Geared Up by Viola Grace Page A

helped me become a Guardian by making sure I did all my homework and my chores.”
    The little girl furrowed her brow. “How did chores help?”
    “I learned that life is filled with hard work, but doing it right means less work later. If the man who had fixed this aircraft had done his job right the first time, you wouldn’t have needed me. As it was, I am very glad I was able to help.”
    The little girl swayed a little. “Can I hug you?”
    Niad opened her arms. The little girl squeezed her neck, and the Guardian Wyfirth doll dug in as well, but Niad hugged onto her until the little one let go.
    “What is your name?”
    “Liima. Liima Denfork.” The little girl jerked her chin up as her low-family name was spoken.
    “I am very happy to meet you, Liima. Can I take you back to your parents now?”
    “Okay.” Liima held her hand out, and Niad walked back to the crowd of passengers.
    Tauron grinned at her and her small companion. “Oh, good. She found you.”
    Niad gave him a dark glare. “Liima even has a Guardian Wyfirth doll; she just had to check it for ID.”
    Liima’s parents rushed over, and to Niad’s shock, they hugged her, thanking her for her part in their rescue.
    A line formed as the passengers hugged her, and she thanked them all for thanking her.
    This was the first event where she had been confronted with alive and alert citizens after an event. Usually, Tauron had her whisked away by now.
    When the security forces had escorted the citizens off the tarmac, Tauron escorted her to the riot runner, and they headed back toward base.
    “So, how long have I been an action figure?”
    “You mean a dolly?” He chuckled in her ear. “Since your grandmother had them made. Guardian Wyfirth dolls are finding their way into every store in the nation with the proceeds of all sales going to children’s charities.”
    “Wow. Why didn’t anyone mention it?”
    “Because she wants to show her support for a Wyfirth, though she is a Skarrow. It will do wonderful things for her public persona after she banished her masculine relatives and just resumed conversing with her daughter.”
    “Okay, so I can see the point. She is using me because I won’t sue.”
    “She is rerouting the money so that you won’t sue. If there is one thing I know about your grandmother, she keeps the family finances in view at all times.”
    Niad leaned back against him and settled in for the rest of the short flight to the base.
    “So, Niad, we have a day off.”
    She blinked. “When?”
    “Today. As soon as we finish our reports at the base. Are you still willing to walk out with me?”
    “Are you willing to try and get a kiss?”
    “I am.”
    “Then, let’s go do some reports.”
    She composed her observations in her mind, and the moment they were in the base, she was recording the events from the mission request to the flight home. Everything was out in under five minutes. She grabbed her credit band and popped out her lenses. Her normal, vivid colouring was now out for all to see.
    She practiced a fun outfit with tights and a skirt that caught the breezes. When Tauron emerged, he was wearing a tight shirt and snug trousers to go along with his laced boots.
    “Are you ready to go?” Tauron smiled.
    She nodded.
    Demsiac checked their reports and nodded. “You two are cleared for a day off. Tomorrow evening at four you need to be back.”
    “Yes, sir.” Niad grinned.
    Tauron helped her from her chair, and they walked out to one of the more city-friendly vehicles. He grinned, “Do you think you can fly it?”
    “Oh, yeah. You still have to ride behind me.”
    “Do you know where you are going?”
    “Nope. You will have to point it out. Oh, and I overhauled the propulsion system. You are going to have to hold on.”
    She revved the engine, his arms went around her and they headed up and into the sky.
    He relaxed his grip on her after they achieved a suitable altitude and headed to the northern province and the