Danger Ahead

This job just keeps getting better and better. The Freelancer scanned the alien landscape as they neared the ruins... too many places for an ambush, and behind him his employers bumbling along like they were in some hotel. At least the native guide they hired knew how to exercise caution, looking left and right warily as she gracefully weaved up the crumbling hillside.

He thought his career move was a good idea at the time. When he mustered out of the military he had just enough to put a down payment on a small scout ship. Guide and Guard for hire. Take you where you want to go, bring you back safe. Catering to all the cash-carrying VIPs. VIPs.... a couple of wet-nosed archaeologists more interested in some crumbling artifact than a poisonous, quill-flinging razorworm basking on it. It didn't matter this world was classified an Amber Zone: Travel at your own risk. Science and learning won't be hindered and all that crap.

His ship was now barely in view in the mist-covered valley below and now as they reached the top of the hill, the ruins his passengers came to explore now began to emerge among the rocks and scrub. They looked about with oblivious wonder to each other as the group progressed. Around them, small native reptiles skittered from their resting places among the rocks, following the people curiously. Suddenly ahead, their guide stopped dead in her tracks, her hands on the large curved blade she carried. From her tense pose he could tell something wasn't right. Instinctively he dropped to a knee and held up a fist for the group to stop and take note. The two archaeologists stood there blankly, still looking about the ruins oblivious to danger. 'Damn tourists', he thought as he thumbed the safety switch on his weapon....