The Frontier: Colonial Expansion, #2

By Laurel Richards

The planet of Silveira has been colonized by humans for over twenty years. When wildlife biologist Lilah Reiss is sent to hunt down a man-eater that is attacking her fellow colonists, she assumes she's after one sick animal. Instead she discovers that something is very wrong with Silveira's top predators. The animals are moving oddly, and they've begun to target humans. Her budding relationship with Darren Jayr, her outpost's medical doctor, is put to the test when civilization and nature collide. As the number of attacks increases, she and Darren must find out what is causing the change in behavior…and how to stop it from spreading to the colonists.

 

Content: m/f romance, love scenes, animal attacks, medical drama, hunting alien animals, euthanasia of alien predators that have attacked humans, no cliffhangers, can be read as a standalone novel (set in the same universe as The Colony)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurel Richards
• Release date: Jan 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215136638

Book preview

Table of Contents

Copyright

Title

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

About the Author

The Frontier

Copyright © January 2023 by Laurel Richards

Cover design by Laurel Richards

Images used under license from Shutterstock.com. Licensed images are being used for illustrative purposes only, and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

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All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. This copy is intended for the original purchaser only. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, resold, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Warning: This book is intended for mature adults only.

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Blurb

The planet of Silveira has been colonized by humans for over twenty years. When wildlife biologist Lilah Reiss is sent to hunt down a man-eater that is attacking her fellow colonists, she assumes she’s after one sick animal. Instead she discovers that something is very wrong with Silveira’s top predators. The animals are moving oddly, and they’ve begun to target humans. Her budding relationship with Darren Jayr, her outpost’s medical doctor, is put to the test when civilization and nature collide. As the number of attacks increases, she and Darren must find out what is causing the change in behavior...and how to stop it from spreading to the colonists.

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Content: m/f romance, love scenes, animal attacks, medical drama, hunting alien animals, euthanasia of alien predators that have attacked humans, no cliffhangers, can be read as a standalone novel (set in the same universe as The Colony)

The Frontier

(Colonial Expansion Book 2)

by

Laurel Richards

Chapter 1

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In the forest on planet Silveira...

Dr. Lilah Reiss and her companions were hunting a man-eater. The weight of her hip and thigh holsters was reassuring, though she had to be careful not to snag them on nearby shrubs. She didn’t bother being quiet as she pushed her way through the underbrush. Stealth would come later, once they got closer to the killer.

For now, she preferred not to accidentally sneak up on one of the planet’s other animals. A number of Silveira’s larger herbivores and carnivores could be dangerous if startled or cornered. Hence the capsaicinoid spray holstered on her belt and the deterrent launcher attached to her backpack. The tranquilizer pistol strapped to her thigh was reserved for their target.

The forest canopy was open in some spots, letting the sunlight puddle. One such patch spotlighted the rest of the team as they stepped out of the shade. To her left, her fellow biologist and head of the department, Dr. Tyrone Wells, was armed with a dart rifle and spray. He wiped his brow as he trudged forward. To either side of them, their security escorts, Officer Keith Yates and Officer Olivia Isaacs, were dressed in their navy-and-gray uniforms. Keith’s brunet hair was cut short, while Olivia wore her auburn locks clipped at the back of her head. In addition to their stunners, the officers kept their Diss guns—D-60 Dissonance Guns—handy. Lilah really wished she had one of those too.

All around her, coniferous trees with scale-like leaves grew up to eighty meters tall, competing for space with Silveiran oaks and the occasional hognut tree. The leaves and needles ranged from glossy viridian to so dark green they were almost black. They put out a fresh pinaceous scent with an undertone of camphor. A male banded lizard, with its characteristic aqua stripes, made a rustling noise as it skittered beneath the leaf litter.

We’re not much farther from the camp, Tyrone announced. It’s Vance’s usual spot. He’s been there over half a dozen times. The area sees a lot of wildlife.

The spot in question was near the water. A sinuous river cut through the forest, fed by numerous tributaries and bracketed by tall bluffs.

Vance knew the area and the animals, Lilah summed up. Any idea what went wrong for him and his assistant?

Keith, the male security officer, snorted. Other than the fact that a giant predator killed and ate them?

Yes, other than that, she said drily. Vance Durrell and Hannah Quincy were used to the local fauna. They should have been reasonably safe.

Tyrone shook his head. From what the recovery team reported, Vance called in a problem three days after he made camp. The portable electric fence shorted out and stopped working. Security recommended he and Hannah return to the outpost. Vance opted to stay put, since he discovered the problem with the fence right before nightfall.

He figured it would be more dangerous to travel in the dark. Lilah knew that wasn’t necessarily a bad call. Not in general. In this case, though...

A couple of security officers were sent out the next morning with a replacement fence, Tyrone continued. When they got there, they discovered the campsite in disarray. That’s when they found the victims.

Why didn’t Vance and Hannah have security with them? Olivia, their second officer, asked.

Vance was always reckless, Tyrone answered. He never took an officer with him.

Strictly speaking, having a security escort was no longer required at this point in colonization. Humans had explored the planet for over two decades. Lilah had been here for three years. She’d witnessed the downgrade in safety precautions, including the reduction in the ratio of security personnel to colonists. Occasionally she went into the woods by herself, though she always told an officer when she’d be back. She never would have camped overnight without reinforcements.

Vance was more interested in being the star of his own documentary than in safety, Tyrone added. Still, I wouldn’t have wished his fate on anyone.

Especially not on his humble assistant, Lilah quipped.

The remark earned her a small grin. Although she was technically Tyrone’s colleague—not his assistant—she did report to him.

Don’t worry, he assured her. I checked all our equipment before we left.

So had she. Stalking a man-eater across an alien planet was not something she undertook lightly. She only wished she knew what kind of predator she was tracking.

The remains were transported to outpost 12-Delta, right? She ducked a low branch before it could swat her in the face.

She and her companions came from 12-Echo, the next outpost south. Theirs was the nearest station with biologists who specialized in wild animal behavior.

Couldn’t they ID what killed them? she asked.

Tyrone grimaced. "They only recovered partial remains. There wasn’t enough left to examine. Vance’s disfigured head and part of his spine were located in the nearby woods. They only found Hannah’s right arm near the tent, with her bracelet still around her wrist."

Keith cursed under his breath.

Claw and teeth marks were inconclusive, Tyrone continued. I hope to find tracks that will give us a clue as to what we’re dealing with. The officers who found the victims documented the scene before they removed the remains and personal effects. The rest of the site was left untouched.

Maybe Darren—Dr. Jayr—can look at the remains, Lilah suggested, referring to their outpost’s medical doctor. He started out studying veterinary medicine before he changed to premed and became an MD.

Oh yeah?

He was raised by his grandfather, who was a large-animal vet in the Winter Star Territory on Pantheon. He helped out as a vet tech for years. Then his granddad got sick while Darren was in college. She smiled. As Darren tells it, that’s when he decided to become a ‘people vet’ instead of an animal doctor.

Tyrone arched his eyebrows. You know a lot about our resident physician.

I like to stay informed about the animals in my environment. She waited a beat. Especially the attractive specimens.

Olivia chuckled.

Darren really was attractive. Although fiercely masculine, he wasn’t the least bit cute and not traditionally handsome. With his strong jaw, dark hair, and serious gaze, his looks were compelling.

Ah, Tyrone said. You two are dating.

We usually sit together in the cafeteria, Lilah admitted.

He snorted. You make it sound like you’re still in school.

It’s not like there’s any place around here to go out to dinner, she reminded him. The cafeteria is the closest thing we have to fine dining.

They do make a mean chicken-fried steak, he joked.

So mean it fights back, Keith chimed in.

Is it serious? Tyrone asked. You and the good doctor?

Lilah couldn’t help but grin. I think it could be. We’re taking it slow. What about you? You and Brittany still an item?

To her surprise, the usually unflappable scientist flushed. Brittany worries she’s not successful enough for me. I told her that’s ridiculous. As an agriculturist, she has knowledge of botany, soil science, and a variety of other fields. She’s smart, beautiful, and amazing. Frankly, I don’t know what she sees in an old man like me.

Old man, Lilah scoffed. "You’re seven years older than I am. I’m pretty sure you have to be at least a decade my senior before you’re considered old."

Brittany is five years younger than you, he retorted.

"Which makes you a melanistic form of Vulpes vulpes," she teased him.

He laughed. Silver fox, huh? I’ll have to remember that one.

Their banter kept things light, but Lilah knew they were all on alert. They fell silent for the next ten minutes as they closed in on the attack site. The narrow river appeared off to Lilah’s left. Its tea-stained current was too slow-moving to make noise, but she could smell the fresh water. The land inside the bend was more open than the surrounding forest, allowing a gentle breeze.

If she hadn’t known to look for it, she wouldn’t have spotted the mangled tent. The shelter had a low profile and was covered with a camouflage pattern. Field teams shunned bold colors in clothing or equipment—anything that might stick out as a point of interest within the landscape. Otherwise, they risked attracting curious animals that were unfamiliar with humans. Despite the excellent disguise, this tent had definitely received unwanted attention. It was torn and collapsed, the poles sticking out like compound fractures.

Lilah studied the wider area, her ears perked for the slightest noise. She didn’t detect anything lurking in the vicinity, but that didn’t mean the beast wouldn’t come back. Tyrone made the same careful survey of their surroundings before he looked at the security officers. Without a word, Keith and Olivia split up to cover them.

Her colleague walked toward the damaged tent and scrutinized the ground between it and the river bluff. Lilah did the same on the opposite side.

I’ve got tracks over here, Tyrone announced.

He kept his voice low, though he didn’t bother whispering. Anything nearby would have already smelled them.

Same here, she told him. It looks like the security officers on scene tromped over them.

Even obscured by boot marks, the large underlying tracks revealed a telltale overstep. As the animal paced, the rear foot was planted right in front of where the forepaw had just landed.

The soil is softer here by the water, Tyrone added. I’ve got a clear impression of the front footpad and toes. There’s no mistaking these prints.

"Arctopsis ornatus," Lilah said.

What? Keith asked.

Commonly called the masked bear, she explained. It’s a bear-like omnivore with a short muzzle. It has rusty-brown fur all over, except for an ebony snout and eye rings that look like a mask. This was a sizable adult.

Tyrone crouched to look at one of the more distinct marks. I’d estimate 450 kilograms. You can see the bear was traveling along the river. Then it veered toward the tent, probably at night or during the wee hours. According to the report, it attacked and killed Hannah about where you’re standing, Lilah. Vance’s body was dragged twenty meters that way.

He pointed in the same direction the tracks disappeared into the woods. The trail was hard to see in spots, but it gave them something to follow.

It’s possible the bear came to scavenge on the bodies after another predator attacked them, Lilah mused.

Possible but unlikely, Tyrone responded. We’ll see how far the trail leads. First let’s pack up what’s left of this tent. I don’t want it blown into the river for some animal to get entangled or choked.

The security officers continued to guard them as Tyrone bunched up the main part of the tent. Lilah gathered the torn pieces. One tattered scrap was covered in leaves and dirt. When she picked it up, her fingers hit something hard underneath it.

She unearthed the object and wiped it clean. There’s a video recorder.

The black compact device fit in her palm. She flipped open the display panel and used the touchscreen to browse the available files.

There are several videos on here, she announced. Here’s one date-stamped what would have been Vance and Hannah’s first day after making camp.

Tyrone came to stand shoulder to shoulder with her, and the security officers angled closer.

Lilah hit Play.

"Okay, we’re recording," a female voice—clearly Hannah’s—said.

The screen was filled with a close-up shot of Vance. He certainly looked good in front of the camera. His smile was perfect, his skin was tanned from being outdoors, and his platinum hair fell in artful disarray. The camera zoomed out to encompass the river behind him.

Farther upstream was a female masked bear with the characteristic facial pattern. Tyrone had been right about the size. The sow was over a meter tall to her shoulders, and the thick ridge of extra fur that protected her spine made her appear even bigger. Although facial recognition would identify and log this individual into the system, there was no need for the technical assistance. This bear had a prominent scar over her left eye and a floppy ear above it.

It’s hard to tell with all that fur, Tyrone said, but she looks a little underweight. No fresh injuries or overt signs of disease.

She’s walking oddly. Lilah studied the bear’s movements. I’m not seeing muscle tremors, but you can tell she’s a little stiff and jerky.

On the screen, Vance turned to face the bear and spoke calmly. "Hi, girl. I see you."

The bear showed no reaction. Her body language was alert but nonaggressive. There was no chuffing or teeth clacking, no lowering or tilting of the head. All of this would have been reassuring had the animal focused on passing downstream. Instead she headed directly toward Vance. She came within fifteen meters and kept closing.

Too close, Tyrone murmured.

As if she read his mind, Hannah spoke from behind the video recorder. "She’s coming right at us. We should back up."

"Just stand still, Vance advised her. No sudden movements."

That wasn’t bad advice, but he should have at least drawn the repellant spray clipped to his belt.

"I think this is one of the older sub-adults I documented last year, he told his assistant. She must remember me."

Lilah held her breath when the sow walked right up to him and began smelling him from his feet to his shoulders.

At first Vance looked startled by the behavior and rested his hand on the spray canister. Then he glanced at the video recorder and smiled. "You can see these animals are highly intelligent. This one knows me. By visiting this site season after season, I’ve built a rapport. She recognizes my scent and understands I’m not a threat."

I’m not a biologist, and even I know that’s not right. Olivia glanced at the screen for a second before returning her watchful gaze to the surrounding woods.

No, it’s not, Tyrone agreed. There’s something wrong with this bear—something neurological.

A form of encephalitis? Lilah suggested. She shows a couple of the signs.

Or maybe a brain injury from whatever head trauma caused the scar and droopy ear, Tyrone retorted.

The bear’s sniffing was audible in the recording, as was Hannah’s rapid breathing behind the camera. Although the sow’s posture remained calm and curious, the field assistant was obviously uncomfortable with this interaction.

Whoa! Lilah physically flinched when she saw Vance pet the bear’s snout.

Damn it, Vance, you knew better, Tyrone growled.

The sow stretched forward and bit Vance’s shirt sleeve, though she appeared to use more lips than teeth. Vance jerked back a step. The bear then moved forward to take a nip at his pant leg.

"No! Vance told her sternly. Go on. Get out of here."

Finally taking the threat seriously, the man pulled his spray canister. He didn’t use it, but at least he had it ready. He raised his arms to make himself look bigger as he slowly backed up.

"Keep walking, he ordered the bear. Go."

There was a long, tense standoff as the animal stared at him. Then the sow turned her head toward something out of frame and lumbered away in that subtle herky-jerky motion.

This has to be the bear that killed them, Lilah pointed out. She must have returned later. Let’s see if they caught her in any other recordings.

She navigated to a later video file and felt her stomach drop when she noticed the time stamp.

Oh, my God, Tyrone said. That’s only a few hours before security found them dead.

They captured the attack on tape? Keith sounded as horrified as she felt.

Lilah braced herself before she started the next video.

This one began with Vance standing beside a tree trunk, pointing toward a large raptor up in the branches. The massive bird blended in with the bark, right down to the marbled coloring of its beak. To get both him and the bird in the shot, Hannah had to be crouched with the camera angled upward.

There. Lilah pointed to a tree a couple meters away. The same one from the footage was right at the edge of camp.

"Known as the winged lion, this bird is an outstanding hunter, Vance narrated. It uses a combination of keen eyesight and a form of echolocation to find prey in the low light of dawn or dusk. The winged lion feeds on small rodents, amphibians, and even reptiles. Remarkably adaptable, it can live in— Look out!"

They heard a loud thud, followed by Hannah’s grunt. The video recorder hit the forest floor and slid to a stop. Vance’s legs were still in frame, but his assistant wasn’t visible. Based on what Lilah knew, she pictured the bear tackling the woman to the ground, likely taking the tent with her.

"Ow! Hannah screamed. Help! Help!"

There was a hiss—maybe Vance spraying the bear with repellant?—followed by scuffling sounds.

"Run, Hannah!" Vance shouted.

The camera must have gotten kicked, because it was sent bouncing again. They got a split-second view of Vance’s terrified expression before the visual frame was confined to ground level again. That was enough to show Hannah drop face-first with her hands over the back of her neck. She had tried to run but had only made it a few steps.

The bear finally came into view. The sow prowled over the prone woman, revealing the telltale scar. This was the same individual they’d seen in the earlier footage. Lilah had to fight not to turn away as the bear began to maul the poor woman onscreen. Hannah’s screaming turned incomprehensible as the bear tore off her arm.

The whole time, Vance kept shouting at the bear and appeared to beat it with something—possibly the tent poll or the can of repellant. A single swipe from the animal’s claws knocked him onto his back. He tried to roll onto his stomach, but the bear leapt on him too fast. By this point Hannah lay moaning as she bled to death.

Vance suffered a much more agonizing demise. The bear bit his neck and shoulders over and over again, more like Lilah would expect from a rabid animal. Then the sow went for his face. The animal chomped down and yanked, ripping off his nose and most of one cheek. Although Lilah was fighting not to vomit, she didn’t blink.

She got a clear view of the bear’s teeth when those big jaws opened to encompass Vance’s whole head. Many predators that attacked people had dental problems. Humans were easier to catch and more tender than their natural prey. This bear didn’t appear to have any broken teeth, however. If not for the weird movements and some minor weight loss, the animal looked perfectly healthy.

A single glance was all she got of the bear’s mouth. In the next instant, Vance had some