The Merry Hunters of the Galaxy

A Rodentian's Guide to Public Humiliation

Ardia Musso

I curled my plait into a bun and pinned it in place. Maybe the pins could play a second role against Villa Amoria's security system.

I clipped a red ribbon choker around my neck and snapped on heart earrings.

My strapless top clung to my chest and exposed my midriff. It had a v-neck and a pointed waistline, giving the appearance of a heart. I smoothed the puffy, pleated red skirt, turning to see every angle of myself in my full-length mirror. "Wow." I looked...different. Well, this was the first time I'd worn something that wasn't some variation of a large coat and newsboy cap. Now, I was...a woman. I touched the exposed crack leading to my barely-hidden breasts. Wait, Draco and Humayra didn't want me to get into trouble with Dildrix. Was everyone going to be looking at me? I gripped my hair. Ugh! I was dressed up as a waitress; of course everyone was going to be looking at me!

I took a deep breath. No, this wasn't the time to panic. It was too early. I shouldn't even be panicking. Humayra snuck into fancy places all the time in a black catsuit, and she never panicked. I spread my fingers through its wide hidden pockets.

This was the night. I was going to a gala! I'd see all the celebrities on our kill list and everyone who wasn't part of the Black Star. There'd be live music, fancy food, beautiful dresses, and best of all, I would steal a giant crystal!

My coat and cap looked deflated on my cot. It was hard to believe I was leaving them and my blaster behind. Hopefully, the calcium powder and a makeup brush would be all I needed in case the treasury had a keypad lock. I stuck my compact of calcium powder in one pocket and my brush in another.

I slid my sheer-stockinged feet into a pair of red high heels. Here came the hard part. I took a wide step toward the holo-door, and my legs swayed. "Whoa!" I grabbed a bedpost and slid down it to my knees. "Okay, baby mouse steps," I pushed myself up and took another, smaller step. This time, I held myself steady. "Easy does it." I lowered the holo-door with a push of a button, stepped over the bump of its projector, and crept down the hall toward the bridge.

At least this careful walking prepared me for pickpocketing guests.

When I stepped into the bridge, my high heels snagged the holo-door bump in the archway. "Whoops!" I caught myself on the edge of the archway and quickly smoothed my skirt. "What do you think?"

Iggy's four eyes bulged.

Helmut gulped.

Draco gave me his execution face. "Humayra, salt the slug as soon as possible."

"Aww..." I slumped. Just when I thought I looked amazing.

Humayra opened a pouch on her belt and took out a short, shining rod of lipstick. "Here, put this on."

Ooh, makeup? I took the lipstick and popped off the cap. It was Humayra's classic red. I projected a holo-mirror from my wristband.

She gave me a warning, but loving look. "Don't overdo it."

"Thanks," I carefully painted it on. "How is it?"

She smiled. "Good."

"Great!" I capped the lipstick, returned it to Humayra, and spun around to make my skirt bounce.

Humayra took my shoulders. This meant another grown-up talk. "Now, remember," she bent her head down to meet my eyes. "What are you going to do?"

"Steal the Lepidopteran Caronine?" I half-joked.

She tried not to look amused, but the edge of her mouth crept up. "I mean when you're with the guests."

Oh great. "Humayra, I've got it."