Crashed on an Ice World

by Anna Hackett

  Elana loved watching the two of them snipe at each other. There was so much passion between them, they practically left a trail of burn marks behind as they went.

  Meanwhile, Elana had no love life. She let out a small sigh. She knew that Ry would never break his rules. The childhood he rarely spoke about had left deep scars on him.

  Her childhood hadn’t been bad, but it had left her wanting more. As one child among many on an old, crowded ice-mining ship, she’d mostly felt invisible. She’d left that life dreaming of paving her own path and, one day, finding someone who saw her as special. Someone who looked at her like she was the most amazing thing in the galaxy.

  She wanted someone to love her.

  Goldie tossed her drink back. “The map was written by the sole survivor of the crash of the old Earth starship, the Ventura.”

  “Were they a cargo ship escaping the war on Earth?” Dare asked.

  Everyone knew about the terrible nuclear wars that had destroyed Earth. Elana glanced at Nik and the silent Nera. They’d heard the story of their wild expedition back to the ruined planet.

  “Nope,” Goldie said gleefully. “They were a pirate ship. They preyed on the cargo ships leaving Earth and scored big time with one particular ship. They stole the Viking hoard, then hightailed it into uncharted space.”

  Arus picked up the story. “But something went wrong and the Ventura crashed. There is a record of the tale by a young man named Joseph Fox. After the crash on an uncharted and dangerous water world, his shipmates took the treasure and made for a mountain range that looked like a row of ancient Earth sailing ships with masts and sails. But young Fox decided trekking away from the crashed ship and deeper into the desolate landscape was a death sentence. So, he stayed with the wreck.”

  “Someone must have picked him up, because he made it to charted space, with only one Viking coin to corroborate his tale.” Goldie pulled something out of her pocket.

  It was a single silver coin. Elana leaned closer. The beaten metal was stamped with the image of a sword in the center and ringed by a strange language.

  “Fox left a description of the water world and how they ended up there,” Goldie said.

  “So you’re looking for a water world in uncharted space,” Dare said.

  “Nope,” Goldie answered.

  Elana traded a look with Ry. He shrugged.

  Goldie set her hands on the table. “Lots of people tried to find Fox’s water world and the treasure. Many perished sending ships beyond the galaxy’s edge.”

  Dare sat back, face impassive. “How about you get to the point, Goldie?”

  “Patience is a virtue, Master Phoenix.” She winked. “Or so I’m told. Four weeks ago, I came across a personal letter that Fox had written to a friend of his. He recounted the crash and the clues he’d left to the treasure. He also mentioned that he’d written the clues in code.”

  “In opposites, to be precise,” Arus said with a smile. “Everything he listed about the planets leading to the treasure is the opposite of what it is in reality.”

  Elana nodded. “So the water world is actually…?”

  “An ice world,” Goldie answered.

  “An ice world. Great,” Rynan muttered under his breath. He raised his voice a little louder. “I’ll need to analyze the descriptions from your map, determine the opposites, and see if they match anything in our database. But there are a lot of uncharted worlds out there. We might find nothing.”

  “And I have to consider the convoy passengers,” Dare added. “We have two small ships joining us. They’ve all paid for passage to Naahlaw. It’s only a few days from here, so we’ll drop them first, then start your treasure hunt.”

  “I assume you’ve kept the treasure and the map under wraps,” Ry said.

  Goldie cleared her throat. “Mostly.”

  “Mostly?”

  Elana stifled a wince. She knew that tone.

  Goldie lifted a shoulder. “I may have mentioned it at a few central systems parties. But really, who from the central systems would make their way out here?”

  “Any other security risks I should know about?” Ry asked darkly.

  Arus had a pinched look on his face. “I may have made some vague references to the Viking hoard in some interviews. But only to some very small publications.”

  Ry sighed. “It likely won’t be a problem.”

  But Elana knew Ry hated loose ends and security risks. Everyone started talking at once again, and she tried to dredge up her usual interest in a new trip beyond the galaxy’s edge. She fiddled with her glass, filled with a new, gnawing sense of dissatisfaction.

  “What’s wrong?” Ry murmured.

  She glanced up and saw him frowning at her. She tried to shake off her bad mood. “Nothing.”

  “The Phoenix Deep-Space Convoy is the best at what we do,” Dare said. “And this isn’t the first time we’ve found, fought for, and protected an ancient treasure.” His silver eyes settled on Goldie. “So, are you coming aboard the Sky Nomad, Goldie?”

  The woman smiled. “I’m thinking about it. Young Phoenix here gave you a glowing recommendation, and I want this treasure found.” She tilted her head. “You going to charge me an exorbitant amount?”

  “Yes,” Dare answered with a smile.

  Goldie let out a chuckle. “I like you. And you have this dark, handsome and bossy thing going on—”

  Suddenly, a scuffle broke out behind them, followed by shouts.

  Elana moved on instinct, pulling her baton off her belt. She heard the distinctive sound of laser fire.

  Shit. She saw Dare dive on Goldie, knocking the woman to the floor. As the others all ducked, Ry and Elana both jumped up.

  Spinning, she took in the situation. Two huge men were arguing in the center of the room. She briefly rolled her eyes. Both idiots had laser pistols drawn and were going to accidentally kill somebody.

  “Go right,” Ry ordered, lifting his pistol.

  She nodded, ducking down, and sneaking around some tables. Most of the bar patrons were hiding under their tables, but a few were still sitting there, drinking, like nothing interesting was happening around them.

  Laser fire winged over her head, scorching the wall. She ducked again and heard Ry return fire.

  “Put the weapons away, you idiots,” Ry shouted.

  The fighting men ducked, and Elana dived forward. She landed a hard kick to the first man’s gut, and followed with a swing of her baton. The man went down with a groan.

  She spun to face the other man and saw him lifting his pistol in her direction, his face twisted in ale-infused anger.

  “Elana!” Ry leaped in front of her, slamming a punch into the man’s face.

  The humanoid alien had pale-green skin, and Ry’s blow sent him stumbling backward with a sharp cry. His weapon flew out of his hand and clattered to the ground.

  Ry strode forward and kicked the laser pistol out of reach. Suddenly, the alien leaped to his feet and yanked a knife from his belt.

  Elana tensed, her mouth open to yell a warning to Ry.

  Out of nowhere, a silver sword appeared and pressed to the green-skinned man’s throat. He went still, his eyes bulging.

  Elana looked up at Nera’s lean form. The woman was holding the deadly-looking sword with practiced ease.

  “I suggest you put the knife away slowly, apologize, then pay for the damages.”

  Damn. The woman’s tone sent a shiver down Elana’s spine.

  Clearly Nera’s voice—or her sword—had the same effect on the man as well. He nodded rapidly.

  Nera stepped back, sliding her sword back into a scabbard on her back. A moment later, two uniformed station security guards hustled in. Nera turned and sauntered back to Niklas.

  “I like her style,” Elana whispered to Rynan.

  He grunted. “I just keep hoping she stays on our side.” His gray gaze landed on Elana. “Nice moves, Korra.”

  The easy connection between them made her heart fill and
ache at the same time. “Right back at you, Phoenix.” But why can’t you want me for more than just my security skills?

  Chapter Two

  Elana leaned against the wall in the Sky Nomad dining room and tilted her drink. Ice tinkled in her glass. It was a tradition on the Phoenix Convoy to throw a party for the new passengers before they set off on the journey.

  “This is awesome.”

  She glanced sideways at the young man beside her. Milo was a new employee on the security team. He was young, with a shock of orange hair. His green eyes were wide as he took in the room. Elana shook her head. She was pretty sure she’d never been as young and fresh as Milo.

  “You’ll always remember your first convoy.” She’d never forgotten hers and her nerves at working with the handsome, rugged Rynan for the first time. From day one, she’d been fascinated by her strong, taciturn boss.

  “I’m so excited.” Milo grinned. “I can’t wait to learn everything.”

  Elana couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, although it just underscored her own sense of disquiet. Her gaze went to Rynan. He was on the other side of the room, standing with the blonde-haired, broad-shouldered Sayer, another member of the security team. Ry didn’t look like he was enjoying himself. She knew he wasn’t a big fan of parties, dinners, and gatherings. Goldie was beside the men, waving her hands as she spoke rapidly.

  Her man, Arus, was beside her, decked out in the latest fashions from the central systems. The flowing tunic made him look…silly. Especially beside Ry in his dark cargo pants that hugged strong legs, and his simple security T-shirt stretched over a broad chest. Looming behind Goldie was a mountain of a man she’d introduced as Daarn, her bodyguard. He was probably only a little younger than Goldie, and part reptilian, with a scale pattern on his dark skin. He hadn’t showed any expression or said much. Elana snorted quietly with amusement. It seemed Ry had a competitor in the grumpy department.

  Nearby, Dare stood with his arm across Dakota’s shoulders. He was always touching his wife, like he didn’t want her too far from him. Elana’s lips quirked. It was nice. Next to them, Justyn was being his charming self with some of the passengers. Nissa stood beside him, looking as stunning as always. Her reptilian heritage gave her golden skin and a bald head that suited her. With her long, elegant neck and gorgeous features, she was striking. Elana always felt a little dowdy and plain beside Nissa.

  Rynan managed to shake free of Goldie and strode across the room toward her. He caught Elana’s gaze and rolled his eyes. She tried to hide her smile.

  But before he reached her and Milo, he was intercepted by two female passengers. The women stopped him with wide smiles, and started flirting. A second later, she saw Ry’s firm lips tip up in a smile.

  Elana’s stomach dropped and she looked away.

  Over the years, she’d seen it plenty of times. When all three of the Phoenix brothers had been unattached, they’d been quite happy to take their pick of the single, willing female travelers. Sometimes, Dare would pick a woman to warm his bed for the entire convoy. Not Rynan, though. He’d only take a woman to bed once. They only ever got one night, and after that, he cut them loose.

  At least they got one night.

  Tink. Tink. Tink. The sound of metal on glass. Dare stepped forward and raised his voice.

  “Welcome to the Phoenix Deep-Space Convoy. It’s our pleasure to have you aboard, and we are happy you’ve selected us to take you beyond the galaxy’s edge. We’ll take good care of you on our way to the trading planet of Naahlaw. We have a small convoy this trip, only two other ships in addition to the Sky Nomad, but we do have some exciting potential stops planned along the way, for those of you who are interested in trade and exploration.”

  The crowd tittered and clapped.

  Justyn moved forward, a huge grin on his face. “I also have another announcement to make.”

  A hush drifted over the crowd, and Justyn pulled his wife in front of him, wrapping his arms around her.

  “This is Nissa, my gorgeous wife, the captain of the Sky Nomad, and…the mother of my unborn child.” Joy suffused his handsome face. “We’re having a baby!”

  There were smiles and cheers around the room.

  As Dare called for a toast, Elana watched Justyn and Nissa smile at each other, then lean in close for a kiss. Elana’s chest tightened. They were so in love, so right for each other, and now they were having a baby. It was wonderful, but mixed with her happiness for the couple was…envy.

  Not for a child. She never wanted that after growing up with a crowd of brothers and sisters she’d helped raise. But she was envious of the closeness she saw between the couple.

  She watched Dare and Rynan hug the couple. Justyn pressed a palm to his wife’s still-flat belly, and it just underscored Elana’s own lack of…everything.

  She released a slow breath.

  Rynan would never be hers. She watched him as he smiled, slapping a hand on his brother’s back, and hugging his sister-in-law.

  One of the female passengers, a curvy woman wearing a short, yellow dress, was still by his side, clinging to his arm.

  When he stepped back, she slid closer and rose to kiss him on the cheek in congratulations.

  And with that, Elana was done.

  “I’ll catch you later, Milo.” She set her glass down.

  The man frowned. “You’re leaving?”

  “Remembered something I had to do.” She walked out.

  It was time for her to make some changes in her life.

  It’d taken him a while, but Rynan had finally escaped the party. He wasn’t fond of them, nor of pushy women who wouldn’t take no for an answer. He’d had to escape the curvy passenger, Teela, who’d attached herself to him in a cloud of perfume.

  Since his accident, he’d been less interested in meaningless hookups.

  Instead, he’d hidden himself away in the maintenance bay, working on some equipment that needed repair. He swung his sonic hammer, slamming it down against the metal. It was good, honest work that helped clear his mind.

  By now, the party would be over, and everyone on the ship—except their skeleton night crew—would be sleeping.

  His brother was going to have a baby. Ry shook his head, still not able to believe it. Justyn a father. Growing up, their childhood had been hell. They’d spent a lot of it locked in the basement by their asshole stepfather. Bleeding and bruised, lying in the dark, Ry had made a vow that he would never have kids. He’d never submit a child to what his mother had put them through.

  He focused back on his work, and realized he wasn’t sure what he needed to do next. Shit. He’d hit one of those black holes in his memories. He tightened a few screws, and picked his hammer up again. He was going to get this finished if it killed him.

  He’d missed Elana at the party. His mind shifted to the bar fight on Galaxy’s Edge and he smiled. For the first time in ages, he’d felt himself. Swinging into the firefight with Elana by his side, knowing she had his back.

  He wondered why she left the party early. He had a nagging sense that something was bothering her, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

  Distracted by his thoughts, he idly swung the hammer down. Bang. Pain exploded through his hand.

  Fuck. He grabbed a rag and wrapped it around his bleeding finger. The damn thing stung like hell. He tried to bend it and nausea rolled through his gut.

  It was broken. Great.

  He didn’t relish trying to fix it himself. Besides, if he messed up the med bay, Elana would ream his ass.

  Wrapping the rag more securely around his injured finger, he slipped out of the maintenance bay and headed up to the crew quarters. Reaching Elana’s cabin, he pressed the buzzer on the electronic lock beside the door.

  A second later, the door opened, and she stood there, blinking sleepily.

  She frowned. “What are you doing here?”

  Ry’s chest tightened. All she was wearing was a pair of tiny shorts and a tank top that left
a lot of skin bare. Had her skin always been this smooth?

  “Rynan?” She pushed her dark hair back off her face. It was loose, falling in a sheet of black silk half way down her back. Then, her gaze dropped to the bloody rag on his hand. Her gaze cleared, turning businesslike. “What did you do?”

  “I broke it with the sonic hammer.”

  She made a noise and reached for him, pulling him into her cabin. All no-nonsense, she nudged him to sit on her bed. “I have my emergency med kit in here. Let me grab it.”

  The place smelled like her, and his gaze circled the room. Her small music drive sat on her built-in desk. He knew she loved listening to music and collected recordings from every planet they visited. He’d watched her groove across the med bay, lost in the tunes, more times than he could count. Then his gaze fell on the rumpled bed sheets. Instantly, an image of her lying there popped into his head. Her naked, all bronze skin on white sheets. And him beside her.

  Jeez. He quickly stomped on those thoughts.

  “Let me see.” She knelt down in front of him.

  Ry shifted, looking at her dark head. She moved slightly, and he had a perfect view straight down her top to her braless breasts.

  Shit. He felt his cock stir. “Shouldn’t you put some clothes on first?”

  She snorted, uncovering the rag. “I’m hardly naked, Rynan. You could see a lot more of your friend in the little yellow dress at dinner.”

  Elana studied his finger and Ry frowned. His friend? He guessed she meant Teela.

  Then Elana hissed out a breath. “You really did a number on this finger.” She reached over and fished around in her kit, pulling out a medscope. She flicked the device on and blue light shimmered out. She ran the scope over his hand.

  She made a humming noise. “I have to do some manual manipulation before the medscope can finish the job. I’m going to give you a painkiller—”

  “No. Don’t want a painkiller.”

  “Uh-huh.” She lifted her hand, and before he could move, she pushed a pressure injector against his neck. He felt a quick sting.

  “Dammit.”