Page 151 of Return of the Nine

Vida winced a few times during the meal. S’rin stopped and held her hand while she breathed through whatever spasm she was having.

“What is going on?” Ianka wanted to know. Vida was wearing a tight bodysuit, but it seemed to be nearly structural in places.

Vida sighed. “I had a break in my arm that was treated here, but they haven’t calibrated the treatment for Gaians yet, so there were side effects. My normally brittle frame is being reinforced on the molecular level and my bonding to S’rin is increasing my height. There are definitely twinges as the change progresses.”

S’rin continued to hold her hand. “She is unfit for spaceflight. I am afraid that there was no option but to contact you in an effort to rescue your parents.”

Ianka let that sink in for a moment and sipped her tea. “Rescue?”

Vida smiled and leaned forward. “They are alive, I have found the description of the star that they are nearest to, and I was inside Dad’s head. He and Mother are both alive and well. Well, not well, but they are alive and together. With S’rin’s help, I was able to see through his eyes. Things were blurry, but we found the likeliest location.”

Ianka remained silent and leaned back, sipping at her tea for a moment. When she set the elegant little cup down in the saucer, she looked at her sister and smiled. “When do I leave?”

Vida nearly upended the table as she cried out happily and flung herself into Ianka’s arms.

S’rin rescued the table and got to his feet. He waited until Vida was finished with her hugs before holding her chair for her and helping her seat herself.

S’rin turned toward Ianka. “You will need a round of medicalscans and some ship suits. We will assign you to a pilot and he will take you to the location. The ideal outcome will be for you to find all the Gaians who were taken, but if you do not, bring home your family.”

“If Vida can see them, I can track them. Find someone to get me to that world and I will bring them home, just make sure that the ship is big enough.”

She knew every member of the missing by scent. Despite her frustration at her sister’s obsession, she had gone to every private residence and memorized the scent of all the missing. Her frustration had been at her own inability to track her family through space. She was being offered a chance to change that, and so now, she was going to do everything she could to make the most of this opportunity.

If they were on that world or moon or station, she was bringing them home.

After dinner, it apparently was time to get her kitted out. There was no hesitation and no time to waste. A rack came out with a series of suits hanging from it. The shadow plucked several selections and S’rin nodded. “She will take them all and boots as well.”

Ianka watched as S’rin swiped a small chit. “You shouldn’t pay for me.”

“Dearest sister, it is an honour and a privilege.” He bowed low.

She blinked as the shadow handed her a suit. She could see the man inside the swirling darkness and he was smiling. “There is a change room off to the left there. If you would care to put this on, you can be a little more comfortable.”

She blushed. “Thank you.”

With a nod from Vida, she headed to the change room and slipped the dress off with relief. Tight clothing was not really herforte. She liked it to hug her but not restrict her and the dress was highly restricting when she moved her arms.

She tugged on the bodysuit and it formed to her, leaving her feeling covered but free. Her bust was incredibly grateful. She got support and was uncompressed. It was a nice feeling. She smoothed the closures together and exited the change room with her dress over her arm.

S’rin coughed and Vida elbowed him. “We are not identical twins, stop staring.”

Vida held out a robe. “Here, this might stop the gawking while you are on the mother ship.”

Grinning, she tossed the dress to S’rin and turned her back to Vida so she could slip it in place. Once the sleeveless robe was on her shoulders, her more noticeable assets were camouflaged. She twirled. “Better?”

S’rin had her dress over his arm. “No, but it will be better for morale. You have a striking figure.”

Vida wrinkled her nose. “She really does. I have always envied it.”

Ianka grinned. “And I have always envied you your perky nose.”

S’rin chuckled. “And I will be the envy of every man on the ship but only if we can get out of here so that I can show you off.”

The amusement seemed out of his character, but Vida moved close to him, and it was obvious that the joy was coming from her and out of him.

Their little trio left the shop and headed for the medical centre.

They had to wait for half an hour but Dr. Meevin beckoned them into her office to wait. Ianka’s presence was causing a bit of a stir. Members of the Nine were popping by medical just to get a look at her.

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