With Ingrid's assistance, the Vekimen medic was able to examine the other soldiers, ensuring they were free from both injury and infection. With some time to explain, it wasn't hard to teach the Vekimen how to check for the infection themselves. Soon Edtoto and the others were integrated into the group, Star Army soldiers spread out among the Vekimen to assist them in securing a larger percentage of the station. Skade improved communications, eventually, allowing them to contact the Heartbreaker, and send the I'ee rear guard home safely. Veronika, Bettie and others from the Heartbreaker were soon joining them on the station, reinforcing their defenses and stabilizing the station until the Logistics fleet could arrive.
The Seisenkyo beat them there, of course, allowing another wave of fresh soldiers to arrive and take over for the Heartbreaker crew. By the time they had left, Edtoto had helped them ingratiate themselves to the Vekimen, who steadily relaxed and softened their hostile attitude. While Alexis was still in custody (although Cosima had briefly attended to her), Ed and the others had been cleared to come and go as they pleased. They'd also been granted access to logs and other information related to the parasite infestation. Much like they'd thought, another Vekimen had been sent out in a scout ship just like Edtoto, although this one had returned earlier. And with less friendly acquaintances.
The alien substances in the returned ship had been studied, but the Vekimen had simply had no idea what they were dealing with, and no way to detect the hidden parasite. And soon, parasites. Spreading throughout the station, through the clans and families, the infected Vekimen had finally acted as one in an attempt to overthrow the station and open it up to further NMX infestation. While several sections had been saved, things had begun looking grim before the I'ee and then Heartbreaker arrived, due more to damage to the station than the infected themselves.
Interestingly, the Vekimen reported a large number of the infected had fled in several more scout ships, between the time of the distress call and the arrival of the I'ee. The weakening enemy forces had allowed the Vekimen to hold out while attempting repairs, until their unexpected rescue had arrived.