Page 2 of Lost in Barbarian Space

Honor was a military brat. Raised by a military father, she also had two brothers in the Galactic Security Services. Honor might work security for the Institute’s expedition ships, but she’d still had military professionalism instilled in her since she was a young girl. She liked rules and order.

Nera Darc, on the other hand—former treasure hunter and all-round badass—tended to disregard rules when it suited her. Most people were still reeling from the fact the woman had joined the Institute about eight months back—and some were still seriously hoping she would change her mind and leave.

But Honor suspected that would never happen. Not unless the new Director of Acquisitions—Dr. Niklas Phoenix—left. He was Nera’s lover…hell, that word didn’t even begin to describe what was between the couple.

Nik and Nera rarely indulged in public displays of affection, but Honor had seen the connection between them. It almost felt like something you could touch. She had no doubt that Nera would give her life to protect Niklas. And Nik might be an astro-archeologist, but he’d also been a treasure hunter with his infamous brothers. He could hold his own and, if needed, fight for the woman he’d made clear was his.

Honor fought the restless urge to shift her feet. She’d never seen a man love a smart, dangerous woman like that before.

For all of Nera’s lack of military bearing, she was a hell of a fighter and a good leader. Honor had learned tons from her already.

“We’ve arrived, Brandall.”

Nera’s voice broke Honor’s musings. She turned to look at the large, round window at the back of the gym.

A perfect, blue-gray orb of a planet hung in the blackness of space.

“It looks pretty from here,” Nera murmured. “The barbarian world of Markaria.”

Honor had done her research. Markaria was a rocky world, with small amounts of water. It had snow to the north, bands of dangerous, mountainous areas, and some gentler meadow areas with small lakes and some low vegetation. It was apparently populated by hordes of dangerous beasts.

It was also home to a part-human race of barbarian warriors.

“So, when do we get started on our mission?” Honor asked. They were here to look at the ancient crash site of an old Earth ship that had crashed here thousands of years ago…and forever changed the planet and her people. In her head, she was already organizing the supplies and the security team for protecting the archeologists as they worked.

“Soon,” Nera said. “Brandall, I need you to stay on your toes. There’s added information that hasn’t been shared about this mission.” Her gaze flicked to Derek Wu on the other side of the gym and she lowered her voice. “It’s been classified until we reach the planet.”

Honor felt her interest sharpen. “What?”

Nera shook her head. “I can’t share yet—” she held up a hand when she saw Honor’s face tighten “—I’m sorry, it isn’t my call. Niklas wants the Markarians to be the first to hear it.”

“You have to give me something,” Honor protested. “I’m your second-in-command, and this really hampers my work. How does it affect the mission? Does it make it more dangerous⁠—?”

“Yes.”

When Nera didn’t add any more, Honor released a breath. “That’s it?”

“For now. You’ll get all the details on the ground when we meet with the Markarians. All I can tell you is that Niklas got his hands on some ancient records about the ship that crashed here. There’s more to the story.”

Honor raised her brows. She felt a slight electric buzz through her body. It was the feeling she got when a tightly planned mission was about to spiral out of control. “So, what now?”

“We’ll take a shuttle down to the surface shortly to meet Niklas’ cousin, Aurina, and her bondmate.”

Right. Nik’s cousin Aurina, a former deep-space scout, had discovered Markaria when she’d crash-landed here. She’d since mated with a barbarian warlord and made her home here. Honor couldn’t imagine giving up technology for a man—no matter how good he was in bed. She loved hot showers, laser weapons, and twenty-four-hour VelocityBall channels too much.

“Unfortunately, we won’t get to work right away.” Nera’s face didn’t change, but Honor got the impression the woman wanted to grimace. “We’re to be welcomed with a sword-fighting display and feast in our honor.”

Sword-fighting? Honor hid her smile. That didn’t sound too bad. Maybe she’d find a few moves she could incorporate into her training. “At least it gives us a chance to scope out our hosts before we head out on the mission.”

Nera nodded. “Assess their strengths and weaknesses.”

“Ah…they aren’t our enemies, right?”

One of Nera’s brows rose. “Everything can change in an instant. Be prepared. Always.”

Right. She’d forgotten that Nera Darc trusted no one…except Niklas Phoenix.

“Oh, Nera, there was one other security issue I wanted to discuss with you,” Honor added.