Chapter 10- front lines

John held tightly onto his son as he watched Don undertake the preparations needed to get this ship of the ground. He knew they were working against a deadline, and at worst they could already be too late. But he would not push Don into lifting off this vessel too soon. Their pilot was fatigued, in pain and dealing with a unfamiliar alien vessel, he did not need even more stress. John wondered if Don was even capable of flying this craft. He must realise the stakes even if nobody was mentioning them at the moment and would not want to disappoint anyone.

Beside Don, Lyric and Conley hovered, watching his every more. It was ,he supposed more of a habit than anything else. Still it made him want to keep watching them.

"Please don't use the weapons, to fire on the homesteads", Conley stated firmly. Don turned away from the instruments to study him for a second, " I have not even touched the weapons", he pointed out. Conley nodded, "no, but it may be something you will be tempted to do. Often we want to strike back at those who hurt us", he said. "Are you talking about me, or yourself", Don asked. John had filled him in on Conley's background. But he still found himself struggling to understand the man. "You have enough cause to have fired upon them at anytime . Yet you did not", Don observed. He was not levelling any accusations when he said that, just making an accurate observation. "Yes, I hate them, I admit freely to thinking about many horrible ways for them to die. Then I realised that by doing that I was exactly like them. I just want to put an end to the run, forever", Conley replied.

"I can agree with that goal", Don told him. Conley nodded . He had not asked either him or Smith, John noted, seemingly just going with that fact that it was Don he had to convince not to destroy the women who had held him prisoner. John had to admit that although he knew what Conley said was accurate, he still would have like to blow their homes into little pieces, just to satisfy his anger. It was was a thought he would keep in his head.

"Right strap in everyone, we are going to lift off in 10 minutes ", Don announced.

He had activared the view screen which showed that so far nobody had come to try and stop them. "Does Ollia know this ship is armed", Doctor Smith asked as he thought about the possibility his former 'wife' could sent an army against them. "No", Conley said softly. "I never shared that knowledge with her. However if you think she will try to stop us, then you are mistaken. She believes we will all die anyway".

"Now that is a comforting thought", Doctor Smith complained. 'It's true though, Conley told them. "We are entering the domain of carnivores who cannot help the drive to want to hunt and kill, for food". He looked at each of them slowly, "the Naloolab are highly dangerous and efficient predators".

John felt himself swallow hard, he was so afraid that he could have already lost members of his family. "It is not hopeless, John Robinson", Conley assured him , "there are ways to survive". John breathed out in relief, he knew Maureen, Penny and Judy were resourceful, so surely they would find a way to avoid the creatures. He needed all the information he could get to know what their own approach would be. "So what do you know about the Naloolab", he asked.

Strangely it was not Conley who answered that question. "They came from space many years ago to dock at the station. They , like you had been suffering in the emptiness of this part of space. Of course their dietary needs were very different. They tried to take over the station and feed upon the people there. They were powerful and our people feared them, and their hunger. They could not risk them finding out about the planet and turning their attentions toward the people there. So they made a deal to ensure this species was fed and kept happy". Our planet was overpopulated by women, so it seemed like the perfect solution for all', Lyric broke off her tale.

She noted Conley looked away from her as she spoke, his face angry. "It was hardly a solution Lyric. It was not only your people who have suffered", he snapped. Lyric said nothing, she was aware that everyone here still saw her as the enemy. None of them had done anything to her to vent their feelings. Maybe they did not have to touch her though, she could see the emotion in their eyes and she could now feel the hatred that was directed her way.

This is why she had lost Donald West, she figured, because he wanted love not cold hearted control. Love, though was an unfamiliar emotion, she did not know what it was but she was beginning to understand what it meant. It made you want to walk into the domain of monsters and even though the odds were not in your favour ,you would still fight, and give that fight everything you had. Love made you want to live. Lyric suddenly just stared to sob.

Conley just looked at her, he did not attempt to comfort her. He could see John Robinson looking at him steadily, it was a look of expectation that said, say something , do something, be her father for once. He reached out and simply placed his hand over Lyric's. He noted she looked surprised. Without even realising it had happened he had squeezed her hand.

Lyric stopped sobbing, "what happens now in your life is your choice Lyric". I will not harm you, Conley told her . He realised he had not said he would help her . At the moment he could not.

"We will not harm you either, it is not our way", John added.

Don looked over at Lyric then away again."Liftoff in 10 seconds", he stated. Lyric had held his eyes for a second. Had she expected him to comfort her as she cried. He knew the tears were genuine, but he still could not bring himself to hold her. As yet she did not know enough about emotions to know the difference between a quick comforting gesture and romance. She would believe he was interested in her.

He returned his attention to the ship. It was a strange mix of the old, probably original parts and the newer ones that Conley had installed. It had still had enough fuel to get them off world and into space but he had no idea when it had last flown. There was the possibility it could simply explode and kill them all. He had not shared that piece of information with the others. It did not matter, because they were all committed. There was no other way. He fired the engines to their maximum capacity. At first nothing happened, they just shook like food in a blender. Don felt sick again. Then finally the old vessel began to lift. They were pressed backward against the seats. He pushed back the surge in pain he felt gritting his teeth until he could feel them grinding together. The ground began to recede. Looking briefly over at the others, he saw tears, he felt the same, finally they had a chance .

Leaving the planets orbit was a jarring and often nausea inducing experience. Don was glad when it was finally over and he could look down upon the planet where they had all suffered so much pain.

"The station is about a 6 hour flight from here", Conley stated. "I can program the course for you". Don allowed him to do that but watched his every move. He seemed confident and assured, he noted, as he used the consoles, which contrasted with Lyric who looked out of place and unsure. That added another piece of information to the picture he was building about Conley.

"So what do we do once we get there", Smith asked quietly. He was not used to rushing headlong into plans that most likely included fighting, and part of him really wanted to run. Unfortunately he was on a spaceship, so running was out of the question. He had committed himself to following the others when he had come with them. So now he better just stuck it up and get on with it. Usually that was the type of thing Major Donald West told him. Strangely though the Major had not said anything like that yet.

"We cannot use weapons on the Naloolab, they will have little or no effect", Conley stated. "Instead we will just have to use our cunning and trick the creatures."

"I think we can do that", John replied. He looked over at Don noting how pale he was. It looked like it was an effort for him to remain conscious. "Does this vessel have an autopilot , he asked. "Yes", Don told him. 'Then activate it". We all need an opportunity to rest before we get to the station", John remarked.

He gently moved Will from his chest and went over to help Don out of the pilots seat. Don's legs felt like jelly and he leaned upon John heavily. 'You can use your former rooms for rest", Conley stated.

John decided he was not going back to that room. He also wanted to keep both Will and Don close by. Smith did not have horrible memories about this ship, so he would most likely want to be by himself. The Doctor followed him out he noted ,keeping by his side. He obviously did not want to stay with the others either.

Supporting Don out of the bridge and down the corridor John found a bunk room with four beds. He slipped Don onto the bottom bed. "Do you trust Conley", Don asked him softly, he had not lain down yet, sitting somewhat rigidly . John hesitated in his response. "Yes that's what I thought as well, Don remarked as he noted the silence," I am not sure of his intent".

From what I have observed about Conley, I think he may have been a soldier . The way he sought approval just from you awhile ago just adds to my theory", John told him.

"He is obviously competent enough with repairs of spacecraft that he can get this old girl working. Because he chose to use this specific craft and not any of the others that must have docked at the space station, I have to wonder if this is actually his ship. If it is it means he had been here for about 25 years. That is a long time to be suffering under the brutality of their way of life. Maybe he just wants to go to the station for revenge John. The weapons this ship have are powerful, but they could not significantly damage the planet. Maybe there is something upon that station that can. Conley may not want to survive this trip ,so I would keep him under observation in case we get drawn into his plans",Don concluded.

"Yes we all should watch both of them. But for now need rest. So listen to your father in law and lie down", John said. Will raised an eyebrow at that then grinned and reached over and enfolded Don in a hug. "Now you are my brother", he said excitedly. "We can do lots of stuff together".

Smith felt surprise hit him hard. How had the Major managed to keep that fact concealed. He had thought the couple had split up. "Congratulations", he offered.

"Thanks", Don replied in a voice on the edge of sleep. He lay down upon the bed looking up at the drab ceiling. "I am just going to check your wound", John said. Don vaguely felt the Professor lift his clothing. Seconds later he fell asleep.

John checked Don over from head to foot. He was the type not to mention major injuries and he wanted to be sure there was nothing life threatening. Don was healing, though it was a slow process that had been aggravated by his treatment on the planet Cerra. "He will be alright", John assured Will.

His son burrowed into him again. Will's eyes reflected his own emotional pain, he was not ready to let him out of his sight yet. John crawled onto the bottom of the opposite bunk. "Smith, you can find your own room if you prefer", he told the Doctor. "No, I'll sleep up there", Smith pointed to the top bunk. 'It is better if we stay together", he added. John accepted that. "Have a good rest then", he stated.

It did not take them all long before they drifted into sleep.

xxxxxxxxx

Don found himself wondering where he was for a brief second before memory came flooding back. He sat up on his bed. Looking over he could see John still sleeping with Will snuggled beside him. He could hear the muffled snorts of Doctor Smith coming from the top bunk. Don let out a breath of relief, he had been half afraid he would awake to find himself captive again.

He padded over to the door, outside on guard stood the robot. 'There is approximately one hour before we will need to dock with the space station", the machine informed him. "Thank you", Don acknowledged. He made his way back to the bridge, just stopping once along the way.

In the Co pilots seat sat Conley who was staring out at the station. Lyric was nowhere to be seen. Don sat down in the pilots seat. Conley did not greet him, it seemed like he was hardly even aware of his presence. It was hard to tell what he was thinking but his face was pale. 'The last time I made this type of approach was with my family', Conley finally whispered softly. Don felt himself shiver at the tone of loss that was within his voice. This was a suffering man with very powerful emotions simmering below the surface. An explosion of that emotion could be dangerous, Don thought. But it did not stop him from asking questions. He too wanted to feel safe. "Is this your ship", he asked the older man. Conley now turned to stare at him, 'very astute Major ", he replied. "This vessel is from my home world".

"I would assume from how it is armed that it is a military craft. John thought that you were once a soldier", Don observed. He took a breath as he forged forward with the questioning. This next one might be more uncomfortable for Conley to answer. "'Did you fight in the war, that happened on the planet", he asked.

Conley went pale and looked like he was actually going to be physically sick. "How do you know about that', he gasped "Doctor Smith fell into a graveyard", Don replied, "he estimated there were thousands of dead there". Conley said nothing. It was the silence of deep pain, Don reflected, from a man who simply did not know how to begin a story about suffering. Finally Conley spoke in a whisper that Don had to lean forward to hear. "'The war was brutal and efficient Major. It changed a lot of things. Maybe you have a saying on your planet about two sides to every story". When Don nodded Conley continued, "I did not come to this planet intending to fight Major, I would not have brought my family on that type of voyage. It was a reconnaissance mission only. But when the fighting happened we had to defend ourselves, unfortunately my people ended up on the losing side Major. So essentially I became a prisoner of war". That is why they have been very callous and brutal with how they have treated me. I deserve no honour or love".

Conley broke off and remained silent. Don thought over his story. It seemed to brief, skipping over a lot of essential details. "You have not told me everything", he stated firmly. "No ,I acknowledge that. It is not just you who needs to know the other side of the story Major. Lets just leave it at that for now", Conley replied firmly. "Fine, as long as you are not just planning a suicide run", Don boldly remarked. Conley closed his eyes for a second, "no', he said finally. I just want to lay the past to rest and to begin a new future. For that I will need help".

"I will help you", Don told him honestly. Conley smiled at him, "you remind me of myself years ago, before I came here".I don't want you to have the same future Major".

Don knew he spoke the truth but he also knew that as yet he did not know all of the facts. So he would still be cautious.

Moments later John, Will, Doctor Smith and Lyric joined them on the bridge. "Prepare for docking", Don told them.

He noted that all of them clenched the sides of their seats tightly. They were all afraid of what they were going to find.

"You will have to dock on the far side of the station", Conley remarked. Don could clearly see the Jupiter 2 as well as other vessels taking up all other space. "Those other larger ships are just husks. They are just their for show, to give the impression all is well", Conley stated.

Don expertly manoeuvred the ship closer to the station, then began docking procedures. There was hardly even a bump as they met the hull of the space station.

Now they were stationary Don looked over at the others. He wondered when he was going to get asked to stay with the ship. Once again he cursed the fact that his injuries would hamper the efforts to rescue the others.

"Lets move out", John stated firmly. Don stared, "I am going", he remarked. "Yes, I want you with us", John stated. He recognised the fact that because the robot had disabled the Jupiter 2, there was only one ship and one pilot who could get them away from here. He could not take the chance that Lyric or Conley could decide to take Don prisoner and force him to fly them off the space station. The robot would stay with the ship though, just in case something or someone did manage to get onboard.

Don did not argue, he understood Johns reasoning. "Why don't I take the lead. I am more familiar with the layout of the space station", Conley remarked."Lyric you can watch the rear".

Lyric did not like being in one of the most vulnerable positions but did not argue. She felt like she was walking to her doom anyway.

Doctor Smith settled into the middle of the group. He felt the urge to scream rise up from within as panic coursed through him. In his mind he had already died many brutal deaths by the claws of the Naloolab.

"Right lets go", Conley led the way out of the ship and into the space station.

John had thought they would hear screams of panic from within the station. But all was silent within the drab white corridor. "Where are the aliens", he asked nervously. "They would know we have docked", Conley stated, I am sure they will show themselves where and when they chose to do so."

That comment was hardly reassuring . John kept looking around , scanning every direction at once. He kept Will close by with one hand upon him. Taking the boy into danger was not something he wanted to do. But he was not sure that staying on the ship was any safer.

The total lack of sound was beginning to be scary in itself. Surely there should be something to indicate life.

Doctor Smith was the first to notice a change in colour of the floor ahead of them. Red streaks splattered across the floor and up the white walls. There was no doubt that it was blood. John stared at the blood. Part of him really did not want to know whose blood it was. "There would be much more blood from a mortal wound", Conley stated rather clinically.

John let out a relieved breath at that comment. As yet there was no evidence of any deaths. Though there were none of life either. His head was beginning to get sore from looking around him so much. He bent his neck backward, trying to get the knot of tension to abate. Instead panic shot straight through him as he realised they had all not looked in one crucial location, upward.

The large bug dropped down to land about a metre away from them. "Do not run", Conley cautioned. 'Just stay still, look it in the eyes".

John found that was easy. The bug stared back and tapped its long legs against the floor. On its head the large antenna rubbed against each other. "It is communicating with the others", Conley remarked.

When another large bug dropped from the ceiling behind them, they were effectively trapped.

"What now", John whispered to Conley. "Just stand your ground, make no hostile gestures",the older man replied. "So will they just go away and leave us", Dr. Smith asked nervously.

Conley did not reply to that one. John wondered about that for a minute until he noticed the ex soldier was looking past the bug in front of them , down the corridor.

He felt himself go pale as he saw that corridor begin to fill with other bugs. Soon the entire corridor was a mass of dark and pale brown writhing forms. There had to be at least 20 of them.

John felt like his legs were going to collapse under him. Every sense he had was twitching in revulsion at the sight of the huge insects. On Earth the little cousins of these aliens were squashed underfoot because they were ugly. No one would dare even suggest doing that to these monsters. Fear was literally paralysing him and he could only watch as through that mass a light brown bug pushed its way to the front. It looked down the corridor at them.

All of them wondered what was going to happen next. John could hear Smith's sucking breaths as he held off screaming in terror. He was probably afraid that noise would provoke the creatures. He could feel the tension. Why had they come here, he asked himself, this was surely a no win scenario .

Then Conley did the very thing he had told them not to do, he started running toward the creature. The bug in front of them did not try to stop him. Conley was heading straight for the mass.

While John was still trying to take that shock in Lyric lifted a weapon and shot at the creature behind them. It let out a screeching sound and shot back up toward the ceiling.

Lyric, pointed the gun back at them, "put your hands up", she insisted. John lifted his hands, noting the others did the same. They now were all concentrating on the drama within their midst. Conley had probably reached the bugs in front of them but they could not hear any sounds of fighting or other traumatic events. Those bugs had also not moved. It seemed like they did not care if they had problems .Perhaps they thought that internal conflicts might provide them a quick and easy meal. John tried hard not to think too much about that.

"Don, come here", Lyric insisted. "No",Don stood his ground. Lyric moved the gun toward John. "I will shoot him", she warned. "I have nothing to loose Major. You are to come with me and get me off this station. I know you may never offer me love, well that's fine. I will just go with survival." Now move".

Don walked past John to stand alone in the corridor. So leaving the ship had produced the same result as staying. He was the asset everyone wanted to control.