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“It’s not?”

“It was done up in a bit of a rush because originally there were only twelve Potentials. But you won’t be here for long.”

“I could stay here forever,” Kara said honestly.

It reminded her a little of the forest on Minerva-6. Thinking about it brought on a pang of loneliness. She missed Vahn. She wished she didn’t, but she did.

“And of course you still have a fully functioning V-CAP computer.”

“Um, I have awhatnow?”

“V-CAP. Voice Command Automated Programming. Vee for short.”

“Don’t you have something like this on Earth?” asked Vysh. “It’s very simple tech. It performs basic tasks.”

“Like what?”

“Let me demonstrate,” said Daa’sten. “Vee, fill the bath. Hot water. Scented oils.”

“What temperature do you require?”

Kara jumped at the non-human voice that came out of nowhere, but Daa’sten was plainly expecting it.

“Scan the alien. Match it to her body temperature.”

“Complying.”

Immediately, water gushed from hidden jets into the pond-like bathtub. Kara watched wide-eyed as steam started to drift through the room.

“That is genius.”

“So now that you’ve seen your room, can we talk about tomorrow?” asked Daa’sten. “Vysh, run along, my dear. I’ll come to you next.”

Vysh kissed him on the cheek and left.She’s a sweetheart,Kara thought.I hope I don’t have to fight her.

Daa’sten produced something that looked like a small handgun and pointed it at her. He noticed her alarm.

“Don’t worry. I’m measuring you. Keep still, I’ll be done in a moment.”

The implement projected a blue light which traveled over her body. He frowned as he discovered her chest was larger than her waist.

“Have you gestated?” he demanded.

Kara giggled at his horrified expression. Vraxian women only grew breasts when they gave birth.

“No, it’s normal for human women. Just make something that holds my chest in place.”

He gazed at his scanner in consternation.

“According to these readings, your outer dermal layer has no natural armoring at all.”

“Nope. No scales.”

“And your feet. They are very strange.” He peered at the offending appendages. “Do they do anything other than hold you upright?”

“Like what?”

“Can they be used as weapons?”