He stilled, his gaze on her face. “You drive me crazy.” He checked her side. “Bleeding’s slowing, but we need to get you to the medbay.”
“We’re approaching theDrake,” the driver called back. “They won’t risk landing, so they’re going to lower the cargo lift.”
Nera couldn’t lift her head to look, but when the vehicle stopped, then drove forward, and stopped again, she guessed they were on the lift. Seconds later, the Centurion jerked, and they started upward.
Once the Centurion was back on board, Avril leaned forward, and cleared her throat. “We can’t let Darc onto the ship. She’s contaminated.”
Nera was feeling so mellow, she couldn’t summon the energy to raise a brow. She was sure Dr. Perky would like to toss Nera off something very high and then she could sidle up to Niklas in peace. She stifled the urge to laugh. Likethatwould ever happen.
Niklas straightened, and Nera’s chest went tight. God, couldn’t Avril sense the dangerous energy in the man? He might mask it with his smart, scholarly persona, but there was definitely an alpha male buried underneath.
“What did you just say?” He said in an icy tone.
“That creature could have infected her?—”
“She just saved your life, Doctor. It’s your fault she had to go out there because you were damn well wasting time on a myth.”
Avril stiffened. “Nik, I won’t?—”
“Shut it. She needs a doctor and the medbay.”
“I can’t jeopardize everyone on this ship?—”
Galen stepped forward, holding out a small device. “We have a handheld scanner. Run a prelim scan and see if she’s carrying anything problematic.”
Niklas snatched it off him and flicked on the switch. After a second, his shoulders relaxed. “No infectious zombie disease. There are a few local bugs, but they can be eradicated by decontamination.”
Avril nodded. “Fine. I must demand that Darc enters the decontamination chambers. You have to stay in there for two hours. The Spectra lighting system will destroy any pathogens, harmful chemicals, or infectious material.”
Niklas’ jaw tightened. “She needs medical help.”
“We’ll send a medscope with her.”
He looked just about ready to explode. “Fine. But I’m going with her.”
Nera watched, bemused, as Avril gave a jerky nod and stalked off the Centurion. “I don’t think she likes me.”
Then her world tilted as Niklas lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the vehicle.
She blinked up at him. “No one carries me around. Ever.”
“Well, your titanium-tough reputation will have to handle being carried by me. Don’t worry, you’re leaving an impressive trail of blood.”
She leaned her head back to look behind him. Hmm, he was so warm…it made her want to snuggle. She never snuggled. She eyed the ship’s floor. “There’s no blood trail.”
“Be quiet, Nera.”
Soon he was settling her on a flat bench in the decontamination chamber. Agent Ryant appeared. “Medscope.” He handed the slim metal wand over to Niklas. “You’ll need to get rid of all your clothes and place them in the incinerator chamber in the wall. And scrub down with soap in the showers back there. The light will do most of the work, but the decon soap helps. Clean clothes are in the cupboard on that wall.” He pointed.
“You’re being awfully helpful,” Nera said.
“You got the Centurion operational, and saved our lives.” That was all he said before he closed the chamber door.
There was an electronic click, then a female computer voice said, “Decontamination chamber is now locked. Decontamination cycle will begin in thirty seconds.”
The lights changed, a muted blue light filling the room. It made the hollows and lines of Niklas’ face look even more intriguing.
He knelt in front of her. “Let’s get your wound healed up.”
