The first time it happened, Seth was not quite sure what to do about it. Perihelion left the course plotted for it and veered away into empty space. In the distance, previously on its own approach vector, another ship stalled out, stopping. It was a sister ship to Perihelion, one of the few other intelligent vessels created in secret by the Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland.
"What is going on?" Seth asked, looking at the screens. "Peri?"
Perihelion projected its new course. It was bizarrely complicated, like a calibration exercise made real instead of something safely acted out in simulation. Within minutes, Perihelion had turned and committed to the new course.
"Stop?" Seth asked. "Where are you going?" Peri ignored him.
Instead, Perihelion gave the most incredible display of maneuvering and finesse that Seth had ever seen from a ship of its size. It pushed every aspect of its propulsion to the limit, with the exception of sheer speed, because this wasn't about speed. This was about control. This was about perfection. This was about throwing its weight around and never missing a beat, never losing control, never being unsafe. All of its vast computational ability and finely-tuned engines engaged to show off what a superb machine it was, a gem in the sky, an unparalleled star of the heavens.
The other ship drifted closer. Seth could see the blinking light of attempted comm contact. Peri was blocking it. It wasn't done yet. Humans could talk later. Peri added some barrel rolls and shimmies and jukes Seth didn't even know it was capable of.
The other ship came closer still. Perihelion charted what was (at least initially) a collision course, scaring the crap out of Seth until it dodged at what felt like the last millisecond, skimming around the edge of the other ship's profile. Then the other ship pivoted and matched Perihelion.
They flew together through the empty spaces, swaying one way and another, parting and rejoining, in a delicate dance that the slightest error or miscalculation in the execution thereof would destroy both of them with all crew involved.
It went on long enough for Seth to be drenched in sweat, his fingers aching from gripping the arms of his chair. Then they parted. Two ships, passing in the night, heading off on their separate courses.
"What was that, Peri?"
Perihelion gave no answer. Some things were just hard to explain. The next time it happened, Seth just shut his eyes. It was easier that way.