The Gorison Traveler Incident (Veslor Mates #1)

by Laurann Dohner

  “It’s safe,” she called out to Brassi. “You’ve got air and sensors are reading that your ship has secured the breach. I’m opening the interior doors, and the blast ones I had to seal leading to me. Just follow the corridor.”

  “We’re on our way, Vivian. I’m eager to meet you in person.”

  She was scared shitless. There was only one way to discover if the Veslors were truly trustworthy. That meant putting her own ass on the line first.

  Vivian had overridden the door lock to Abby’s quarters and let the redhead out. Then, using security cameras to check each corridor, she’d opened blast doors and monitored Abby’s progress as she made her way to Control Three. They’d gotten her to that station and safely inside, where she now could watch the camera feeds and take over if Brassi had played them.

  Vivian ended the call. “You heard him, Abby.”

  “I’m going to throw up. What if they lied?” The other woman sounded nervous.

  “Then you’re the one in charge instead of me. I’ll be dead. Just remember what I told you about the engines. I’ve transferred control for the vents to your station. You can bring the engines online and take them back off once the backup power has recharged, if this goes wrong. You also know how to reach Donny now.”

  Vivian worked as she spoke, opening the blast doors along the corridors between her and where Brassi’s people had docked. There was a Ke’ter they needed to deal with in one corridor, but she’d already warned them about it during a previous com.

  “What do I do if these Veslors do kill you? Then we’ll have two hostile alien groups on the ship.”

  “You seal the blast doors again to trap them, in that event. We spoke about this. What choice do we have? You and I are strangers, too, but I’m trusting you. It’s called having some faith in desperate times.”

  “Right. I’m not going to let you down, Vivian. I see them. They’re on the ship moving your way… What in the hell?”

  Vivian glanced up at the monitors. “I see them, too. Brassi said they had protective armor. I’m guessing he’s the one in the lead.”

  There were six large forms, wearing black uniforms that covered them from the tops of their helmet-shielded heads to their large boot-covered feet. They carried rifles, each sporting multiple wicked, deadly-looking blades along the tops of the barrels.

  “Damn, they look big and scary, don’t they?”

  “You said they can shift forms? Into what? They could pass for really large humans. Look at the body mass on those guys.”

  “They have the same basic shape as we do but their features are slightly different, if you could see their faces. The information wasn’t clear about what they can shift into. I’m guessing this is their primary form.” Vivian was suddenly glad she’d been able to take a quick shower and put on a spare uniform while Abby had learned how to work Control Three. “Fair warning, I’m going to look ridiculous when you see me, once I leave Control One. Whoever had stored spare uniforms in the locker is far larger than me. I’m clean, though. I thought it would be bad to do my first face to face with the Veslors if I stank from body odor. I’ve sweat buckets with all the stress I’ve been under.”

  Abby gave a nervous snort. “I’m not sure if that was a good idea or not. They look dangerous, and you’re a woman. They might want to fuck you if you’re as young and attractive as you sound.”

  “I’d rather they want to do that than kill me at this point.” She tensed as they approached a Ke’ter. “Shit. Are you seeing this?”

  “Those Ke’ters look so creepy,” Abby whispered.

  Vivian tensed as the lead Veslor dodged to avoid a blast from the Ke’ter’s weapon. It hit the wall, leaving a burn mark, but it didn’t penetrate the hull.

  The Veslors charged the lizard alien, not even shooting their weapons. Instead, they twirled them, using the blades to effortlessly deflect blasts.

  The one she thought might be Brassi leapt forward, almost hit the ceiling of the corridor, and came down right in front of the Ke’ter. The Veslor struck fast, the blades of his rifle hitting the Ke’ter in the throat.

  The head came off and the body dropped.

  “Gross!”

  Vivian silently nodded, agreeing with Abby. “The body’s twitching.”

  Another Veslor came forward and shot with his rifle, hitting the downed alien center mass to the chest. A hole appeared in the Ke’ter’s body, and the alien stopped moving.

  The group of Veslors walked around the two pieces of the dead alien, advancing her way.

  “They can certainly fight. Okay. It’s time for me to go out there.”

  “Are you sure about this, Vivian? We could send them to handle the threat first.”

  “We need to know if we can trust them before giving them access to our people. I’m putting in my earpiece now. Do you have yours?”

  “Yes.”

  Vivian shoved the small metal device into her ear and pressed it on, cutting coms to Control Three through her station. “Can you hear me?”

  “Loud and clear,” Abby said in her ear.

  “Here I go. Wish me luck.”

  “You’re crazy brave. Good luck.”

  Vivian stood and strode to the doors, opened them, and stepped into the corridor. She heard heavy booted feet approaching as the doors sealed behind her. Her heart pounded as she stepped into the center of the corridor, facing the direction the Veslors were coming from, but she spared a glance up at the camera. Abby would be watching her.

  She forced a smile and did a slight thumbs-up before her body tensed again. She fixed her total focus on the curve of the corridor. At any second, the Veslors would round it.

  “You look good,” Abby whispered in her ear. “But that uniform dwarfs you. It looks like you had to roll the legs and arms. How tall are you?”

  “Are you trying to distract me?” she whispered.

  “Hell yes. My knees are knocking from fear, and I’m the safe one right now. You’re completely vulnerable.”

  She smiled for real, amused. Time was up though when a huge, black-shelled body came into view. He stopped abruptly, and the large bodies following almost slammed into him. He lowered his weapon, careful not to point it at her. She tried to calm her breathing down from an outright pant due to fear.

  “Brassi?”

  He reached up, touched the helmet, and the plating over his face opened. Relief hit when she recognized his features and those golden eyes. He approached until he was mere feet from her. “Vivian.” He lowered his gaze down her body. “You are small.”

  He had to be close to seven feet tall, and really wide. His chest alone looked like a mini tank, with that armor. She started to hold out her hand but then halted. “Thank you for coming. I hope none of you were injured dealing with the Ke’ter?”

  “We’re fine,” a gruff male voice growled from one of the others.

  She glanced at them. They completely blocked the corridor, their faces covered, but she got the impression they were all taking her measure. She focused on Brassi again. “I thought I could lead you to where the Ke’ters are located.” She slowly lifted her hand, pointing out the camera. “We’ll be tracked by those, and the blast doors will be opened as we reach each section we need to go to.”

  Brassi stepped closer, and she had to tip her chin up to look into his eyes. “I don’t want you leading, Vivian. You look extremely fragile. Our suits are impregnable against Ke’ter weaponry. Your body is not. You will stay behind me and use me as a shield. When we confront the enemy, allow one of my males to protect you until the danger passes. Don’t fear them if you’re grabbed and pinned to a wall. It will make you a smaller target, almost impossible to hit if we cover you.”

  She nodded. “Okay. I’m not going to argue. You’re better prepared for this than I am. I’ve already admitted I’m not a fighter. I have a little training but I’m out of my depth with lizard aliens. The one I fought was bad enough, and I caught him by surprise.”

  He reached out fas
t, and she gasped as his large gloved hands wrapped around her upper arms. “You fought one? Are you harmed? We have a medic with us.”

  His men shifted around and a black-clad figure stepped forward from the group. He held a weapon also, but carried a pack in his other hand. “I’m Vassi. Where are you injured, female?”

  It was surprisingly touching that they cared and were prepared to treat her. “I’m not hurt.”

  Brassi let her go and stepped back, his gaze traveling down her body once more. “You fought a Ke’ter but weren’t harmed?” Brassi sounded shocked, and his golden eyes widened.

  “I kind of snuck up from behind and jumped on his back while he was, um…eating someone. I used a tactical knife and shoved it into the back of his head, at the base of his skull. Then I stole his weapon and used it on him when he began to move again. I shot two big holes into his body. I’ve checked on him. He hasn’t gotten up. I’m pretty sure he’s dead. We’re going to have to pass him and his victim on our way to the lift to reach other levels.”

  “You are deceptively harmless in looks,” Brassi mused, but he grinned, showing off those sharp teeth of his. “Interesting. I’m impressed with you, Vivian.”

  “I also mentioned I’m desperate. Humans often find the strength to do things they normally couldn’t in order to survive.”

  He cocked his head. “I appreciate that you’re still being truthful with me. I hope it continues.”

  “I won’t lie to you. You have my word.” She held his gaze. “We need you and your team, or the people on this ship might not survive until our own come. Some of the people we’ll free are going to do or say stupid things out of fear when they see that a human team hasn’t come to our rescue. I wanted to warn you.”

  He grinned again. “This shall be fun, then.”

  She waited but he didn’t say more. “Okay. Let’s deal with the three Ke’ters stuck in a lift.” She glanced up at the camera. “Bring the lift to this level but don’t open the doors until my say so.” She turned, heading toward the nearest closed blast door in the opposite direction that the Veslors had come. “There are a few bodies beyond this door.”

  Brassi grabbed her by the shoulder, his touch firm but gentle. “Stay behind me, Vivian.”

  She’d forgotten. “Of course.” He wanted to shield her. He put himself in front of her, with his men grouped closely together at her back. A chill ran down her spine but she ignored it. Trust had been given, and she didn’t have time to second guess her decisions now. She needed to have faith the Veslors wouldn’t hurt her.

  “Here we go,” Abby whispered in her ear. “The lift is coming to Deck Seven. The Ke’ters inside have their weapons aimed at the doors. Be careful.”

  Vivian had almost forgotten their com link was open and Abby could not only see her, but hear everything. “Thanks.” She relayed the information to the Veslors.

  Brassi stopped as he rounded the corridor. She peeked around him, seeing the bodies on the floor. It was where she’d attacked the Ke’ter. Brassi motioned for her to stay back as he proceeded forward, crouching near the alien lizard body.

  “It’s dead.”

  She joined him. With Brassi crouched, she was taller than him but not by much. Veslors were seriously huge. The smell in the corridor wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined it would be, considering the two corpses left rotting for about eighteen hours in the previously sealed section.

  Suddenly, the human medic’s body twitched, and she gasped, her gaze locking on him. The man’s chest rose and fell. Nausea swamped her. “He’s still alive!”

  She was grabbed by slightly rough gloved hands on her upper arms and moved aside as Vassi, their medic, moved past her. He stepped over the Ke’ter’s body to crouch on the other side of the human on the floor. She watched closely as he opened his pack, pulled out a scanner, and ran it over the human.

  He snarled a word that didn’t translate.

  Brassi responded in that growly language.

  Vassi spoke again and put the scanner away.

  Brassi turned his head to peer at her. “Your human still lives but there’s nothing that can be done for him. His lower vital organs have been eaten, and the Ke’ter who fed from him filled his body with changing spit.”

  She frowned. “Changing spit? I don’t understand.”

  Brassi hesitated. “A substance from their mouths that invades the flesh and bloodstream. It will keep the victims alive for long periods but they can’t be saved at that point.”

  Vassi shoved the scanner inside his bag and stood. “This human is no longer quite as human as before. The spit changes the organic composition of the body to keep it preserved. Is that the right word? Ke’ters only eat live food. The spit makes their victims live longer, but the missing organs can’t be replaced. All the tissues are infected and won’t heal. There’s no coming back from this. Was that clear?”

  “Oh fuck,” Abby whispered in her ear. “So basically, they’re saying the Ke’ters secrete something that changes DNA and there’s no cure.”

  “I got that,” Vivian whispered back. She stared at Vassi’s covered face, wishing she could see his eyes. “Is he suffering?”

  “Yes. The victims tend to wake from the pain on and off. The preservative keeps spreading, and its agony. Victims can last for days in this state before they die.”

  It broke Vivien’s heart. She’d promised to bring the crew member help. She had…but they wouldn’t be able to save him.

  Brassi got her attention when he yanked the tactical knife out of the dead Ke’ter, examining it.

  “That belonged to my dad,” she told him.

  He wiped green blood off the blade on the Ke’ter’s uniform, and then offered it to her handle first. “You took one down with this? I’m even more impressed, Vivian.”

  She accepted it and carefully used a snap strap on the uniform pants to secure it to her side. “Thank you.” Her gaze went to the downed human. His fingers twitched and a low groan came from his lips. He didn’t open his eyes though. She couldn’t imagine his suffering.

  She looked at Vassi. “Can you give him something to stop the pain, at least?”

  He shook his helmet from side to side. “No medicines will work now. The preservative has spread through his tissues. We’ve tried many drugs but none helped to ease the pain.”

  “You know what needs to be done,” Abby sniffed, sounding as if she were crying. “You heard them. You need to show mercy to that poor guy. Use your knife.”

  “I can’t.” Vivian forced her gaze off the injured man. “Don’t ask me to do that.”

  “Vivian?” Brassi stood, staring down at her. “We’ve asked you to do nothing.”

  “Not you.” She tapped her ear. “Abby thinks I should put him out of his misery. Kill him. I can’t.” She shook her head.

  Brassi glanced at her ear, looking confused.

  She pulled out the earpiece. “It’s a com device. I’m linked to another woman who’s helping us move around the ship. Her name is Abby.” She shoved it back inside her ear.

  Brassi gave her a look of compassion. “I’ll end the male’s suffering, if you wish. It would be a kindness.”

  “No.” She reached out to touch his chest plate. “It could be seen as an act of war when this is all over, if you were to kill a human. We’ll send help back to him once lockdown is over, and the ship’s medics can tend to him. It shouldn’t take long. He’s unconscious right now. I hope he stays that way.”

  Brassi nodded.

  “Thank you, though. For offering. I appreciate it.” She shoved back her emotions. “Next step is dealing with the three Ke’ters trapped in the lift. They’re armed and ready to fire.” She pointed. “Just around that corner. You let me know when to tell Abby to open the doors to let them out.”

  “Stay back here.” Brassi reached up and the plating over his face sealed, hiding his features again. “Vassi will stay with you.”

  She watched the rest of them move forward but they stopped
at the curve.

  “Let them out,” Brassi ordered.

  “You heard him,” Vivian stated. “Open the lift doors, Abby.”

  Vassi stepped closer, grabbed Vivian around the waist, and in the next instant, she was pinned to a wall by the big guy, her feet dangling. Fear flooded her, but he didn’t do anything other than keep her secured in place, using his body as a shield.

  Loud blasts sounded as the Veslors and Ke’ters clashed. Something screamed.

  She clutched at the hard-plated body against hers and ducked her head even closer to Vassi.

  Then came silence. He gently lowered her to her feet.

  “The enemy is dead,” he informed her. “It’s over.”

  “All three Ke’ters are down,” Abby confirmed. “The Veslors look unharmed. Their armor took a few shots but I’m not seeing any damage.”

  Vivian was relieved. She felt responsible for the Veslors. They were on the Gorison Traveler because she’d begged them to come help. It would be her fault if any of them died defending her crew.

  One of the big Veslors came back around the curve of the corridor and opened his face plate. It was Brassi. He smiled.

  She gave him one back. “None of your men are hurt?”

  “No.” He tapped his chest. “Good armor.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “What’s next?”

  “There are six trapped in a corridor on the second level.” They were the bastards who had killed Big M, Mikey, and the rest of the security team leaders. “A few are trapped individually, and then there’s the ones on the bridge. Three could be locked in private quarters, since I couldn’t find them on the security cameras…but realistically, they could be on the lose.”

  “You mentioned them.” Brassi motioned her forward. “Avoid looking at the bodies. You seem to have a soft heart, Vivian, and the carnage is gruesome. The only way to be certain a Ke’ter dies it to remove the head or a heart shot. We like to do both to be certain.”