Free Logic by Viola Grace Page B

and chatting cheerfully.
    “The same thing I do every night, Tamra. I am going home, eating dinner and watching vids.” Bebe looked up and grinned. “Why?”
    Her hands continued to work within the interface she had been processing. This week, her focus was on organized crime within the sector, and as she finished her analysis, she sent the report off with a flick of her fingers.
    “There is a concert in the park today, and I thought you would enjoy it. A bunch of us from data analysis are going and you need to get out. You have been here for six months and have not seen any of Teanic City. We have a lot to offer if you will just come out and play.” Tamra stroked her long blue braid and flicked it at Bebe.
    Bebe withdrew her hands from the interface and turned to face her friend and co-worker. “Why this concert?”
    Tamra grinned, her pale grey skin sparking with the pearlescent sheen that marked her species. Her blue eyes were a more vivid colour than her hair, and her height was precisely seven inches taller than Bebe’s.
    “The Guardians are going to be there and I thought it would be fun to show you the folks that you spend every day protecting with your data mining.”
    “I have seen them on news vids.”
    Tamra leaned in. “They are so much better in person.”
    “I was looking forward to a vid on slugs this evening to kick off my free days.” Bebe got to her feet, but her friend still towered over her.
    Tamra sighed and put her hands on Bebe’s shoulders. “I swear; this will be better than slugs.”
    “And you will record the program so I can watch it later?”
    She winced. “And I will record the program so you can watch it later.”
    Bebe grinned. “Fine, but I am wearing this.”
    She was used to her containment suits, and today, she was wearing a particularly interesting shade of scarlet that made her hair look like cotton candy.
    Tamra sighed. “Do you have to? This is a fun event.”
    Bebe laughed, “This suit is fun. It keeps everything where it should be.”
    “Fine. Your body, your rules.”
    Beryl knew when she had won. She inclined her head and clocked out, enjoying her first steps out of the processing centre and the blue light of the sun. They stopped at Tamra’s place so she could get changed and then headed for dinner before the concert.
    Music was free on W’lyn. The Admaryn who settled on the planet had been a musical clan. Everyone either played an instrument or deeply appreciated music on this world. Bebe was no different.
    Sitting in the restaurant, Bebe ignored the curious glances toward her. She had become used to them after the first two weeks. She read the menu, made her selections on the table display and smiled at Tamra.
    “Thanks for the invitation, Tamra.”
    Tamra was about to speak, but she saw something behind Bebe that locked her up and left her humming with excitement. She whispered hoarsely, “Behind you.”
    Bebe casually turned and saw the four Guardians of W’lyn sitting down at a booth in the corner in full view of their adoring public. Bebe had to admit there was a lot to adore. The men were strong, handsome and powerful. Their lives were devoted to public service.
    Smiling, she turned away. She could almost hear the pulses in the restaurant speeding up.
    Tamra was staring with a worshipful gaze. “I can’t believe they are here.”
    Bebe smiled at the waiter who brought her her meal. “Even Guardians have to eat.”
    She was lucky that she had gotten her order in in time. All the servers flocked around the Guardians and everything came to a halt in the restaurant.
    Bebe shared her meal with Tamra when the woman decided that she needed to eat more than she needed to stare at the superheroes in dark leather. There was no way she would get service before the concert started as long as the Guardians were in the room.
    “You have to spring for a snack at the end of the evening, Tamra.”
    “I will get you some gashki during the concert.”
    Sugared