It took several hours for the overenthusiastic fox girl to see everything she wanted. I had to step in and forcibly stop her from taking stuff apart a couple times. Taking apart a rifle, Kodiak, or even the occasional bear was one thing.

  Trying to take apart the shield systems, or main engines, was an entirely different matter.

  “You have the most amazing stuff here!” Spark exclaimed as I dragged her back to the residential wing. “I wish I could stay here for a couple more days and get a really close look at everything.”

  “If you did, I don't think even my bears would be able to keep up with you,” I muttered wearily. “Where do you get all your energy?”

  “From the joys of science!” she exclaimed, throwing a hand in the air and posing dramatically for several seconds. “Well, that and my Vulgoran DNA mixed with my preexisting ADHD.”

  “That’s nice,” I replied deadpan. “It’s too bad that SkyFire called to remind you that you had other responsibilities, and have to head back to the Family HQ tonight.”

  “I know right?! I know we still have pockets of Antithesis to take care of, but we’re talking about the advancement of knowledge. It wouldn’t hurt to give me an extra day,” she whined.

  “Don’t worry… I’ll bring you a Kodiak full of goodies tomorrow when I come to visit. As long as you promise to disassemble them in your lab and not in the middle of my flight deck,” I grumbled.

  “I said I was sorry! How was I supposed to know that I was blocking the material drop-off point?”

  “The line of trucks should have been a clue!” I snapped before taking a step back and rubbing the bridge of my nose. “It’s okay. What’s done is done. Let’s just get to the residence. Jane is expecting us for dinner.”

  “It was very nice of you to invite me,” Spark said politely. “Especially after I just showed up and imposed myself upon you.”

  “It was Jane’s idea. She and the kids love company, and after spending a couple hours with you, I’m fairly certain you’re harmless enough,” I said.

  Spark’s ears twitch with uncertainty. “Ummm, thanks?”

  “Plus, I’m sure Jennifer would appreciate it if you could give her some technical feedback on the project she’s working on. I’m terrible with that shit,” I muttered. “Just try to hold back on your enthusiasm, and only suggest minor changes if you can. This is her personal project, and it means a lot to her.”

  “Have I ever given you the impression that I don’t know how to hold back?” Spark asked.

  I paused at the entrance to the residence, one hand on the door, and turned back towards her with a raised eye.

  “I’ll be good,” she promised, ears flattening against her head.

  I sighed and pushed open the door. “We’re here!”

  “Welcome back,” Jane called from the kitchen. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, but maybe you’d like to introduce your new friend in the meantime?”

  “Sure,” I replied before stepping aside and letting Spark enter the living area. “Everyone, this is Spark. Local samurai, engineer, and troublemaker.”

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  “Hey…” Spark pouted.

  “What would you call someone who showed up at your place unannounced and proceeded to take apart half of their forces?” I muttered.

  She stared at me through narrowed eyes but didn’t argue.

  As soon as Issi popped her head over the back of the couch, her eyes went wide. “She has fox ears,” she muttered in awe.

  “They’re Vulgoran ears actually!” Spark declared proudly. “From a race that’s very resistant to electricity. It’s a very useful trait to have when you’re basically covered in the stuff constantly.”

  “They’re very pretty,” Issi replied. I could tell by her gaze that she hadn’t absorbed a single word Spark had said; she was too fixated on the girl’s ears.

  “That’s Isabelle,” I explained quietly. “Sorry, she tends to get a little obsessive when it comes to things she finds interesting.”

  “It’s quite alright,” Spark replied, smiling. “She reminds me of my cousins.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you,” Jennifer declared, actually getting out of her chair and coming around to the kitchen where Spark and I were standing. “I’m Jennifer. And that lump over there on the couch is Eddie.”

  The boy raised a hand but didn’t move from his spot in front of the flickering television. “Hello.”

  “We have a guest. Do you have to watch that right now?” I grumbled.

  “It’s a live broadcast!” Eddie exclaimed. “Can you believe they still do that sort of thing around here?”

  “It might be novel, but it’s just the news,” I hissed at him. “Off!” He grumbled but did as he was told before climbing off the chair.

  “Where’s Alan,” I asked as I glanced around the room. “Shouldn’t he be here?”

  “He’s painting,” Jane replied as she carried a steaming dish of asparagus to the table. As she did, Spark's eyes darted to the dish.

  “Fresh produce? How?” the girl asked.

  “I have a hydroponics setup both here on the ship and back home to help supply fresh food,” I explained without thinking.

  Spark’s eyes lit up, and she started bouncing from one foot to the other as she turned to look at me. “You have a food production area here? And you didn’t show me?”

  “Uhhh…I didn’t think you’d be interested in it,” I admitted.

  “I’m a farm girl. Of course I’m interested! I told you the forestry project started as an environmentally sustainable way for people to grow food. Why wouldn’t I be interested in alternative methods?!?!” Spark exclaimed.

  “We don’t have time now,” I told the girl.

  “After dinner!”

  “SkyFire is expecting you back home,” I said, interrupting her. “And the crops on the ship are in a delicate stage right now. They’re still developing, so I don’t want you ripping apart my setup.”

  I took one look at Sparks' devastated look and sighed, “But if you really want to investigate the system, I'll have the bears load a new table onto the Kodiak and bring it with me tomorrow.”

  “I appreciate that, and I understand the contamination thing. It was a huge thing even before the Antithesis first invaded,” Spark replied with a nod.

  As Jane brought the main course to the table, a small chicken, she paused. “I just realized, since you have non-human DNA, is it safe for you to eat regular food? We could probably whip something else up for you. Or Evelyn could order something up from her AI…”

  “Nope! I can still stomach all the regular human fare,” Spark replied, slipping into one of the chairs. “And it’s a good thing too, I don’t think I could live with myself if I couldn’t eat chimken anymore.”

  “Well… I’m glad you approve,” Jane laughed. “Kids, dinner time.”

  Issi clambered over the back of the couch and slipped into the chair next to Spark, while the others slowly found their own seats.

  I glanced towards Jane. “Alan…”

  “Is on his way,” she assured me as she took the place at the head of the table.

  As I slipped into my own seat, Alan pushed open the door. He had paint splatters across his jeans, and his hair was a mess. He looked a little like the stereotypical starving artist.

  “Who’s this?” he asked, freezing in the door.

  “I’m Spark, nice to meet you!” Spark chirped while giving a small wave.

  “Likewise,” Alan mumbled before sliding around to the other side of the table. When he sat down, he had a slight blush on his face and wouldn’t look Spark in the face. It was almost like he had a little crush on her, it was a little cute.

  Once everyone was seated, I pulled the chicken over to myself and pulled the carving knife.

  “I feel like I should say something,” I muttered.

  “To friends and family!” Spark declared. “And Chimken.”

  “To friends and family,” I agreed. “I like that.”

  This arc features Spark from 'A Spark of Sylvan Flame' - Go give them some love!

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