Catherine observed the pods being lifted down the platform by antigravity units underneath them.
"You are going home, Mrs Robinson," Catherine said, patting on the window to the pod. "And this time you will be by your husband's side for all eternity rather than behind him."
Catherine looked down toward the finely aged mummy underneath the window.
"You are very welcome," Catherine said, wearing a small smile of her own with her eyes toward the mummy.
Catherine stepped aside folding her arms.
The two older corpses pods were being lifted ahead of the older woman.
The three younger adults, unknown child, and the stranger tagged along from behind standing out among the dark scenery of the night. The pods stood out from the darkness by glowing white light fixtures to the side. They formed a long line toward the Saggarius. She placed her hands into the warm pockets of the insulated coat. It was ten degrees Celsius on Immunia. Night had descended rather quicker than Catherine had expected so she had to quickly change into her winter gear. If her children had any common sense then they would be well on their way back for the gear.
It was getting cold and colder as the nights passed at random. One night it would be fourteen then it would be sixteen then the next night would be thirteen and the night after that it would be twelve and the next few nights would stay at eleven degrees. It was the planet's orbit unique way of signalling that winter was coming. She scanned the distant scenery of the planet observing several space camels that stood out from the dark. Their shapes were tall and distinct but slightly noticeably larger than their Earthly counterparts. Their gazes were fixated on Catherine. When she closed then opened her eyes, the camels were gone.
Catherine turned away to observe the antigravity units were towing Chariot down the ramp with its lights on.
"Solar powered," Catherine said. Her eyebrows knit together. "But it wasn't out in the sun for long after the girls dug it up," she looked at the moving Chariot rather perplexed. "Must have had a lot of solar energy to store and use."
Catherine turned in the direction of the departing pods very proudly.
"Kurlow, what makes you think the Jupiter 2 is still around?" Fravis said, leaning into the chair with raised eyebrow.
"The Chariot," Kurlow said, seated in the rounded pod.
"Was buried by sand!" Fravis said.
Kurlow drove the archeological pod toward the mountains while above there were joining geological variations of the pods in the sky surrounded by media droids. Large machinery were attached to the bottom of the pods being four feet long and wide with glass lenses on the tip end surrounded by silver bands that seemed to be layered. There was a badge that had a black vase that had been severely cracked with the words Archeological Finds Organization surrounding it in glowing neon blue light that seemed to be installed into the machinery itself highlighting the words.
"Yes, and we thought the Robinsons were killed by a asteroid strike," Kurlow said.
"It could have rusted away and fallen apart," Fravis said.
"But there would have been something left behind," Kurlow said.
"Like what?" Fravis asked.
"Their cryostasis pods," Kurlow said.
"They may have been destroyed," Fravis said.
"And the power core?" Kurlow asked.
"Anything can rust away or be buried by time," Fravis said.
"I doubt that when it comes to the super spaceship," Kurlow said. "Something has to remain from the Jupiter 2."
"We have found their mummified remains and their Chariot," Fravis said. "Even a road found leading to the mountains," he gestured toward the scenery. "It is a fools errand trying to search for something that does not exist anymore. Something has remained from the Jupiter 2. We got it."
"If there used to be grass around here," Kurlow said. "then how would the Chariot be buried?"
"Wacky weather I assume," Fravis said. "We are lucky that it didn't get destroyed by time."
"It could explain it," Kurlow said. "But how does water turn into sand? Let alone snow."
"It doesn't turn into sand," Fravis said. "It doesn't make sense."
Kurlow leaned back into the chair then flipped a switch which had strange symbols from above it.
"Kathy," Kurlow called. "Care to explain away this strange archeological site?"
"Yes, sir," Kathy replied. "According to the geological equipment and the texture of the sand, this used to be a sea cliff."
Kurlow and Fravis exchanged a glance.
"And the mountains?" Kurlow asked.
"That used to be the cliff," Kathy said. "This section used to be the inland."
Kurlow looked out the window.
Kurlow observed the scenery change before his eyes to a paved road instead of a sand covered floor. The Robinsons were happily seated in their chairs singing along to a road trip song while in the arctic like environment passing by the archeological search pod. Professor Robinson and Doctor Robinson were at the front, the younger children at the back, and the pilot from behind the head of the family. The top of the chariot covered in equipment for a trip for the warmer part of the planet. The professor's eyes were on the road laid ahead of him keeping a eye out for any oncoming wildlife. The dark gray clouds looming over the planet giving it a almost Earthly scenery. The vision was replaced by the present day scenery outside.
"So, how does that explain the Chariot not boiling their remains and being in terrible decomposition?" Fravis asked.
"We don't know yet," Kathy replied.
"Being buried underneath all that sand," Kurlow said. "Can you imagine being there?" Kurlow looked toward the scenery. "Watching the windows frosting up, the window shield wipers going back and forth, the lights looming on as the camera goes away leaving it behind alone and abandoned."
"They were never abandoned," Kathy said. "No one would have abandoned them, Kurlow."
"Life abandoned them," Kurlow said. "Has the ground scans results came back?"
"We are going through the layers, Kurlow," Kathy replied.
"Try the mountains next if nothing new comes up," Kurlow said.
"Yes, sir," Kathy said. "Kathy out."
Kurlow lowered the receiver onto the hook.
"When this planet really enters winter," Fravis said. "We won't be able to penetrate the ground should we find it before it is too late."
"I am aware," Kurlow said.
The siblings came down the mountain side hopping from one edge to another until they came to the floor rubbing their shoulders. The girls exchanged a glance with a smile that had clattering teeth against one another then Karleen ran ahead of Sydnee. They came toward the giant boulder that blocked the entrance to the cave. Sydnee looked up toward the giant build with awe in her eyes. Karleen patted on the wall with a smile and she can see her breath hovering in the air.
"I am surprised snow hasn't fallen yet," Sydnee said.
"This is a desert," Karleen said. "It never snows. Rarely, but never."
"So says the know it all," Sydnee said.
"Because I do know everything," Karleen said.
"Can't we tell the archeologists?" Sydnee asked.
"And ruin their excitement? No," Karleen said. "That would be cruel."
"Cruel. . . I don't know about that," Sydnee said. "That would be kind. Cruel would not be telling them that the spaceship is not here."
"How can they get the spaceship out of there anywhere?" Karleen said.
"Antigravity units," Sydnee said. "And a lot of them."
"The Jupiter 2 has a story to tell," Karleen said. "And it wants to be found by a different cast of characters."
"One more story for the Jupiter 2 to be part of," Sydnee said.
"No one has picked up its story in a very long time. They have the best technology here. They will find it in no time. Let's go back to Marle and sleep it off," Karleen placed her arm on her sister's shoulder. "And get some shut eye. Our story got to be part of the Jupiter 2's and that is the greatest thing to ever happen."
Sydnee nodded then stretched her arms.
"I am tired," Sydnee agreed. "And very cold."
Karleen and Syndee turned away from the large boulder.
"Suddenly," Karleen narrated. "It looked far more daunting than it was for the young girls."
"Can you pause on being a narrator and start climbing?" Sydnee asked, making her way up the mountain.
"While the younger wanted to get the climb over with," Karleen added, then leaped up toward the far surface below Sydnee and her hands suctioned into the tips of a crevice and a corner.
From a distance, standing from below watching the siblings making their way up seemed a daunting climb up full of risks. The girls appeared to be walking up the surface bumping against each other, elbow jabbing each other, and stepping on each other. Despite the rivalry between them, it was a fun climb up up the mountain that took their minds off the cold. Their hooves acted as suction cups to the rock keeping them in place. The girls laughed looking toward each other. Syndee jumped landing on to Karleen's back. Karleen slowly climbed up shifting their body weight carefully on the rock in between their laughter.
Karleen felt warm underneath her sister's body and in turn Sydnee was warmed by wrapping around Karleen's torso. They made it to the top with careful work then sat down side by side. The girls rolled up their dominant hand then bumped their fists together. They had eyes down a more welcoming slope. The girls got back on to their fours then bolted down the mountain at full sped laughing having the time of their lives bumping into each other uncoordinated beginning to lose their balance. Karleen slowed her self down reached out grabbing on to Sydnee's shirt in the nick of time and grabbed on to a ledge against her elbow. Karleen observed for a clear cut landing and found it. She swung her sister toward a close by landing then helped herself up
It wasn't that far down.
"How about a well deserved race to the ship?" Karleen asked.
"That would be the best thing ever," Sydnee said.
"First one there is rotten space barnacles!" Karleen shouted, then used the mountain's surface as her guide down making a slow walk down.
"Two can play at this game!" Sydnee said, jumping toward the nearest route then followed after Karleen observing for short cuts.
The archeological pods drew closer to the main mountain that stood taller than the others late into the night. Long after the siblings had gone to bed. The short series of mountains surrounded the tallest one. The archeological group found the path that once acted as a route into the main valley. The pods came to a stop in the circular area. One of them came to a stop beside a circular mound. The media driods highlighted the area providing light for the archeologist. They were in their winter gear complete with ear muffs, hats, and scarves. Immediately, from the background two archeologists wiped the sand off the figure then started digging around it using shovels. The geologists took out a large tucked machine then one of them sat down into the seat and placed their legs into the long halves and their hands gripped into the glove like compartments.
Kathy walked toward the boulder then placed the long claws underneath the large slot and lifted it up. She dropped the boulder into a boulder pile then dusted off the large claws as the media droids followed the men up into the cave. The media droids's lights landed on the spaceship. The pure light gray light shined in the way of the men who shielded their eyes. The intensity of the light from the droids lowered down until it was a intensity that was viewable. The group lowered their hands a moment afterward. The crowd was silent staring at what was inside the cave. Kurlow looked up toward the spaceship with a gasp and big eyes. Fravis had his hands in his pocket looking on appearing to be not impressed but very surprised.
"Now, we didn't find the Robot in the chariot," Fravis said. "Just how were they able to block off the cave?"
"That's a very good mystery," Kurlow said. "Then it isn't."
Fravis looked toward Kurlow.
"Humans are not that strong," Fravis said.
"They worked as a team," Kurlow said. "With teamwork, anything is possibe."
They went back into the archeological pod then took off their winter gear with the door closed beside them. The other archeologists did the same going into their pods. They slid off their coats, winter pants, ear muffs, and scarves then changed into dark gray and blue space suits that fit their figures. They pressed on the crescent button set along their neckline summoning up the space helmet. Kurlow was the first one out of the archeological pod then marched toward the cave joining the assembling group of Linguistic Archeologists. The three landing gear that lead up into the spaceship were intact, coated in beads of moisture, appeared to be beckoning to the Archeologists to discover its secrets. Kurlow came to a stop at the mouth of the cave.
"This is the saddest spaceship I have ever seen," Fravis commented.
Kurlow turned his attention toward Fravis.
"Spaceships don't feel," Kurlow said.
"I have seen many long lost spaceships in my career," Fravis said. "and they never radiated feelings like this one."
Kurlow rolled a eye then shook his head.
"You are a strange man, Fravis," Kurlow said.
"Makes me stand out," Fravis said, with a smile.
"Sirs, there is the gardening tables!" Linya pointed out.
The men looked in the direction of the tables with wheels underneath their legs.
"Why would they have hydroponics out in the middle of winter?" Kurlow asked.
Fravis shook their head.
"They wouldn't," Fravis said. "They would keep them in the Jupiter 2."
"You are suggesting someone has moved them," Kurlow said, frowning.
"Not someone," Fravis said. "Something."
"The Robinson Robot taking it out?" Kurlow asked. "I find that hard to believe."
"It makes sense, Kurlow," Fravis said. "If they were allowed to flourish in the Jupiter and the lights were left on, the Jupiter would have been taken over in plant life," he gestured toward the tables. "It doesn't explain how the Robot moved Hydroponics out without a incident."
"The Robinson Robot could not have done that," Kurlow said.
"The Robot had help," Fravis said.
Kurlow briefly closed his eyes.
"No," Kurlow said, shaking his head. "I don't accept what you are implying."
"You have to when we ask him what happened," Fravis said.
"That Robot is no person," Kurlow said. "The Robot is a machine."
"Yet the civilizations of old refers to it as Robot Robinson in the texts," Fravis said. "He deserves to be recognized as a sapient being."
"Nothing more, nothing less," Kurlow said. "and it can't be held accountable for actions that were done thousands of years ago."
Kurlow walked up the ramp as the media droids shrunk in size until they were rounded white balls with a long white light illuminating from the center. Kurlow reached his hand out to the side searching for the light switch once coming to the doorway. His fingers pressed on a button then the residential deck came to life before their eyes. Tears formed in the man's eyes in the golden light observing how welcoming and homely the ship felt. Kurlow can feel how light the air was from around him. It had seen many good days. Waiting for its residents to return for thousands of years patiently. Kurlow walked forward joined by Fravis by his side. Linguistic Archeologists moved toward the many doors then flicked them open one by one.
Kurlow found his breath taken away observing the elevator then moved away from it turning in the direction of a unique station. Fravis knelt down to his feet where he observed a tread trail among the dust. He looked over his shoulder seeing the trail continue toward the platform. His attention returned toward Kurlow who was absorbing in the fine details. His hands sliding on the large machinery in awe and wiping off the dust that had collected in the passing years. Moisture covered the fine glass fixtures clearing them up easily. He stared at the switch with 20th century text that was alien.
"Linya, what does this say?" Kurlow asked, joined by media droids.
Linya came over to Kurlow's side.
"It reads 'on', sir," Linya said, then flicked the switch back to off.
His eyes shifted toward Fravis now standing up on his feet.
"Fravis, get a security detail and find that robot," Kurlow said. "I will stay here and over see the Jupiter 2's extraction from the cave, inform the geologists that we need their antigravity unites. All of them, " Kurlow looked toward Fravis with a smile. "Linya, join the search for the captain's log."
Linya walked away then Fravis walked away coming to the exit of the Jupiter 2.
Kurlow walked toward the elevator then slid the barrier aside and came in placing his hands on the long poles looking around.
"Beautiful," Kurlow said, taking his hands off the pole then placed the button but the elevator wouldn't move.
Kurlow slid the barrier aside then pressed the up button.
"Here comes your savior, old girl," Kurlow said, looking up with a big grin and his hands linked behind his back.
The view reeled back to reveal the Jupiter 2's underside being decorated by the geologists. The small rounded objects with rounded glass fixtures on the center glowed white once placed on to the hull. The geologists looked over occasionally feeling that they were being watched in the dark then back on to the task in hand. The media droids had their attention on the Jupiter 2 and the Archeologists.
Kurlow came down the ramp to greet the media droids then warmly began to speak, "Hello, I am Captain Kurlow of the Saggarius. The crew and I have been lead to the greatest find of the century. The greatest mystery of space voyaging and space colonization will no longer be a mystery. But a solved cold case. . ." He stepped forward going ahead coming over to the side of the cave.
The Jupiter 2's entrance way was closed as did the landing gear when the spaceship began to hover into the air flying out of the tunnel.
From the shadows came the Robot, moving slowly but weakly, coming to the center to watch his home being taken away.
The Jupiter 2 flew over the mountain escaping the Robot's sensors.
His sensors detected two archeologists headed his way then moved back into the shadows.
"There is nothing there, Charles," Linya said.
The Robot collapsed against the wall falling to the floor
The Robot's long dark arms were sprawled out with a groan, his red grill glowing briefly, then disappeared.
"Nothing but water?" Charles asked. "That is a load of crap."
Linya laughed, shaking her head.
"You are just excited," Linya said.
"Excitement is one thing," Charles said. "Imagining someone hiding in the dark is another thing."
"You think it's the Robinsons judging you?"
"It didn't feel that way," Charles said.
"Then what did it feel like?" Linya said.
"Like there was a machine watching me," Charles said.
"Your imagination is running because we got a unaccounted for Robinson Robot," Linya said.
"It's accounted for. It's right here," Charles said. "And no one can see it in the dark."
"Look at me," Linya said, waving her arms in the dark. "OOOohooo oooohhooo oohooo I am the spirits of the angry dead who wants their haunt back!"
"That is not funny!" Charles said, glaring toward Linya. "I can handle angry dead but. . ."
"But?" Linya asked.
"Not AI's. Really old ones," Charles said, eying around the scenery. "He is around here somewhere."
"That machine isn't in here by now," Linya leaned against the rock surface with a yawn. "It's just rock."
"That is what they said about the Calistians," Charles said. "They were living things."
"There is nothing here," Linya said, approaching the older man. "Except for the garden, that has to be carefully moved," she took off her backpack then slid it open and handed out several wide, large bags. "Help me with this."
Charles tentatively approached the tables looking around then turned his attention toward the first table. It was decorated in brown dead plant life that contrasted against the black soil. He slid the container into the bag then zipped it up. He slid the straps on the top underneath the table and repeated the same action with the third container and the forth one was take care of by Linya. The hydroponics were moved from the cave into the open directly in the direction of a landed slightly larger Archeological pod.
Catherine looked on toward the resting children then pressed on a button.
The rounded door locked then she inputted a command on to the nearby panel beside it.
There was a loud thud from the door that eased Catherine's concern.
"Lock will expire in seven hours," Marle replied.
"Thank you, Marle," Catherine said, looking up toward the cieling then lowered her head toward the door placing her hand on the large bolt and her other hand on the lower surface.
Concern for one's children was more pronounced with company around the planet. She wondered if Mrs Robinson ever had moments like these watching over her children and doing her best that no harm came to them when the men were away. Catherine had a small smile to herself turning away visualizing the woman more young and colorful standing between the threat and her children holding on to a laser pistol of the day. A day that required something less effective than the typical space guns. Guns that didn't break glass when they were fired through. A visual of the woman appeared right before Catherine's eyes in the way that her mind imagined her.
A short woman with healthy pink skin and brown hair that was short to a point. Maureen spent over fifty some years lost in space with her loved ones away from civilization, no outside help, just living as colonists on the final frontier and making to their promised land after years. Catherine can see the happy, proud look on Maureen's face. Maureen had a husband who kept no secrets back from her and told her everything. In many ways that made Catherine envy the mother. The imaginary Maureen vanished before her eyes. Catherine made her way down the hall toward the section of the ship that her quarters are set. Catherine came to a stop mid-way through the walk to find Fravis standing in the way.
"I was about to retire, officer," Catherine said. "What brings you here?"
"We like to invite you over to the Saggarius," Fravis said. "The captain wants to hear the full story from you how the children found the Chariot."
"You do deserve to know the backstory," Catherine said. "I will get my winter gear-" she started to walk past him but he put a hand on her shoulder.
"I got a Archeological pod parked in the hangar bay," Fravis said. "No need to get the gear."
Fravis took his hand off the woman's shoulder as she had her attention on him.
"Your captain is very considerate," Catherine said.
"That he is," Fravis said, snickered, nodding his head. "After you, Miss Abernashi."
Catherine walked on ahead of Fravis who looked over in the long corridor, regretfully, then reluctantly followed after Catherine.
The ride to the Saggarius allowed Catherine to take a nap while leaning against the curved edge of the seat. The door to the Archeological pod opened. The cool air was icy enough that it stirred her awake. Her eyes moved from the window then stretched her arms and legs. Her dark finger tips met the cieling with a yawn and squeezed her eyes shut, her hands closed into fists, and her elbows bent. Catherine lowered herself down then hopped out of the Archeological pod. She straightened her shirt around around her waist, slid the vest down, and looked around with her eyes adjusting to the intensity of the light.
"Welcome to the Saggarius," Fravis said. "You can leave at any time if you don't feel comfortable, and if you need a lawyer, you can ask," Catherine turned toward the approaching man. "If you have anything to hide that is."
"I have nothing to hide, Commander," Catherine said.
"Please," Fravis said. "we go by first name around here."
"First name basis?" Catherine asked, her eyebrows raised.
"Sometimes it's last names when we have people with the same first name," Fravis said, amused. "I am legally obligated to tell you this sort of matters."
Catherine nodded.
"Uh huh," Catherine said. "Miranda rights forewarning of any criminal acts that I may have done don't need to be told."
"And have you done any?" Fravis asked.
Catherine laughed.
"The only crimes that I have done is not asking more about my partner's job," Catherine said. "Otherwise, clean as a whistle."
"This way," Fravis said, as the doors closed to the hangar bay that had a heavy echo.
The doors opened before them into the white corridor that was decorated in plant life that were quietly being harvested. Catherine continued walking observing the wide space that seemed to be agriculture section of the Saggarius. There were panels in the cieling from above the workers dressed in a white onesie with a sun hat and dark boots. She furrowed her brows looking toward the man coming to her side. They were walking through a catwalk with large pipes channeling through the wall.
"Why do you need to grow your own food here?" Catherine asked.
"Because the people like it," Fravis said.
"I don't get it," Catherine said. "Most starships have-"
"Clean, synthesized food that are copied," Fravis said. "We have to update the replicator on a schedule because those patterns tend to be used very quickly and if they are not used quickly. . . " Fravis grimaced. "Their source pattern degrades after not being used for so long."
"What do you do with the degraded food?" Catherine asked.
"We feed it to the pigs," Fravis said. "All of these are volunteers. Mainly."
"Any forced volunteers?" Catherine asked.
"A few," Fravis said. "Community service. It is mostly vandalism."
"Vandalism," Catherine repeated. "That must be awful to the artifacts."
"That and harming the ship," Fravis said. "They don't understand that we have to keep it neat."
"They don't understand there are better places to decorate," Catherine said.
"Old, abandoned starships that we are lurking by," Fravis said.
"Ghost ships," Catherine said. "I thought the law said that is illegal."
"It is," Fravis said. "It only applies to ships being under historical preservation status."
"Ah," Catherine said.
"We house thousands of families and archeologists," Fravis said. "At any given moment, we are researching, recovering, and restoring artifacts from the past." They came to a stop at one large window that displayed the Jupiter with the landing gear down ready to be boarded by a new crew. Catherine stopped in her tracks then approached the glass. Fravis stopped slightly turning in the woman's direction. "Currently, this ship has fifty-three thousand personnel," Catherine turned in his direction. "We can house extended families here."
"He looks so proud," Catherine said.
"He?" Fravis repeated.
"The Jupiter 2," Catherine said, turning toward the man.
"Oh," Fravis said, then looked toward the spaceship. "This ship wasn't built in with a AI."
"You know as I do that AI's represent the ship and standard AI's in the 20th century had male voices," Catherine said, then faced the direction of the Jupiter 2. The Jupiter 2 was surrounded by white tables being set up with light gray sparkling bags stacked on the top completed by a black zipper. "Before ships were referred to by the pronouns of their AI's, sailors used to call ships of any kind women because they were strong and persistent. Protective to their charges. Kind to their crew. Claimed that the ships had souls long before AI's. They were characters, they were, rather than a mundane ship."
"Sure you are not a archeologist?" Fravis asked.
Catherine looked over with folded arms with a bemused look.
"I am sure," Catherine said. "Learn those sort of things from the holo-movies and literature."
"There are things that media cannot capture," Fravis said. "But words are more capable of that."
"They are," Catherine agreed, then looked over toward the Jupiter 2. "He must miss his family very much."
Catherine resumed her walk passing by the Jupiter 2.
And you know it, Fravis thought, following after Catherine.
"Miss Abernashi," Fravis called. "slow down, you don't know your way around here!"
Catherine walked into a white wide, circular room that had lights on the wide beams extending off from the center of the room connecting to a circular, glass dome that was pitch black if not for the red light coming from the machine flickering faintly. She sat on a long white couch. Who knew waiting to speak with the archeologist head of the entire starship took longer than five minutes? She had not expected it. The warm hum of the engines came below her feet. She had her eyes on the door. Catherine didn't want to be gone for too long from the girls. Marle was capable of protecting them but to a certain extent. They were not on the crew registry nor were they authorized to be on the ship. So protecting them full time without her presence was concerning.
Two Jakalians entered the room side by side. They were peach with brownish yet orange spots decorating their skin and ossicones that poked out of their hair that was even covered in hair. They had the appearances of a human in brown suit that complimented their decorative pattern. There was a trail of a mane that started from beneath their head down the neck and went on to become part of a tail. Catherine was on her feet in the center of the room with her arms folded.
"Hello, I am L'Hewis," L'Hewis said. "And this is my partner D'Hallis."
"'Hello," Catherine greeted. "Is he busy?"
"Yes," D'Hewis said. "He is currently observing our forensics dusting away for finger prints aboard the Jupiter."
"He likes to watch history unfold," D'Hallis replied.
"Seeing the finger prints of the Robinsons for the first time?" Catherine asked. "I can't blame him."
"Please, sit down and begin telling us about how you came across Immunia," D'Hewis said.
"It's Gamma," Catherine corrected, seating down to the couch. "That's the first name it was given a long time ago and that is the correct name."
"Given this time," D'Hallis said. "Immunia is the correct name."
"Recognized by the intergalactic congress of planets," D'Hewis said. "You can't change that piece of common knowledge overnight."
"If one went to the tree of the intergalactic knowledge connector and updated that information," Catherine said, picking up a glass that had suddenly appeared in a blue light from beside her on the white cushion. "it could," Catherine had a sigh. "It's a shame that they can't be uploaded the old fashioned way to the tree."
"It is," D'Hallis said, sharing a glance with D'Hewis. "Scanning paper isn't in its capabilities."
"It doesn't have to be passed through that tree just to get everywhere in the intergalactic wide web," D'Hewis said. "Scanners are still around for that purpose."
"But it goes so much slower being spread," Catherine complained.
"Time is needed to absorb in this kind of information," D'Hallis said. "It's not a pleasant experience hooking someone up into the tree. Only extremely important information requires that, machine or human, for the matter."
Catherine had a shrug.
"I suppose so," Catherine took a sip from the glass. "But it won't be exactly common knowledge because not everyone has a connection to the tree." She had a grimace. "I can't afford to have that exclusive knowledge so it had to be seen and told just to be believed."
The red light from the glass vanished.
"Start from the beginning," D'Hewis said, placing a small square machine onto the couch.
Catherine lowered the glass down taking a sigh.
"That was the best movie ever!" Karleen exclaimed.
"Mommy," Sydnee said. "Do you think Tom and Jerry will like Earth?"
"I am sure they will," Catherine said, boarding the wide circular pod looking down toward the girls. "What is there not to like?"
"Green grass, cracked roads, and old pavement," Karleen said. "Plenty of rats."
"As many as they like to hunt," Catherine replied, reassuringly.
The doors closed before the three then the floor glowed a light blue humming from beneath them. Catherine had a smile on her face, holding tightly to her girls smaller hands, observing the passing floors. The air was light around them. Every floor had a different color and different shade that grew apparent by the passing floor. The elevator came to a stop on floor seven. The door opened then the small group went out of the elevator in high spirits. They passed by several Kanetarans, praying mantis alike species, in strange dark garb that resembled robes. They came toward a large transparent closed door surrounded by potted plants by both sides. Catherine was the first one to collide against the door then fall back to the floor with the girls in hand. Karleen and Sydnee began to laugh at once leaning themselves up from the floor.
A gray ball of fur and a brown ball of fur were seen resting alongside the window ledge that was propped half way up. They were large and circular in a way that seemed they were loaves of strange bread coated in fuzzy hair. Catherine waved her hand in front of the doorway then peered in to the apartment. The lights were out just as they had left it. Bowls of cat food and water were lined against the wall. The loud purring could be heard from outside the apartment. Sydnee and Karleen exchanged worried looks.
"Mum," Karleen said. "what is going on?"
"I don't know, girls," Catherine said, stepping back.
In the center of Catherine's stomach was a unsettling feeling that she knew what was going on.
"Hello," came a man's figure in between the doorway on the transparent glass.
"It's the bank man!" Sydnee said.
Catherine's stomach dropped.
"This property has been claimed by the intergalactic system of banks for lack of funds in your account to cover for this property," his hands were clasped together in his lap, his wide annoying smile shined to Karleen's eyes - gold -, and his more than happy demeanor made it all the more horrifying. "You are effectively homeless. If you have any funds to cover for the rising cost of this apartment-it has gone up by 50% and will be sold at the appropriate time to make up for the lost revenue. Thank you and have a excellent day!"
The man sizzled away.
"Miss Abernashi," came a distant voice.
Catherine turned in the direction of the women in black suits nicely complimented by their white shirts headed her way.
"We like a word with you," came the second agent.
Catherine shook her head.
"Run!" Catherine ordered.
The small family ran down the hallway.
"Get her!" the first agent shouted.
The security team ran after the family. Sydnee looked over her shoulder. Catherine swung up open a door then ran in to the room. The door loudly slammed behind them. The small family let go of each others hands now in the order of Catherine in the lead with Sydnee and Karleen from behind her. They looked over their shoulders while their hooves clacked against the railing from beneath. They came down three stair cases when the door opened from the seventh floor flew open. The small family ran down the stairs taking a turn down to the next stair case.
The agents and security officers tagged not far from behind coming down to the lobby area. The leading agent dramatically yanked open the door then ran out of the room. The door striking the wall with a loud bang. The door bounced off the wall beginning to close on its own when a series of hands with dark sleeves struck against it keeping it open as they passed on by. Once the last officer was out of the room, the door started to close until a set of dark fingers that seemed hoof-like in nature.
The camera lifted up to reveal the small family on the wall above the floor. Karleen and Sydnee were side by side alongside Catherine with their hands on the wall. Sydnee flipped off the wall then Karleen crawled down backwards to the floor at the same time as Catherine. They get up to their feet then made came over to the entrance of the emergency exit. Catherine peered out of the doorway.
"They are gone," Catherine said, watching the last of the agents run out of the front door. "Let's go!"
Catherine went the other way with the girls looking over their shoulders.
They went out the second set of doors holding hands below the blue sky.
Sydnee could hear the whizzing of a passing vehicle passing from above. She looked up to see layers of air traffic from above ranging in design. They fled through the crowd. The girls holding on tightly to each other even their mother's hand. Catherine boarded a land based train with the children then grasped on to the handle dangling from above her. The girls grabbed on to the handles peeking out of the long pole beside Catherine. In blue light appeared a light brown woman with a blue hat decorated in golden decoration which went well with the black and white suit. The train conductor had a cheerful smile on her face.
"Next stop is at Ship Landings," the train conductor said. "We will be there in forty-five minutes." Then vanished in a flicker.
"Are we going to be okay?" Karleen asked, as the train launched down the trail.
Catherine's eyes darted from side to side, worriedly, watching the surroundings passing by the windows.
"Yes," Catherine said. "It's going to be alright, it's going to be alright."
They stood in the speeding train waiting for the next stop. A plan formed in Catherine's mind. She glanced down toward her little girls visibly concerned about their well being. She raised her head up briefly closing her eyes full of resolve. Karleen and Sydnee had their attentions on the pets in the small carriers and some that were in backpacks among the civilians. There was a shih tzu with a antenna, a horn, and a lizard striped tail that was yellow and orange. The train was noisy between the travelers speaking to each others, pets being noisy, and some people were either napping in seats or listening to music largely in part to the ear buds in their ear slouched in the chair. The surroundings changed from tall, curved skyscrapers among pyramid designed buildings.
The pyramids grew bigger and bigger that they came closer and closer by the passing blocks. Catherine opened her eyes looking out the window observing the starships flying from the direction of the Ship Landing Bay. Eventually, the train came to a stop. Sydnee and Karleen let go of the handles then Catherine took them by the hands fleeing the transport. They sped through the crowd waiting to board the train making their exit effectively. There were no ground based vehicles asides to the train only a clutter of people in a scenery that was a park by all accounts decorated by trees, gardens, mazes that had food growing inside, wildlife co-existing peacefully among the dwelling civilians, playgrounds, and benches left without pavements on the grass that seemed to be well cared for. Sydnee looked up toward the sky observing the three moons that stood out smaller but still as apparent.
The camera flew up into the air then sped on closer to the ship landing bay. Catherine came running into view, panting, with Karleen and Sydnee coming from behind. They came to a black hovering screen with a keyboard. Beside the wide, large black screen was circular light fixtures on a board with unique braille marks underneath them. There were green strange words next to a series of numbers. From beside the words on the gray board were lights that glowed red, orange, yellow, and blue. She looked on ahead to see several construction ships in the ship landing bay. It was a unconventional escape plan that wasn't exactly legal but then it was. Catherine looked over in the direction of strolling humans in yellow and black uniform wearing circular hats walking away from the ship landing bay.
"Girls, one of you pick pocket their green cards," Catherine said.
"But ma, that's wron-" the girls started.
"Just for today," Catherine hissed.
She ran toward into the group of the roughly human looking individuals crashing them to the floor. She let go of the the children's hands.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Catherine apologized.
The man from ahead of them rubbed his head with a groan.
"Ow,"
"Hey,"
"It's fine,"
"Happens to the best of us,"
"Nice kids you got there,"
Catherine grew a beaming smile.
"Oh thanks," Sydnee handed the green card to Catherine. "I will get going. Sorry for the mix up. I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Have a nice day, lady!" the workers called.
"We will!" Catherine replied, with a smile as she turned away.
The small family casually walked into the Landing Ship Bay. There were many docking bays that were lowered. It was only a matter of deciding one to take. She looked over her shoulder to observe the agents were not on their tails. There were dark blue forcefields up flickering in the entrance way. Catherine moved toward the first doorway then slipped the card in. The forcefield glowed red then returned to blue. She placed her hand into it but yanked it back with a flinch. It didn't belong to that ship. They went from ship to ship.
"Ma!" the girls called. "Why don't we use the old ships?"
Catherine looked at it reluctantly.
"Those are high grade construction ships, honey," Catherine said.
"High grade means we can use it as home until you get back to your feet," Karleen said.
"And us too!" Sydnee agreed.
"But high grade is extremely expensive," Catherine said.
"So?" Karleen asked. "You got someone elses money card that only works on it."
A smile spread on Catherine's face.
"Alright," Catherine said, then they moved toward the faded yellow ships.
Catherine felt chills go down her skin. She went to the first large ship that stood out in terms of its unique design. Large, massive, and big enough to be a series of buildings on Earth. She squeezed the little girls hand then walked toward it tightly holding on to the blue disk. What were the chances of it working on a old ship? She came to a stop in front of the ship then slid her hand out and disposisted the blue disk in. The disk was sucked in unexpectedly. From the slot appeared a thin blue line that scanned them then retreated inside the ship.
"Marle, C4-5589," Marle said. "Welcome aboard, visitors." her voice dripped in sarcasm. "Pa'hak's promise of piloting the ship cannot be guaranteed."
"Open seseme!" Karleen shouted.
"Fine, fine," Marle said. "Annoying tourists."
The forcefield vanished so then they ran inside. The forcefield raised back up from behind the small family. Catherine ran down the halls. Their hooves echoing behind them as the made their way to the bridge. A arrow appeared before them. The lights to the space craft turned on with each step including every hall that decorated the ship. The doors opened to the bridge that seemed small and cramped in comparison to most ships that had bridges that had more room.
"Change authorization to anyone being allowed to enter," Catherine said. "Pa'hak has handed you over for fifty-five thousand credits," the girls buckled themselves up in the seats from behind the captain's chair. "And we have to leave now." she slid the leveler forward. "Direct me to operate you as this is my first time using a ship of your unique design."
The hangar bay door closed then the ship flew out into the sky.
"And the rest," Catherine said. "Is very guessable."
"The intergalactic law enforcement chased you," D'Hallis said.
"And some of my partner's enemies," Catherine said.
"You don't mean to say they are corrupt," L'Hewis said, taken back.
"No," Catherine said. "Some of the victims were the law."
"How intriguing," L'Hewis said. "So you found that out before or after his passing?"
"During the chase," Catherine said, taking another sip. "He had taken a lot of people's money. "
"How many?" D'Hallis asked.
Catherine stared at them.
"Even if I tried to memorize the names to the faces, all they would be is . . ." Catherine paused. "Guilt. Baggage. A trip back down to self-blame, regretting, nights spent weeping, losing sleep, unable to stay awake long enough to hold a job, detaching from my social circles, and my girls having a lot of sleep overs. I respected his job and he respected my hobby, we respected each others privacy, our worlds so to speak," she had a fond look on her face. "there were times where we surprised each other on our anniversaries. . . I wouldn't change a thing except stop him from using his phaser to take his own life because he knew the intergalactic law enforcement had him. We could have make it work. Yes, he would be behind the glass wall but we would be able to talk face to face and see each other." Catherine had a smile then looked up toward them as the room trembled. "Oh, what was that?"
The two exchanged a glance.
"Catherine Abernashi," L'Hewis said. "Where is the Robinson Robot?"
"The what thingmajig?" Catherine asked.
"The Robot," D'Hallis said.
"What thingmajig?" Catherine asked.
"The B-9, the family robot, the Robinson Robot," D'Hallis said
"Never heard of it," Catherine said, lowering the glass.
"You know what I am talking about, thief," D'Hallis said, sharply.
"Is it like a drone?" Catherine asked.
"It's a robot!" D'Hewis exclaimed.
Catherine crossed her legs.
"Care to describe it?" Catherine asked. "The word robot can mean so many things."
"It is a machine that appears humanoid," L'Hewis shouted, making Catherine closed her eyes shrinking back. "But doesn't look like one!"
"No need to shout," Catherine rubbed her ears. "That. Why didn't you say so from the get go?"
The agents had a exasperated sigh.
"You and your daughters were the only ones on this planet who knew there is a old spaceship and a Chariot of great value on here," D'Hallis said. "Before the Saggarius arrived."
"Keeping a part of the find will get you millions in the black market!" D'Hallis said, watching Catherine's face transform from a bemused expression to tranquil fury.
Catherine stood up then tossed the contents of her cup into the agents face.
"I am not my ex-husband," Catherine said. "Do you. . think. . . I would have the indecency of robbing the dead?"
"Anything is possible when you are dead broke, Miss Abernashi," L'Hewis said.
"Your girls will be tended to by social services in a few days," D'Hallis said "Long as you are in this ship and not on the planet, you can be charged with criminal conduct."
"No!" Catherine screamed, bolting toward the door.
The door refused to budge once she crashed against the door then struck it repeatedly with her fist repeating over and over 'No'. She turned around to face the two agents watching one of them pick up the small device then click on it and placed it into their pocket. Horror set in realizing that she had confessed to theft of property and knowingly fleeing police. Their judgemental eyes were set on her. She had back to the wall shaking her head feeling the gravity pinning her against the surface. Tears began to appear on the edges of her eyes. They silently went out the other door from across. Fravis entered the room silently with his eyes trained on Catherine. Catherine raised her attention up propping herself up with tears running down her cheeks.
In the next moment, Fravis was slammed against the wall.
"You tricked me, you bastard!" Catherine screamed.
Catherine delivered a punch to Fravis's face knocking him down to the floor then proceeded to kick into his side multiple times. Fravis curled himself up in a protective position. She was pulled away, struggling, her eyes full of rage. He turned on to his side to feel aching on his back. He placed a hand on the floor then moved his other hand on to the supporting the wall and propped himself up moving one of his hands to his knee.
"I only did it because Kurlow ordered me to bring you here," Fravis said, using the wall as his support up.
"Orders my eyes!" Catherine screamed. "I will sue you and your friend!" She was forced out of the room. "I will sue everyone!"
Fravis wiped off blood from his lip.
"From the 20th century, I believe that would be 'orders my ass'," Fravis said, amused, then walked on.