Page 26 of Sol Survivor

The A.I.-bot rushed to greet her, and Vic barked out requirements.“Feminine, immediate with no time for fittings, and easy movement.”

“Right this way.”The A.I.’s smile was stiff, designed to be polite.

Her graceful sashaying made Vic feel like a galumphing Ande.She gestured to a rack of dresses Victorious would never be caught dead wearing.Perfect.When she chose one with pink and peach sashes, the A.I.-bot pointed to the changing booth.Vic grunted and disappeared into it, dropping her carry-all before holding up the dress.How was she supposed to put it on?

She hung it on the hook provided and stripped off her suit and tank.Demagnetizing her breeches, she peeled them off and stood there in her boots, scowling.“Assistance required,” she said, and the door opened.

She handed the dress to the bot, and within minutes it was on.The A.I.’s hands blurred as she pulled it on over Vic’s head and activated the fastener on her left shoulder.The bot set the booth walls to reflective.Vic faced her image.A band circled her hips from which strips of various lengths fell over her backside to entangle between her thighs.Sashes crisscrossed to cover her breasts and, despite her boots clinging to her calves, she looked like a sensual woman.Faint scars marred her exposed skin, each one a near-death experience she didn’t want to remember or the new augmentations.

“I’ll take it.”She glided her band over the bot’s wrist.

“Release at your shoulder to remove the garment,” the bot said.

After tossing the heat-res suit and stuffing her old clothing into the carry-all, she slipped it onto her shoulder.She stepped into the crowds, conscious of her bare legs, and did her hips sway with more allure?Having wanted to blend in, the sashes between her thighs irritated even as the garment drew attention from most men.Worse, it drew the focus of the sec-guards.She tested out a bright smile and a playful finger wave.One responded with a wink.It boosted her confidence, and she imitated the A.I.-bot’s sashay with renewed determination.

With a scan across the pay-panel, she entered the elevator carrying her to the launch bay.From there, the shuttle would blast off, destination Lunar Base orbiting the moon.

An A.I.-bot greeted her and gestured to her to choose a tube.“Welcome to Lunar Base shuttle voyage Echo 2 Lima 15009.Estimated time to departure is two hours.Docking with the base in eleven hours.Please select a tube and the duration of rest required.”

Vic placed her carry-all in the farthest one from the door before grabbing the handle and sliding herself onto the bed feet first.Straps shot across her, securing her to the tube.Reinforced glass wrapped around her, allowing for a farewell view of Earth as the shuttle traveled, as well as an escape pod should she need it.Not that she’d be awake for the journey.Selecting a sedative, she activated it and the sol-cleanser.She’d awake refreshed and waste-free.Ignoring the smile splitting her cheeks, she stared at the padded ceiling of the tube, waiting for the sedative to take effect.It wouldn’t be long…

Chapter Ten

Year: 2219

Aboard the Aroagni

Drafegruntedashepaced the bridge, waiting for his males to receive clearance.“Is this wise, Aehort?”He spun on the uz.

Despite his servant status, Aehort was more intelligent than all the Qaldreths on this ship combined.Because of him, they’d navigated many galaxies to locate this tiny planet, the home to the strange corpse at the Senate.

“It is.My instincts, as untested as they are, led us here.”The orange male did not look away from the approaching space station orbiting the planet’s moon.

Drafe grunted again and resumed his pacing.Crossing the galaxies, they’d stopped at several ports, asked one or two questions, and left with the destination revised.Aehort’s success had removed the uz stigma.The Qaldreth warriors onboard now trusted that this Ivoy would lead them true.

As an unknown species to these Earthians, he had hoped to step onto the moon’s station without fanfare.That was not to be the case.They’d have to play the ambassadorial role as decided by the Qaldreth Command Council.Since Drafe had observed Vadril Ot’s behavior, they believed he was more than capable of mimicking him.Drafe doubted it.He didn’t have the patience for diplomacy.It wasn’t a natural skill for a Qaldreth warrior.

“I shall play the Q.C.C.’s role, Drafe.You be what you are.”Aehort’s ability to sense his inner turmoil was due to the sharing of his symbiotes.

Their shuttle descended to the docking bay, suction panels extending to hold the ship in place.

A hiss followed when the cabin pressurized, and the door slid open.Before them stood a delicate Earthian female, no taller than his shoulder.Her black hair cascaded down her back, similar to some Qaldreth females, except it hung from her head and wasn’t growing along her spine.Behind her stood two males, gripping their useless weapons as if Drafe intended to attack.He smothered a chuckle.If the Q.C.C.decided to decimate, these weak Earthians would not foresee it nor survive it.

“Greetings, and welcome to Earth’s Lunar Base.I am Cynthia de Beer, a human woman from Earth.Please forgive my guards; it’s protocol to come prepared for aggression.”

She held out a gloved hand.

Drafe stared at it jutting out in front of her without purpose.

Beer laughed and shifted it to grab his, giving it many shakes.She dropped his hand to step back.“This is how we greet each other.”

“Thank you for sharing this with us.I am Vizen Aehort Uz, Cynthia de Beer,” Aehort said, his Earthian language stilted.He offered his long-fingered hand.

She accepted it with a bright smile.“Please, call me by my first name, Cynthia.”

Their first names were at the beginning of their full names?He wasn’t to call her Beer?That mannerism felt wrong and offensive.He curled his upper lip.

“Please address me as Aehort Uz.I will accompany you for diplomacy.My Qaldreth warrior would like an escort to your most populated areas.We wish to learn about your species and observing is best.”

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