Chapter 2- essential components
Doctor Smith was the first one up the next morning .This was defintely out of character but he wanted to be sure he spoke to the aliens before the Robinsons. On approaching the ship he found that Pax was already working on repairs. "Ah good morning, "Doctor Smith wasn't it", Pax greeted. "Yes indeed", Smith agreed. "So you have come to help", Pax suggested offering a tool which Smith had no idea what to do with. "Ah no actually I wanted to discuss more about Earth. I would really like to see it again", Smith announced. "Yes but the Robinsons don't ", Pax pointed out. "That is true. You see I am just a pawn ,a nobody to them, an unwilling passenger. They will not let me have my own say." Smith whined making himself sound truly pitiful. He was hoping to appeal to the aliens sense of justice. "What has that got to do with us", Pax asked firmly. Ah thought Dr. Smith the aliens didn't have a sense of justice.
"Well I'd like to return to Earth naturally and thought perhaps you'd be willing to take me", Doctor Smith came to the point. Pax norrowed his eyes, humans could be very conniving but his race were a lot tougher than any human. " Earth is not on our current flight path, so it'd be a special trip. What could you offer us in payment", he asked. "Payment", now Doctor Smith was worried he did not have any money. Ah but perhaps something else would suffice, "what do you need, anything I tell you, anything you want I can get for you", he smiled widely indicating his willingness to bargain. "Anything", Pax hinted seriously then led on with the tempting question, "what if we wanted something that was essential to your own craft, something that would jeopodize further travel".
Doctor Smith did not have to think to long about that. There was nothing seriously wrong with this planet so far and he was sure the Robinsons could survive here, "I would still get it for you, in exchange for a seat to Earth", he confirmed. Ah thought Pax, they weren't going to have to resort to stealing because another human trait was manifesting in the man in front of him, deception. "Very well Dr Smith if you could get what we want then we would guarantee you passage to Earth", Pax confirmed. Smith's smile almost burst his face, "home", he shouted, "home, finally". You didn't ask what we wanted", Pax reminded him pointedly. "Well it can't be too hard can it, fuel cells, navigation computer, food stores, whatever you need never fear Smith is here", he thought it sounded good.
"what about your…. Pax broke off as he saw John Robinson, Will and Don West approaching. Smith quickly schooled his features into innocence, "I was just asking our friends here what I could do to help", he told them. 'Ha likely story, he was probably thinking up some angle", Don spat back. He got a glare from John about that but chose to ignore it. "Actually he was offering assistance", Pax told Don. Don's mouth dropped open.
At this time we just need some help with the navigation, something I believe is not your speciality Dr Smith", Pax stated. "No it's not", Smith confirmed. "Then we will catch up later", Pax stated. "Of course, of course", Doctor Smith acknowledged. He went away humming happily leaving Don wondering why on earth he was so happy. "Thanks for coming so early Gentlemen I will not keep you long", Pax told John and Don.
He crawled under his ship motioning for the other men to follow him. Then he pointed out the systems he had deliberately damaged and explained how he needed their help.
Roughly two hours later Don and John had finished with the first stage of repairs . John ordered Don to the drill site while he went back to the craft to find some spare parts Pax needed.
Don found himself alone for a few hours until Judy just happened to come by.
He grinned at the attractive dress she was wearing, hardly something for a drill site. "Solna had to go back home so I'd thought I'd come and see what you are doing", Judy stated innocently widening her eyes and making sure Don got a good look at her dress.
Don eyed her up and down boldly, "I was just admiring the amazing view", he told Judy. She felt herself flush, Don certainly knew how to charm. Talking to him about her father went straight out of her head. "Why don't we have lunch together", she suggested. Don moved closer and stroked her arm with his clean left hand, "I'd love to Jude but I have a lot of work to do", he sighed. As he tried to move apart from her Don could not help catch a whiff of the perfume she was wearing , "you smell wonderful ", he stated moving in to nuzzle her neck. Judy giggled and flushed, this was closer than Don had been to her in awhile. She was even more startled when seconds later he pulled her over to him and kissed her soundly and deeply on the lips. Judy's knees began to feel weak, "wow', she thought as she gave into his kiss. Not to far behind a rock Penny Robinson and Lilia Xanon watched the Major with wide eyes, "yuck", Penny proclaimed to Lilia, "sure is", Lilia agreed..
John was about half way back to the alien spacecraft when he heard Penny and Lilia giggling. They sounded happy and he stood for a moment to watch what they were doing reveling in a moment when he did not have to worry about anything. Lilia had a stone with a face painted upon it and was moving it close to a stone Penny was holding,"oh Don mmmmm", oh Judy mmmm ",Penny chanted and made kissing sounds as the stones met. Johns eyebrows shot up and he took off for the drill site.
Don finally pulled away from Judy noticing her face was red and she was panting somewhat. He smiled gently at her and said her name softly, "Judy", all his doubts and fears were fading away. "Oh Don", Judy touched his arm softly, that kiss had been totally amazing and made her feel all warm. But it had also left her feeling rather strange and unsure. Don seemed to sense the uncertainty and pronounced "hey it's alright" as he gently held her. Judy felt safe and secure in his arms and totally oblivious to what was going on. Which was why she did n't notice the rock behind her as she moved back tripping over falling to the ground. Don had been too busy gazing at Judy to notice what was at his feet and also fell landing unfortunately straight on top of Judy Robinson.
"What the heck do you think you are doing Don", John Robinson had just taken one horrified glimse of Major West lying on top of his daughter and reacted angrily. He raced to the offending Major and hauled him upward using a strong painful grip, "I leave you alone for one second and your ravishing my daughter", he stormed. "I thought I could trust you Don."
For the first time Don felt actually afraid of John Robinson, veins stood out on his neck and his face was red, "John I didn't do a thing…" Don gasped out.
"Yeah right, I know what I saw and I also know what Penny heard", John growled. "Dad, dad Let him go", Judy was climbing to her feet and watching her father wide eyed ,afraid also for the first time. "There is no excuse Judy", John growled as he shook Don harshly. Don could now feel his own anger rising, "you really believe I'd take advantage", he choked out, "you really don't trust me".
"That's right I don't trust you", John growled too angry to think clearly about what he was saying. "Fine then I'll never talk or even look at her again", Don proclaimed. "That's right you won't, plus you can sleep outside the ship", John stated firmly as he finally let his grip loosen and drop Don. Don lay on the ground massaging his neck. Judy tried to rush to him but was stopped by the firm hand of her father, "come on Judy", John ordered in a tone that broked no refusal. Judy shook her head at Don and shrugged hoping to convey that she'd talk to her father again when he was calmer. Don just took it that she was giving up and felt more isolated than ever.
Dr Smith was pacing back and forth waiting for Will to move away from the alien space craft so he could return to conversation with Pax. Finally after another 15 frustrating minutes Pax was the only alien in sight. Smith strolled boldly up to him, "perhaps", he remarked ,"we can continue our conversation, now what part do you require". Pax smiled widely, "actually its not really a part but more of a component", he stated. "A component so a whole unit", Smith stated, "something big ,hard to sneak out". Hmm this was beginning to sound a little more difficult. 'If you don't think you can do it", Pax stated innocently, manipulation mode firmly in play . "Oh no ,no, I can do it", Dr Smith assured, "just tell me what you need. "Your pilot", Pax stated.
"What", Smith insisted with a frown, "Your pilot, Major Donald West. You see our own pilot is ill and will soon not be able to operate the ship. Thus we need a replacement and he will fit in perfectly".
Doctor Smith could suddenly feel his dreams fading away, Don West would never agree to go. "I'm not sure…", he stated. "Well we can't keep your seat open forever Dr.", Pax countered." If we don't get your pilot in the next couple of hours we will have to leave and quickly scout other systems before our pilot succums to his illness". Smith swallowed, he did not want to miss his chance to go. "Alright", he proclaimed, "I will get him for you". Pax nodded and Dr Smith smiled feeling victory again surfacing, "now I don't like to doubt your words Doctor but I'd just like to make sure you can fulfil your promise. So I propose a little test, send the Major at around 2 pm tomorrow making sure he won't be missed by the Robinsons and that they don't suspect he is here", Pax ordered. Doctor Smith screwed up his face, he did not want to be cheated by this alien, "how do I know you won't take him then and leave", he countered.
"Because my dear wife and eldest daughter will be with the Robinsons at your ship", Pax replied. Smith was satisfied, "excellent ,excellent, agreed then I 'll get him to come tomorrow and then we take it we have a deal." They shook hands and Doctor Smith moved away a satisfied man.
Pax waited until he was well out of sight before moving into his ship. "Soon we will have our new pilot", he stated. Young Maxon emerged out of the other room with a red runny substance dripping from his mouth, "good I was not finding much nutrition in our current pilot". No indeed, Pax leaned forward to wipe the blood off his 'sons' chin then pushed a button. A panel slid open revealing a humanoid hooked up to dozens of wires. The man was a mere husk with bones protruding and sunken eyes, he looked to be close to 75 years of age. " In fact I am not sure if I can sustain human form until we leave", Maxon continued. Pax swallowed that would be a problem that might just see them fail. This humanoid pilot was definitely almost beyond satisfying all their needs. But a solution to Maxons problem was presenting itself, "alright, tomorrow I have the Major coming over, you can have a quick sample of him". No too much though because we don't want it to be obvious", Pax warned. "Why don't we just take him tomorrow, Maxon whined, "I know you must feel the need for proper sustenance as well". That was true thought Pax ,that meal the Robinsons had prepared was truly horrible. But he had to think of bigger things right now, "because you know he will resist and we that will contaminate his ability to function as our ship. I have to prepare him tomorrow". Also since I had to wreck parts of the ship to maintain the charade I still have repairs to do. But do not worry we will be off this rock very soon, Pax confirmed.
Maxon smiled, "I am honored to get the first taste of our new pilot , I bet he's going to be succulent".
"Yes, I think he's going to keep us satisfied for many years to come", Pax agreed. "Not like this useless husk", he kicked the oofending humanoid. The creature who had once been called Halo felt anger deep in the recess of his mind but could do nothing about it. At least once the new pilot came on board he would finally feel freedom in the only way any pilot who came into this ship could, death.
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