Dewey Copeland let out a gravelly, evil laugh. 
"Who cares? We'll all die soon in any case. Why 
should we delay it artificially? There. . .", he pointed 
up to the starless sky of the Moon, ". . . that is all
we have waiting for us.  And I spit on it! No, it no 
longer makes sense for me to search after the 
Tiranium. The little time that remains for us can be 
better used. And as for me personally. . . I already 
know how I will use it."
	A luridness had slipped into his voice, a 
luridness that Altmann could not miss. His friend had 
suddenly become sinister, almost frightening to him. 
	"What do you want Dewey?" he asked.
	Behind the face plate of the space helmet, 
Copeland's face twisted into a grimace.
	"I want your wife, Altmann!" he shot forth. 
	"What?" 
	"You heard right Altmann. I want Elkie!"
	Michael Altmann was struck as if hit in the head. 
He knew that Copeland did not joke, knew that he 
meant what he said. Dewey Copeland - the man 
who was his best friend. Or the man whom he had 
regarded as his best friend. 
	"As I already said, Dewey - you are insane!"
	Again Copeland let out a raucous laugh. "I was 
never as sane as I am now, Altmann. Back when this 
cursed moon still circled the Earth, Elkie and I were 
a couple. And then you came and took her away 
from me. And now, Altmann, now it's my turn again! 
I'm even pretty sure that she still has some feelings 
for me." 
	"Yes", Altmann had to admit against his will, 
"Elkie still has some feelings remaining for you. But 
don't get any false hopes, my friend.  Because as 
long as I am there, she will never take you back."

6