To make their journey a little easier, the ship A.I did light the way for them. The red emergency lights lit up the main corridor and they followed it 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?"

"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?"

"Two, they stand between you and the shuttle at the left turn after the upcoming T-Section."

They followed the light right and Kaskari voices entered earshot. It didn't take long for them to reach the left turn. Vadir stopped the Welcome Wagon behind him.

"Talk to them,"

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 human allies."

The soldiers raised their rifles and allowed the psionic charge 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 as you can see. They could have left me for dead but they needed me, and there are many more outside, this ship is 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 need not be bloodshed."

"There is movement in the vent, singular, and closing fast," the A.I interjected.

"You lie," said the other soldier.

"No! The Deterrent knows something new has entered the ship. It's coming for all of us."

The Commander 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, Commander," Jackson whispered.

"If they look like they are going to shoot, pull him out," the Commander answered while keeping one eye on the ceiling vents.

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

The two soldiers shifted focus and wasted no time in unleashing a load of energy upon the vent. It howled 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.

"Not even a dent," 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, they had been left distracted by the creature and drawn to the sounds of it. It plunged from the vent and drove its serrated claws into the soldier's neck. As it rose 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. Faster than either could process 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 but it hovered in the air above Jackson. What looked like telekinesis to the others was Vadir projecting his immaterial self outward. It held back the tail and it took all of Vadir's willpower to maintain that mental grip. Jackson took this as his chance to finally penetrate the Mortan's outer shell. It howled again and withdrew the tail. It charged forth and directed its focus on Vadir. Once more it moved to strike first with the tail but Vadir's projection intercepted the attack and used the momentum to force the Mortan into the wall. This caused a momentary flicker from the lights above. And the Mortan's sudden stumble confused Jackson until he saw Vadir's glassy eyes.

"Welcome Wagon, on me!" Ordered Commander Miller.

They all rounded the corner, weapons primed and ready. They unleashed their concentrated barrage on the monster as it summoned its remaining strength to punch at the air in front of it. This had the knock-on effect of breaking Vadir's focus and he sank to the ground.

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 Commander removed a large knife from his belt. "I'm going to remove the Symbiote, cover me and check on Vadir."

It only took a minute for the Commander to hack open the Mortan, its innards spilt 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 Vadir holding up?"

Munroe and Gregory soon had him back on his feet.

"He's a bit dazed but fine. What was that, telekinesis?"

Vadir looked surprised at the question. "You've never seen projection arts before."

"We didn't see any projections though," Jackson said.

"The best way I can describe it is this; it's like a ghost that can interact with things. But those things can also fight it off."

Miller faced Vadir. "Did our guns affect you?"

"No, the projection can only be dealt with by organic means. Bullets and lasers pass through it for some reason."

"That could be useful," Miller said. "But now that they know we're here, we need to move fast before more show up," He said pointing at them.

While the Welcome Wagon formed up on the Commander, Vadir took the time and faced the Kaskari soldier; they were still alive despite the deep wound on their shoulder. "It's Fulcren right?"

The soldier nodded, Gregory broke from the group and moved to his side. He didn't need to scan or do more than surface level checks. This man didn't have very long left.

"Vadir - Kor, now I remember, we were escorting you to a safe area when we got separated. A bunch of humans 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?"

Vadir looked back to the Welcome Wagon and then to Fulcren. "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 whole journey here pointless. The information we gathered could save countless lives."

Fulcren's fading eyes took in each member of the Welcome Wagon, "Or be used against us."

"The humans 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 Dauntless' fate scattered across this planet."

"We know they are low tech. Don't be so confident in the abilities of your new friends, Vadir. Remember what you are?"

Vadir saw the Welcome Wagon communicate amongst themselves.

"I'm sorry, Fulcren."

Fulcren placed one 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 medbay. The longer we are delayed. The stronger it will become."