A/N Let me just admit. The chapter where Freddie gets taken is the chapter where everyone looked at me when I decided to keep them staying on the planet as a climb up to the events that I am trying to lead this story into and just glared at me. All of them.

The members of the Macaroughs who wanted to leave insisted, actually demanded, that they go after her instead of having the problem solved on the planet so that's where you get this epic long story and making up new characters and making up stuff as I go. Some portion of the ending has been written.

"What do we call the space motel?" Orion asked.

"It's not a motel," Gampu said.

"It's temporary lodging," Orion said.

"A motel is a multi building," Gampu argued. "that is a space RV."

Orion stared at the older man point blank.

"What is a space RV?" Orion asked.

Gampu and Orion stared at each other for a long moment before anyone said anything else.

"The long vans you see in historical pieces with a door step and long wide windows," Gampu said.

"A bus?" Orion said.

"The one movie in which Beethoven goes on a road trip." Gampu clarified.

"Ooooh!" Orion snapped his fingers. "So that's what they were!"

"It is settled then." Gampu said. "No name because it has one."

"Let's give it a name!" Orion insisted.

"No," Gampu declined.

"We have been flying to and from planets in the last six months and it oughtta have a name other then the lunar module," Orion pointed out.

"If you're going to name it then it has to be painted on the hull with space paint!" Gampu said. "It has to be a name you can look at and call it a day." His finger was pointed toward the resting craft. "Because it will be permanent."

"The ugly spacer," Orion said.

"What a demeaning name!" Gampu said.

"It's all I got," Orion said.

"That name isn't endearing, charming, or enough to be fond of," Gampu said.

"Do you have a better name?" Orion said.

Gampu turned toward the silent companion beside him.

"Peepo, any ideas?" Gampu asked.

Peepo's helm twirled.

"The uninspiring thing," Peepo replied, stunning Orion but pleasing the older man.

"Uninspiring, perfect!" Gampu clapped his hands together.

"But, Professor!" Orion announced. "That's awful for a name!"

"USS Uninspiring would go nicely below the windows," Gampu said. "And besides, we don't go about inspiring people."

Orion frowned then thought back but started to reply then raised his index finger as the older man started to turn away and walked off. He lowered his finger as something occurred to him looking back at the long journey that they had been on and the people that they had been fortunate to have met. Then a smile replaced the frown and a laugh came forth. Orion followed after the older man back to the ship to help him with the additional painting.

A large saucer craft that was heavily stylized flew through the mountains hurling toward the hills of greenery flying over the rows of drying brown stalks underneath a protective dome set above them. The main hub was a pitch black spacecraft that was massive in size compared to the home that was used on the other half of the planet. Brenda and Jaxon came out of the craft in their individual environmental spacesuits then ran in the direction that the craft had flown in. Jaxon had a long club in one hand that was coated in spikes and well aged from over use. Eliot was the first to come over to the hill then looked down toward the crashed ship that was burning through the windows.

Brenda skid down the hill then landed on the hull to the craft. Jaxon tossed down the club which was caught by the matriarch. She smacked the large window of the craft once, twice, thrice, and a forth time when the large window gave out. She chipped away at the glass as she was joined by her partner. She handed the club back into his hands then flung herself in landing on to the wall that acted as the floor beneath her feet. She lowered ducking out of the burning debris. She scanned the reddened room looking from side to side. A figure was set in the center of the room in a chair slumped over with a belt strapping them into the chair.

Brenda tapped on the device on her forearm then joined the unusual being's side.

Their face was briefly washed over by a blue film then replaced by both different hair and face even the physical features changed.

"What in the galaxy . . ." Brenda started.

She unstrapped the belt and caught the stranger sliding them into her arms. Brenda attached a strange device on to the stranger's face to provide oxygen. She walked down the ceiling then came to the floor paneling where her husband was waiting. She slid the man out through the window into the waiting arms of her partner then he turned away and went back up the same way that they had came.

"Are you coming, Brenda?" Jaxon called.

"One moment," Brenda said. "I have to check if there are passengers."

"Don't stay in there too long," Jaxon warned. "You might get perpetually frozen in there."

"I will be!" Brenda replied.

Brenda proceeded to navigate herself around the circular dome checking in the small rooms for other passengers then came back out the same way that she had entered the craft. The flames died down behind her replaced by icicles.

"We have been floating about in space for a year, Gampu," Orion said. "We should land somewhere."

"I fail to see a planet,"

"There is asteroids,"

"Plenty of them,"

"So why not land on them?"

"Orion, the only way they are inhabitable is if they orbit a sun,"

"That is not what the shows have,"

"Entertainment, my dear friend," Gampu shook his head. "And inaccurate."

"Well, we need to land somewhere,"

"Quite true," Gampu said. "The waste tanks for the two bathrooms need to be cleaned up."

"They do?"

"We haven't cleaned them out since we started this voyage,"

"One . . year. . worth. . . of. . . shit," Orion said. "The stench must be awful. If not lethal."

"Indeed," Gampu said, grimly. "If we can find people willing to help us then it would be preferable."

"Warning! Warning!" Peepo announced at random. "USS Uninspiring is being approached by a Presidential Delegation Type Class!"

"Presidential delegation class?"

"My advanced sensors indicate it has a federal government system in its network," Peepo clarified.

"I never thought that would be a reality of a Presidents from different worlds in one ship," Gampu noted as a look befell upon Orion's face. "Must be for a very important matter."

"Hello? Hello? Hello?" A voice came over the intercomn. "This is the Captain Ganto holding the Galactic Presidents Conference, we are suffering difficulties."

"This is Captain Orion Macarough," Orion said. "Please, describe your difficulties."

"We are suffering a problem in the engine cabin and passenger cabins," Ganto replied.

"Do you happen to have bacteria that can eat away bo-"

"Orion," Gampu shielded the comn with his hand and turned the receiver off then glared toward the younger man. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Getting help," Orion said.

The initial reply that Orion got was a weathered glare from Gampu.

"That just makes you sound selfish asking it forefront instead of approaching them, helping them, then asking for help," Gampu said. "I have been through that episode and it didn't end well back on Doctor Smith's Planet." he lowered his head then shook it, ashamed, disappointed in the past. "Many. . . Many. . . Many times."

"We are not on that planet," Orion said. "we are in space." Orion finished with exasperation in his voice.

"I am quite aware of that," Gampu said. "It still applies in somewhere you don't belong."

"So what?"

"To be human is to help first, ask questions later," Gampu said. "You have been in space for seven years searching for me. Why you have neglected to learn that is incomprehensible." Orion lowered his gaze at the chiding. "There is room to grow, my dear boy."

"We have to cooperate if we want to survive either way," Orion reminded lifting his head up facing the older man. "And the nearest planet is two weeks away. If we wait to ask then we will forget about it."

"Puh-lease, spare me the excuse," Gampu held his hand up. "You make yourself look more desperate than you really are."

"Desperate?" Orion asked. "And selfish? How does that go together?"

"You just turn off people and get a bad rap with that attitude," Gampu said.

"And the ship will stink to high heavens," Peepo said. "Pee yeew."

"When it comes to stench, there is no way one can not remember asking for help," Gampu argued. "I can remember a few times where my community did."

"You are certain that you can remember it," Orion eyed at him.

"Firmly sure," Gampu replied. "Because I will remember to ask for it."

"Peepo, how far are we from the ship?" Orion asked.

"Three hours and forty-three minutes," Peepo replied then Gampu took his hand off.

"On our way," Orion said. "Captain Macarough out." He glared toward the shorter man. "Happy?"

"Thrilled." Gampu said with a aged smile. "We have to hope it is big enough for this massive behemoth."

"It has to be big enough for this ship if it holds Presidents," Orion said. "All the shuttles and passenger ships that brought them here? Can you imagine?"

Gampu shuddered, wincing, at the image that his mind presented of terrible traffic getting out of the ship with all of them trying to leave at once.

"Yes, I can and I have," Gampu said. "I will take a well deserved nap."

Gampu returned to the second chair then adjusted himself in the seat then fell asleep asleep snoring with his hands in his lap. Peepo's helm twirled joining Orion's side. Peepo was silent as he looked on toward the ship that awaited ahead of him. Orion grabbed on to the joystick as he sat down into the first chair then piloted toward the distant specter that was arrested in space. Peepo scooted to the side window looking on toward the window of the craft. This time, in his processor, he was reliving a moment.

"Please, help us!" the desperate plea came over the radio.

Will hung up the receiver lowering his head.

"Sorry, we can't help," Will said to no one. "Not our problem."

Robot could detect the heartbreak and regret in the boy's voice.

"What are you looking at me for, Robot?" Will raised his head looking toward Robot. "A cosmic cat got your tapes?"

Robot was silent for the longest moment before he replied.

"I did not anticipate to feel this new feeling," Robot said.

"What is it?" Will asked, concerned, as he sat down into his chair.

"I don't know," Robot said. "But it is bothering my circuits and my nanobots. Including my processing."

Will looked aside thinking it over before his attention shifted back toward the Robot with certainty in his mind.

"I know," Will said. "Doctor Smith would have accepted and taken this ship after them. We can't do that. We can't let our eyes get off the ball." He looked up toward Robot. "Besides, we got enough fuel and we don't have enough to make this pit stop. The next stop that we got is just as far as they are!"

"You do not need to convince me, Will," Robot said. "You never need to. It is hard reconciling not helping people."

"Last few years is all we have been doing," Will noted. "The family has reconciled not being to help others. I am sure that I can. I can try. I can try." he looked toward the view screen of the ship then put his hands behind his head looking on amending his earlier comment. "I will try."

The Jupiter 2 passed by the presidential ship heading into the dark and unforeseen unknown.

The family ate at the table that was set in the center of the craft. Heavy footsteps trailed toward them then they turned their attention of their meals in the direction of the short humanoid with bright blue skin, antennas, and white hair that stood out. Their features changed in the next moment to that of a silver figure in a one piece uniform that was white standing out against the silver. Brenda watched the facial features remain unknown only a swirling mass that refused to settle.

"Hello," Brenda said. "Welcome to our home."

"Do you eat food, poor man?" Jaxon asked.

"My name is Calpatox," Calpatox said. "I am The Knowledge."

"Okay, but do you eat?" Jaxon asked.

"Eat?" Calpatox's unusual voice echoed back. "What is that process?"

"You chew, then it goes down your throat, into your stomach, it gets digested then sent down to the two intestines where it goes down to the butt and comes back out as either water or poop," Jaxon said. "I seem to recall it takes several hours to happen."

"Yep," Brenda said.

"Do you eat?" Eliot asked.

"No," Calpatox said. "I am a Turee."

"A tree," Jaxon said. "Okay. You are a really bizarre tree."

"Turee,"

"Tree,"

"Turee,"

"Tree,"

"Turee,"

"Tree,"

"Darling, stop that. It's apparent. He cannot be annoyed." Brenda said as Jaxon was having difficulty fighting back leaning forward on the table looking curiously toward the newcomer. "Children, if any of you like some extra bacon, it is all yours."

"Thank you, mama," the triplet of El's chimed.

"What planet are you from?"

"None,"

"If you are knowledge then you must know your own backstory," Jaxon said then took a sip from the glass. "Everyone knows."

"Except those who can't know, " Brenda said. "Memory blocks, traumatic injuries, neurological problems," she looked up. "You must be programmed not to know."

"Yes," Calpatox said. "This is your family unit."

"Yes," Brenda said. "Eliot, Ellen, and Ella."

"All of them are a Goldheart," Jaxon said as Calpatox watched the children take pieces of sausage, toasted bread, and bacon off the center of the table on to their plates.

"Hey!" Ellen exclaimed. "El took too much bacon!"

"You got too much, El," Eliot complained, folding his arms, glaring toward Ellen. "Not me."

"No, you did, El!" Ella glared toward Ellen.

"Goldheart," Calpatox said.

"That is their last name," Brenda said.

"Children, what have I told you?" Jaxon asked.

"Share the load," The children lowered their heads.

"Good," Jaxon nodded. "Now exchange it evenly."

"Interesting. . ." Calpatox said. "Is your family always this way?"

"Yes," the couple chimed together.

"Is this a building or a ship?" Calpatox asked.

"It's a ship, Mr Tox," Ella said. "We are spending summer vacation on the other side of the planet."

"Because the upper side is still full of snow," Ellen said.

"Too much snow," Eliot said. "It's really strange. A really strange orbit and the way the sun is positioned."

"And this side of the planet has no snow?" Calpatox asked.

"Lots of snow," Eliot said. "But it melts away quickly when the sun rises."

"Yeah, but the weather was too bad that civilization couldn't thrive on this part of the planet," Brenda said. "From the readings and translating that we have done with the aid of several people." She smiled, looking up from her plate, up toward Calpatox. "We can get another suit fashioned for you if you like. We are going to have picnic tomorrow."

"That is unnecessary," Calpatox said. "I have no need to remain warm nor cold. My body is at a controlled temperature."

"You mean to tell me that you got some power source inside of you?" Eliot asked, twirling his fork above the plate, cupping the side of his face with one hand that was leaning against the table.

"Yes," Calpatox replied. "Picnic. What is a picnic?"

"It's a picnic," The couple replied.

"That does not register," Calpatox said.

"Come on, it has to," Ella said. "It is where families go and eat outside in the open on a blanket with packed food and beverages."

"Explore and play," Eliot said. "The one time where we don't need to wear our suits."

"My ship is in need of repair," Calpatox said. "I am in need of help."

"What kind of repairs?" Eliot asked.

"I cannot be certain without some inspection,"

"We will inspect it when the sun returns," Jaxon said. "You can call me Mr Goldheart and my wife, Mrs Goldheart."

"We haven't even started calling each other endearingly by old man or old woman," Brenda said. "But we are going there."

"Those are not your designations?"

"Those are honorable designations," Ellen said. "Means you can main-main-main-main-maintain people."

"And calling each other old is a honorable one?"

"It's one we accept," Jaxon said.

"Means we have wisened up," Brenda said.

"It's a pride to be old," Jaxon said, proudly. "Means you have a lot to hand down."

"We are not old." then Brenda emphasized. "Yet."

"But we will be," Jaxon said.

"Interesting," Calpatox said. "Most are repulsed at getting old and being called old."

"Would you like to go with us and go snow fort building?" Ella asked.

"I can create a castle," Calpatox said. "Yes."

"Can we?" The children whined at once.

"You may," Brenda said. "On the condition that you keep your tracker on. At all times." she eyed at the visitor, warily. "I cannot accept my children around strangers without knowing where they are."

"I do not understand," Calpatox said with a tilt of their head.

"Some day, you will." Jaxon said. "Once you get a mortal companion. That is."

Gampu was shaken awake by Orion's hand then he leaned forward looking on toward the vastness of space. He spotted a spacecraft ahead of them that more or less was that of a massive craft with large rectangle windows peering into the inside of the craft faintly struggling to remain on. Gampu buckled himself in as did Orion. The entrance bay slid open and the tiny craft flew in to the craft. Peepo went into the supplies then took out a large crate full of medical supplies and held in his black repainted arms. As they flew over the row after row of craft, Orion turned his attention upon the older man.

"Ready to be a doctor for old times sake?"

The older man's attention shifted toward Orion then smiled in return.

"My dear boy, I have acquired a wealth of knowledge of many species from my time on Doctor Smith's Planet. So I am always on hand," Smith said. "Though, I could do with some hair dye." he patted on the side of his hair. "I must appear undignified to approach such high ranking people."

"We have a colorizer for that,"

"Colorizer-" Peepo dropped a rounded object on the older man's head. It was coated in small rounded holes covered by a film of glass that contrasted against the baby blue theme and its cooking tool. For all intents and purposes, it could have been used to hold a bowl of noodles. Smith felt the rounded, yet softened, flattened aspect of the device that covered most of his head in a odd way that it was more of a helmet.

"It works by audio," Peepo said then came toward the doorway.

"This is Colorizer system," a woman's voice came over. "Once you change the color of your hair, your hair follicles will no longer produce the excess amount of your usual hair color, any side effects is not on the fault of CosmicX, side effect may feature balding, excessive growth of hair, and permanent feature of the newly chosen hair color. Once you change your hair color, this cannot be undone." Orion was smirking as Smith listened intently to what the device had to say. "This program has gray hair that takes longer to appear. What color would you like to turn your hair to?"

It was at that moment did Smith realize the step that he was taking a step toward with hesitation. Off from the identity that bound him to a past that belonged to Earth. To a past that connected him to the person that he used to be. To the people that he was associated with. To the people that he liked, disliked, and treasured. His fingers crept along the edges of the device. One step de-attaching from his career and mistakes leading him to become the person that he was. Breaking free of it to a man born by a foreign planet. A entirely different man. A man born to be wiser than he had been before. Someone entirely possible because of the Robinsons. He lowered his hand down on to the arm rest after the moment of consideration.

"Brown," Smith said. "Please."

"Processing." was the reply.

A warm hum came over his head then in the next moment, his hair turned to brown. He slid the device off his head then held it behind his head. Robot returned the object back where he had gotten it. Orion looked toward the older man, catching how young he looked, how youthful that he appeared to be instead of someone in his sixties. He appeared to be in his forties instead of his sixties with that simple change. Orion smiled turning his attention off the older man then scanned the area below for a landing.

The Uninspiring proceeded to fly down to the central pad that was clear across from the hundreds of passenger ships. Below the craft appeared a group of people forming a central line. The duo unbuckled themselves as Peepo proceeded to open the doors for the duo then hovered his way down to the floor carrying the medical equipment in his arms in front of himself. The men looked down to the future standing side by side half nervous, half afraid, half excited.

"Immortality is not about living," Gampu said, abruptly. Orion turned his attention on to the older man. "It is about the people you become, meet, and how you enjoy life that matters."

Orion nodded.

"When did you learn that?" Orion asked.

"Life is a excellent teacher," Gampu said. "If you listen closely. You can hear her. Everything will be okay." He gestured toward the open doorway with a smile then linked his hands behind his back. "After you, Captain."

Orion was the first to descend down the ladder then hopped down and began to approach the group.

"Which one of you is Captain Ganto?" Orion asked.

"I am, sir," Ganto stepped forward. "Do you have a mechanic?"

"You have one standing in front of you," Orion said.

"Trained?" Ganto said.

"Self-taught," Orion said as the captain's face fell. "My friend over here," Gampu slid down behind him then began to approach. "Is a newcomer and has been self-taught on how to be a doctor. Is very experienced. Comes highly recommended in survival situations. When all the chips are down, he always comes through." Orion pointed over his shoulder. "Which one of you is the engineer?"

"I am, Captain Macarough," Verda stepped forward as Gampu restrained himself at seeing her alive. There were so many levels of his heart being warmed and broken even pulled to a certain degree seeing a familiar face still lurking around. She wasn't old but appeared the same way that he had last seen her so many years ago. It was almost a generation ago. "Verda Robinson."

"Let me check engineering and see if there is any help I can do," Orion said. "Take me there."

"I was not aware that Earth would allow a lunar lander to be freely flying in space after the last one was lost," Verda said, puzzled.

"No, they got it back," Orion said, leaving with her toward the other side of the ship. "Got any duck tape, string, candy for that matter?"

Gampu stepped forward easing away the stiffness.

"I am Isaac Gampu, Captain Ganto," Gampu said.

"Good to meet you," Ganto replied with a nod.

"This is my old friend, my assistant, my manu-droid, Peepo," Gampu shifted aside pointing toward his assistant.

"Hello," Peepo responded.

"What the extent of the injuries of the wounded, how many are burned, the casualties?" Gampu asked.

"No deaths as of far," Ganto said. "These are the volunteer nurses I could manage with." he held a hand out referring to the men and women in a long line across from him. "The staff of the presidents capable of withstanding stress and holding someones lives in their hands."

"We're their campaign managers who were here to update each other how the last elections went," Spoke up one of them that made the doctor raise his brows up then began to grin. "Not their staff."

"Recognize us as a support group!" Spoke up another.

"They shall do," Gampu said. "Take me to the wounded if you insist on not telling me the numbers."

"This way," Ganto said. "Sir."

Gampu went into the sea of darkness followed by Robot leaving behind the lone lunar module.

"Papa," Ella started.

Jaxon looked up from the large red and white blanket.

"Yes, princess?" Jaxon said.

"Are they nice people?" Ella asked.

"Who?" Jaxon asked.

"Space Uncles," Elle said. "Do they make for some good company on picnics?"

"Sure they are," Jaxon leaned against the frame of the tree then folded his arms looking upon the eight year old. "Professor Gampu makes for a good educator but you shouldn't cross him or betray him." He looked at her with a serious expression on his face. "Got it?"

"Got it, papa," Ella said.

"Good," Jaxon said, assured.

"Is he a black hole?" Ella asked.

And suddenly, just as he had decided on welcoming space terms being used around his children, Jaxon regretted the decision. It had been a little over a day since welcoming Calpatox into his home until the transport vehicle was repaired. He looked toward the scenery up ahead where he was watching his wife and changelings playing a game of hide seek with their current visitor. The visitor shape shifted among the thin tree making it appear larger and wider than it really was.

Eliot hid behind the same tree then climbed up to the top of the tall tree and perched himself on the top. Ellen fell into a deceased but hollowed out tree stump then covered the top using a piece of wood grasping on to the side. Brenda had her eyes covered standing on the edge of the cliff counting back to ten waiting for the children to remain hidden counting back from fifty. One of these days allowing the children to be taught these words were going to bite him back in a uncomfortable way.

"No, he is a supernova," Jaxon said.

"He inspi-inspir-inspired you?" Ella asked.

Jaxon smiled with a small nod.

"Every person that I have met in space has been inspiring,"

"How so?"

"They have their ways,"

"Okay, papa,"

"How about you go play with your siblings?"

"Help me down," Jaxon obediently did as requested then was Ella lowered to the ground. "Papa."

"What is it?" Jaxon asked, kneeling down to her level.

"When are we going back home?" Jaxon let out a small smile looking upon his child then cupped the side of her smaller face.

"In a little while,"

"I miss Captain Green Petal and the others. They are nice people."

"We will get to see them in a little while," Jaxon said. "I promise you that."

Ella ran off ahead of Jaxon joining the game of hide and seek.