Free Assessing Survival by Viola Grace Page B

camouflage and are trying to figure out how to get it.”
    She chuckled grimly. “They want the human ability to store fat, as well as the grafting options available with our skin. When did they attack?”
    “Five solar cycles ago. How long for you?”
    “Twelve years. Our world is also sealed now.”
    “How do you get supplies?”
    She chuckled. “We ask very nicely.”
    “Can Solouk draw the pattern later?”
    “Sure. It will take a few hours to learn what we need to make it happen. It will mean that you have to go back into the machine again.”
    “That is fine. I will be the first to go through it. None of my men will undergo the experiment until I have gained a set of working wings.”
    “Right.” She unwrapped her metal hand and flexed her fist. “Well. I will get back into office and Solouk can meet me after he finishes playing with the strike plate.”
    She tossed the wraps in the cleaner and headed to her office, positive that there was a lot of paperwork waiting for her.
    As she sat and looked through the communications that had come in, she had to admit her instincts were on point.
     
    She had never seen screaming in a communication before, but Earth Control was highly irritated with her taking over Alpha Base.
    She replied to him that if he wanted to come out and take her place, he was welcome to it.
    The grin on her face when she filed the note in the outgoing batch was pure evil.
    Solouk was sitting in a corner of her office and drawing on a tablet, working on the dimensions and tensile strength of the wings.
    She brought up the weight of the heaviest of the Alguth and asked, “How many of your own people can you carry with those wings?”
    “Just ourselves.”
    “Do you want to carry more?”
    He looked up, “How much more?”
    “One of your men?”
    He smiled slowly. “That would be amazing. Our wings have simply been a means of transport.”
    She nodded and set up the spec sheet for the alterations. “How is the schematic coming?”
    “I feel it is pretty accurate.”
    She extended her hand and beckoned to him. “Hand it over.”
    He got to his feet, and she took the tablet, looking at the wide dragonfly-style design and the data included as to dimensions and structure.
    “Good. Let’s see what the mechanic and the programmer do with this.”
    She wrapped it up and sent it through the data burst with a note for Windy.
    “Now we wait.” She smiled. “Feel free to run off with your men and see who can out-punch me.”
    “I would like to ask you a few questions.”
    “Certainly.”
    He cocked his head and smiled slowly. “Do you think you will tire of Captain Nikolai?”
    She blinked in surprise. “Um, I hadn’t given it much thought. I might, or he might tire of me.”
    “Commander Liakon would be an excellent choice for you, Queen Stitch.”
    She held up a hand. “What did you call me?”
    “For the Alguth, a woman in your situation is a hive queen.” He smiled encouragingly. “It is important for you to have a mate that matches your power.”
    “I am fine with Nikolai. I will make sure to keep you posted.”
    “If you insist. They will fight it out eventually, I am sure.”
    She was left confused and stunned as Solouk left her with a concern she hadn’t imagined before. Aliens at the gate and they wanted in her underwear.
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Four hours of answering data missives and getting replies to the requisitions later, she realized she was hungry.
    Stitch headed to the dining hall, and she rubbed the back of her neck as she walked. It was nice to be on her feet again, but the back tension of the office chair was tremendous.
    After lunch, she was going to go exploring. She wanted to get into her bio suit and see what there was to see.
    The dining hall was in full swing, so when Stitch had her meal, it took her a while to find a spot to sit down.
    Niko was sitting with the Alguth, and he got to his feet as she approached. There was one seat across from him, and