Page 116 of Return of the Nine

“So we can obtain a gown for you.”

“I don’t have any currency.”

His lips twitched. “Actually, you do. We opened an account for you for the reworking of the torture harness. The modifications you made are going into some of those portable splints that we viewed earlier. They are all based on your designs, and there are already orders for the splints and braces on all of our Nine resident worlds.”

“So, I have an account?”

“You have a patent that is worth quite a lot. The pre-orders are being divided between you and the current team off shooting your work. You each get five percent of the pre-orders. It is more than enough for some new clothing, but as it is our silly tradition that requires it, my father and I will pay for your formal clothing. You are welcome to pay for as much casual clothing as you like.”

Ula was stunned. Back on Gaia, she had been paid with nothing more than the satisfaction she had been helping people.Here, she had earned money just for helping a friend in need, years earlier. The mother ship was truly a different place.

The dress shop was peculiar. She stood on a platform and a beam of light took her measurements. After that, racks of clothing in her size eased out and she noted that they all had a similar vein of style. The backs were all designed for wings.

A shadow eased forward. “Greetings, lady.”

“Um, hello.”

“I am sensing that the formal gowns of the People of the Light are not to your liking.”

“Well, I don’t have wings, so . . .”

“I can seal the backs easily. Will that help?” The shadow dipped and was obviously bowing.

“It will be helpful, thank you. I will take this one and this one.” She pointed to one in white and one emerald green. Both colours looked amazing with her hair and were not too heavily jewelled.

“I will make the alterations and be back in a moment.”

She smiled and inclined her head. “I was wondering if you had anything more practical?”

“Like what you are wearing?”

“Yeah, a bodysuit where nothing will get in the way.”

The shadow turned to the back with the gowns and returned with a glittering deep amethyst bodysuit, complete with a hard sole for the foot. “How is this?”

“A little girly, but I will take it.”

“Wonderful, lady. I will package it with the others.”

Deniir came over and asked her, “Have you made your choices?”

“I have. The proprietor is making some slight alterations. I am not a huge fan of having my back exposed when there is no reason for it.”

Deniir blushed. “No, I suppose not.”

The shadow appeared with a parcel held forward. “Here youare, lady. Thank you for your business.”

Deniir moved forward and extended a small object to the shadow. A slight click and the shadow retracted.

“Have a good evening.” He disappeared into the back of the shop, and the clothing in Ula’s size followed him.

Ula blinked and looked down at the parcel. “Oh, I owe you for a bodysuit.”

“I am sure you will have plenty of opportunity to pay me back. I will get you a credit chip tomorrow so you can access your accounts.”

“Is that what you just paid with?”

He nodded. “We don’t use hard currency unless we are on the surface of our own worlds. Here on the ship, we use electronic funds.”

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