“Like a model!" Geoff blurted out.

“I've never seen anyone so beautiful!" he clamped his mouth closed, surprised at his own outburst.

“Ohhh! Thanks Geoff!" Sparks said smiling warmly, disarmed by his simple honesty. Horrifically scarred for most of her life, she was quite unused to compliments.

"I really am the Chief Engineer, honestly." she said to him.

"And your name's Sparks?" Geoff asked curiously, relaxing a little. "You don't Like my name now?" Sparks asked him, laughing.

“No, no, it's just a funny name for someone who looks the way you do!" Geoff replied, blushing again and smiling.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to cause any offence!" he said in a rush, desperate not to offend this gorgeous young woman

"None taken." The redhead replied and smiled at him warmly.

They chatted for a little while, talking shop about power couplings and energy relays. When it was apparent to Geoff that Sparks really did know what she was talking about, he relaxed around her and they had a detailed technical discussion that she would have liked to continue but she eventually ran out of time. She said goodbye and went to check on the rest of their guests, having thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the man.

The rest of the people in the crew quarters were similarly cagey around her, but not having much time left before she went up for Lunch with John, she just said hello and left them in peace. She had powered up the dining area in the ship's mess, which was thoroughly stocked and invited them to use the place to make their own Lunch.

Sparks left the deck and travelled up in the elevator to meet with her friends for lunch. She was surprised at how her new beauty seemed to make all those people, both men and women, uncomfortable. She had always been envious of the beautiful models she had seen on the Holo-net, but maybe being stunningly attractive came with its own set of complications. Still, it had been an interesting visit and the conversation with Geoff had given her some things to think about.

The door to the elevator opened and Alyssa was waiting to meet her at the door.

"That was good timing!" Sparks said to the blonde.

“Nice coincidence!" Alyssa said, smiling back at her warmly.

They chatted animatedly as they walked along the corridor to the Officer's lounge to meet up with John and Calara. Tantalising smells wafted out of the kitchen when they approached and John appeared carrying a big tray of Tacos. They all tucked in, feeling famished and enjoying the spicy Tex-Mex food.

"That was amazing!" Alyssa sighed happily, as she finished off her Last Taco.

“I've never tasted anything so spicy before!" Sparks grinned, “Top marks for the chef!"

"I had a good assistant" John said, smiling at Calara who beamed back at him happily, her bright white teeth sparkling in the Light.

“Can I leave you ladies to tidy up?" John asked. "I'd Like to catch up with Charles"

Iharles?" Sparks asked, “Who's that?"

‘Vice Admiral Charles Harris." Alyssa interjected helpfully. "He's the one who sold John the ship and also set up the commander's room with the huge bathroom and walk-in-wardrobe".

“I Like him already!" Sparks said, smiling warmly.

John left the girls to clean up and headed up to the bridge. He climbed up the illuminated steps to his Commander's chair and contacted the vice admiral on the powerful communications relay built into the Invictus. After several minutes wait, the stern faced man appeared on the view screen, his face immediately relaxing when he saw who was contacting him.

“John! It's great to see you!" he exclaimed. "Everything going ok?" "Yes, thanks to you." John grinned wryly.

“Thanks for sending the Indomitable, they arrived just in the nick of time