A short story- When the scout ship Sundancer is ambushed by high-tech salvagers, Captain Ellison has only one option-risk a blind hyperspace jump or face certain death. The ship survives, but the crew is stranded in an unknown star system with no way home, critical systems failing, and a reactor leaking radiation. Forced to land on a jungle-choked world, the crew discovers ruins of a lost civilization-and something worse.
Hallucinogenic mist creeps from the jungle. Insectoid predators known as blood drinkers hunt the night. And help is light-years away. Their only guide is Aalayah, a primitive girl who believes they've fallen from the heavens. With her help, they might survive until rescue comes-if they can trust her. and if the blood drinkers don't tear them apart first. High-stakes survival meets first contact in this pulse-pounding space adventure.
A short story- When the scout ship Sundancer is ambushed by high-tech salvagers, Captain Ellison has only one option-risk a blind hyperspace jump or face certain death. The ship survives, but the crew is stranded in an unknown star system with no way home, critical systems failing, and a reactor leaking radiation. Forced to land on a jungle-choked world, the crew discovers ruins of a lost civilization-and something worse.
Hallucinogenic mist creeps from the jungle. Insectoid predators known as blood drinkers hunt the night. And help is light-years away. Their only guide is Aalayah, a primitive girl who believes they've fallen from the heavens. With her help, they might survive until rescue comes-if they can trust her. and if the blood drinkers don't tear them apart first. High-stakes survival meets first contact in this pulse-pounding space adventure.
