“Yes.”
Clark glanced at the rest of his grouping. “We have the full support of Commander Bills. I spoke to him after being ordered to bring Gnaw to the investigators. He’ll back my authority to stay with Gnaw. It’s going to be fine. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
“Have they spoken to Darla?”
“The female you were locked up with?”
Gnaw nodded at Clark.
“I’m not aware, son. I’m sure they’re going to keep the two of you separated until they have statements from you both, along with the other survivors taken by the Elth.” He spoke to Roth next. “They want to interview every team member who boarded the Elth vessel, as well. I’ll escort each of you there when it’s your turn and stand in. It’s going to be a long damn day and evening.” He sighed, facing Gnaw. “You need to get ready. Making them wait a bit is good, but not too long. Then they’ll be even more testy.”
“I’ll put on my boots.”
“Put on your uniform. I want them to see you as an official member of my team.” Clark smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I dare them to fuck with you just because you’re a Veslor. I’ll chew them up and spit them out for it.”
Roth jerked his head, motioning for Gnaw to comply. He went to his sleeping room to quickly change. Once he was ready, Gnaw brushed against each of his grouping. Abby hugged him again. Then he left with Clark.
Two security officers trailed behind but kept their distance. Gnaw glanced back at them.
Clark snorted. “Ignore them. If the investigators were honestly worried that you’d try to avoid questioning, they should have sent about a dozen of them. They completely underestimate you boys. It’s almost amusing.”
They reached a lift and Clark activated it. The doors opened and they stepped inside, the two security guards rushing forward. Clark snorted again and sealed the doors before they reached the lift.
Gnaw noticed the panicked looks on the males when they realized they were about to lose sight of him. “You did that on purpose.”
“Sure did. I told them they weren’t needed. Serves them right for being determined to keep an eye on you, but afraid enough to keep their distance at the same time.”
The lift stopped and the doors opened. Clark led the way to double doors with numbers on them. He waved his hand and they opened, revealing a stark white room with no viewing ports. A wide table sat in the middle, with chairs on both sides. No other furniture was in the room. Sealed water bottles sat on the surface.
Three males in gray uniforms stood immediately, grimly regarding Gnaw.
“This is Gnaw,” Clark introduced. “He’s on loan to the fleet from the king of the Veslor home world at the request of our superiors, and he’s a key member of my best tactical team. These are investigators Brown, Woods, and Palmer.” Clark pulled out a chair and sat, motioning for Gnaw to take the one next to him. It would have them on one side the table, the males across from them.
The one with light hair frowned at Clark. “You’re dismissed.”
Clark got more comfortable in his chair. “I’m his team leader. Gnaw requested I stay with him. The three of you have eyes; it’s obvious he’s not human or familiar with how these things work. Commander Bills is aware that I’m here. You got a problem with it, give him a call. You can bet he’ll take it right away to set you straight. I stay.”
The three humans appeared displeased over what Clark had said. Gnaw took a seat and calmly placed his hands flat on the table to appear less threatening.
The bald male removed a data pad from inside his jacket and placed it on the table. “This interview is being recorded. We have questions for you. What is your full name? It’s just Gnaw on the file we received.”
“I am Gnaw, a Veslor. Most of us do not use last names as you humans do. Some do, such as traders who deal with other races that require them to have one.”
The dark-haired male frowned. “Are you the only Veslor named Gnaw?”
“I’m uncertain. I have not met every Veslor. Do you know every human?”
Clark chuckled. That earned him three glares from the humans across from them.
Clark shrugged. “It was a stupid question.”
“You will remain silent,” the bald one firmly stated.
Clark leaned forward. “Listen up, Woods. You’re here to take statements about what happened with the Elth. Not harass someone about their culture. He doesn’t have a last name. You admitted to having access to his file. The Veslor grouping were vetted and approved to work with the fleet. We know who the hell he is. Move on.”
The light-haired male cleared his throat. “Have your people had any past dealings with the Elth?”
Gnaw gave a sharp nod. “Many times.”
Woods straightened in his chair, a glint in his eyes. “I’ve read that your grouping hires out your services to other aliens. You’ve worked for them?”
“We kill them,” Gnaw clarified. “No Veslor would ever work for or with the Elth. They attack peaceful planets to steal their people, perform painful and deadly medical experiments on their captives, and force the few survivors into slavery. They have no honor. Roth, my grouping leader, can give you a list of planets that have hired us to eliminate the Elth. We give peaceful
