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The next two days passed slowly but not uncomfortably. The cells were a huge step up from the brig on the warship. And the food was better. There were also no prison guards to contend with, only the mechbots who brought her meals whenever she asked.

They seemed to be more sophisticated than the mechanoids Earth used in labor-intensive industries, such as construction. Vraxian mechbots were dome-shaped robots equipped with mechanical arms and a high level of artificial intelligence.

As an experiment during a moment of boredom, she explained the concept of chess to one of them. It promptly went away and came back with a 3-D printed chessboard. And proceeded to checkmate her in twenty moves.

The bots also freely gave her information, as long as it wasn’t sensitive or classified. On the second day, she asked about Vahn’s coronation, curious to learn a little of Vraxian culture. A mechbot brought her a vis-screen and she watched the ceremony live as it happened.

He looked regal, she thought, studying the pictures. But also tired. And worried. Maybe no-one else could see it as he formally accepted the role of Zhaal, but she knew every line of his face. She knew he was anxious about ruling.

For a moment she wished she was there to give him support. Then she remembered he’d betrayed her. Still, she couldn’t help the pride that welled up inside her as he made his planet-wide speech.

He promised to pursue peace with Earth and outlined the plan for a ceasefire. He also spoke of the presence of a ‘Terran envoy’ on Vraxos, though he didn’t mention she was currently locked up in a prison cell.

That last bit of information caused something of a stir and she imagined people across Vraxos dissecting it with either horror or excitement, depending on their mindset. Either way, there was no going back. For better or for worse, Vahn had put the plan into motion. He’d kept his word.

She bit her lip, wondering if she would have been so brave had their positions been reversed, and Vahn had been taken to Earth. She hoped so. And she hoped she had the courage now for what lay ahead.

On the third day, the palace guards came to get her forshaa’baara.

They didn’t cuff her, which she took as a good sign. She stretched her arms over her head, affecting a confidence she didn’t remotely feel.

“Okay. Let the games begin.”

Eleven

They seemed to walk for miles.

Every so often they passed a bank of large windows and Kara gazed out, eager to catch a glimpse of the planet. But the view was impeded by the rainbow-colored wall she’d seen when she first arrived.

The palace was built like a fort, she realized. It was secure on all sides though whether that had always been the case or whether it had been upgraded because of the war, she didn’t know. She’d have to ask Vahn.

The soldiers stopped so suddenly she nearly walked into the back of them. The most senior gesticulated at a door.

“Through here?” Kara asked.

The soldier nodded and stepped back, leaving her a clear path.

Interesting. They weren’t coming in with her.

She threw a jaunty salute, trying to quell her sudden nerves.

“Thanks boys. Be seeing ya.”

Then she opened the door and went through.

She found herself alone in an enormous room. The first thing she registered was the smell of food. A long table groaned with plates and steaming tureens. Delicious aromas permeated Kara’s nostrils and her mouth watered.

She wondered if she could just help herself. No-one else seemed to be around, though the room was stuffed with sofas, mirrors, shelves and other furniture. Banners of silk festooned the walls and thick rugs covered the floor. It was all very luxurious in an understated way.

Except for the mess. Every surface was strewn with clothes and other paraphernalia. Open bottles of perfume were dotted everywhere. One table had an upended bag of what looked like make-up scattered all over it. Door handles and picture frames were draped with scarves.

What the actual fuck?Kara took a step back, disorientated. It looked like an explosion at a sorority house. And wherewaseveryone?

As if by magic, another door opened and twelve Vraxian women poured in, chattering excitedly. The moment they saw Kara, they stopped.

Silence descended.

They’re bloody giants.