\[\frac{a^{- 9}}{\left( a^{- 2} \right)^{3}} = \frac{a^{- 9}}{a^{- 6}} = a^{- 3}\]
\[a = \frac{1}{2}:\]
\[\left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^{- 3} = 2^{3} = 8.\]