Geared Up by Viola Grace Page B

promise of noodles. She had to admit that she was hungry.
    “You look lovely tonight.”
    She blushed. It felt weird being off duty with him and able to do such simple things as compliment your date.
    “You look very handsome but still ready to run.”
    “It’s what I do.”
    She chuckled. “The handsome or the running?”
    “Both.”
    Niad redirected the conversation. “What is your family like?”
    “Well, my mother is a horticultural talent, and my father is a legal alien. He took my mother’s family name when they married, and he works with animals.”
    “He is a talent?”
    “He is an Oefric. He can shift his shape anywhere and at any time.”
    “I have met a few of them.”
    He chuckled. “Oh, I forgot that you had been off world. What was it like?”
    She snorted. “I have told all of you until I was hoarse. It was fun, exciting and wonderful to be accepted in a group of folks from all over the solar systems and the far reaches of other empires.”
    Remik sighed. “I hope to travel one day.”
    “Around the globe or off to the stars?”
    “Either. Both. I just want to catalogue new experiences.” He pressed his lips to her neck and the runner wobbled.
    She elbowed him. “Knock it off. I am driving here.”
    He laughed. “You see that large green dome on the left? There is a tarmac behind it to land the runner.”
    The huge, open fields full of green and growing things gave her the confirmation that Remik was a member of a high family.
    She followed his direction and settled them down near a flotilla of other vehicles.
    “I know you are an only child.” Remik got off the runner and offered him her hand.
    She nodded and let him help her off the vehicle. “Right.”
    She turned as a nearby door slammed open and folks started streaming out.
    He chuckled. “I am not.”
    She lost count of the lithe women and broad-shoulder siblings that Remik clutched. His family called him Arko, so that was odd.
    An older couple came out, and the woman grinned. “So, you have finally made it home, Arko? What are we going to do with you?”
    He grinned and pushed through his siblings to hug his parents. “I believe you will be happy to meet my companion. Mom, Dad, this is Niad Skarrow.”
    His mother paused. “Skarrow? I thought you were bringing the other Guardian with you?”
    Niad smiled and walked through the crowd of Tauron siblings, changing her suit as she moved to something a little less frivolous. “Madame Tauron, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
    She was wearing a boiler suit, and Remik’s father’s eyes widened. “Masuo?”
    She inclined her head. “It is. A gift from my grandmother to stop me from being abraded in the line of duty.”
    His mother smiled. “Call me Nelfin, and this is my husband, Orkadic.”
    Orkadic extended his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Skarrow.”
    She shook his hand and wrinkled her nose. “It is actually Citadel Mechanical Specialist Niad Wyfirth, but the Skarrow is the new addition, so I am getting used to it.”
    Orkadic grinned. “You have walked the stars?”
    “Walked, run and even puked twice.” Niad smiled at the spark that came to his gaze.
    He laughed and looked over at his son. “Arko, why didn’t you bring her home earlier?”
    Remik sighed. “I am beginning to wish I hadn’t brought her this time. This was our first day off together.”
    Niad snorted. “Well, I am here now. Madame Tauron, is there anything mechanical you need a hand with?”
    Two of his siblings immediately shouted about some kind of harvester.
    She snickered. “Lead the way.”
    In moments, she was hauled around the building and into a segment of the dome that housed large harvesters and other farm equipment. She was pointed to the first vehicle and climbed it easily, working on the engine with a smile and chatting with Ethoin and Miidal, two of Remik’s middle siblings.
    “Why do you call him Arko?”
    She finished the first vehicle and started it up, raising and