Another year passed, and Lily turned eight.

One afternoon, a man came into the robotics shop.

Lily had seen him around Plumgrove before and had often waved to him. He was a commanding figure in a peaked cap, tall laced boots, and a woolen, green-gray uniform. The door chimes announced his entry.

She wiped her greasy hands on a rag, pushed her goggles to her forehead and gathered her black braids aside for a better look. "May I help you, sir?"

The visitor smiled. "Hello. Is your father here?"

"He's busy, but I can fetch him for you."

Daddy labored over the workbench, a half-assembled custodian unit laid out before him. Sweat glistened upon his dark brown skin beneath the hot lights. Raw wiring and parts spilled to the floor in intricate weaves. "There, now," he said. "Got those coils and plugs all cleaned up. Looks like you're ready to go."

"So, it's true," the uniformed man said. "I've heard that you talk to robots, Mr. Fairpoole. Does it make them any easier to work with?"

"It does," Daddy said with a wry grin. "Everything deserves respect. If we appreciate our machines, and treat them kindly, I believe they'll do their jobs better."

The man laughed. "That's an unusual perspective. Nevertheless, I like your approach. I'm Lieutenant Barnhart. Might I have a word?"

"Of course." Daddy wiped his face with his sleeve. "Lily, can you put this one back together?"

"Sure." She tightened the shiny brass bolts along the robot's casing while listening to the conversation.

Lieutenant Barnhart surveyed the shop with a swift, appreciative glance. "You have a skill which is in high demand," he said, "and it can exempt you from the draft."

"The mandatory draft passed the Senate?" Alarm lit Daddy's face. "I thought it was still in debate."

"I'm afraid not. As of this morning all capable men must report to their nearest recruiter."

"I see. And how does my profession spare me from this?"

"Plumgrove is no match for the Kaezer's technology," the lieutenant said. "There's an ongoing project to expand our robotic fleet. The War approaches, and we can't become complacent."

"No, we can't." Daddy's voice was resolute. "How can I help?"

"We captured an enemy walker during a recent assault on Chelworth. I've come to invite you for a look, in hopes that you might build something similar for us."

Lily gasped and dropped her wrench with a loud thunk.

"My goodness, young lady," the lieutenant said, smiling. "You assembled that robot quickly. I see that you take after your father."

She retrieved the wrench and tucked it into her belt. "Yes, sir."

Daddy hugged her. "That's my baby girl," he said. "Do you want to see the walker, Sunshine?"

She nodded, excitement brimming.

"Me, too. Lead the way, Lieutenant."

Daddy flipped the sign and locked the door behind them.

They rode in the lieutenant's motorcar to the military headquarters, about four blocks away. It was an expansive building, one of the largest in Plumgrove. Lily had often seen the soldiers coming and going in their polished boots and pressed uniforms. They usually looked bored, lounging about their posts, waving at the locals.

They didn't look bored that afternoon. A crowd was gathered in the large yard, curious and stunned at the sight before them.

Robots were friendly, domestic companions in Lily's experience. Most families had at least one. Their own custodian helped Mama with difficult chores.

Lily had never seen anything like this machine. The walker's engine was loud and raucous, and the cloying odor of diesel filled the air. It was bipedal, about two stories tall. The way it strutted about, and the articulation of its legs, reminded her of the chickens Mama kept behind the house. It had brass joints, with a few noticeable copper parts. Steel plated the durable, square-shaped body, and the optical pane was an oblong rectangle of glass. It glanced about harmlessly, despite the menacing automatic weapons mounted at its sides. The insistent grumble within was a combustion engine, not steam-powered.

Lily's mind whirled with questions, and she grasped Daddy's hand.

"Well, I'll be. I never imagined..." Daddy's words trailed off, and his brown eyes widened.

Lily pulled him through the crowd.

The robot looked much taller up close. Its heavy splayed feet would crush someone with one step.

She marveled at the segmented toes and the complex array of hoses and pistons.

"Isn't it astounding?" The lieutenant grinned. "I hope you're interested in my proposition, Mr. Fairpoole. If you join the Plumgrove Guard Reserves, it will fulfill your recruitment obligation and allow you to remain home with your family."

Daddy frowned. "I build and repair household machines. Robots that chop wood and carry things home from the market. This is foreign to me."

"Have no fear, we already have a team assembled. And there's the very person you should meet." The lieutenant waved to a young woman who stood nearby.

She strode toward them with her head held high. Her uniform was similar to that of the men around her. The wool coat was belted smartly at her slender waist and one shoulder with bands of polished brown leather. A matching skirt brushed the tops of her strapped gaiters and boots. Wisps of brunette hair drifted about her face, escaping her meticulous pins.

The lieutenant saluted.

The woman returned the gesture with a sharp flick of her palm.

"Miss Swann, this is Mr. Fairpoole, the local robotics technician, and his daughter and apprentice, Lily."

Miss Swann smiled. "A pleasure, sir. I hear you're skilled with these machines."

"Not with combat models," Daddy said.

"It's an entirely new regimen of maintenance and programming," Miss Swann said. "I assumed this backwater town wouldn't have anyone knowledgeable of the latest techniques. It'll just have to be learned."

The lieutenant coughed. "Would you allow our guests a look at the walker's interior? Let them assess, and decide for themselves."

Miss Swann gave an abrupt nod. She faced the walker with arms raised, and yelled in what must be Pruessian. "Imye, artyu-settavet. Venezdit."

The robot responded like an obedient puppy. It lowered itself to the ground, the long, splayed legs folding to its sides.

Miss Swann flipped a panel open with one gloved hand and stepped aside.

Daddy lifted Lily onto his shoulders. "Let's have a peek and see if this is something we can do." He glanced into the walker's hull. "Four cylinders and a standard injection system. I'm inexperienced with combustion engines, aside from the new domestic models, and some side jobs on motorcars, but this doesn't look too difficult."

"Look at that," Lily said, pointing to a glinting cluster of copper-laced circuitry tangled up the side. The wires converged onto a disc, layered in rows of tiny vacuum tubes. Thousands flickered like glass-bound stars in cycles of fluctuating current. "Is that the central controller?"

Miss Swann's proud gray eyes softened. "Yes, that's part of the processing network. You're observant for your age."

Lily was pleased with herself. "It's pretty."

Everyone laughed.

Lily scratched her head, confused. "What's so funny?"

"Such a charming girl," Miss Swann said. "Mr. Fairpoole, please join my team. You'd be an asset."

"Say yes, Daddy. We can help with the War, and learn so many new things."

Daddy stroked his thin beard as he considered. "We do have the shop, and our regular business to take care of, but I agree with Lily. It seems best that we join you." He shook Miss Swann's hand.

"Wonderful," Miss Swann said. "Report here, at eight tomorrow morning."

They opened the shop at sunrise, the usual time, and finished their routine jobs. Cleanings, fluid changes, and small part replacements were easy when they worked together.

Afterward, they left for the militia headquarters. It was a lovely morning for the walk.

Lily hummed to herself, and lyrics sprang to her mind. "It's a perfect world today, I can't stop smilin'."

Daddy squeezed her hand. "Are you singing again?"

"I sure am, can't help myself."

He stopped, and seized her in a hug. "The joy of living comes naturally to you, from a place deep inside. So much like your Mama. You're really excited about doing this, aren't you?"

"More than anything. Why?"

"I'm happy to defend our home, but I think building robots into weapons is wrong. It goes against everything I was taught."

Lily kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, Daddy. I'm proud of you, no matter what we have to do."

"And that's why I call you my Sunshine," he said.

They met Lieutenant Barnhart and Miss Swann inside the headquarters.

Daddy signed a few documents, then was escorted to a separate wing.

Lily waited patiently. She hummed her new song to herself, swinging her legs upon the old wooden chair in the foyer.

Two men entered from the yard, laughing, rifles slung casually over their shoulders.

"Oh, it's Miss Lily Fairpoole," one of them said.

"Hi," she said, waving.

The younger man shook her hand. "I'm Gabriel Crowley. Are you and your father joining the robotics team?"

She nodded. "Daddy's signing up right now."

Gabriel's smile brightened. "I'm one of the technicians. We'll be working together."

"Pleased to meet you, sir."

She glanced at the other man, a tall officer with fiery red hair.

"I'm Captain Rutherford. It's wonderful to meet you, young lady."

Daddy returned not long after, with the lieutenant and Miss Swann at his side. He posed humorously in his new uniform. "How do I look?"

Lily giggled, and ran into his arms. "You look handsome. Do I get a uniform, too?"

Lieutenant Barnhart slapped his hat onto her head. It was too big, tipping sideways over her ears, and caused unanimous laughter.

"There you are, Miss Fairpoole," the lieutenant said. "You're part of the Plumgrove militia, now. And if anyone doubts it, tell them to come talk to me."

They followed Miss Swann outside.

Several men lounged on the terrace, smoking and socializing. Others fired rifles at makeshift targets along the fence.

A large maintenance building stood a short distance away. They approached the entrance, and Miss Swann tapped a security code into the panel alongside. The doors slid open, into a cool, spacious room.

A well-lit arena dominated the center, occupied by two large war robots.

She recognized the walker from the day before. Beside it was a strange, flashy unit, about the size of a motorcar. Silvery chrome and brass gilding decorated its broad, steel-framed legs. It walked on four instead of two, resembling a spider, or a crab.

"Welcome to the birthplace of guardians," Miss Swann said. "We have access to every tool and part you'll need. If something isn't available, please inform Mr. Crowley, and we'll obtain it for you."

Gabriel removed his hat, and clutched it humbly before his chest. "It's wonderful to have you aboard, Mr. Fairpoole. We have great need of your skill."

Miss Swann glowered at Gabriel. "We already have someone with the necessary skill. Myself. Mr. Fairpoole and Lily will only expand our capability. I expect we'll see progress within a week, now." She walked toward the robots. "Come, and have a look at my prototype."

Gabriel's shoulders slumped, and he exchanged a peculiar look with Lieutenant Barnhart.

"I'll be in my office," the lieutenant said, and left with Captain Rutherford.

The other two members of the team introduced themselves.

"Name's Ed Richmond, out of Hills Port. And this here's Arthur Teague. He don't say much, but he's a master of these new engines." Ed gestured toward the robots. "It's all petrol now, Mr Fairpoole. The old steamers we're used to are relics compared to these."

Miss Swann crouched beside the quadruped robot, inspecting it. She stopped the engine for a moment, and fueled it from a dented gas can.

"This is Krept 1A, my own design," she said. "It's the most successful model on our side of the War. Bipeds, the type favored by the Kaezer, are vulnerable to attacks against the legs, such as tripwires. The quad schematic allows for maximum maneuverability, and adaptation to varied environments. To sum up, Krept is fast, hard to kill, and can race circles around the enemy. I'll demonstrate." She turned her sharp eyes to Gabriel. "Mr. Crowley, bring forth your test machine. Let's see what it can do."

He looked nervous. "Ma'am, it isn't ready for something like this."

"Nonsense. I saw you giving it a practice run in the yard earlier, while several men shot at it."

"Well, yes. But..."

"Was it damaged in any way?"

"No." Gabriel gave her an annoyed, sidelong glance. "I'll get it." He returned, with a scantily assembled robot following him. It resembled Krept 1A, but with exposed wires, and no casing. Bare ridges of steel frame gaped through, with an uncovered hole for the optics. The engine quaked and complained, in contrast to the perfect drone of its companion.

Miss Swan scowled. "Lead it here, please."

"I don't think this is a good idea," Gabriel said. He pointed a hand gloved in transmitters, and his unsightly robot advanced.

"Be at ease," Miss Swann said, sighing. "It's just a demonstration."

The two robots were identical, aside from their level of completion. Both had arched legs, streamlined copper bodies, and retractable weapon turrets mounted to their hulls.

Miss Swann stepped forward, and pointed to the walker.

"Krept 1A, Test."

They beeped their acknowledgment.

"Subdue."

Both scurried to obey.

She waved to the walker next. "Angregh il mekaner."

It responded promptly, plodding forward, and aimed its weapons at the other robots. Its empty cylinders spun in vain.

Lily was glad there were no bullets. She began to understand Daddy's trepidation toward robots as weapons, as she watched these three in action.

Krept and Test surrounded their target.

The walker raised one enormous plated foot over Krept.

Light danced across chrome and brass as Krept dodged between the stomps.

Test hesitated, and beeped a signal to its cohort.

"This is good," Miss Swann said. "Cooperation is essential."

"Test is entirely capable of networking," said Gabriel. "It just needs a few modifications. Have a little more faith in our work."

"I've never doubted your machine's functionality. You assume too much, Mr. Crowley."

Krept and Test extended hooked devices, the mechanism visible within Test's frame. A reel and its adjacent pulleys tightened. The cogs ground with a loud whirr, then snapped in release. Tethered grapplers shot, and latched onto the walker's legs.

"Hold," Miss Swann shouted.

Krept stopped promptly, waiting for its next command.

Test, however, dashed around, and tangled the tripwire as it went.

Miss Swann rolled her eyes, and yelled at the walker. "Tolkot."

It halted.

"Test," she said. "Hold."

Test still ignored her.

Gabriel stepped forth, color rising to his cheeks. "Test," he shouted. "Release." He raised his gloved hand, and waved it toward them, ordering the return.

The disobedient machine finally stopped, and walked toward them. It failed to retract the grappler, still attached, tugging against its own restraint.

"We now see where the work needs to be done," Miss Swann said. "That will be all for today. Krept 1A, release, and come." She grinned as her robot followed orders, and rested a hand against one of its gleaming legs.

Gabriel walked over to Test, and unraveled the mess of tripwire. He wound it in manually, grumbling under his breath.

"This was just a display of what we've achieved," Miss Swann said. "I hope you'll have plenty of ideas, to stimulate more complacent minds, Mr. Fairpoole. I've heard much praise of your work."

Daddy shifted his stance nervously. "I'm sure we'll figure something out."

"We will. And now, I must attend to some administrative errands inside. Mr. Richmond, please show them around." She saluted, and left without a backward glance. Her boot heels echoed, a prim staccato in her wake.

Daddy stared after her in astonishment. "What's the matter with that woman?"

"She's too good for us ground-dwellers," said Arthur.

"Ground-dwellers?"

Gabriel gave a short, stifled laugh and pointed to the sky. "Miss Swann is from up there, a pretty little floating cage called Celestine. She's vexed that they forced her to come to Earth, and get her hands dirty."

Lily was surprised. "Miss Swann is from the space colonies?"

"That's right," said Ed, and he spat in the direction of Krept. "The pampered few, in their false worlds."

"Why does she act so rude?" Lily asked.

Daddy smirked. "What they're saying is, Miss Swann is rich, and doesn't like associating with common people like us."

Lily didn't fully understand, but she realized adults placed much importance on status, and origin.

There were more exciting things to think about. She reveled in her new work, and applied herself with enthusiasm. Each day was split between three worlds. It began every morning, in the shop. After lunch, they worked for several hours at the militia headquarters. At sundown, they returned to the shop, to tidy and close up. Then, she and Daddy went home, to the encompassing warmth of the hearth, reading with her siblings, and singing with Nana until bedtime.