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.