Read Designing for Free Online Page B

and disconnected the call.
    Ula straightened and headed back to her workstation. She opened the cabinet she had ordered and checked on her private project. The wings were almost complete, she just needed two more components, and when she checked her inbox, they were waiting for her. The energy cell was amazing and could power more than her simple construction.
    The wings were her first truly personal project in years, and she wasn’t sure that she would get the help she needed to test it.
    “Excuse me, are you Ularica?”
    Ula turned her head and smiled at the woman that she knew by reputation only. “Signy?”
    “Call me Ziggy. I got your message, and I was surprised that they have managed to sneak another Gaian on board.” She came forward and embraced Ula. “Belated welcome to the ship.”
    Ula returned the hug. “Thank you. Now, will you help me with my project?”
    “Right to the point, huh? Well, if you don’t want to use one of the People of the Light as backup, I suppose I can ask Tonos. He can probably manage a catch if he has to. Well, if Tiera lets him.”
    Ula smiled. “Do you want to see them?”
    “Of course. Would you like to come for dinner?” Ziggy looked hopeful.
    “If I survive, I would love to as long as Deniir is also invited.”
    “I will have Rothaway extend the invitation. Give me a moment to make the arrangements and I will have Tonos meet us at the central hub.”
    “I will finish the wings. My com unit is available to you.” With her heart humming, she put in the final components before she slipped the wings on her back. The straps held them snugly to her body, and she moved into an open space to do the first extension tests.
    The wings flared at her movements, and they flapped twice before tucking up and out of the way.
    A wry voice said, “I hope you aren’t thinking of flying without me.”
    She blinked. “Ah, Deniir. Yeah, I was going to take these for a maiden flight with someone else for backup.”
    He was immediately in front of her, bristling with jealousy. “Who?”
    “A friend of Ziggy’s. Tonos, I think she said. He is the husband of another Gaian.”
    Air slowly left him. “Oh. The Prince of the Air. Of course. He’s a good choice, but I am going to be there anyway. Wait, where am I going to be?”
    “We are going to the central hub. It’s the least gravity and the longest fall. If I can even get these to stick out enough to glide, that is definitely something.”
    He nodded. “Sensible. You can have Tonos there as backup, but I am going to be there as his backup. You are not plummeting into the unknown with a piece of flapping metal at your back if I am not there.”
    Ziggy returned and smiled. “All set. He can meet us there now if you like.”
    Ula shifted with her wings on her back. They were surprisingly light, but that was the point. These were not for serious flight; they were purely recreational.
    Deniir disappeared and came back with one of his cloaks. “No sense gathering more attention than is necessary.”
    He settled it over her shoulders and gave her a quick kiss. She could feel his question hammering at her, but now was not the time. If she didn’t splat in the arboretum, it would be time to answer him.
     
    Ziggy stood next to her friend Tiera and held her hand. Tonos was grinning and flexing his fairy wings.
    “I will head out and keep out of your way as you launch. I will be ready when you are.” His tone was calm and encouraging.
    Deniir removed her cloak and said, “When you first jump, you want to scoop the air. Once you have slowed, use the wings to flap for height and control your descent.”
    She nodded and touched the head-based controls as well as the emergency devices on her harness. The harness controls were a last resort.
    The walkway that they stood on was half a kilometre from the floor of the central hub. If she couldn’t figure it out, she would know soon enough.
    Ula nodded to Tonos, and he flitted up and over the safety