Free Gadget by Viola Grace Page B

imaginary specks of dirt off her suit while she waited, and when the door opened, she saluted the warden before she turned and entered the Dark Fairy.
    Inside her ship, her home, her body, she smiled brightly and headed for the bridge. It was time to hook back in and take off. She had a hair appointment to keep.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    She leaned back and squinted at the elaborate braids that had been wrapped and tied up on her head. “I think there has been a mistake.”
    Exile sat up and laughed. “I got yours and you got mine.”
    Exile’s normally purple and black hair was in a sober dark brown and brushed back into Gadget’s usual braid.
    Meeting her Guardian friend for the occasional makeover day was a treat, but treats rarely resulted in towers of hair that ended in long, cascading tails.
    Toby grimaced at the solid mass of hair. “I only have one question for you, Exile.”
    Her friend was playing with her single braid. “What is that, Gadget?”
    “Why the hell is this your normal hairstyle?” Toby snorted.
    Exile laughed, and the attendant returned to their room. She looked from one to the other and paled. “I am so sorry. We will correct this problem immediately.”
    Exile’s wrist pinged. “Well, I am summoned. If you want to get it chipped off, you are welcome to it. It was good seeing you, Gadget.”
    “Have fun, Exile. Don’t freak anyone out too badly.”
    “Where would the fun be then?” Exile swanned out with a bright wave, her peach skin glowing brightly as she sashayed through the salon.
    Gadget sighed and shook her head, feeling the heavy weight of the style as she swung the tails. Her own alarm pinged, and she groaned. “I will have to fix my hair another day. I have a call.”
    The attendant looked surprised. “You are a Guardian as well?”
    Gadget sighed, “No. I am merely a transporter. I will settle the bill.”
    A few minutes later, she walked the streets of Hakatha VI and headed off to the shuttle port. She had had her time off and now work called. Just once in a while, she wished that work would lose her number.
     
    “We need a Guardian moved to Jennila, and Shatter will be on escort duty for a diplomat. Take him with you.”
    Gadget frowned at her dispatcher. “You have to be kidding.”
    “Nope. You are going to be playing host to people, so lay in supplies on Jennila and have fun.”
    Gadget growled. “Where are we going?”
    “The diplomat will tell you. It is highly classified. So, pick up Scarlet Light and get your ass to Jennila. You have your assignment, Transport Specialist Gadget.”
    Gadget scowled at her dispatcher again. “I have told you before—”
    Nitza laughed. “I know, but every time I check, your name has been changed from Morris to Gadget. It must be one of your partner’s at work.”
    “Fine. I will see if I can find out who precisely is hacking your system.”
    “It would be most appreciated. It makes me look bad to have a leak in my computer system.”
    Gadget grinned. “You can weather it, Your Highness.”
    “Shh! That is our secret.” Princess Nitza Amouretti Garrz looked from side to side and pressed her finger to her lips.
    “Yes, dispatcher. Anything you say, dispatcher.”
    Nitza laughed and waved her off. “Jennila has been sent the supply order, so you are good to go, now go!”
    Grinning, Toby disconnected her call and settled her arms on her throne to have the ship jack into her. It was time to go to work.
     
    After two days of travelling with the chatterbox known as Scarlet Light, Gadget was more than ready to change from taxi to limousine.
    She settled her ship at the port of Jennila near the city of Feural. When she opened the door and saw Lera, a grin crossed her features.
    Frisk stared at her. “What the hell happened to your head?”
    Gadget chuckled. “It was an accident, but I am thinking of making it my signature. It might scare some of my clients into behaving.”
    “Don’t you normally transport