down there.”

“If it is like the north of Markaria,” Colm said, “then they’ll be something like the husker beasts and frost bears we have in the colder climes. Vicious and territorial.”

“Great,” Honor said. “Well, if we find anything, we’ll need a solid security plan. But first, we have to see if we find anything. Ning, let’s start those scans.”

“Starting now,” Agent Abora said. “If there are any signs of wreckage, we’ll find them.”

“Even under the snow?” Colm asked.

She nodded. “I’m searching for the metallic elements used to build the starship. It’s unlikely there would be anything similar that occurs naturally on this moon, even under the snow. But the snow and ice will slow things down a lot.”

“And the long-range scanners are still clear?” Honor asked.

“As a whistle.”

Honor turned to Colm. “This could take a while,” she said. “How about something to eat or drink?”