Gadget by Viola Grace Page A

Shatter.
    Naroz was wearing about ten pieces of tech, each of which had a tiny biological sample inside it. He had manned up and let all of the little critters prick him provided that they could all do it at the same time. It was easy to have the Fairy coordinate the bites, and after the units were keyed to Naroz, they were carefully arranged on his collar, across the edge of his cuffs and along the closure of his shirt. Each one was close enough to feel any distress on the part of the Prince. If he called for a particular function, they would be there.
    Naroz may believe that the units were self-propelled, but their mind was firmly on board the ship. The Fairy would protect him while Toby headed off to get her ass kicked.
    Prince Naroz met the head of the colony platform. “Elder Lerar, greetings from the Nyal Imperium. This is Shatter of the Guardians, and this lovely woman is Gadget of Guardian Transport. They will be dealing with that little issue you mentioned to Guardian dispatch.”
    The elder inclined his head and flicked his fingers. Two men stepped forward, both rough and grubby as was customary at the mining platforms. “My sons will lead the pilot to the holding area.”
    “The pilot and the Guardian. She is not going in alone.” Prince Naroz smiled.
    Elder Lerar didn’t look happy. “That was not our arrangement. It was to be one on one, a fair fight to remove him from this platform.”
    Gadget stepped forward. “I will take him one on one. Shatter is my backup. A failsafe in case anything goes wrong.”
    The elder looked her over, and the frown deepened on his face. “He will not take kindly to another male too close.”
    “This is my mate. He will follow where I lead but protect a citizen of the Nyal Imperium over all. Your man will simply have to deal with that.”
    She could feel the heat from Shatter’s body at her back. He was looming and framing her body with his.
    “Mates, you say? That might make a difference. Well, follow my men. Shatter may return to Prince Naroz’s side when you have managed to get my nephew into custody.”
    Gadget inclined her head, and the sons moved toward a hall without actually looking at her. Shatter followed her but let her lead the way. This part was her assignment. He was simply there to keep himself from having a nervous breakdown.
    They had discussed all options, and he would only intercede if there were no option or her life was in danger. That was his assignment, and Gadget knew it was far worse than hers. She wouldn’t be able to stand by if he was being attacked, to hell with duty.
    The mining colony was the standard wheel-and-spoke pattern with living quarters above. Gadget checked out the route that they were leading her in with, and she scowled, it was the worst possible path to the confinement areas.
    Every mining colony had a space to hold uncooperative locals or visitors, and they were taking her the long way to this one. She was guessing that they hoped their kinsman would make his escape.
    Finally, they stopped in front of a cargo area. “He is in here. The door will open at your touch. Farewell.”
    They left her and Shatter in the depths of the platform without any additional instruction.
    She looked at him, and he was battle ready. “Calm down. This may not be what you are expecting.”
    “It may be what I am expecting, so be on guard.”
    She kissed him quickly. “That is your job. I am just the driver.”
    She turned and palmed open the door before he could do anything.
    Inside the cargo area was a solitary cot and a man was lying on it, flicking through a data pad. “Feeding time already, cousin?”
    “It isn’t feeding time. It is time for you to leave this platform.” She stepped into the room and held her hands out at her sides.
    He shot to his feet, and she looked up, way up.
    “Who are you?” His face was grey and his eyes were a crystal blue. Those eyes held extreme intelligence, which was at odds with his reputation as a