uploaded from the surface. Their Dr. Hazel tried the drugs we’d normally use to counteract others. They failed. Two of them actually seemed to make the symptoms worse. Since Dr. Hazel had an excellent work record, I’ll trust her notes.” The doctor glanced at his chest. “I never realized how muscular Veslors are.”
He ignored her compliment and turned his head, watching Vera. She still slept but her breathing seemed slower than it should be. One of the females in the room had covered her with a sheet, hiding most of her nude body. That same female rolled Vera onto her back and began opening drawers under the medical bed and placing sealed packets on the edge.
“Mr. Roth, you should leave. One of the nurses will give you a set of scrubs to wear in the next room. You can’t walk through the ship back to your cabin with just that sheet. Although a lot of women would appreciate the sight you make. You’re not married, are you?”
He scowled at the doctor. “I will not leave. I promised Vera that I would stay. Veslors keep their word. I would appreciate something to wear.”
“You’re not medical personnel. This isn’t where you belong.”
He bit back a snarl. The doctor wasn’t listening to him. “I refuse to leave that female until she feels safe.”
“She doesn’t feel anything right now.” Dr. Kane waved at one of the monitors. “She’s stable. The mild sedative we used isn’t having an adverse effect. We’ll keep her asleep until we’re able to clear her system of the drug. Then we’ll reevaluate her condition.”
Roth glanced down, adjusted the sheet, and wrapped it around his waist, tucking it to prevent it from falling if he let go. Then he crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not leaving the female. I gave my word. I will contact Commander Bills if you attempt to forcibly remove me. I believe he will agree to let me stay. He knows how important it is for us to keep our promises. My human team leader said I was to stay with her.”
Dr. Kane studied his body again, taking her time. “Okay. Have a seat.”
“I would like clothing.”
She spun away, sighing. “Someone find him the largest damn set of scrubs we have and bring them in here.”
A human male rushed out of the room, returning with folded clothing in his hands a few minutes later. He approached Roth with a wary expression. “Here you go, man.”
“Thank you.” Roth accepted the clothing.
“You can use the next exam room to dress in. It’s empty,” the male stated.
Roth shook his head. “I won’t leave Vera.” He removed the sheet and put on the pants and shirt. He didn’t bother to glance at the humans watching him. They might have odd customs about nudity but Veslors didn’t.
The thin shirt and pants were ill fitting, too tight, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Roth pulled a chair from against the wall closer to the bed, watching Vera sleep. The other humans seemed hyper aware of his presence but he ignored them. His only focus was on the female he’d made a promise to.
An alarm began to loudly beep, and he rose to his feet. Dr. Kane rushed in with one of the males, reading the monitors. “Shit!”
“What is wrong?” Roth hated feeling powerless. It would have been more beneficial if Vera had anchored her sanity to Maith. He was a medic and would know how to better help her.
The doctor and male nurse quickly removed the two thin IVs they’d placed in Vera’s skin. The alarm still beeped loudly.
“What is it?” he snarled, not liking being ignored.
“Be quiet or leave. We’re trying to figure that out right now. Get clear, Brian.” Dr. Kane stepped away from her patient.
The male nurse backed up and the scanner came on, lighting up the medical bed under Vera. Both medical personnel turned their heads, staring at a monitor to Roth’s left. He looked, too, but besides seeing an outline that had to be Vera’s body, he couldn’t understand the words flashing over it. They weren’t in Veslor and he didn’t read Earth language.
“Goddamn it,” Dr. Kane muttered.
“Her heart rate is dropping too low,” Brian stated.
“No shit. I see that,” Dr. Kane snapped. “So much for keeping her sedated. Fucking Brilon and their crappy-ass drugs!”
The scanner stopped. Roth didn’t need a medical device to tell him that Vera’s breathing continued to decrease, slowing even more. The human doctor rushed to a medical cabinet and yanked it open. Then