was down here. The humans could not. And no one from Defcon Red can remove their suits while here or link to this facility to replace their water or air supply to their suits. Those could be compromised. We will need to execute full decontamination on everyone who has entered this place before they remove their suits or step foot back on Defcon Red.”
Clark grunted. “Why full decontamination? Won’t the suits protect us?”
Maith lifted one of his gloved hands. “It’s possible the drug attaches to solid surfaces. The drug could have been spread on surfaces, like paint, and transferred through touch. It could be stuck to the exterior of our suits. I’ve seen a poison spread that way once on an alien outpost. They didn’t like outsiders. It was placed on all walls, doors, and furniture.”
“Got it,” Clark sighed. “We’d be exposed taking off our suits if they aren’t cleaned first. I’m on it.” He frowned at Vera. “I’ll have Birch and his team’s medic take her up and hand her over to the doctors while we figure out this mess and how it all happened. All the bodies need to be bagged and tagged, too, for autopsies and retrieval, to send them home to their families.”
Roth lowered his head, staring at the female curled against him, clutching his hand. Then he looked back at Clark. “I need to be the one to take her.”
The male team leader tapped on his helmet control before speaking. “I’d rather your grouping stay down here. I know you boys are protective of women and I respect the hell out of you for it but the truth is, some of the teams aren’t handling this well. Jones puked inside his helmet and Ryan is spooked with all the bodies we’ve found. That woman is the only one we can rescue. Drak let me know they had tracking for life signs on the people living here. We’re up to twenty-eight bodies so far with more to find.” He pointed to the one on the floor. “Twenty-nine—and it makes thirty with the blonde out there sitting in the chair.”
Roth glanced down at the female. She wasn’t aware of what Clark had said, since the male had transmitted his voice inside their helmets only, via their coms. He had no idea how she’d react if she realized all the other humans were dead.
“This female is highly unstable and seems to have bonded to Roth,” Maith informed Clark. “She can’t be sedated. It’s not safe in her current condition. I’ve read the notes from the doctor in charge of this place. Any attempt at sedating the patients caused their vitals to crash.”
“Fuck,” Clark hissed. “What else?”
“Every time Roth releases the female, she believes she’s being attacked or loses her grip on reality. It’s important that we keep her calm until she’s stabilized. She’s suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and dangerous levels of stress that could worsen her condition when she panics.”
Clark’s eyes widened as Maith explained. “I see.” He stared at Roth. “Who’s in charge of your grouping if you leave the surface?”
“Drak.”
“Take her up to Defcon Red and stay with her until the doctors say she’s stable. Find out what you can once she is.” Clark sighed. “I need you down here, Maith. Keep digging into their medical logs. Send everything you find to Defcon Red. The doctors up there will want as much info as they can get to find out what the hell is going on with her. I’ll send Birch’s medic with you, Roth. He’ll meet you at shuttle two. I keep forgetting the kid’s name. He’s new.”
Roth met Maith’s gaze. “Be careful. Inform the rest of our grouping that I’m leaving.”
“Right away.”
Roth leaned down. “Vera?”
She turned her head, peeking at him.
“I’m going to let go of your hand.”
“No!” She used her free hand to claw at his leg, her nails scratching on his suit.
“Listen to me,” he growled.
She froze, panting.
“I’m going to let go of your hand to pick you up. You can hold on to me. Do you understand? I won’t leave you.”
She nodded. “You’re real. Right? You don’t want to kill me or think I’m food?”
“I’m real. I won’t hurt you in any way. You’re not food.”
“Man, she’s really messed up,” Clark whispered.
“Yes,” Maith agreed.
Roth let go of Vera’s hand and quickly scooped her into his arms. She wrapped her fingers around the back of his helmet and buried her face against his chest plate. He turned, facing Clark, and shrugged. He