-The Secrets of the Universe

A few nebular systems later, the group of space-bound college students had successfully eluded their pursuers. But their troubles where only at a beginning. There is something about being isolated in the middle of space, light years from anything resembling matter that brings out the true feelings in people.

"I hate you," Girdy told Wes.

"Well, you sometimes bother me, but I would have to say that… Ah, who am I kidding, I hate you too!" Wes told Girdy.

"Frankly the only person in the universe that I like is Amy," Dave announced.

"That’s not surprising since you never spend any time with your so-called friends," Micah said, bitterly.

"Look who’s talking. All you ever do is play your stupid video games!" Dave shot back.

"At least I’m always there, unlike Joel!" Micah commented.

"Say, where IS Joel, anyway?" questioned Wes.

"Hey, guys!" Joel called out from the cockpit, "You gotta see this, it’s really neat!"

All went forward to see what Joel was talking about.

"The fighter ship can actually break into five separate parts for battle. This ship is actually five individual spaceships," Joel told them excitedly. The four of them considered this for a moment, and then each smiled to himself.

Two minutes later, in the void of space, the sleek fighter ship could be seen separating. Five ships flew five different directions, each in the pursuit of its own goal.

Sitting alone in what was left of the original ship, Joel thought to himself:

"Now what was that all about?"