The illumination from the yellow corridor lights stood out against the dark red glow that also surrounded them. They followed this route, with Vadir Kor in the lead.

“This will take you to the shuttle station,” the A.I. said.

“I know. What I want to know is there anything ahead of us?” Vadir asked.

“I’m picking up readings, but I’m unable to identify if they are friendly or not.”

“How many of them are there, at least?” asked Vadir.

“Two, they stand between you and the shuttle at the right turn after the upcoming T-Section.”

They followed the light left and soon heard the sounds of Kaskari voices. It didn’t take long for them to reach the right turn. Vadir stopped the Welcome Wagon behind him. “Talk to them,” he said to the A.I.

The A.I. projected itself at the bend. Vadir hugged the wall and edged along until he could just see the two Kaskari men, bloodied and disorientated by all that had come to pass.

“Soldiers, I have guided someone to you who can help destroy this ship. They have also brought Terran allies.”

The soldiers raised their rifles and allowed the psionic power within their palms to fuel the weapon’s core.

“You’ve been exposed to the Nirimor. Why would one of us work with the dogs of this planet?”

Vadir rounded the corner as the A.I. blinked away. “It tells the truth,” he said as the Welcome Wagon also prepared their weapons. Jackson moved to the front of the group. “They are the Welcome Wagon. They saved me.”

One of the Kaskari men pointed his gun at Vadir. “How?”

“I escaped this ship before it crashed. Didn’t get very far, though. They could have left me for dead, but they needed me, and there are many more outside. The ship’s surrounded. You need me. You need them.”

Both soldiers moved forward in sync. “How do we know you haven’t turned? How do we know you are you?”

“I wouldn’t be talking to you for a start. There’s no need for any more bloodshed. We aren’t their enemy.”

“There’s movement in the vent, singular, and closing fast,” the A.I. interjected.

“You’re lying,” said the other soldier.

“No! The Nirimor knows something new has entered the ship. It’s coming for all of us.”

The Captain directed two of the squad to focus on their behind while Jackson stood ready to grab Vadir with Mason and Webber there to act as support.

“He’s a sitting duck, Captain,” Jackson whispered.

“If they look like they are going to shoot, pull him back,” the Captain answered while keeping one eye on the ceiling vents.

They heard it first, slinking along first above Vadir and then moving away toward the soldiers.

The two soldiers shifted focus and wasted no time in unleashing a load of energy upon the vent. The creature let out a visceral howl before bringing its full weight down and dislodging the grill, sending it hurtling to the ground. Jackson pulled Vadir back down their corridor as the two soldiers advanced to the hole, expecting it to drop.

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“I can’t see it,” said one soldier, moving up to the bend. He saw Vadir behind Jackson and the rest of the Welcome Wagon. “Are you sure they want to help us?”

Vadir nodded. “I had no other choice. The situation demands we-”

The other soldier let out a scream. He had been distracted by the creature and drawn to the sounds it was making. It plunged from a different section in the vent and drove its psionic energy claws into the soldier’s neck. The alien’s blood erupted from the gaping wound, spraying the creature and the walls. It took a moment to rest on its haunches. Both Jackson and the other soldier rounded the corner. They aimed and unloaded on the creature. It thrashed as the combined stream of energy burnt through its ragged, rough-looking skin. But that only seemed to anger it more. A curved-bladed tail shot out from its back and penetrated the Kaskari soldier’s chest with enough force to send him back into the wall. Jackson directed the rest of his fire at the creature’s centre as the bladed tail flicked up and pulled back, undeterred by the shots of energy that continued to strike its body. The tail flicked downward and Jackson caught it with his free hand. He held it still and with the tail in hand; he fired again with his exo-rifle splitting it in two. Vadir took up the fallen soldier’s psionic rifle. It still had some charge in it and he fired at the chest of the creature. With the tail tossed aside, Jackson joined him as they finally penetrated the Mortan’s outer shell. It howled again and withdrew the destroyed tail. It charged at them, phasing itself to avoid the bursts of plasma energy. Its focus was on Vadir. Once more it moved to strike first with what remained of its lethal tail, but Jackson intercepted the attack and used the momentum behind his exo-suit to shoulder the Mortan into the wall. This caused a momentary flicker from the lights above as he put the exo-rifle barrel under its jaw and blasted its head clean open.

“Welcome Wagon, on me!” Ordered Captain Miller.

They all rounded the corner, weapons primed and ready. The monster summoned its remaining strength and pushed Jackson off of it. This signalled for the Welcome Wagon and Vadir to unleash their concentrated barrage on the beast.

Battered and bloody the creature stumbled toward the Welcome Wagon but the combined plasma fire from them proved too much to bear. It stopped dead in its tracks as a growing number of holes became dotted across its chest area. It folded over in a heap. The tail dropped, and Captain Miller removed a large bowie knife from his belt. “I’m going to remove the Symbiote, cover me and check on the fallen soldier.”

It only took a minute for the Captain to hack open the Mortan, its innards spilled out a little but he soon had the Symbiote’s remains in his hands. He threw it down and stamped on the tentacled remnants. “That should keep this one down at least. How is the soldier holding up?”

Munroe and Gregory both shook their heads.

“He’s in and out. Won’t last much longer,” Gregory said to Vadir.

Vadir looked down at his fellow Kaskari as they struggled to stay living. The silver of their face had turned a dark blue. “I’m sorry. It’s Fulcren, right?”

The soldier nodded. “Vadir - Kor, now I remember, we were escorting you to a safe area when we got separated. A bunch of Terrans and Nirimor got in our way. Things kind of got out of hand from there. I can’t believe I didn’t recognise you,” Fulcren said.

“I could say the same. I barely made it off the ship.”

The soldier tried to stand, but Gregory motioned for him to stay put. He remained as he was, his breaths getting longer. “Why did you come back? You could have Aether hopped while in a dropship. No one would know.”

Vadir looked back to the Welcome Wagon and then to Fulcren. “Where would I even go? My duty was to this ship and that also includes destroying it if it can’t be saved.”

“But you’re heading in the opposite direction,” Fulcren said.

“I won’t lie. They want data. And losing that would make this entire journey here pointless. The information we gathered could save countless lives.”

Fulcren’s fading eyes took in each member of the Welcome Wagon before refocusing on Vadir. “Or be used against us.”

“The Terrans were under attack; they did what anyone would have done. When the Arks arrive, that first contact should not begin in bloodshed. Or we’ll have the Dauntless Spirit’s fate scattered across this planet.”

“We know they are low-tech. Don’t be so confident in the abilities of your new friends, Vadir. Don’t lose sight of who you are.”

Vadir saw the Welcome Wagon communicate amongst themselves.

“I’m sorry, Fulcren. I mean it. We didn’t come this far to lose all over again.”

Fulcren placed one bloodied hand on Vadir’s shoulder. “At least you came back. Send them back to their maker. No one should suffer the Nirimor, brother.”

“I will,” Vadir said, watching the last flicker of life leave the soldier. He rose to his feet.

“We should hurry to med bay. The longer we delay. The stronger it will become.”