Page 32 of Lost in Barbarian Space

CHAPTER SEVEN

Everyone clustered around Officer Abora’s comp screen.

“The first location is directly below us,” the woman said.

Lights appeared in the air above the console and Colm barely stopped himself from stepping back in surprise. The pretty projection showed the surface of the moon.

Fascinating. A glowing green X was prominent on the screen.

Honor was frowning as she studied the map. “Keep scanning. Let’s see what else turns up.”

“Another hit!” Officer Abora practically bounced in her seat. “It’s some distance from the first location.”

“I think it’s best to take down a small team,” Honor said. “We’ll take the marlins.”

“Marlins?” Colm asked.

“Small, two-man ships.” She eyed him up and down. “I think you’ll be able to squeeze in there. Just.”

Abora’s comp beeped again. The science officer grinned. “A third hit. The largest of the three.”

Honor turned to the others. “We’ll take two marlins down. Agent Wu can pilot the other marlin. Dr. Lev’nan, you select which archeologist you want to have go down.”

The archeologist nodded. “Got it, Agent Brandall. I think Dr. Behati is the best man for the job.”

A slim man with dark skin stepped forward with a groan. “It looks cold down there. I’m not fond of the cold.”

“Okay.” Honor ignored the archeologist’s complaint. “We need to gear up. Everyone needs environmental suits.”

A little while later, Colm found himself entering the shuttle bay of the Drake. He’d stopped by his cabin and changed into his thicker winter trousers and grabbed his winter coat. Three small ships sat side-by-side—the marlins. They were all gray with sleek, narrow designs that made him think of a bird-of-prey diving with its wings retracted. They had the Institute logo on the side.

Honor entered. He took a second to watch her efficient, athletic stride. By the warrior, she was beautiful. She was wearing a dark-gray, armor-like suit that slicked over her body like a second skin.

She frowned at him. “Why aren’t you in the enviro suit I left for you?”

“A warrior does not wear armor.”

“It protects from the cold, Colm. Don’t tell me warriors also go naked in snowy conditions?”

“Would you like me naked?”

She huffed out a breath. “Focus, warrior.”

“Your suit doesn’t fit me, Honor. Besides I have this.” He nabbed his coat and held it up.

Her eyes widened. “A pile of whitish-gray fur?”

“A coat made of husker fur. The warmest fur on all of Markaria.”

“You’re sure?”

He nodded. “Very.”

“Okay.” As Wu and the scholar entered the area, she nodded. “Let’s get down to Ansar and take a look around.”

At the first marlin, she touched the controls on the side and the rounded cockpit slid open.

Colm sucked in a breath. There wasn’t a lot of room. He was going to feel like a hargon beast wedged into a chicken coop. Still, he’d be enclosed in a small space with Honor. His mood lightened. He could think of worse things.