"Officer Fravis," the judge started. "We are honored to have your presence at the court room through holo-skype and taking time out of your day to be here."
"It is my honor, your honor," Fravis said, bowing his head politely. "We have uncovered the ancient Keytoe empire and it is heavily being protected by the finest security officer's there are."
"That is a great feat finding them," the judge said.
"Not our find," Fravis corrected. "It was the find of the S'chn T'gai clan from Romulus."
"Sounds great," The judge said, then faced the two lawyers. "I expect the two of you to be polite."
The judge shook the gravel at the two.
"Yes, your honor," came the unanimous reply.
Catherine slid aside a padd to Wickles.
"What kind of questions are these?" Wickles whispered. "They are not going to help you."
"Good ones about his previous assignment," Catherine whispered. "I am not going to argue but I am going to argue about being forgetful."
Wickles frowned.
"Forget about what?" Wickles narrowed his eyes toward her. "They do not forget."
Catherine looked at Wickles.
"They didn't interview me or my children before going off to find the Jupiter 2," Catherine watched her lawyer's face change from anger to contemplative.
"I see what you are thinking," Wickles stroked their chin.
Catherine fluttered her eyelashes with a smile.
"All the reasonable doubt in the world," was added in a lower tone.
"Mr Wickles," the judge said, drawing Wickles and Catherine's attention toward the front. "We are waiting."
Wickles stood up then approached Fravis with a evil glint appearing on the edge of the glasses.
"Doctor Smith, did you get a protecto-spacesuit?" Fallip asked.
"You mean protective space suit?" Smith asked. "I used to have one but . . ." Smith looked off.
"No," Fallip said, shaking his hand drawing Smith back into the present. "Protecto."
"Is that a brand name?" Smith asked, raising a brow.
"Yep," Fallip said. "It's a more convenient name."
"Good heavens," Smith said. "Laziness." Earning a laugh from Fallip.
"Did you get your hands on one while on the run?" Fallip asked.
"No," Smith said. "I was on the run, Doctor Fallip."
"This goes on underneath your clothes," Fallip handed a silver folded spacesuit into Smith's hands. "You can change the color of it at any time," Smith looked up toward the large slightly humanoid creature lowered down to his level. "Humans are really fragile."
"Don't have to remind me," Smith said.
"This is for casual space travelers on the run," Fallip said.
"If I get asked where I got it from," Smith started, looking up from the space suit. "do I need to not tell the truth?"
"You can tell the truth," Fallip said, growing a sharp smile. "We can't be prosecuted for giving a gift."
Smith had a nod.
"I appreciate it," Smith said. "Excuse me, I have some clothes to change into."
Smith walked past Fallip heading toward the dark doors that opened before him leading into the small room. The door closed behind Smith. Fallip made his way down the narrow hall then the door opened before him. He came to a stop by the counter while from behind him that there was a neon sign on the window reading 'closed' in red while the 'open' text was dulled. There was a long glowing arrow that pointed away from the building across from the 'closed' text. Fallip took a candy cane from the cup then peeled off the wrapping and tossed it into the trash can. The trash can glowed a light blue from across Fallip.
"What a day," Grodon said.
"Wasn't it?" Fallip asked, looking toward Grodon.
"I haven't had to get rid of that much medical waste in a long time," Grodon said, joining Fallip's side.
"He is a good surgeon," Fallip said. "Didn't ask to take a break or just walk out to have one during surgery."
"20th century surgery is a lot different," Grodon said.
Fallip had a nod in agreement.
"I look forward to the new surgeon," Fallip said.
"Surely," Grodon said. "She must be resistant to super viruses."
"We will make sure she gets the ant-super vaccine if she doesn't," Fallip said.
"Cheers," Grodon took out a small glass and so did Fallip then they clunk together.
They took a sip from the shot glass then put it away. They put on their hats, scarves, and coats then walked out of the building. Grodon looked in then flipped the switch and followed Fallip out of the building. Fallip twirled a long cord with a glowing blue card in the dark. The doors revolved a few minutes later to reveal the five foot eleven standing figure rubbing their shoulders.
"If you mentioned it was cold outside, I would have came out properly equipped in this weather," His teeth was chattering against each other with a brr. "I will go back in for the coat-"
Fallip placed a large hand on the man's shoulder stopping him from completely turning away.
"Sorry," Fallip said. "But the door locks automatically after the last person leaves."
"So you thought it would be good not to tell me anything about this matter?" Smith asked, politely yet furiously.
The comment earned side glances from the two aliens in the dark toward each other. It was hard to tell how Smith looked in the pitch black in the more poorer sector of the city. The tone of his voice easily told that the doctor had a unhappy expression on his face with big furious eyes. Eventually, the two colleagues cracked up into laughter in front of the human scowling at them. Grodon stopped laughing while placing a hand on the taller doctor standing from beside.
"Press the crescent moon to the space suit," Grodon said. "It should be under your neck."
"Ah," there was the sound of melody coming from the man in the dark. "So warm and cozy."
"The perks of wearing a spacesuit," Grodon said. "Always better over clothes."
"Now those directions," Smith said.
"Go to your right," Fallip said. "Continue going down for five block then take a left turn at the neon angel, walk straight for five minutes, take a right turn, then a left, a right, another left, and right, continue walking that path for five blocks, then take a booth and request a lift to Dark Ship Bay's lift off point. This machine operates by audio. It will save you two hours of walking straight. There is a series of restaurants that most starship captains can be found lurking by. Go to the longest restaurant. You will find Captain Optenayo and his crew there."
"Thank you very much," Smith said. "I pray that we don't have to cross paths in the near future."
"We just might," Fallip said. "Don't count your luck on not seeing us again. This is a small universe, Doctor Smith."
"It is," Smith said. "Adieu." he gave a short wave then walked away.
"Goodbye!" The two watched him go off while they waved their hands. "And good luck!"
Catherine was still in the holding cell that had a new group of people except Pyle was still there in the same room as she was. The light turned dark and darker waning away until the bright lights from the city were the only lighting that stood out with their unique, eye popping color laid on the city streets bouncing their navy blue theme. There were people who were still standing in the wide, large holding cell.
"Mary had a proud little black goat that baaed and baaed to its little heart,"
Catherine up toward the window.
"A little goat with horns golden as the night sky,"
She stared up toward the cieling.
"Little goat, little goat, little goat. . ."
Her head was tipped upwards with watery eyes.
"Everywhere she went, everywhere she went, everywhere she went the goat followed her."
Dark Ship Bay had a line of restaurants that had unique designs ranging from the most recognized hog with a apron, a chicken with a hat, a standing bull, and a dorito wearing a decorative hat to name a few. The neon lights contrasted against the darkness standing out of the scenery with smoke drifting throughout the city limits. This was Dark Ship Bay's primary hang out area for ship captains and their crew after a long journey in space that featured eating computer system preserved space food. The buildings were mainly long, thin rectangles ranging in color. There was a crowd of aliens standing in front of one building with strong laughter vibrating off their chests.
"I brought the King and Queen of Tusekelon to the diplomatic Conference in the Tuskimony system in less than thirty-three cycles!"
"No, you are kidding!"
"Not at all! This ship of mine is so light, agile, and up to date it can clear through galaxies in less the expected time."
"I managed to take Earth's submarine and return several years back for a client!"
Everyone's attention shifted toward the tall squid within the aquatic spacesuit that clung on to their figure. Dead silence filled the air. A dreadful feeling settled into the squid watching the free hands begin to curl into fists, their faces easily scrunching up into unpleasant one, and anger seemed to radiate off their figures. The squid slowly stepped back from the crowd. The crowd began to curl around the squid. The squid darted away from the crowd running on their multiple legs fast as they could.
"Get him!"
The crowd bolted after the colorful squid.
"YOU'RE UNDER CIVILIAN ARREST!"
"YOU DON'T DO THAT TO HUMANS!"
"IT'S AGAINST THE INTERGALCTIC LAW!'
The creatures sped past Smith knocking him down, "Good heavens!" to his feet landing to his side.
Smith dusted himself off then turned in the direction of the running crowd with a grimace.
"You should watch where you are going, you speed racers!" Smith shook his fist after them. "This isn't a race track!"
Smith turned in the direction of the consume marketplace then walked right in to the pool of bright lights. He pressed on the crescent moon that made the helmet detract revealing his cold breath hanging in the air. Smith stopped in his tracks coming to a stop in front of the long line of buildings. It was hard to decide which one of them was the longest. His eyes scanned the glowing sparkling signs from either above or on the side of the buildings. The long building on the edge stood out in size from all the other restaurants. Slowly, Smith strolled toward the building. Smith had a pause at the door standing before it with a stare.
The last time that Smith used a door handle was closing the door behind him making his way toward the Jupiter 2 from behind the Robot. Leaving behind a old life that was full of comfort and predictability with a even darker road ahead. Smith grasped onto the handle then turned the knob sending it moving forward to encounter a wall of warmth. His eyes adapted to the color of the room finding it a familiar theme allowing his eyes to relax.
It was red and cozy with a few golden glowing lanterns in the dark corners of the dimly lit room and smoke floating above him. Smith pressed on the crescent moon with a cough then inhaled clean air. One of many heart strings were pulled seeing the illusion of the Academy Seeker staring back at him.
Smith pinched the bridge of his nose lowering his head then shook his head and raised it up.
The interior of the Seeker melted away replaced by the present soothing sight of the restaurant.
"Would you like to be seated, sir?" came a tall green waiter coming from behind a wooden object.
"No, sir," Smith shook his hand. "I am just here to find a ride."
"You can find that ride outside," the green waiter pointed toward the door. "You either take a seat or use the restroom then leave."
"I am not to make trouble," Smith insisted.
"We are in the grey area of business," The green waiter replied. "But this isn't a pick up bar."
Smith slowly nodded his head.
"If it were, it would be hard to tell," Smith said, then walked past him coming to a narrow hall between the tables. "Captain Optenayo!"
A strange man from the end of the building slowly turned in the direction of the doctor with a arm dangling down the side of the curved seat. From beside him were a row of unusual yet unique aliens staring in the direction of Smith. The group featured of familiar faces to species that he had crossed paths back in his long and well spent career as Isaac Gampu in the intergalactic federation of planets.
"I am he," Optenayo said, approached by Smith. "How can I help?"
"I need a ride to the Immunity System," Smith said. "I will make it worth your while."
Optenayo raised the eyebrowless ridge.
"How so?" Optenayo asked.
"I am pretty sure anyone allowing Rear Admiral Gampu would have a story or two to tell," Smith said.
"And I am Julius Ceaser!" Optenayo said, roaring into laughter with his crew.
Smith's eyes grew big then turned away and walked down the hall shaking his head in disappointment.
"Hey!" Optenayo called. "Come back!" Optenayo smacked his fist on to the table.
Smith turned toward them with a dark look on his face holding a hand up then slowly lowered it.
"Why would I accept a ride from someone who mocks me?" Smith asked, linking his hands behind his back sending a glare toward the captain making all the sound in the restaurant become mute.
Smith turned away then made his way toward the exit unlinking his hands from behind his back. He grasped onto the knob then turned it and walked out with the belly ringing from behind him. The door closed behind Smith. Smith tapped on the crescent moon making the helmet come back up in a sour mood. A few steps down the stairs with his mind elsewhere, Smith collided into a humanoid knocking them down to the ground. Smith staggered back falling to the stairs then got up moving his back against the door with a thud then looked on apologetically toward the multiple limb humanoid rubbing its forehead.
"I'm so sorry, sir," Smith came down the steps then knelt down and reached his hand out. "I didn't mean to do that."
There was something familiar about the creature's eyes.
Smith's hand hooked onto the creature's large phalanges then his other hand joined on to the large hand.
The creature staggered up to their feet with help from the small human.
"We all have moments like these," the creature shook their hand.
"I am happy that this accident wasn't harmful to you," Smith said. "Have a good day."
"Hold on a moment," the creature held up a large hand. "Have we met before?"
"No," Smith said. "You must be confusing me with someone you know."
"I must be," The creature said, narrowing purple contacts toward him. "But I doubt it."
Smith got off the stairs then let the purple eyed creature walk on past him into the wide doorway. He walked into the dark toward a large building with several pillars that had curved ridges into them supporting the balcony. Smith pressed on the crescent moon then was sent through a barrier of cold air. The door automatically opened before Smith revealing a large hangar bay that was roofless holding spacecrafts ranging in size. His mouth slowly fell at the sheer number of spaceships with stairs that lead down to wide catwalks that accommodated for all sizes. There was figures running down the stairs coming from a cigar shaped ship that was in four sets all connected to each other reminding Smith of a zeppelin because of their size and appearance. A short figure jumped down the edge of the curved catwalk fleeing in the direction of the doors.
"Stop him!"
Smith grabbed on a lamp's pole then stood beside the doorway.
"Stop him!"
In the next moment, the lamp was swung and struck the torso of the fleeing criminal.
Smith placed his boot onto the fleeing person pinning them down to the floor while groaning.
A tall man came to a stop in front of the pinned individual, panting, with several other aliens coming to a stop behind him.
"Space gods!" Smith noticed the man was in a familiar uniform and a familiar hat. "You got him!"
Ah, a intergalactic old fashioned police officer.
"I did," Smith said.
"Officer Bryant," Bryant said. "You can take your foot off the criminal's back."
Smith took his boot off then was joined by two officers who restrained the criminal and put tight plastic bands around the hands.
"Hmph hmph," Smith faked a cough as they were walking back toward the stairs then slowly turned in his direction. "I believe you owe me a favor."
Bryant's face lost all color.
"Ah shut up," Bryant said.
"Shut up, Zach!" Don shouted back. "Save your breath for something more worth complaining!"
"We are almost there," John announced.
"Grandpa," the youngest turned away from Smith's direction. "Mom is not breathing!"
John turned his head away from the road then his eyes landed on Judy from beside Penny who was shaking her shoulder trying to bring her awake. Judy's normally, lively beautiful blue eyes were red but empty staring in the direction of Don's seat. Smith's eyes turned in the direction of John. There was emotional pain and physical pain at once co-existing together on the professor's face. John's attention shifted toward Maureen. Don turned his head in the direction that John had been looking in then faced the professor.
"It's going to be alright, honey," Maureen said, tightly holding the boy's hand.
Smith looked toward the younger man with tears in his eyes making his vision starting to be appear difficult to see Will only as a mass of blurry colors.
"It's going to be alright, Doctor Smith," Will reassured Smith, applying pressure against the wound with his hands covered in his blood.
They were all going to die in the Chariot.
"Are you alright?" Bryant's voice brought him back into the present.
"I do something for you, you do something for me," Smith was tapping his fingers together in his lap. "That is how it works around here," Smith shook his head. "And I most certainly will not shut up any time soon."
Bryant had a nod.
"This is the shady city after all," Bryant said, placing his hands on to his hips. "What do you need?"
"I need a ride to the Immunity System," Smith said.
Bryant turned in the direction of the spaceship then back toward Smith.
"I can spare one," Bryant said.
"And officer," Smith said. "Why are you in a historical piece?"
"Oh, this?" Bryant said, gesturing toward his uniform. "I like the aesthetic."
"The aesthetic?" Smith tilted his head with his eyes slowly growing big.
"Simple, non-expensive, and replaceable at a low cost," Bryant walked on. "Makes me feel like I am among the great officers. But a private one at best."
"But you have a clothes replicator," Smith jogged after the Bajoran.
"On the ship," Bryant looked toward Smith "Yes."
"Yet," Smith raised a brow. "you use them."
Bryant shook his head.
"The aesthetic means cleaning clothes old fashioned style with liquid," Bryant said. "And letting it spin in the square object over and over," he spun his finger in a circle. "And even dry in the same machine."
Smith's brows raised at once.
"You mean to tell me that you prefer the way we did it back in the day rather than a quick, efficient clean of the uniform?"
"Why yes I-" Bryant stopped but stared at the man as they went up the stairs. "Did you just say we."
"Uh huh," Smith had a small nod then took his hand off his other hand then held it out. "Doctor Smith."
Bryant's jaw slightly fell as he took the man's hand.
"The platinum ring," Bryant shook Smith's hand slowly speaking. "My gods."
Smith let go of Bryant's hand.
"Dreadful thing,"
"You know that ring is held in the most secure place of all right now,"
"Where it should be,"
"How. . . you. . my. . . how?"
"I was cloned,"
"Cloned by who?"
"You should know by now,"
"No, I don't,"
"It wasn't by Fravis but by the captain,"
"Lewis?" Bryant stopped in his tracks.
"Then he had the nerve to make me watch Major West die before my eyes after drinking from a glass and fall asleep. Only after his first officer used him to interrogate me," Smith walked on ahead of him. "The last thing that my friend said was my last name," Byrant caught up ahead with his hands grazing on the rails. "It was kind of him. I get to remember my friend confused not desperate and scared trying to keep me calm while dying from a shoot out."
Bryant got in Smith's way grabbing him by the shoulder.
"He did that?"
Smith had a pause before replying with clasped hands.
"Yes," Smith said.
"And you're on the run, are you?" Bryant asked.
"I am," Smith had a short nod.
Bryant took off his helmet then hit the rail.
"Space barnacles!" Smith grew slightly alarmed watching the man look over the edge with one hand grasping onto the rail and the other hand clinging onto the helmet leaned against it with a lowered head. "Shame that it's legal to do that."
"I want to go home," Smith said. "Is that legal?"
Bryant turned toward Smith.
"You mean Earth," earning a head shake from Smith.
Smith looked down then his eyes turned up toward Bryant.
"No," Smith said. "I want to go home," Bryant was silent. "The only home that I have left is my dear friend the Robot." Smith walked on past Bryant. "Legally, the courts know him as Robot Robinson."
Bryant caught up with Smith then grabbed him by the shoulder and got in his way.
"You listen here, Doctor Smith," Bryant said. "I am going to make sure you get there," he shook his finger. "And get you back to your friend." He stared back at the man. "So you can do what you can for him."
"He will need a good oil bath," Smith said. "If he has been left in the suns for several weeks."
"That's a lot of oil," Bryant said, stepping aside letting go of Smith's shoulder. "Follow me."
Smith walked after Bryant.
"And also," Bryant shifted toward Smith making him stop in his tracks. "Helping you go home is legal on this planet."
Bryantt turned away then walked ahead then the scene panned back to reveal the rows of ships with the lights still on reflecting against the spaceships that ranged in size. Some of them were ringed crafts, saucers, peanuts, horseshoe, diamonds, boomerangs, triangles, cigars, and cones among spaceships that couldn't be pinpointed in definite shapes. Their figures became small and smaller to the camera disappearing under the dark while the view backed out of the building.