Page 17 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

There were thirteen assistants in all, each carrying a large parcel bearing a number. Daa’sten clapped his hands for attention, puzzled that the Potentials hadn’t fallen on him with their usual alacrity.

“Ladies, everything you need for the next few days is here. Clothes to regulate your body temperature and protect your vitals as you compete, outfits for the gala dinners and high-profile events you’ll be expected to attend, and of course, the pièce de resistance. Your dress for tonight’s ceremony.” He watched as the females jostled round his helpers, finding the parcel which corresponded with their room number. “Go try everything on, though obviously they’ll fit perfectly. Remember, no peeking at each other’s outfit until tonight.”

Kara found parcel number thirteen. It seemed bulkier than everyone else’s. She caught Daa’sten’s eye and he nodded towards the bedrooms.

“Come on. Let me show you what I’ve brought,” he said.

In her room, she carefully opened the package. A pile of clothes tumbled out and on top was a pair of knee-length boots.

She lifted one for a closer look.

It was made of a supple, buttery material that she would have sworn was suede if she knew for sure they had suede on Vraxos. The sole looked chunky but not inflexible, with a low heel and a deep tread for added traction.

“Don’t just gawk at them,” said Daa’sten. “Try them on.”

She pulled them over her feet, tucking her ridiculously long trouser legs inside. Taking up a combat stance, she executed a couple of kickboxing moves and was pleased with the way they felt.

“They’re amazing. They fit like a glove.”

“They also have a couple of hidden extras I thought you might like.” Daa’sten sounded quietly smug. “Took me all my ingenuity to design but I think you’ll be pleased, my dear.”

“What extras?”

“Check the back of each heel. Do you feel the little projection there? Like a small button?”

Kara found them, one on each boot.

“What are they?”

“Press the left one.”

Kara did so. Immediately she was lifted off her feet as she rose half a meter into the air. She pinwheeled her arms, trying to keep her balance whilst standing on precisely nothing.

“What the fuck? ”

“Anti-grav boots. Astonishing, aren’t they? It took me a while to fit the technology to something remotely chic.”

“Yes, I know what they are. But why the hell do I have them?”

“To make up for your height disadvantage, of course. It puts you on about the same level as the other Potentials so you can’t fail a challenge just because you’re too short.”

“But I can’t move. I can’t do anything but hang here like a bloody puppet.”

“You’ll get the hang of them. Kick the button off and come down.”

Kara pushed the toe of her right boot into her left heel. She dropped back to the floor with rather more grace than she’d left it.

“What does the other button do? Send me into orbit?”

“Don’t be churlish. Try it and see.”

Kara noticed he backed off a little as she pressed the button on her right boot. She braced herself.

With a smooth click, three metal claws slid from the toe. They were curved and thick, identical to the clawed phalanges Vraxians had and just as lethal. Kara grinned.

“Now this is more like it!”

She span in a perfect roundhouse and swept her foot against a chest of drawers. Deep gouges appeared across the front, scarring the wood to a depth of several centimeters though she’d barely touched it. Kara whooped.

“Daa’sten, you’re a miracle worker.”

“You can only use them in instances where your opponents would be expected to use them,” the dressmaker cautioned. “Otherwise you risk being disqualified. But at least you’ll be able to hold your own.”

Kara kicked the blades shut.

“What else have you brought me?”

She had to admit, the new clothes thing was a buzz. Maybe she was secretly a bit of a Barbie herself.

Daa’sten showed her the costume she’d be competing in – an all-in-one jumpsuit engineered to protect her from heat, cold, and minor impacts, all whilst remaining light and breathable. It was blue and gold, a play on the imperial colors, with ‘13’ printed on the back.

He’d inserted a hidden bra-panel just for her. A separate utility belt completed the look, designed to carry whatever she might need to complete the challenge.

“How on earth did you make all this stuff so quickly?” she marveled.

“I didn’t sit up sewing all night, if that’s what you mean. I fed your measurements and my designs into a matter constructor and created it in seconds. That makes it sound easy but believe me, it is an art.”

Kara rubbed the material of the jumpsuit.

“I don’t doubt it,” she said. “You know, lots of people on Earth think thirteen is an unlucky number.”

“We don’t believe in bad luck here on Vraxos. Only fate. Perhaps thirteen will prove fateful for you.”

“Perhaps. What’s in the posh box?”

She pointed at the package filled with rustling paper. Daa’sten smiled.

“Take a look.”

It was a dress. Though to call it just a ‘dress’ was an understatement. Kara shook it out and gasped.

It was a glorious concoction of vivid turquoise, made from a material that resembled silk but was far, far finer. It slid through her fingers with the merest whisper of sound.

And through some trick of the light, or perhaps it was alien technology built into the fabric, the whole garment looked like it was moving. Ripples undulated across the surface, throwing off sparkles of light.

“I took my inspiration from your planet,” explained Daa’sten. “Earth is seventy percent water so I thought you should wear a dress that reflected that. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” Kara said honestly. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Thank the gods. Put it on then.”

He politely turned away as she shrugged off her clothes and wiggled into the dress.

It fell to her waist in a smooth line, tastefully skimming her chest with just a hint of cleavage, before flowing to the floor in a froth of aqua blue shot through with silver.

Her back was left bare, the only adornment a slender chain of white crystals which crossed her shoulder blades and held the two sides of the dress together. It was a miracle of engineering and it fitted her perfectly.

“Daa’sten, I don’t know what to say. It looks like it’s made of pure liquid.”

“It’s turned out rather well,” he said approvingly. “At first I thought I should try to hide your obvious Terran traits. But then I realized we should be celebrating them. I did consider leaving your mammaries exposed to make you stand out from the others but decided that was too obvious.”

Kara blanched.

“Thank fuck for that.”

“But I’ve left your arms bare because they have pleasing muscle definition. That spells strength. I wanted you to look feminine but fierce.”

“Feminine and fierce. I like it.” She did a twirl and Daa’sten’s face dropped.

“What in the name of Ayanlesh is that?”

“What?

“That! On your back!”

“Oh, that. It’s my tattoo.”

“Can it be removed? It’s ruining the purity of the dress.”

“No, it can’t be removed. It’s a Merlin. I’m a Merlin pilot. It’s part of who I am. That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

Daa’sten shook his head pityingly.

“I’m so sorry. I never realized Terrans had to be branded.”

“That’s not… look, forget it. The dress is fabulous. And I love the sparkles.”

“Thank Vannla. I spent a lot of time on those. I manufactured them according to the chemical composition of a common Earth element. Solid crystalline carbon.”

Kara blinked.

“Um, you mean diamonds? These are diamonds?”

Daa’sten beamed.

“Did I get them right?”

“Oh yes. Absolutely,” she said faintly.

“Glad you like them. I also used them to cover your shoes. If you want to try…”

“No.” She shook her head firmly. “I don’t do heels. I’ll be wearing the boots.”

Daa’sten was horrified.

“You’re not serious?”

“I definitely am. The boots.”

“You can’t wear boots with that dress.”

“Yes, I can. I have to get used to them anyway. And no-one’s going to see them.”

“Well, all right,” he said reluctantly. “As long as you don’t accidentally disembowel anyone.”

“No promises.”

“And now I must see to my other little beauties. Get some rest. Someone will assist you with your hair and make-up this afternoon. And this evening…” he bowed with a flourish. “This evening you will face the Empire.”