Room Mates pt. I

I had been given weapons! I now had a light straight sword, not unlike Red's actually, although not in quite as good condition. It came with a battered, but serviceable, scabbard and belt, which I wrapped around my waist, and a small kit for keeping it sharp.

I also had a matching knife, which I slotted onto my belt, on the other side to the sword.

And lastly, but not at all least, a pistol, with a shoulder holster, and several extra magazines. It was an old model, but a good one. I recognised the make, and knew I'd not been stiffed. It held twelve rounds in a clip, and had been well maintained.

Heth and Lea watched as I deftly dismantled it, checked it over, and then reassembled it again.

"You're right," Heth said. "She knows her guns." Lea nodded.

I slipped a magazine into the chamber and looked at them. "I'll need to test fire it somewhere," I said. Never go into a battle with an untested weapon, my firearms instructor had once told me.

"We can arrange that later," Lea said. "Thanks Heth. Come on Alice, let's get you some clothes that don't make you look like you've been sleeping under a bush for a month."

I waved goodbye at Heth and holstered my new firearm. With the sword at my waist, and the gun, I strode out with more confidence, no longer helpless. Okay, I'd never really been helpless, as long as I could Boost I could probably take out most enemies in a fight, as long as the numbers weren't stacked too much against me. But now I could take people on without using my most desperate resort.

Only a few metres from the armoury was the clothing stores area.

"This is for the crew when we're out for a long time," Lea told us. "It's used for situations just like this. Hey Manny, I need some clothes for my friend here."

Manny was a slim man, dressed in shocking red and white striped baggy trousers, and a matching long coat with padded shoulders. He had a thin, pale face with neatly trimmed black hair and a tiny goatee.

"So, this is the infamous Alice is it?" he asked, in a sing song voice. "She doesn't look up to much."

"You want a duel?" I responded. "I've only just got this sword, and need to test it out."

"Oh heavens to Betsey!" Manny said, throwing his hands up in, what I assumed was mock horror. "I'm not ruffian! Go and bully someone else with your rough ways."

I raised an eyebrow.

"No lovey, I'm not one for all that brutish malarkey, but I can fix you up in something better to wear. Such a pretty girl," he said, prodding at my soiled jumpsuit and making a face. "Come come, this way my dears." He waved us along, through a small door in the back, and into a long, thin room stuffed full of clothing.

"Oh my," I said.

"I know, the captain only gives me so much space, but what can one do?" he twittered. "Now, let's take your measurements. Take that horrible thing off please."

I unclipped my weapons and handed them to Lea to hold, and then slipped out of my jumpsuit, to stand naked in front of them, uncaring. My recent experiences had stripped me of any real inhibitions it seemed. I saw Lea taking a good look, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh my!" Exclaimed Manny. "What a lovely lovely body, such a shame you're not a hunky young fellow. Come, hold your arms out, let me measure you."

I did as I was told and he pointed a small machine at me. "All right then," he nodded, looking at the readout. "I have a few things that will fit, you're not exactly a giant. First though..." He turned and opened a chest nearby, rummaging around until he found some items that satisfied him.

"Here," he said. "Not that I don't admire a beautiful form, even if it is on a girl, but I think you need some underwear." And he threw me several sets of panties and bras.

"Oh, thanks," I said. It seemed a long time since I'd worn any, but I slipped a pair on whilst he scurried about, looking for clothes. Somehow they seemed constricting, and I scratched and fiddled as we waited.

After about five minutes, Manny returned, holding a pile of clothing.

"Try these on lovey," he said.

It took another twenty minutes, but I eventually left there wearing a white shirt, long black jacket, black breeches that went down to just below my knees, and some strong, knee high boots. I purposely left the shirt top buttons undone, to show some cleavage. This was not because I was the sort to show of, but because it could distract an opponent slightly. Maybe not much, but, as someone who wasn't large and strong, I had learned to take every and any possible advantage I could.

The pistol was snug in the holster under my arms, and the sword and dagger pulled at my belt. Unfamiliar weights, but comforting. I also carried a backpack with a few more items, and my old jumpsuit, which I had refused to part with.

We made our way back to our room, and I realised I'd have to pay attention to the layout of the ship or get lost.

Back in our quarters, we found that the inhabitants had returned from wherever they had been.

The first one we bumped into was an older man, barely taller than me. He had white hair and straggly beard, and was wearing a black and white striped top.

"Grandad, this is Alice, she's over by me from now on," Lea said, introducing us.

Grandad looked me up and down. "Heard about you girl," he said. "Trouble is what you are. Don't mess with me." Then he turned about and retreated into his little partition.

Lea just shrugged and moved us on a few steps.

"You in twins?" she asked, pulling a sheet back. "Oh, sorry."

I got a glimpse of two figures, entwined together on the low bunk they had, before Lea dropped the sheet back down.

A second later, it was pulled back again, to reveal a tall, slim man. He was dressed casually in black trousers and a white shirt, that was mostly unbuttoned. His blond locks cascaded over his shoulders like a river of gold. Beneath his open shirt was a smooth chest and stomach that didn't have an ounce of fat on. I breathed a little harder.

A second later, he was joined by a woman, and I realised that twins they had to be. She was, essentially, him, but in female form, although with long dark hair. Her front was open too, revealing a wonderfully pert pair of tits, and another washboard stomach.

"Oh my," I said, going slightly wobbly at the knees.

"You must be Alice," the man said, extending a hand. "I'm Vin, or is it Win? We sometimes get confused." He gave me a flash of shining white teeth.

"H... hello, s... so glad to meet you," I managed to get out, shaking his hand as my hear rate soared.

"So lovely to meet such a cute new member to the team," the woman said, and she hugged me and kissed me on the cheek, at which point I nearly wet myself.

"Ooohh, lovely to meet you too," I quavered. I must have looked like a total tool at that point, but they didn't seem to notice.

"We'll see more of you soon," the woman, Win, (or was it Vin?) winked at me. Then they let the sheet drop again. A moment later, unmistakable sounds emanated from behind it.