A sci-fi story of James, a young vagabond who thought it would be easy money to work his way across the galaxy on an old freighter.

A shortcut through an unmapped system doesn't go to plan and James and the lion-like alien Crit find themselves fighting for their lives on an inhospitable alien planet.

And Crit's species are consummate carnivores.

Chapter 9:

You'd think they'd be happy to see another living being for the first time on this god forsaken planet.

They've found one of the pirate's bases and James gets an unwelcome look at Crit's dark side.

Note: Use of stronger language than normal for my writing.

Comments and critiques are welcome.