Page 115 of Return of the Nine

Darthuun looked at her with a calculating smile, his golden eyes were measuring her. “Are you the one who repurposed the torture straps?”

“I am.”

“Then, you are a Master Designer and that is how you will be addressed during your stay on the mother ship. Has Deniir taken you and shown you your quarters?”

“He has. They are very suitable. I only need a place to sleep after a day’s hard work. With no sun to tell me what time it is, I am depending on you and Deniir to tell me when to stop and sleep. Is that acceptable?”

Deniir nodded. “I will maintain a schedule for you.”

Darthuun looked between them. “Deniir, take her on a tour and find out where she would like to start while she is here.”

Deniir winked. “Yes, Father.”

He jerked his head and she pattered after him, ready for her tour of the wonderful works that were coming together on all the workstations.

“You have no interest in weaponry, do you?”

She shook her head. “That is not an area I have any interestin.”

“Right. We will show you the healing units and move on from there then.”

She grinned and rubbed her hands together. It was time to play on a scale she had never imagined.

The man working with the healing units smiled. “Welcome, Master Designer. I am Engineer Trull.”

She kept her hands at her sides and inclined her head. “Pleased to meet you, Trull. What are you working on?”

“A portable tissue regenerator that can tell the difference between muscle and veins. So far, I am not having a lot of success.”

“May I have a look?” Ula was fighting the urge to go up on her toes to look over the man’s shoulder. Trull had all the charm of a block of granite, so Ula was guessing that stone had something to do with his people.

Deniir cleared his throat. “We will complete our tour first, and then, you are welcome to choose any project you wish to work on and whatever you need will be brought to your workstation.”

She perked up, “I have a workstation?”

“As you mentioned, it is not really common for the sexes to mix within the ship. We have prepared a station where you can communicate with the engineers and still remain free of any... interference.” He twisted his lips.

Engineer Trull nodded. “Sound thinking, Master Deniir.”

Deniir continued on their tour. They saw propulsion units, survival kits, emergency limb replacement as well as food-service equipment and prep units. There was literally something for every mood, and Ula couldn’t wait to get started.

Her stomach growled and Deniir grinned. “Thank goodness. I was beginning to suspect that you didn’t eat. You seem indefatigable.”

She snorted. “No, just very excited at the prospect of workingon something without having to scrounge for parts. Where can we eat?”

“My father is making dinner for you. He wishes to speak with you at his leisure, and since you are staying with us, it will make for an entertaining evening.”

Ula sighed and curled her itching fingers into fists. “Wonderful. Can I get a notepad and a pen or something to start making notes?”

“Of course. Would you like to change for dinner?”

They were walking out of the research and development centre and back in the wide hallway.

She blushed. “Um, all my clothing is like this. I don’t live in a place where dressing for dinner is required.”

He blinked and inclined his head. “Of course. We will make a quick stop before going home then.”

“Why?”

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