A/N Fleetwood mac - landslide fits the mood of changing occurring aboard the Jupiter 2 and you can't argue with me otherwise.
And it would apply to the next chapter.
A story line, you could say.
In the end, Will got seven volunteers ranging in height and width. It was more than enough fertilizer to cover for Smith. Will shuddered at the thought shaking his head. Considering people as fertilizer. It made him feel disgusted for thinking about the volunteers in that way. He had insisted that no one close to bounty hunting volunteer in the bar. He had a feeling that one or two of them were former bounty hunter rather than what they had claimed. They were volunteers, pure and simple, on a rescue mission. Was he doing the right thing picking ex-doomsday preppers in exchange for Smith? He had a feeling had he told the truth that he would have gotten some volunteers but saying those words, "I need someone to sacrifice themselves to get my friend back," could easily have made him choke on it.
Those were words that no one had to make, had to say, or had to do. His father would have exhausted out his option before reluctantly resuming the journey to Alpha Centauri without Smith. These were words Will could never say nor could his father. Will oversaw the installation of the freezer room in Cargo Bay C complete with doors that read in bold red letters "FREEZER! DO NOT ENTER! WARNING!". He payed the movers a hundred diamonds in total. His hands felt dirty when in fact they were not dirty. He looked down toward his hand seeing little cuts with red surrounding them from mishandling diamonds instead of healthy pink skin staring back at him.
The muscular, tall aliens walked toward the hangar bay doors where their shadows trailed behind them.
Will was faced in the direction of the massive doors with his arms folded and seemed to be in a very good mood sharing a sigh.
"Mr Robinson?"
Will didn't answer.
"Mr Robinson,"
Will looked off toward expecting to find the elevator coming down holding John and Don standing side by side in discussion regarding their pit stop only to be interrupted by the call of the visitors who had entered without permission. He could easily see the alarm on his father's face. Don slapping the elevator buttons easily making it roll up into the upper decks for the laser pistols.
"You are Will Robinson, is that correct?"
Will turned toward the source of the voice.
"Sorry," Will said. "I am still not used to being called Mr Robinson." He looked on toward the tall crate. "what is that?"
"Robinson Robot asked us to have his old shell put in here," came the mover. "Where would you like it placed?"
"Cargo Bay B," Will guided them toward the unoccupied large room.
"That will be one hundred thirty-nine diamonds, Mr Robinson," Came the second mover.
"One hundred. . ." Will's eyes grew big. "Was this custom made or right off the line?"
"It's just expensive around here," The second mover said, with a cagey smile looking off from behind the box.
"Really expensive," the first mover said. "Ah ha, and we're done."
The two movers slowly yanked their four hands from underneath the object placing it down to the floor. Will held up his index finger then walked off screen. He returned with a large bag that was dropped to the floor with a heavy thud. He zipped open the bag then carefully lifted up the long strings of diamonds and counted them per string handing them over to the men. A long shadow walked up the hangar bay and moved up toward the small group. The camera moved up to reveal a dark gray robotic figure that had short, stubby arms and three fingers that were outstretched. The head was similar to the Robot's glass head except more in line with the Robotiod model with a large green optic installed alongside the raised neck collar that had a thin dark gray brand around the dome. The machine came over to Will's side.
"Hi Robot," Will said. "One hundred thirty-nine diamonds? Must it be that expensive?"
"Affirmative," The Robot said, Will's head turned toward him. The green eye glowed much to Will's surprise. "It was better than the robotiod model."
"Robot, that shell won't fit in the chair," Will said. "Much as that model is very convenient for you."
"I have already made the necessary modifications," The Robot replied. "My chair can slide back."
"When did you do that?" Will asked.
"While you were doing the interviews," The Robot replied, then took out a padd. "This has all the information pertaining to my new model. This cannot be cracked or destroyed by any ordinary means." Will took the warm, humming padd. "It runs on solar energy." Will nodded in return holding the padd in his hands reading it with intrigue. "Did you purchase the gloves?"
Will looked up toward the Robot.
"Two hundred forty," Will said, sharing a light hearted laugh handing the padd back to the Robot turning his gaze up with a smile. "I could have easily purchased three hundred."
"I detect eight additional lifeforms," The Robot said. "That does not compute."
"Eight?" Will asked, handing the last of the required diamonds to the movers. "There are seven ex-police officers on this vessel."
"My sensors do not lie," The Robot said, earning a nod back from Will. "It appears one of them has brought a pet."
"Thank you and have a good day," the towering red beings walked away with their payment.
"No," Will said. "Not a pet," Will shook his head, placing his hands on his hips. "A prisoner for insurance."
Darick had his gaze on the centered cryostasis pod that had became covered in white icy fog that made it hard to see who was inside. He turned around from the cryostasis pod coming over toward the astrogator. The young man was right, it needed a major overhaul. This kind of overhaul would need a year or more to be performed with finding the right pieces of technology that would cooperate among the same build of the astrogator. It was the kind of machine that was on the top of line many years ago and had became a antique. Just like the robot itself. Antiques were a remainder of the past that once thrived in its own golden age that was used often.
Not that they no longer could be used, they still could be used. Antiques could fetch a lot of diamonds. Several thousands of stringed diamonds could give him the top of the line spacecraft. The better in condition it was, the more it was going to give to him in the auction. Going back to his old creaky, ready to fall apart vessel wasn't anything to like. He had sold his creaky, old spaceship for a mere one thousand diamonds to a excited, yearning-for-adventure young woman and pitied her. It wasn't the type of vessel that was to transform into a respectful, very new spaceship that held together. He had tried numerous times and failed.
"You're getting ahead of yourself, Darick," Harleen said.
Darick turned in the direction of the heavily muscular yet thick woman.
"I like to keep my bounties close," Darick said.
"That man is your bounty?" Harleen raised her eyebrow. "How much could he be worth to you?"
"A fortune," Darick said. "more than that actually, my retirement."
"Your retirement is hinged on taking this man to your employer?" Harleen asked. "That is desperate."
"Desperate is appearing in the media for fifteen minutes of fame," Darick said, earning a frown in return.
"I never asked who I was hunting down and I didn't know it would uncover my squad," Harleen said.
"Bounty hunters ask before they hunt down a person," Darick said. "You were sloppy as hell getting that target."
"And helping someone on a life or mission isn't any different?" Harleen asked.
"It is," Darick said.
"You're not being a hunter," Harleen said. "You're being a hero. You've hunted down every important figure ruining peoples lives. Now you want to help repair and settle down in your little cottage at the country side. Forty-three is a very young age to retire on."
"It is," Darick said. "I can't hunt people down forever. I am wealthy as I am now."
"So you've done bounty hunting just for the money?" Harleen asked.
"Once, I did it for fun," Darick said. "Now. . . I have done enough, and you?"
"I am in the position where I want to kick some ass," Harleen said.
The door to the elevator came to a stop at the upper deck.
Will slid aside the dark gray rail with a loud audible slam allowing the Robot to come around the astrogator first. The noise echoed throughout the upper deck. The group of seven were focused around the astrogator falling into silence as Will wire a look that signaled his anger toward Darick. The anger rippled off Will tearing toward the taller alien in a way that felt like a psychic assault. More so of being punched at the face repeatedly, kicked at the face, and struck against the wall in a very hard slam. Darick stumbled back clenching on to his nose, "Ow!" earning a puzzled look from Harleen and several knowing looks from the other volunteers. There was a hurt look on the acting captain's face. Will folded his arms approaching the taller man.
"When you're working with me, you are not going to get ahead of yourself and bring company that are better off being brought here later instead of sooner," Will said. "The chances of everyone surviving this mission are at zero percent. Which leaves it down to two people surviving and one robot. I will not have people backstabbing me in this mission because if you do then the Robot will have no choice but to kill you where you stand and you will not get a hand on my ship. No one will. "
"I and the occupant inside of the Jupiter 2 will be its only survivors should the mission fail," the Robot replied. "This is a rescue mission that could mean taking out a number of security guards and being chased by police. We are out to retrieve one man and one man only from this laboratory."
"We're going after a mad scientist?" Harleen asked.
"This scientist has Robotiods," The Robot replied. "And strictly protect the grounds."
"Including the lab," Will said.
"They are housed in a separated part of the lab and will enter if the alarm is tripped," the Robot added.
"And how did you get into this problem?"
"We made a mistake," Will said. "We should have taken the cryostasis pods way for three days while the Robot piloted the ship to the space station," he had a look of guilt on his face. "All because I wanted to get some fruit."
"Our friend is trapped somewhere within the lab," The Robot elaborated. "We will not be arming you."
"Don't worry about that," Darick said, as the five other volunteers took out their large weapons up in display from their luggage placing them on to the astrogators rim. There were sounds of clack that came from the metal. "We got it handled pat."
"Speaking of which," Will said. "Would you like to wait in stasis or take the long way there? It's a three day ride."
"It's not that long of a ride," Darick said, packing his weapon back into the sack
"We'll take the long way!" the others voices contrasted against each other in a chorus.
"So you will have it that way," Will said. "Okay, is everyone ready for the trip?"
"Yes," they said.
"Robot, how about you do the honors?" Will offered.
"Negative," The Robot said. "This is your first mission as captain of the voyage. You do the departure."
Will turned his attention off the taller being.
"Everyone, there is chairs on the residential deck for five people," Will said. "If anyone likes to sit up here then be my guest." He turned toward the Robot. "Robot, you can pilot the ship after we lift off."
"Affirmative," The Robot replied.
"Prepare for lift off, folks," Will said, then went on toward the captain's chair.
The volunteers went down to the deck using the ladder and the elevator. Only Darick remained, coming to the man's side where he buckled himself up. Will spared the man a glance with a raised eyebrow then turned his attention back on to the view screen.
"This is much safer, Mr Robinson," Darick said, sliding the large bag down beside him.
Will looked over toward the man and gave a nod.
"Preparing disembarking procedure," Will said.
The six volunteers found the chairs with the seatbelts all except for the last one, Cae-lien, who stared at the couch in horror. Cae-lien panicked, turning their attention up from the red comfy couch searching for a empty seat. The Jupiter 2 lifted off from the ground reeling in the landing gear that closed. Cae-lien fell over the couch landing on to the floor on to their face. The super spaceship flew toward the exit of the space station. The camera moved to display the hydroponics that was set up in the gardening room that slightly stirred from take off waving from side to side. The Jupiter flew out of the space station leaving it behind. Will slide the chair back, unbuckled himself, and set himself up then stepped aside.
"After you, Robot," Will said. "Take us there."
"Affirmative," the Robot replied, then faced the screen sliding forward toward the console.
"What is the planet we're headed down to?" Darick asked, unbuckling himself.
"I call it Piglantis," Will said.
"Since your navigation is damaged," Darick said. "Why not use this as a map?" he stood up from the chair then strolled over toward Will's side. "I can purchase more of these. Take it." he handed the machine to the older man. "It's yours," Will glanced up toward Darick while wearing a curious expression. "Consider it a parting gift."
"How does this work?" Will asked.
Will pressed a circular button outlined in red on the side.
"Like any ordinary machine," Darick said.
The map flew out of his hands then hovered in mid-air and began to create a holographic projection of the cosmos. The cosmos surrounded the two men on the bridge. Will's eyebrows raised, his eyes widened, and his mouth began to fall set at a figure in front of him. There was the Jupiter 2's holographic figure soaring the vastness of space only smaller similar to a toy. Space reflected in the man's eyes. His mouth drew up turning into a grin, his eyes became smaller only growing optimistic, and his eyebrows lowered in return. He turned his head toward Darick. Darick nodded in return then Will turned his eyes on to the hovering map and Darick loudly set his crooked nose.
We're coming home.
"Do you have a table?" Cae-lien asked.
"Yes," Will said.
"One that can be lifted and doesn't have to be unscrewed off," Cae-lien said. "The galley is too much work."
"Yes," Will said.
"Where is it?" Cae-lien asked.
"In the hangar bay," Will's attention turned toward the large square machine with a light gray screen propped against Cae-lien's side. It had a single antenna propped to the left faced down. It was different from all the tv screens that he had seen in his time as a child. "Is that a portable television set?"
"Uh huh," Cae-lien replied. "This is a machine that is capable of being up to date with any show such as the reality shows, game shows, cooking shows, and fictional." Cae-lien pat their hand on the top of the machine. "It's right about time for the Meet the Robbin' sons new episode."
"But you just said it can be up to date to any new show," Will said.
"It is the minute after the episode ends," Cae-lien said. "It works best by verbal command."
"I never seen anything like it," Will said, observing the small device.
"You will see more of it in the coming weeks in this part of space," Cae-lien said. "There are many planets that call itself Earth."
"What planet are you from?" Will asked.
"Earth," Cae-lien said. "Milky way must be full of Earths."
"It is," Will said. "Some of them are super."
"Gigantic?" Cae-lien asked.
"That, too," Will said. "Mr Walrus, come with me and get that collapsible table. Mr Cae-lien, get the tv ready for your 'meet the Robbin' sons' program."
"How big is the table?" Walrus asked.
"We have to hold it sideways to bring it in here," Will said, opening the rail to the elevator and walked in.
"So not that big," Walrus said.
"It's long," Will said. "I would use one of the gardening tables but-"
"It's for gardening," Walrus said. "It wouldn't feel right using it for entertainment."
"Yeah," Will said, pressing on the down button looking toward Walrus. "It wouldn't."
Will lowered his hands to his side turning his attention on wards. The elevator silently rolled down to the hangar bay. The young Robinson sucked in a breath then exhaled sliding the rail aside allowing them to head toward a section of the hangar bay where the additional tables were. The two men lifted the table up from the side moving it up then twirled it forward and moved carefully toward the elevator. Walrus slid the barrier aside then moved to the corner of the platform. Walrus pressed the up button after Will slid the barrier forward. The elevator rolled up to the residential deck coming to a gentle stop. Walrus moved the rail aside. They moved the table to the residential deck directly into the living room section of it and the table was flipped over. Will balanced the table up on one knee then slid the first table leg down and did the same for the second leg. Walrus finished the other end. The table was set in front of the couch where it rested. Cae-lien placed the mobile device on to the cable then called, "The Robbin' Sons are on!"
Immediately, the volunteers gathered at the couch bring over portable chairs from the elevator and the squad sat down to enjoy the viewing.
Will looked on darkly toward the small group pressing on the side button and the elevator rolled up to the upper deck.
"Mr Robinson," Harleen said, as Will cut up the tomatoes as she leaned against the counter. "How many residential decks does your ship have?"
"One," Will replied.
"It feels like there is three," Harleen commented.
"The Jupiter is made to be a multi-generation ship," Will said. "We have three floors of this deck," he shook the knife then resumed the chopping. "Ever had salad?"
"I have had many types of salad and they were never this. . ." Harleen watched him chop the berries next. "Friendly."
"Friendly?" Will asked, glancing up toward the woman raising a brow. "Ah, your rescue targets weren't nice people."
"Yes, rescue targets," Harleen smiled back in return. "Most of us have made enemies who love to get us. You don't seem like the kind who makes enemies easily."
"For all you know, I may have a lot of enemies back in the milky way," Will commented, turning his attention down. "And that brought me here."
"Like who?" Harleen asked.
Will shrugged.
"I don't know," Will said."It has to be someone that my trouble making friend made a enemy out of."
"I saw you empty some quarters," Harleen said. "Must have been a very painful loss."
"It was," Will said, pausing then glanced up toward her. "I am still trying to find a new rhythm."
"And you think that after rescuing your friend is going to help in that," Harleen commented.
"Things are always alright in the end," Will said. "Not so different in this case."
"I have gone through losses like that," Harleen said. "It isn't easy."
"Does it get any easier?" Will asked, pausing on the chopping. "The pain of losing people you can't help?"
"No," Harleen said. "It reminds me that I am alive. Like some help chopping?"
"Yes," Will nodded. "I would."
Two days into the flight back to Piglantis, the Jupiter 2 trembled from side to side in the middle of the night. Will came out of his cabin being sent sideways crashing into Cae-lien sending them both falling to the floor and sliding as the ship tilted sideways. Darick grabbed onto their shirt collars lifting them up making his way to the elevator where he dropped them. The elevator lifted up taking a small armed group to the upper floor The elevator came to a stop on the upper deck. Will slid the bar aside then walked forward only to crash against the astrogator.
"Robot, what is going on?" Will asked.
"We are being attacked by space pirates!" The Robot announced.
"If we had a shuttle pod then we could take care of those space pirates very quickly," Harleen said.
"We have a space pod," Will gestured over his shoulder. "Over there."
"We will take care of those space pirates," Darick said.
"Worst people to be stuck in traffic with," Harleen agreed.
The volunteers turned in the direction of the doorway.
Darick was the first to move toward the doorway that had been gestured by Will.
The volunteers bolted in the same direction.
Darick slammed his side against the button.
The door to the space pod flew open.
Darick leaped forward then grabbed on to the handle sliding it open and made his way into the inside of the space pod with the others behind him. With the last volunteer inside, the door was closed. Buttons were pressed at random struggling to find which ejected the pod out. Darick grabbed on to the handle turning the pod in the direction of the space pirates. Will watched the white and orange space craft fly after the space pirates while his stomach fell. He steadied himself against the chair watching the space craft headed closer and closer to the easily larger space craft. The Robot flew the Jupiter 2 toward a moon that was flying without orbit. The space pod became a distant object that flew into the space pirates ship. A deep dread rested down into the man's stomach as he looked toward the Robot. The Robot twirled his head toward the only remaining Robinson and his head twirled back toward the view screen using the joystick to pilot the ship out of the way flying behind the pirate ship. The pirate ship fired in all directions in a desperate bid to paralyze the Jupiter 2 as if it were hidden from its sensors. Will watched the vessel slowly stop firing at the Jupiter and become inactive, adrift, as though it were under attack itself. The lights were flickering on and off until there was no light over the course of a hour. There was a loud radio sound from the receiver and it was at that moment that Will knew he had made the right decision.
"Pirate ship to Jupiter 2," Darick said. "Are you still there?"
"Still here,"' Will said. "Did you neutralize them?"
"Let's just say this ship won't be used by space pirates in the foreseeable future against space travelers," Darick said.
Will visibly flinched at the delivery of the reply. People were dead. Unnecessary bloodshed. Don and John would have easily left them alive.
"Any survivors?" Will asked.
"Not a thing," Darick said. "We found the food storage and were wondering if we could bring it over to the Jupiter 2."
Will lowered the device glancing toward the Robot.
"Can humans eat it?" Will asked.
"Uh huh," Darick said. "And we found more weapons that might be helpful in the rescue mission."
"Bring the supplies over and let it float," Will said. "Wait, how much deutronium does it have?"
"Uummm," Darick said. "It's about a quarter full."
"Get that, too," Will said.
"What are we?" Darick asked. "Gatherers?"
"We have enough fuel to last a year," Will said, there was alarmed beeps from the Robot. "and I do know for certain that you don't want to be stranded on a planet that doesn't have it."
"Fine," Darick said. "We'll get it."
"Thanks," Will said. "Jupiter 2 out." Will placed the radio onto the hook.
"We have fuel to last us three years, Will Robinson," the Robot said.
"We are going to need all the fuel that we can get if we are going to be using the cryostasis pods on the way to Alpha Centauri," Will said. "That is if we don't find wormholes."
"Logical," The Robot said.
"I hate to leave you piloting the ship alone for the entire trip after we get enough fuel to last us a thousand years but it looks like I have to," Will said, reluctantly.
"Do not feel bad," The Robot said. "What I shall be piloting is carrying the most precious cargo of all."
"What's that?" Will asked.
"My family," the Robot replied. "That is worth being alone."
Will placed a hand on the Robot's shoulder.
"I love you so much," Will said.
"As do I," The Robot said. "as do I."
The Jupiter 2's deutronium engines wailed as it landed down to the grass with the landing gear first in the middle of the night. Figures came forward out of the doorway then came down the ramp in a single file line heavily armored and protected holding on to their weapons. Will standing at the top wearing a backpack that had a curled, warm survival blanket poking halfway out. The Robot was up on the carefully lit bridge. Will followed the group that had paused in a line waiting for him to lead the way. He had the laser pistol belt wrapped around his waist where it rested sloopily beneath his belt that glistened in the moonlight. They moved in silence following along to the man in a line. Will retraced his path from earlier heading into the lab. The group spread out once they entered the cave taking on the shape of a 'c'. They walked slower ahead of Will then silently went on ahead. Will stopped in his tracks pressing his back against the wall, closing his eyes, lifting his head up, clenched his hands against the wall, and waited.
Will was struck by the moving image of the group looking around with their heavy, dark equipment aimed at random points of the room and split up on their own going down different passages of the lab. He listened to their screams one by one unable to do a thing about their fates. He straightened himself up then slipped the backpack off walking into the darkness ahead. He returned to the lab feeling sick to his stomach looking around making sure that no one was there. There was a silent figure laid on the ground, trembling, covered in dirt, whimpering muttering words incoherently. Will could hear Esperanto's pleased laughter echoing in the room. His nerves were on the edge to be busted as he looked up looking around for the man. He looked down toward the old man and set him up to his feet and wrapped him in the blanket. Smith's outfit looked like it hadn't been torn to shreds as he had been through his very being as fertilizer for Esperanto. His skin was coated in layers of dirt making him look like a black humanoid with roots poking from the dirt on his shoulders.
Will placed a hand on the man's back and guided him forward, "It's alright, Doctor Smith," in a soothing, comforting tone rubbing his hand in a circle on the old man's back.
Smith closed his eyes at the entrance, his knees gave out, and fell only to be caught by the young man.
Will picked the old man up into his arms and resumed the trek to the Jupiter 2 in a way speed walking.
The hangar bay entrance closed behind Will as he entered the Jupiter 2 making his way to the elevator. He put Smith down to his feet keeping him balanced with one hand and his empty backpack wrapped around his shoulders. He pressed on the side of the elevator and closed the railing in front of them. Will could feel the lift off the Jupiter 2 heading off into space. He grasped onto the railing and Smith tipped halfway out on the edge as the elevator began to go up. The young man flung himself over yanking the man off the rail moments before elevator met the wall above. The elevator came to a stop on the very empty residential deck. Will guided Smith over to his quarters and opened the door up to reveal the set up shower. Will seated Smith down to the chair then turned the water on to the shower. He turned his attention onto the distant, empty man across from him.
"Doctor Smith," Will called.
The old man looked toward Will.
"I set your clothes on the bed," Will said. "I will get your dirty clothes after you're done with the shower."
Smith nodded, closing his eyes, clenching onto the blanket.
"I will explain to you everything in the morning, I promise," Will said, then moved toward the door.
"William," Smith finally spoke as the door was halfway opened. Will turned toward the elder. "Thank you."
Will smiled.
"You're welcome," Will said, then went out closing the door behind him.
Will unwrapped the laser pistol belt from his figure discarding it onto the table and closed the backpack that he returned into storage. He moved the laser pistol back into the weapon rack, dropped the laser pistol belt into the container, and returned to his cabin making sure to close the door behind him. The unused journal, laid earlier before the departure, was covered in plastic wrapping with the pen placed on the top. Using his father's journal felt wrong in so many ways. It belonged to his mother and father, not to him. Seeing his father's words on paper had turned out painful when he had opened the journal to start his entry a week ago. He walked over toward the journal then sat down alongside it picking up the two items placing them down on to his lap. He used the pen first to make a hole in the wrapping and peeled the wrapping away dropping it into the makeshift trash can beside him. He set the frame aside then wrote on the bottom:
PROPERTY OF WILL ROBINSON.
NEW LEADER OF ROBINSONS EXPEDI-
There was no other Robinsons left.
"Right," Will said.
LEADER OF THE JUPITER'S VOYAGE TO ALPHA CENTAURI.
MEMBERS CONSIST OF:
B-9 (And navigation Robot)
William Robinson
Colonel - Doctor Zachary Smith.
He tapped on the paper then glanced up toward the door.
"I have one person that I haven't accounted for," Will said, then sighed lowering his head. "I completely forgot about that. I will check who they are when Doctor Smith is awake," but he had a feeling that he knew who was in the cryostasis pod. "Best way to start some common ground from there. . . " he flipped open the page and began to write. "Entry 1."