Page 26 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

Sam holds up a handful. "These ones?"

"Those'll work." I attach the new power coupling while she watches. The bike hovers an inch off the ground, ready for action.

"Wow! Is it magic?"

"Science. Want to go for a ride?"

Her eyes light up. "Can we?"

"Let's see what your mother says." Though I already know the answer. Mel's going to kill me for even suggesting it.

"Mom! Mom! The blue fuzzy man fixed Daddy's bike!"

"Absolutely not!" Mel plants herself in the garage doorway.

"Please mom? Pretty please?" Sam bounces on her toes.

"I'll keep her safe." I pat the bike's seat. "The quantum stabilizers make it impossible to crash."

"The what now?"

"Just once around the block." I lift Sam onto the bike. "Hold tight to my fur, little one."

"This is a terrible idea." Mel wrings her hands.

The bike purrs as we glide down the driveway. Sam's delighted squeal echoes off the houses. Her tiny fingers grip my fur as we turn the corner, moving at a sedate pace.

"Faster!" Sam giggles.

"Not this time, small human." The stars peek through gaps in the clouds. Perfect night for mayhem, once I drop her off.

Back in the driveway, Sam bounces off the bike. "That was awesome!"

"Inside, young lady." Mel points to the door. "Bedtime."

"Aww mom..."

"Now."

"Night blue fuzzy man!" Sam waves before disappearing inside.

"You're insane." Mel steps closer. "Taking my daughter joy-riding on that death trap."

Her pulse quickens as I lean down. The kiss steals her breath, leaves her frozen in shock. Perfect distraction.

The bike roars as I gun it, tires smoking against the pavement. Red and blue lights flash in my mirror before I hit the end of the street.

"Good, the new components need a field test."

My thumb hits the quantum boost, and Earth's gravity releases its hold. The bike shoots upward, wind whipping through my fur. A hundred feet below, red and blue lights spin uselessly as the cop gapes skyward.

Perfect arc. The bike touches down on the freeway ramp with barely a whisper. Earth vehicles scatter like frightened children as I weave between them. Their primitive combustion engines roar in protest.

"Now this is what I call transportation!" My laughter echoes off concrete barriers. The bike responds to the lightest touch, quantum drive humming beneath me.

A transport truck blocks both lanes ahead. I crank the handlebars, sending the bike up the trailer's side like a ramp. For a moment, I'm airborne again. Stars wink overhead, closer than they've been in centuries.

Earth's not half bad, now that I think about it. Sure, the technology's ancient and the humans are mostly annoying, but there's something charming about their determination. Like Mel, standing up to me with that baseball bat.

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