​     The second Katy returned to what had become the weapons room​, Gramps handed her what looked like, to Katy's mind at least, a rubbery swimsuit. 

     "It's a battle uniform," Gramps said. "Did you see how I put mine on?"

     "Well, yes, kind of. I mean, no, not really." 

     "It's going to seem a little creepy, but, really, it's not. It's Bok Thai is what it is, designed billions of years ago by a race not so horribly unlike your own, a race that based their technology, from the very beginning, on genetics. Everything they wore, killed with, whatever, was alive, organic. Adam lived among the Bok Thai for many generations, so, when it came time to design and assemble Claudia, he added the knowledge of that technology to her data banks. To put on this battle uniform, and it was designed specifically for you and only you can wear it, you need only to touch the fabric anywhere. Just touch it."

     "Uh...Maybe I'd better slip out of this dress first?" 

     "We don't really have time, and the uniform..."

     "This will only take a second." She slipped off the only dress she owned and let it drop to the floor. She petted the fabric of the battle uniform like a cat. 

     "Don't fight it," Gramps said. "Just let it happen."

     Within seconds, the battle uniform completely covered her body and, ooo, she had never worn anything in her life that felt better. It had a hood. Katy felt it at the base of her neck. 

​     "If there's the slightest chance you need oxygen, say you're in space or whatever, then the hood will automatically slip over your head and face to protect you and feed you air."

     "Here she comes," Claudia said. "I've got her on the visual scanner now."

CONTINUE