Arriving on another planet had almost become routine for the crew of the Jupiter 2. Once the atmosphere was declared safe by the Robot, the entire family, the pilot, and their stowaway disembarked. Each started their respective tasks, with the exception of the doctor, who frequently slipped away to find a nice shade tree under which to take a nap. What was not routine was to have a welcoming party. Or an unwelcoming party as was currently the case.
Hairy, yet humanoid looking aliens quickly swarmed into the newly established camp and surrounded the humans, leveling weapons at each one of them. Don instinctively rushed toward the nearest alien, but a well placed laser blast a few feet in front of him stopped him in his tracks. Reluctantly, he raised his hands in the air to signal he'd cause no more trouble. The rest of the Robinsons had already done the same.
Smith indignantly inquired, "What is the meaning of this!?"
The alien closest to him whirled around and leveled his weapon at Smith's head. The doctor gasped audibly and was about to say something to placate his captor, but thought better of it and clamped his jaw shut. He was clearly in enough trouble already. Surprisingly, the alien lowered his weapon, as did the others, and they stared at Smith. The leader barked an order to the other soldiers and they gathered the Robinsons and West close together.
The soldier that had pointed his weapon at Smith dropped to a knee and bowed his head. In broken, heavily accented English, he apologized. "Forgive… Did not know it was you."
Smith cocked his head to one side, taken aback by not only the apology, but that the alien seemingly had some idea who he was or had mistaken him for someone on this planet. Given the earlier hostile welcome, he felt it best to accept the apology. "You are forgiven, sir." He couldn't help himself, however, and added, "Make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Yes… Majesty," he backed away slowly, staring at the ground, not daring to look at Smith.
Majesty? Hmmm… The wheels in Smith's head began to turn and he decided to test his luck. He pointed to the leader. "You… I order you to release them."
"But, sir… they kidnapped you!" the leader spoke in perfect English.
"They did no such thing," Smith insisted. "These people are my friends."
The Major and the Professor both gave Smith quizzical looks. The doctor shot them an amused look that said, "I've found an advantage here. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." The two men shrugged almost imperceptibly to acknowledge the message had been received and they wouldn't interfere with Smith's attempts to get them out of the trouble they were in.
The aliens looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what to do next. Their leader approached Smith, causing the doctor to shrink back slightly. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, your Grace. Do you wish us to escort you and your friends to the palace?"
With a satisfied smile, Smith replied, "Yes. I would like that very much." His mind danced with thoughts of living in the opulence and comfort of a palace. And the food. Yes, the food! He would dine well tonight, he was sure of it. The anticipation was almost too much to bear.
The leader spoke into a device on his wrist in a language unfamiliar to the humans. Within a few minutes, two vehicles flew overhead, hovered, and then gently set down in the clearing. The soldiers herded the Robinsons and West into a rough looking transport that looked like it had seen better days, while the leader held open the door to the other shiny, brand new transport for Smith.
The Major leaned toward the Professor to whisper, annoyance clear in his voice, "Why does HE get the royal treatment?"
"I have no idea," the Professor admitted, "but at least one of us does. I think we can agree that compared to the way things were going, this is a definite improvement."
West grudgingly agreed, still he puzzled over the alien's deference to Smith. Suddenly, a long buried memory flitted into his consciousness. Understanding dawned on him and he smiled. Time would tell if he was right.
Smith was uncharacteristically quiet as he took in his surroundings. The compartment he was in was plush, fully stocked with food, drink, and things he didn't even recognize. There was a human looking female sitting across from him. Her long, dark hair was kept in place with a single, thin band of silk fabric encircling her head. Her complexion was perfect. He couldn't help but smile at her loveliness. "Hello," he said, breaking the awkward silence.
"Is there something you would like, your Majesty?" she inquired with a smile.
He smiled back. "Yes, ummm… what is your name, my dear?"
"Locus, your Grace."
"Locus," he repeated, "Would you be so kind as to pour me a little bit of that?" Smith pointed at an ornate vessel containing a bright red liquid.
"Hosili? Yes, your Majesty," she uncorked the vessel and poured a small amount into a bowl. She handed the bowl to Smith and he accepted it with both hands.
He looked at her, trying to decipher if there was any specific protocol he was supposed to follow or decorum to maintain. Keeping his eyes on her, he lifted the bowl to his lips and took a cautious sip. The drink was sweet and exotic, an unfamiliar, yet pleasant taste. He took another sip. "Exquisite!" he commented before he downed the rest.
Smith handed the bowl back to her. He was about to make a request to sample another drink when Locus spoke, "We have arrived at our destination, your Majesty."
"That was quick," Smith replied. No matter, he thought. I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunity to indulge in food and drink in the palace.
"We were not very far from the palace to begin with, your Grace," Locus remarked with amusement, as if Smith should have known this fact somehow.
As soon as the vehicle stopped, the driver hopped out and opened the door for the doctor.
Smith relished the look of jealousy on the Major's face as he exited his luxury transport. He chivalrously held his hand out to assist Locus as she exited. The soldiers escorted the occupants of the other vehicle in line behind Smith and Locus. Not one to be easily impressed, Smith's jaw dropped as he walked up the steps of the palace. The entire structure sparkled like highly polished jewels. In fact, the reason it sparkled was because of highly polished jewels. He mentally took inventory, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds.
The leader of the squad of soldiers sprinted up the steps to walk beside Smith. "Your Majesty, I want to apologize again for the misunderstanding earlier. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you…"
Smith stopped and turned to face the soldier. "There IS something you can do for me," he replied. "I think it would be nice if there was a banquet held. I would like for my friends to be the guests of honor."
The Major smirked. Smith was milking this for all it was worth and for once he was rooting the doctor on.
Locus interrupted, "I beg your pardon, your Highness, but Rhyf is a soldier. As your personal assistant, planning banquets is my responsibility."
"Ah, yes, you are correct," Smith replied. "Locus, would you be so kind as to plan a banquet in honor of our guests here," the doctor gestured to the Robinsons, "and Rhyf, you and your men may handle security, to make sure we are not disturbed."
"Yes, your Majesty," the two said in unison as they accepted Smith's commands.
The faces of the Robinsons lit up at the thought of enjoying a sumptuous banquet and being able to relax in comfort and style. They just hoped that whatever mistake had brought them this good fortune would not soon be rectified.
Locus addressed the soldier, "Rhyf, show his Majesty's friends to their quarters. I will accompany his Highness to his private suite."
Rhyf saluted and ushered the humans to the western wing of the palace. Locus gestured for Smith to follow her. The doctor drank it all in, relieved to be back in a civilized society with all the conveniences and luxuries that went with it, instead of on another desolate planet.
Locus stopped in front of a gilded door and indicated this room was his. "Your private suite, your Grace."
Smith nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Locus. That will be all."
"Yes, your majesty," she bowed. "I will commence planning the banquet for this evening. I shall be by in a few hours to make sure the plans meet with your approval." She bowed once again, turned, and left.
As soon as Locus was out of ear shot, she lifted her arm and whispered into some sort of communication device. "I have done as you asked. The humans are in the palace." She listened for a response. "Yes, yes. He is in the royal suite right now."
Smith opened the door and stepped into the room. Before him was the largest, most comfortable looking four poster bed he'd ever seen. "Heaven," he sighed. With childlike enthusiasm, he ran and jumped onto the bed, landing face down in a soft, fluffy cloud of pillows. He rolled onto his back and sprawled spread eagle, grinning like a cheshire cat.
A noise broke him from his reverie. He propped himself up on the bed and looked around the room for the source of the sound.
Smith turned and locked eyes with a dark figure standing in the doorway of what he surmised to be the bath room.
"Zachary?"
The doctor sat in stunned silence for a moment. "Daddy… Zach?"