Free Ascent by Viola Grace Page A

hours.”
    “We look forward to it.”
    She flicked the com off but kept it passive and open in case there were any updates from the planet she was approaching.
    She hoped that everything was in order because there was no way that she would achieve lift off with her payload still attached. Lili Ann shifted in her seat and queued up her landing montage. Terran music pounded through her cockpit, the tiny bubble on the top of her payload.
    The landing was always surreal. Entering the atmosphere of an alien world seemed so peculiar to her, even after six years of working as a space trucker for the Alliance.
    She had applied to be a Terran Volunteer while she travelled from depot to depot for a building-supply company. It was amusing that she had ended up in the same line of work on a much larger scale.
    The ship that she was in control of was not so much a ship as a long-distance grapple with engines.
    Lili Ann slowed her ship and began a controlled entry into the atmosphere of Geko 7. It was the end of months of travel and prep. She was going to be glad when this delivery was over.
    One day later, Lili Ann was watching the colonists prep and open the storage units, gearing up for their first harvest.
    She waited for the council head to sign off on the shipment and then turned to leave.
    “Wait, you aren’t leaving yet, are you? We would like to invite you to the celebration that we are having this evening to mark the completion of our colony supplies before we store the harvest.”
    She perked up. She loved a good party. “What kind of celebration?”
    He grinned, “Food, wine and dancing.”
    She was getting excited. She loved dancing, even if she couldn’t manage half the steps that the Alliance contained. They were as fun to watch as they were to attempt.
    “When does it start and is there somewhere I can rest for the night? A day away from my ship would definitely be welcome.”
    “I will make the arrangements. Please come with me, Pilot.” The Jerican councillor took her on a tour of the centre of the main city.
    “We have been working on this world for ten years and we are very proud of our accomplishments. Of course, we did have help.” He smiled and brought her to a dress shop.
    “A dress? Really?”
    “Everyone will be wearing their best tonight. It begins at sunset, so there are only a few hours for you to prepare. You will be seated at the honoured table and will have an excellent view of all the festivities.”
    She blushed and entered the dress shop. Councillor Hon gave her a quick introduction and when she had met the owner of the dress shop formally, he left her in the woman’s capable hands.
    “I am sure you are really busy with dresses for the other ladies attending the celebration.”
    Dressmaker Sheevin smiled. “The women around here have been ready for weeks. We were just waiting for the harvest to be ready for collection. You have made that possible and so, I will ask you to simply remain in place while I pin this dress together.”
    The dress in question was black and not quite what Lili Ann would consider being a complete garment.
    The top was concealing enough, but the bottom consisted of a black set of briefs and a skirt that showed them completely but joined to the bodice that laced across her torso. Her legs were shown to all and sundry, but based on the gowns on display, this was a Jerican standard for clothing.
    Silvery hoops connected the skirt to the bodice and the slight amount of skin that could be seen between them was kind of cute.
    Lili Ann smiled. “It isn’t what I am used to, but I like it.”
    “Good. It suits you, but you need to get a hairstyle that matches it. Come with me, so I can hand you off to the next stage of your evolution.”
    Sheevin grinned and escorted her out of her establishment and down the promenade. Orchit was her next stop and the hairdresser had her brushed, braided and her nails polished within an hour.
    The sky was starting to tint as she stood