Update VERSION files

[merge-train skip]

Update VERSION files
bbc51e1f · GitLab Release Tools Bot · GitLab · 9415377a · bbc51e1f
Unverified Commit bbc51e1f authored 9 months ago by GitLab Release Tools Bot Committed by GitLab 9 months ago
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
-16.9.8-ee
\ No newline at end of file
+16.9.9-rc42-ee
\ No newline at end of file