TRTSS5: Spatial Loss! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM and LiS belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi genre story.
Special note: Having recently gotten the complete collection of "Lost in Space", I decided to celebrate this acquisition by doing a tie-in. Enjoy!
Part 1
It was the year 1997, and Earth has managed to survive the so-called "secret" conflict known as "The Eugenics War". Because of that conflict, it was decided by the American government's "Homeworld Security", that a program would be initiated to insure humanity's survival. Thus, "Project Jupiter" was born, through the newly created "United States Space Corp", a sub-division of the Air Force Space Command, and the establishment of the advanced interstellar research group known as "Alpha Control" (a specialized research division within NASA). So, behind the scenes, and with the help of alien technology, sixty-three space vehicles of varying types—some manned, some not—will be sent to the nearest inhabitable star system: Alpha Centauri. The first such vehicle, "The Jupiter I", is manned by a veteran crew of astronauts. Their role is to set up the initial landing site. The second vehicle, "The Jupiter II", will bring along the project manager and his family, since the mission were to be no less than five years. However, as a cost cutting and resource management measure, the trip itself will take five years to complete. So all people going to the Alpha Centauri system will be placed in suspended animation during the trip…
Piloting the Jupiter II will be Major Donald ("Don") West (USAF). Major West was a former team leader within the Stargate Project, and was selected due to his familiarity with interstellar travel. His substitute, in case he couldn't go on the flight was-
"Boy, am I glad I'm not going," Major Ranma ("Ronnie") Saotome says, as he sipped his beer, while he and Don were looking at the Jupiter II from the vantage point of the Officer's Lounge.
Don lowers his beer bottle.
"Gee, thanks," Don says.
"Hey, I got too much things to do, especially since we're JUST getting ready to explore more worlds through the Stargate Network."
"Then why do we have the Jupiter Project, then?"
"Why do you NOT put all your eggs in one basket?" Ranma shrugs. "Besides, considering the fact that we're sitting on alien technology, why not use it to our advantage?"
"I guess you have a point…"
"But never mind that," Ranma says. "So, you're dating Doctor Robinson's oldest daughter?"
"Doctor Robinson and I are just friends."
"Yeah, right."
"You can believe it or not. And besides, I CAN'T date her right now anyway, on account of being a professional."
"Hmmm…"
"Well, we better get going," says Don. "In 48 hours, I and the Robinson Family will be off into space…"
As Ranma gets into the company car with Don, he takes on last look at the flying disk. Officially, there was a media black out for security reason, since not all factions from the Eugenics War were caught.
"Well, I say we get wasted before turning in for the night," Ranma says. "Maybe…pick up some women or something."
"Wait a minute…aren't you married or something?"
"Yes, but the missus and I have an open arrangement."
"Ah, swingers."
Meanwhile…
"KNOCK, KNOCK," says Special Agent Scully (FBI), as she peaked into her associate's office.
Special Agent Usagi Saotome looked up from reading the latest report from the so-called "X-Files". In reality, her job was to make sure that certain aspects of government activities were kept from public scrutiny. This is especially true where "The Grays" are concerned. Still, it was fun doing solving mysteries, just like when she and Ranma would ride around in a green van with four others and a dog, back during the late 1960s…
"Yes?" Usagi says.
"Just wanted to let you know that done for the day," says the redhead.
"Is Mulder still around?"
"No, he's doing some independent research with his contacts."
"You mean those 'Lone Gunmen' geeks?"
"Yes, those people."
"Sigh. Mulder is such a strange person-"
RIIIING-RIIINNNG!
"Could you hold on for a moment?" Usagi says, as she answered her phone.
RIIIING-Click.
"Agent Saotome: speaking," Usagi says. "Huh. Okay. I'll handle it. Thanks."
"What was that all about?" Scully asks.
"I…have to leave town for a few days," Usagi says, as she gathers her things. "Can file these things away for me?"
"Sure."
And with that, Usagi takes off for Florida, unaware it will be more than a few days before she returns to Washington, DC…
The next day…
"Ranma!" Usagi yells happily, as she ran to hug her husband. Ranma had picked up his wife from Orlando International Airport.
"Hey, babe," Ranma says, as he hugged Usagi back.
They broke the hug after a long time of hugging each other. As soon as the two were in the government car, Ranma drove from the curb.
"So…what brings you by?"
"Ranma…I just received word that somebody wants sabotage the launch of the Jupiter 2."
"Then…we have to inform the base commander-"
"No, we have to do this quietly," Usagi says. "If we can capture this person quietly, we might be able to trace this person's 'sponsors'."
"Alright, if you insist. But promise me one thing."
"And that is…?"
"Just be careful, okay?" Ranma says. "I'm…always worried about you getting mixed up in these secret conspiracies."
"Oh, don't worry about me, Ranma. It's not like there is someone trying to get rid of me or anything…"
Meanwhile, at a nondescript, outdoor restaurant…
"So, Doctor Smith," says the Smoking Man, as he lit a cigarette. "Are you satisfied with the arrangement?"
"I am, kind sir," says the man. He appeared to be a man in his early forties. He had graying, black hair and a trim mustache. His mannerism was that of a New England "blue blood".
"Though I am more than willing to 'end' the Jupiter II's mission, I do have to ask: why?"
The Smoking Man takes a drag of his cigarette.
"There comes a time when one must sacrifice both a queen…and a knight, when the time is right," the Smoking Man says. "The only thing I will tell you is that my plans in the Consortium warrant such a sacrifice."
"Ah, a rival…is what you seek to get rid of."
"Of course. So you see, it is not that I want to have the Jupiter II to be destroyed. But rather, I want to create the opportunity to 'kill two birds with one stone'. If the 'Project: Jupiter' deems too much of security risk, they might seek to scrap the project altogether. Besides…a successful mission just might endanger the timetable."
"Right. However, I do want my payment to be…doubled, for an operation like this."
"Of course…Doctor Smith."
Zachary Smith nods his head in reply. Sabotaging the Jupiter Project for his employers within the Consortium—a think tank that is sponsored by the super-secretive "Technocratic Union"—was a moonlighting job for a career military officer within the United States Air Force…
"I best be returning to 'Alpha Control'," Smith says, as he stands up. "Oh, and do be a kind sir and pay for my meal."
"Sure…if you shave that mustache, Doctor," the Smoking Man says. "It's one thing to be a devil, it's another to LOOK like one."
"Humph."
And with that, Smith leaves the restaurant.
The Smoking Man signals for a waiter, while he used his secured cell phone.
"And there is an addendum to that same proverb: Sometimes, it's also good to get rid of the stone…if one is to cover one's tracks…"
Later…
"So, you must be Doctor John Robinson, the mission leader for the Jupiter II," Usagi says, as she shakes the man's hand.
"You've heard of me?" Robinson says in surprise.
Usagi knew through both Homeworld Security and from history that John Robinson's pioneering spirit in space exploration would fuel the colony movement in the later 21st century.
"Well, I do have Ranma here to tell me these things," Usagi says, as she pats Ranma's shoulders.
"It's not a big deal, Usagi," Ranma says.
"And you are here at Alpha Control because…?"
"I wanted to see my hubby, of course."
"Right. Well, I must get my family ready," John says. "Nice to meet you…"
After John walks on to the control station, Ranma turns towards his wife.
"You don't think-"
"No, I don't. Professor Robinson may be singularly focused on this project, but he doesn't come off as a saboteur-"
BUMP!
"Excuse me, madam," says Smith, as he walks on by.
"No problem," Usagi says. She turns to Ranma.
"Who's that?" Usagi asked.
"Him?" Ranma replied. "He's the physiologist who will sign off on whether or not the Robinsons are green-lighted to go to space."
"Hmmm…"
"You think he's the saboteur?"
"I'm not sure, but it's worth a look…"
Unfortunately, it was learned that Smith was indeed a saboteur. With the help of the Lone Gunmen, for a change, Usagi was able to trace recent wire transactions into several Swiss bank accounts. It took some work, but the source of the wire transaction was a bank that was routinely used by the usual conspiracy societies. With this information, coupled with the sensitivity of the Jupiter Project, Usagi quietly conveyed this information to the project leader.
"I'm telling you, Smith IS the saboteur, General," Usagi says, as she leans over at General Jack Caldwell's desk.
Caldwell taps his fingers on his desk.
"And you have evidence of this, Agent?"
"Yes," Usagi says, as she presents a data disk to the general. "At the very least, we can pull an 'Al Capone' on him."
"In other words, hold Smith for questioning."
"Yes."
"Sir, at the least, we should postpone the launch," Ranma says.
Caldwell nods his head.
"Good work," Caldwell says. "I hold the disk and abort the mission, while you quietly take down Smith. Major Saotome, assist your wife in this endeavor."
"Yes, sir,"
And with that, Ranma and Usagi leave to take down Smith. Once they have left, Caldwell picks up the phone. He dials…
"I have the evidence…and the sabotage will continue," Caldwell says. "Right."
Caldwell takes the disc, and uses the shredder to destroy it.
"Now," Caldwell says, as he gets up to put on his hat and coat. "Time to make history…"
With the main doors sealed for launch, Ranma and Usagi had to go through a waste port in order to get inside the Jupiter II, before it, too, was sealed. The craft was essentially a flying saucer that was two stories tall at its thickness. Due to the fact that families were to be on board during the mission, the interior design within reflected this fact. Still, the ship was advanced enough to perform scientific missions…
THWAM!
Doctor Smith, who had just climbed down the bolted ladder from the upper deck, turns around to see Ranma and Usagi crawling out.
"What-?"
"Don't move, Doctor Smith," Usagi says. "You're coming with us quietly-"
CHOOMP!
Ranma turns to see that the disposal port had been sealed.
"We better let the General know about this-" Ranma says.
"T-Minus in ten seconds," came the announcement.
"Damn," Ranma says, as he goes to a nearby panel. He links it to a communications signal.
"Alpha Control, this is Major Ranma Saotome, abort mission."
"Eight…seven-"
"Come in, Alpha Control! Abort mission-!"
"Ranma, we better strap in," Usagi says.
"Yes, we should," says Smith, as he straps himself in.
Ranma turns to his wife.
"It's your call," Ranma says.
Usagi looks at Smith…
"I'll deal with him later…myself," Usagi says. She then looks around.
"Um, where can I sit?"
In spectacular fashion, the Jupiter II launches into space as it glowed an eerie light. It quickly breaks into orbit, circles the Earth like a sling and shoots out into space.
FWOOM!
When it was safe to move about, Ranma looks over to where Smith sat.
"What the hell was that screaming all about, Smith?" Ranma yelled.
"Well, it's my delicate physical constitution, of course," Smith replied meekly. "I'm…not an astronaut, after all."
"Well, I'm going to give you something to scream about-"
"Ranma, don't," Usagi says. "He's not going to go anyway."
CLINK!
"What…what's the meaning of this?" Smith says, as he pulls on his handcuffs.
"The least of your worries."
"We better let Don know what's up," Ranma says, as he goes to the upper deck,
Usagi turns around to look at Smith.
"Stay out of trouble," Usagi says with a goofy grin, as she followed her husband.
"How dare you-?" Smith says angrily.
A few minutes later…
"This is bad," Ranma says, as he performed a system check on the ship.
"What is it?"
"Not only are we off-course, but half the systems are out of whack," Ranma says. "It's as if there was a team of saboteurs done a number on this ship."
Usagi sighed. She only wanted to spend a few days WITHOUT problems…
"So, what do we do now, Ranma?"
Ranma looked towards Don.
"We get some help-"
BLAM! BLAM! BOOM!
"Ah!" Usagi yelps, as she is tossed back and forth.
"We're entering the asteroid belt," Ranma says, as he steered the craft at the auxiliary control panel at the navigation hub.
SKREEEE-!
Electrical systems began to blow out, as the Jupiter II was rocked.
"Ranma," Usagi says, as she notices that the stasis chambers containing the Robinsons had caught fire.
"There…should be an emergency release latch," Ranma says, as he steadies the craft. "It's on the left side of Don."
"Okay," Usagi replied, as she goes over to the where Ranma was pointing. She see the marked latch, and pulls it.
POP!
As the chambers began to open, Ranma immediately activated the fire suppression units for a five second delay. With that time, he began to help Usagi pull the Robinsons out of their respective chambers, with the youngest daughter, Penelope ("Penny") Robinson, being the last to be pulled out.
"Oh…"
Ranma looks down at the fifteen year-old.
"Hey, Miss Robinson," Ranma says gently. "Wake up."
Penny slowly wakes up to a handsome face.
"Did…did I die and go to Heaven?" the girl says with a smile.
Ranma chuckles.
"You're fine, kid."
And thus was the start of the infatuation of one Ranma Saotome, by Penny Robinson. In the years to come, Penny would grow up into a fine young woman, and would pursue Ranma—in spite of being married—in the name of love.
A short while later…
"We're off course, and we need to know what to do next," John says. "And on top of this, we have a saboteur on board…and the computer's central module is fried."
"We should consider turning back," says Maureen, John's wife. Maureen Robinson was a biochemist.
"I have to agree with Mother," says Judy, the eldest daughter. Judy Robinson was a medical doctor, having pursued the field after being an up-and-coming child actor. She was considering returning to the field of acting after she completes her stint on Alpha Centauri.
"How so?" John says, Judy's father.
"By performing an emergency stasis release, Mother's cellular structure has been compromised. I don't know if I or the medical team on the Jupiter I will have the means to treat Mother's condition."
John mused for a moment.
"Don, what's the status of the ship?"
"The ship itself may or may not be fine, given the amount of damage that the ship's system have been effect. Ranma and I would need to do a complete system check before making any decision."
John muses for a moment.
"And what about Agent Saotome? What can she do?"
"SHE can do many things…as required," Usagi says, as she goes to the group from below deck.
"How's our 'guest', Agent?" John says.
"From my conversation with Doctor Smith, the only thing I can say is that he might not have been working alone," Usagi says.
"What? Can you confirm this?"
"Not here. That's why I would recommend that we return to Earth."
"We could simply…toss Smith out of the airlock," Don suggested.
"Not while I'm here," Usagi says. "As the local law enforcement agent, Smith is MY responsibility."
"And I happen to be the mission leader," John says.
"How about we first make the repairs?" Judy suggested.
Meanwhile…
"Whoa is me," Smith says, as he sighs. "To have such a glorious career cut short-"
And then, the environmental robot known as "B-9" activates.
"Instructions: DESTROY JUPITER 2," the robot says, as he rolls out of its docking port. The automaton then rolls to the elevator.
"Oh, dear," Smith says. "Help…HELP!"
Tbc.
