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==Tales from the Golden Lion AUKatya’s Quest - Chapter 7==
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12/01/3051 - Antares, Contested World
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“It looks good on you.” 
Katya shifted position on the mirrored pedestal causing the cedar (a grayish red orange) colored dress to wrap around her gray leggings. “I agree, Lydia.”
“Your measurements are very similar to Antares’ native supermodel, Annabelle Klein.” 
Lydia pointed to a poster with a vivacious blonde woman somewhere tropical wearing stylish clothes. “She retired from the Tharkad fashion scene a few years ago to start her own house in Antares City.” Her shoulders slumped, “Unfortunately, it got blown up during the battle so this Autumn’s AK collection might be our last for a long time. 
Too bad, I was really excited for her summer collection. She always has great swimsuits. Although I never get a chance to wear them to the beach.”
“A model?”
“Do they not have models where you come from.”
“No,” Katya stared intently at the poster before attempting to mimic the pose checking herself in the mirror, “Why would we? There are typically only five choices for anything from the Merchants. I have heard of Artisan Caste dyers and clothing specialists on my transit from the Homeworlds.”
She folded up the other clothes into their basket. “You are the first woman from the Clans I’ve met. If you are a medium, then there must be a lot of bombshells among you. 
What is your secret?”
“I do not understand the bombshell reference. Nor do I know any secret.
I am Trueborn of the Kerensky bloodhouse so perhaps genetics. Although diet and physical training might be of greater impact.”
“I am jealous, I wish I had an hourglass frame like you. Without working out as much.”
“They occasionally make if difficult to fit into my cockpit chair.” She turned to eye Lydia sending the cedar dress twirling until it came to a halt and fell back toward her, “You have a similar build to our Aerospace Corps. It is almost entirely female, including the technicians.”
“I suppose that is why I have yet to see one. Would you like to look at our accessories?”
Her hands came to her hips then she looked to eye her gun-belt, “Yes, I have no covert means of securing my weapons. Can you provide options?”
“Ummm,” Lydia paused, attempted a gesture stopped midway, and swallowed, “I was thinking purses, but we can look in the belt section first.”
Two large W&W bags thumped on the hotelier’s desk. He looked out from behind them to see Katya on the other side of the desk. A moment’s hesitation came as he looked at her uniform and nametag, “Star Captain Kerensky, I have your key.” 
Jingling keys came nervously from the hook behind him, “Fourth floor, spectacular view of the sunset over the canal. I think you will be very happy with it.”
“Excellent. I want these clothes laundered and ready for me tomorrow morning.”
The hotelier peered into the bags to see a half dozen outfits, two shoeboxes, and a smaller bag of miscellaneous products. “Of course, Star Captain.” She accepted the offered keys from his nerveless fingers, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She paused tapping a finger to her chin and looking around the ornate hotel lobby kept clean of Patrol boot prints by a small squad of cleaning robots. His face grew more nervous the longer her gaze wandered around. “Is the bar still stocked?”
“Yes Ma’am,” Katya headed off up the staircase before he finished, “only the best for our guests.”
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