Jim's encouragement brightens Tamminy's face. She smiles for him and laughs delicately. "I know what you mean about not fitting in. I was always the weird one who wanted to go leave the city for the surfaceworld. I got a lot of looks when I proposed solar power to a subterranean society. But look who's laughing now: Me, because I'm the only one left alive."

Lawrence coughs a laugh, then lightly slaps Tamminy's arm with the back of his hand. "Don't make me laugh about stuff like that, you'll make me look bad."

"Oh, I'll make you look bad?"

Lawrence looks away to hide his smile and rolls his eyes for good measure. Tamminy shakes her head at Jim. Can you believe this guy?

"So," she says, "I've got a question for you, Mister Starship Captain. What's your ship fueled by? Are solar sails viable for space travel, or would it never produce enough energy to fuel an entire ship?"