"Beacon has been received," Marle said.
"Identify from whom," Catherine said.
"Captain Lewis D'Karlo Kurlow of the archeological dig vessel Saggarius," Marle replied. "The Saggarius is on a eight day flight here."
"Been ten days," Catherine said. "Five of those waiting for the beacon to reach a Archeological Digging Vessel. Five of those days were spent coming here. That means in the next three days that Captain Kurlow will be here," she paced the bridge then came to a stop in front of the window. "How many more days can my girls take it living like colonists?"
"They are resilient, Catherine Abernashi," Marle said. "The message has warnings. Do you wish to hear them?"
"No," Catherine said. "I happen to have common sense and respect for the dead."
"A joke," Marle acknowledged. "A very well executed one."
"Thank you, Marle," Catherine said. "Progress on those walls?"
"Second wall has been completed," Catherine said. "Screws and frames are still in progress."
"Good," Catherine said, then softly started. "Marle."
"Yes, Catherine?" Marle said, her voice dripping with concern at the tone of Catherine's voice.
"If I don't get the money I need to get them a home," Catherine said. "What do I do?"
"I was not programmed to answer such a question," Marle said. "But I will try. . ." there was a short pause with gentle hums and beeps. "I have a answer," Catherine raised her head up expecting for a answer that she was dreading. "Make the best out of the situation."
Catherine grew a smile back.
The room to the stasis pods were closed off. The two girls were standing in front of the doors in colorful PJ's that shined and sparkled coated in glitter that was coating the floor. The floor seemed to sparkle against the pitch black. Sydnee was holding what seemed to be a square yet cylinder object that was glowing golden from the middle most similar to a flickering bulb under a paper cup. The girls faces were seen to be rather unhappy.
"Why can't we look at the mummies, Marle?" Sydnee asked.
"Enough is enough," Marle said. "I cannot be responsible for further scarring."
"Scarring?" Sydnee asked. "Scarring?"
"Yes," Marle chirped back.
"We have seen a lot worse to scare the living crap out of us," Karleen said.
"We are tougher than what you expect children have to be," Sydnee agreed.
"It is in my power to protect my crew," Marle replied. "Your family counts."
"AI's," Sydnee said, with a roll of her eyes waving a hand in mid-air.
"Think humans need protecting from everything," Karleen agreed.
"We do need protecting," Sydnee said. "But mummies don't come to life and attack people."
"Records indicate otherwise," Marle said.
"Human mummies," Karleen corrected.
"They are humans," Sydnee said. "right?"
"Scans indicate they are," Marle said.
"Can't we have one look?" Sydnee plead, clasping her hands together and knelt. "Pretty please with a cherry on top?"
"No," Marle said. "You are required to return to bed."
"What movies have you been watching?" Karleen asked.
"None," Marle said. "I am armed with records, myths, and legends."
"Is there a legend about finding castaways mummies?" Sydnee asked.
"Yes," Marle replied.
"And?" Karleen prodded.
"Content is not suitable for children," Marle said.
"Ah, so it is rated R," Sydnee said.
"Gory, terrifying suspenseful, worthy of swearing," Karleen said. "Well executed jump scares."
"A ghost that wants to be terrifying but turns out to be so ugly like they are ready for Halloween," Sydnee said.
"Ghosts are supposed to look like people not some Hollywood perception," Karleen said.
"They do look like people," Sydnee agreed. "Remember that ghost we saw at Gettysburg?"
"Uh huh," Karleen replied. "Unlike the movies, it didn't come out and try to attack."
"Which makes it the best kind of ghost," Sydnee said. "A real ghost."
"Do you wish to have nightmares?" Marle asked, snapping the girls to attention. There was silence from the girls as the thought it over then shook their heads. "Then you will do as you are told. You will have better opportunities to see the mummies in better conditions in the future." The girls sighed. "I have control over this room. Your attempts to enter are nothing short of admirable." their heads raised up. "For children."
Karleen took her sister by the shoulder.
"Let's go," Karleen said. "We will have the next opportunity when off this planet to see them again."
Sydnee nodded then looked toward the door.
"It must be really lonely for them to be in there without another human," Sydnee said.
"I am here," Marle said.
"But you're the ship's Artificial Intelligence," Sydnee said.
"No one is ever alone on a starship, Sydnee Abernashi," Marle replied.
A smile softened on Sydnee's face then nodded back toward her sister.
"Maybe missing their ship if anything," Sydnee corrected herself.
The girls walked side by side down the corridor as their slippers made a echo on the railed floor paneling.
The giant maroon starship continued in the night sky soaring toward a distant planet. The Saggarius was brimming with anticipation and excitement. Information regarding the planet Immunia was scarce to find since it was rarely ever visited and designated as a ghost planet lacking any form of civilization lurking on the top or beneath it. How it could not sustain life for very long from the surface was hotly debated among the crewmembers of the Saggarius. Theories went that it was cursed. At least the ones that were intelligent, well thought out, and backed by evidence. People who visited the planet and tried to set up a colony died grizzly deaths, had to evacuate the planet, or a handful of people escaping the threat on a ship struggling to stay together that had gone through hell to escape from what was happening from below. The system was deemed a immunity planet because no one could stay long and they had to leave eventually like immunity could not always be kept under given circumstances.
Kurlow was in a state of shock and disbelief. The records of finding the Robinsons for the last twenty thousand years had indicated it was a fools errand. A goose chase, a old earthling phrase once coined thousands of years ago, only a myth that it could still be around. Twenty thousand years later there was a lead for the Robinsons. Kurlow finished his warm mug of chocolate then walked over placing it into the replicator and pressed a button. The cup was banished in a blue haze from his perception. Kurlow was in a more respectful and professional outfit that spoke casual rather than a person who went on adventures. His archeological explorer outfit was retired for the time being after his latest stint retrieving a mask with three security officers who were quickly lost in the rescue effort for the artifact. The artifact was safe, replicated to a point, then given back to the people it belonged. Kurlow looked out the large window where orange light was pouring out of his apartment.
Was it all a dream? Being given the beacon to his ship that insisted the Robinsons had been found. The facts indicated that it wasn't a dream after all. It couldn't be real but it was real. He was in space heading toward the promised planet. The once promised planet of the Alpha Centauri System, planet Gamma. More known as Immunia presently in files. He looked down toward the padd to see the black screen with green text indicating the preparations for the dig were completed. It was deemed to be a massive operation searching for any man made contraptions that were still left behind. At least ones that hadn't been made of wood if they were lucky. Rock and metal had a tendency to last longer under layers of dirt not just the fossils or quietly preserved skeletons left behind by history. History had waited long enough keeping the secret of the Jupiter 2's fate under wraps. The truth would be finally known after twenty thousand years providing closure to a timeless mystery. And now another thing was going to become timeless, the journey of the Robinsons getting there through struggle. It would resonate with people in unique ways. It wasn't a dream. It was reality.
"Kurlow," came the first officer.
Kurlow turned in the direction of the first officer.
"Fravis," Kurlow said. "Can you believe we are going to solve the mystery?"
"I can," Fravis raised both brows then lowered them. "But you can't."
"I have been convinced my entire life that the Jupiter 2 as a myth and now. . ." Kurlow said. "Everyone on this ship has heard of the Jupiter and her crews adventures. At least the ones that made a great impact in the galaxies," He leaned on the edge of the couch then folded his arms. "A part of me feels like I am being tricked. It came from a system once classified as Alpha Centauri from a random passer by and we don't know for certain if they had found the earth ship. For all we're concerned, we might be given a prank message. But we have to follow the rules and take it seriously."
Fravis nodded.
"The concern is warranted," Fravis said. "It has been nearly five thousand years since the Jupiter 2 left a mark."
"Five thousand years?" Kurlow asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "You must be mistaken. The Jupiter was lost twenty thousand years ago and never found."
"There are stories where they went through time anomalies," Fravis said. "Legends, now."
"You believing in legends?" Kurlow asked. "Now I must be dreaming. You only believe what is written on stone and not in word."
"Normally," Fravis agreed. "I would."
"What is up on those senses of yours?" Kurlow asked.
"On my second to previous assignment, I was there to witness the finding of a ancient tomb," Fravis said. "Filled with thousands if not millions of years old artifacts."
"The Gorall'sie," Kurlow said. "I recall the media droids were all over it. I didn't know you were in there. What was it like?"
"Perfectly preserved, sealed off," Fravis said. "Natives helped the archeologists find sections of the building and told legends. I am certain that they found Alpha Centauri less than a thousand years ago and sent a signal back to Earth. But it was never received nor were they ever joined. Alpha Control in its entirety was destroyed years after their departure. The dead have never faced the final death," Fravis paused, considering his next words very thoughtfully. "They haven't gone yet because we still remember their mystery and they have waited long enough," Fravis shook his head. "Sure, go ahead and have it tested, but they are the article."
"How are you so certain?" Kurlow asked.
"We are heading to Alpha Centauri," Fravis said. "A place no one wants to be."
"Where we want to be," Kurlow said.
"We are the only people mad enough to go there," Fravis agreed. "And willing."
"What could we find down there?" Kurlow asked, pacing beside the large window. "Angry natives for desecrating their sacred site?"
"Angry wild life for invading their territory," Fravis said.
"If anything, we might be bored out of our minds if it is a hoax," Kurlow said. "I will pay for the crews drinks if we do find the Robinsons."
"And if not?" Fravis asked.
"You pay for the champagne," Kurlow said, earning a wide but large smile from Fravis.
Fravis looked over toward the clock on the wall then toward Kurlow.
"It's about time we get on our historic shift," Fravis said.
"Historic shift," Kurlow said, then snorted. "Making a big splash. We know it. They didn't know they were making history for becoming the first lost colonists."
"History comes at you when it is least expected," Fravis said. "We may come up empty handed."
"Is it wrong to wish for that?" Kurlow asked. "Some mysteries are best left unsolved." He came toward the door. "Let's reluctantly solve the greatest colonist mystery there ever was."
Fravis nodded then joined the man's side and the two men walked out of the doorway. The sounds of their boots echoed behind them through the corridor passing by several archeologist officers that were either huddled in a circle or walking up/down the hall to another part of the ship. The ship spanned several football stadiums. The interior of the halls were painted beige with large, square windows contrasting against the windows that had holographic paintings ranging from displaying historic battles to holding a unique perspective of bustling cities ranging in eras and civilizations. Fravis waved toward a brown individual with husks and a large forehead crest calling him, "Frank, I have to pass on the soccer match this evening." earning only a grunt in return standing at six foot six.
"For chief of security," Kurlow said. "You oughta to relax and have fun one of these days."
"My paranoia does not allow me to do that," Fravis said. "I was engineered to be paranoid."
"To be body guards for royals," Kurlow said. "You can relax on this ship as I have told you that twenty times."
"Forty-three times since my initial assignment here," Fravis corrected. "and six months."
"Forty-three times," Kurlow said. "This is a recommendation from your captain. Relax. Just for one day."
"One day is all it takes for a ship to lose the captain," Fravis said.
Kurlow stepped in the way of Fravis and placed a hand out as a halt.
"Fravis," Kurlow said. "This isn't the Yuh."
"I know," Fravis said
"And it was a tragedy," Kurlow lowered his hands. "No one told the Kaksalaskak about the archeological ship's passage."
Kurlow stepped aside then resumed the walk.
"The tragedy of it was that I didn't assign some security officers on him," Fravis said, stopping Kurlow by the arm. "I should have listened to that little voice back then."
"'Now, you always do," Kurlow said.
"Yes," Fravis said.
"Tell that little voice to rest," Kurlow took Kravis's hand off his shoulder. "It's going to be alright. Just today," Kurlow placed a hand on the man's shoulder that he squeezed. "Just today."
Kurlow walked down the hall then was silently followed by Fravis. The walk to the bridge was silent walking side by side. In the halls played music that Echoed throughout the ship that was soft, low, distant but methodical enough to do tasks slowly such as dancing, taking a bath, reading, and other mundane tasks. The two men entered the bridge. The small view screen left a view of Immunia before the crew. All eyes were laid on it as it grew bigger and bigger with the glow making it stand out as a unique marble in the darkness. Kurlow came to the chair then leaned forward on the head rest cupping his hands together on the seat looking on.
"Any word from Miss Abernashi?" Kurlow asked.
"Aye," Linya said. "Our transmission was returned."
"The coordinates," Kurlow said.
Linya nodded, as Kurlow faced the woman.
"Coordinates have been sent from Miss Abernashi," Linya said. "Permission to send the coordinates to the flight officers."
Kurlow did not reply as he turned his attention onto the close by planet.
"Kurlow?" the two officers turned toward Kurlow.
"Granted, Linya," Kurlow said, slightly nodded earning a bright smile from the grayed humanoid. "Follow her coordinates."
"We cannot destroy any evidence of their presence," Fravis said.
"That we are here to do," Kurlow said. "We are here to save the evidence."
Kurlow sat down into the chair and placed a leg over his knee while his hands came on to the arm rest. The announcement soared through the ship. The archeologists moved quickly into their seats fasted against the wall and buckled themselves up for the descent down. The starship tore through the atmosphere coming toward the landing section that was far away from the Abernashis. Karleen and Sydnee watched from the windows that the archeological vessel grew to become a distant vessel among the wasteland. The girls were jumping up and down out of excitement channeling through their small figures.
"We're rich!" Karleen cheered.
"Absolutely!" Sydnee agreed.
"Very rich," Catherine said, coming from behind the girls.
"Ma!" Karleen and Syndee bolted toward their mother grabbing her into a hug.
"You're not the only ones excited about going home in a few weeks," Catherine said.
"If someone hasn't bought it, yet," Karleen said.
"I bet someone hasn't bought it since it's bank property," Catherine said. "Still untouched."
"I wonder if the bank is taking care of the cats," Sydnee said.
"They would be smart enough to get the animals out before locking it," Catherine said. "Come on, girls."
They walked down the hall heading in the direction of the hangar bay.
"You know what I miss the most about having a apartment?" Karleen asked.
"Not being a starship," Sydnee said.
"There is only a couple windows that show the city," Karleen said. "And it's stationary."
"Stationary it is," Catherine said. "You know, girls," she placed her arms onto their shoulders. "This could turn out to be a great camping rip."
"Camping trip?" Sydnee asked. "Aren't camping trips meant to last a few days?"
"They can vary," Catherine replied, with a ghostly smile. "This is just a very long one."
"On the bright side, we will get to experience what it was like for castaways," Karleen said. "Half the experience!"
"That is the spirit!" Catherine said, with a laugh.
The small family made their way to the hangar bay doors that opened before them. The girls bolted away from Catherine's grasp running down the stairs toward the space craft laid ahead. Catherine had a bemused smile on her face then slowly walked after the girls. From afar, the hangar bay for the archeological ship set set down letting go of a sea of vehicles with flying oval shaped objects that were working against gravity floating from behind the group. The flying large pods came to a speeding stop eight feet away from the hole. Archeologists began to take out equipment from the interior of the more rounded, white pods with a slick black interior that was highlighted by colorful buttons and leather seats with a joystick standing out with massive space from behind it. There was a rack from above that carried more precious equipment for the archeological site. Kurlow got out of the vehicle then approach the pit.
Kurlow knelt down and lowered his sunglasses keeping his hat in place from the strong wind grazing the scenery. Sweat began to be dripping down his skin in the eighty-five degree heat. His eyes outlined the interior of the impression. He stood up then gave the thumps up. The crew took out large barrels then opened them up and tipped the contents into the pit. He turned in the direction of the approaching small group headed his way. A smile grew on his face. A floating camera came by his side with the snap of his fingers. He slipped his glasses up forward against his nose. A woman in her late thirties approached him with a thick build to her. Was it the short sleeved vest, the pitch black shorts, and the white shirt that stopped above her belly that gave the impression? No, it was the thick hips. The children were dressed for the heat compared to the uniformed archeologists in one piece green and black uniforms wearing badges that showed Intergalactic Archeological Finds Organization symbol on the sides of their shoulders.
"You must be Miss Abernashi," Kurlow said.
"Captain," Catherine said, with a nod. "These are my girls. Sydnee," she gestured toward Sydnee. "And Karleen."
Karleen gave a short wave.
"Which direction were the Robinsons facing when you found them?" Kurlow asked. "It is very important question to find their ship."
"That way," Karleen said, pointing toward the ship. "Somewhere in the mountains behind our ship."
"Thousands of years ago there might not have been mountains at all," Kurlow said. "We have to search up."
"You don't know for certain that the Robinsons were facing a harsh winter when they died and had to run the ship into the warmest place," Catherine said.
Kurlow slightly tilted his head raising a brow.
"What makes you say that?" Kurlow asked.
"They were in winter gear," Catherine said.
"Winter gear?" Kurlow asked. "I thought that Gamma was a all hot planet."
"'That is Vulcan you are thinking about," Sydnee said. "Most of the plant life are black that we found." Sydnee held up a dangling black plant.
"And was it wet?" Kurlow asked.
"Wet?" Sydnee asked.
"Plants are incredibly persistent creatures when it comes to being alive," Kurlow said. "Was it wet?"
"A little," Sydnee replied. "and full of worms."
"How interesting," Kurlow said. "It seems Gamma is more of a mystery planet than what the intergalactic congress of planets had thought it to be." He turned toward the woman as people came from behind him. "These are my anthropologists and ancient transportation historians," the archeologists waved their hands slightly back at Catherine. "I will be engaged in the search of the Jupiter 2 in the mean time."
"And the payment?" Catherine asked.
"We will figure that part out soon as we find the Jupiter 2," Kurlow said. "Finds like these are incredibly rare to find."
"You mean hard to stumble by on accident," Sydnee said.
"Not everyone is lucky as you are are, children," Kurlow said, with a pleasant smile.
"Doctors, ladies, gentlemen, come with me," Catherine said.
The girls watched their mother leave with the large squad of people then turned in the direction of Kurlow.
"Can we help you look for the Jupiter?" Sydnee asked.
"Can we, pretty please, with a cherry on top?" Karleen plead.
"Not without your mother's permission," Kurlow said. "This is a very important excavation."
"But this is history being made," Sydnee said. "I tripped over it!"
"And I cleaned it!" Karleen said.
"And we dug it first," Sydnee added."We have every right to try helping you, If you think we're helping too much, just tell us-"
"Watch," Karleen finished.
"Yes," Sydnee agreed. "Watch."
"Alright," Kurlow said. "Just don't get in the way if or when, however we find it, to retrieve the Jupiter 2 and its belongings."
"We understand," Karleen said. "We will be on our best behavior."
"Alright, the best you can do is some exploring while we use our tech to find what can't be seen from above," Kurlow said. "Have fun." The girls grew wide facial expressions. "We will be searching from here to there," he gestured toward the large mountains. "For anything man made that serves as some landmarks to the Jupiter 2."
Kurlow watched as their eyes became lightbulbs then returned to the familiar glimmer of life. The little girls exchanged a glance then faced the man.
"We'll go exploring," Sydnee said, cheerfully.
"Uh huh!" Karleen said, nodding.
The two girls ran off back toward the ship.
"Kids," Kurlow said, shaking his head.
"Kurlow?" Fravis asked.
Kurlow turned toward the chief geologist.
"Get the ground scanning equipment out," Kurlow said, looking over the white liquid reaching the top of the pit. "This recreation is going to make a great part of the museum," a smile grew on his face. "Children and adults can dig away at this recreation of the Chariot for as long as they want. The ground will be back in by the end of the day. Just think of the entertainment this impression can make. . ."