“Just as much as you.” Ray replied. “Only, I wasn’t born on Earth. I’ve lived in space my whole life.”

     “Wow.” Felicia awed. “You must have many interesting stories to tell about your past.”

     “I don’t know how interesting they’d be.” Ray said.

     “That’s because you’ve always lived in space.” Felicia said. “This is my first time in outer space. I bet some boring stuff about me on Earth would amaze you to some extent.”

     “Probably would.” Ray replied. “We’ll exchange stories sometime, then.” Ray turned to Dienna. “What’s next?”

     “Well, the kitchen is nothing special, and storage pretty much speaks for itself, so that leaves the bedrooms, even though there’s not much to see there, either.” Dienna replied.

     When they were at the bedrooms, Dienna decided to check and see if anyone was in their room. Tia was up in the main control room and Felicia was in the engine room. That left Corazon and Giselle. They weren’t in Giselle’s room, but they were in Corazon’s. In fact, Corazon was working on her shooting at the moment they walked in.

     “Yo!” Dienna said as she pulled the helmet off of Corazon’s head.

     “Oh, hi!” Corazon said. “Who’s that?”
     “Ray.” Dienna said. “Ray, these are Corazon and Giselle.”

     “Hi.” Giselle and Corazon said at the same time.

     “Hi.” Ray replied. “What kind of module is that?”

     “The same kind you have.” Dienna replied as Corazon handed him the helmet to look over.

     “Ray,” Ray’s father stuck his head into the room. “You in there?”

     “Yeah,” Ray called back. “I’m here.”

     “We need to go.” Jerry said. “Oh, hello.” He had just noticed the other girls. “So there are five of you.”

     “Dad,” Ray said. “These are Giselle and Corazon, Dienna’s friends.”

     “How do you do?” Jerry greeted them.

     “This is Jerry, my dad.” Ray added.

     “Sorry I can’t stay and chat, but Ray needs to come back home. We’ll see you later, though.” Then Jerry ducked out of the room.

     “Bye.” Ray said.

     “So,” Giselle said. “Are you hitting it off well with Ray?”

     “Huh?” Dienna was confused.

     “She means,” Corazon put in. “Do you like him, or do you like him?”

     “What?” Dienna was still clueless.

     “Do you want to go out with him?” Corazon put it plainly.

     “No!” Dienna replied quickly. “He’s just a friend, you guys. I only met him yesterday. Besides that, I kicked his butt at the arcade. If I am going to go out with someone, it may as well be someone who’s a better shooter than I am.”

     “Then you better get used to being single.” Corazon grumbled. She spoke to Giselle before Dienna could reply to that comment. “Boot me up again, Giselle. I want to show Dienna my new technique and style ideas.”

     “Okay.” Giselle had her booted up in no time.

     After Corazon had finished showing off her new ideas, Dienna critiqued her.

     “Well,” Dienna said, a little thoughtful. “Your aim’s definitely improved and you’ve got the right idea about who to shoot first. It’s when you try to shoot everyone all at once that your weak points show up. Try going after one at a time, and don’t just stream bullets at them. Regulate your shots. Press the button, don’t hold it down.” When Corazon took Dienna’s advice, she managed her best score yet. “Great!” Dienna applauded when the trial was over. “Now, let me throw some stuff at you.”

     Giselle handed Dienna the computer and let her take over. Corazon’s performance was incredible against Dienna’s harsh treatment. Dienna even had a band of level 3 fighters gang up on Corazon. Corazon finished the task with more fuel and energy left than Dienna had expected her to. They worked on Corazon’s skills for the rest of the afternoon.

     Dinner was hamburgers, thanks to Tyler.

     That night, Ray was the one who had a strange dream.

     He was wandering around the port with Dienna, when they saw some Bandaa warriors. The Bandaa were looking for them. Then Ray and Dienna went to tell Twilight, only he wasn’t there. Instead, they found Racule and Heranna. Then Ray found himself with Twilight, Tyler, Steven, Matt and his father. They were standing in a torture chamber. The five older men smiled at him, then the picked him up and took him out. They left Ray with the girls and the six of them escaped and went to Drenk…

     Ray woke up breathing heavily. What did that dream mean? He remembered it vividly, but it was very hard to translate. Maybe his father could help. What time was it anyway? Maybe he should try to go back to sleep. At least it was just a dream.

     “Ray?” Jerry opened the door to Ray’s room. “You awake? Oh, you are. Good. I was hoping you could help me with breakfast since your mother and brother fixed it yesterday.”

     “Dad,” Ray said as he got out of bed. “Can I talk to you?”

     “Sure, son.” Jerry replied. “What is it?”

     “I had a really weird dream.” Ray then went into a description of the strange dream. Jerry listened seriously the whole way through. “Well?” Ray asked after a slight pause.

     “Ray.” Jerry was very, very serious. He looked his son over very carefully. “I hope you’re ready for this.”

     “Ready for what?” Ray was getting slightly frightened.

     “For what is going to happen.” Jerry replied gravely. “I dare not tell you more than that for fear that it will interfere with the destiny that has been set before you.”

     “What?” Ray was thoroughly confused. “What are you talking about? What the heck did you get from that dream?”

     “Enough information to tell you to be careful today.” Jerry replied. “Hurry and get dressed. After breakfast, I need to see Twilight.”

     “Can I come?” Ray asked eagerly. He really didn’t want to do any work after that dream.

     “Sure.” Jerry was absent-minded now. That was a sure sign of serious trouble.

     After breakfast, Ray and Jerry went over to Twilight’s ship. Ray went aboard, but hid behind a corner to listen to Jerry and Twilight.

     “What do you think of it?” Jerry had just finished describing Ray’s dream.