[ WP ] Tell me the middle of a sci-fi epic . No beginning or introduction to the setting or characters , nor any context to what 's going on , and no resolution of any kind .

`` It's *Spice* Girls, said John. `` With an *i, * not an *a. *'' 
 
 `` Who made you the expert?'' asked Franklin. `` They're not lost in *spice. * Who's to say everyone else does n't have it wrong and I do n't have it right?'' 
 
 John spread his big, leathery wings and hissed, a sign of growing anger. `` If you're the only one who thinks something, then you're wrong,'' he spat. 
 
 Richard stepped between them. `` Gentlemen, gentlemen, the name is n't important. Finding the limited-edition first release of *Spiceworld* is. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.'' 
 
 `` Franklin and I know what that's like,'' said John. `` You do n't. Let's get that clear.'' 
 
 `` What do you say we save life as we know it?'' asked Richard, ignoring him. `` Let's get out there, team!'' 
 
 They took off. Richard and George took the area between Jupiter and Saturn, Franklin and John the asteroid belt. With his twelve-foot wingspan and awesome night vision goggles, John made it there much faster. He smirked at Franklin as he landed on Pallas. 
 
 `` What's the matter, Franky?'' asked John. `` Oh, I forgot. You barely know how to stand up. Let alone fly.'' 
 
 But Franklin had suddenly become serious. `` John,'' he said, `` I think Richard is trying to do us in.'' 
 
 `` What makes you think that?'' 
 
 Franklin unwound his bright-blue turban. `` Maybe that mad dermatologist gave you the wings of an eagle and both male and female sets of genitalia, but he gave me something better.'' On his head was a pulsating blue light. `` This thing detects when I'm being lied to. And when we were talking to Richard, it swelled up to about the size of Hoover Dam.'' 
 
 Across the sky, forty-two creatures – not quite human, not quite bat – came into view. They were heading straight for Franklin and John, and most of them were wielding power tools and lengths of rope. 
 
 John shook his head. `` There never were any Spice Girls, were there.'' 
 
 Franklin shrugged. `` *Space* Girls. And I doubt it.'' 
 
 `` Oh boy,'' said John. `` This is the Bay of Bigs all over again.''
