"Can't do the plan today," Rax reported.
"Why?" Martay said.
"He is getting better," Rax said, grimly.
"What a waste of our planning," Martay said.
"It does throw a pickle," Rax said.
"Unless we give him another illness. Forces him to come to us." Martay glared toward the door that hid the resting man. "A perfect frame up and he would have nothing to back him up."
"Not even the family." Rax agreed. "The illness is working very well with the child. Too well."
Martay rolled a eye then opened Will's stateroom revealing him fast asleep with a resting Robot by his bedside then closed it upon Rax's satisfaction.
"We have to alter our memories, slightly, to make sure this goes according to plan."
"What are you thinking of giving?" Rax asked.
Martay slipped out a vial from his fur.
"Something that will turn a simple sneeze into something that requires our help and coming to us," Martay grinned. "Give him this injection. It will work like a charm."
"Changing from the flu to that," Rax said. "Only . . . Is it worth making our conspirator through that pain?"
"It is." Martay said. "If we have any chance of getting out of this with our freedom. Go in." He handed the vial and the needle to Rax. "Do it."
Rax nodded then quietly entered the Smith's stateroom. He slipped it against the man's neck then slid it into the skin and put the top down until the contents had emptied into the recovering vessel. Smith groaned as the needle was withdrawn then hidden within a pocket of fur. Rax backed away watching Smith shift on to his side. He walked away silently and closed the door behind him.
"It should start working in a couple hours." Martay said. "The only thing that we need to do is . . ."
"Waiting." Rax finished.
Martay nodded then they left the stateroom and departed the Jupiter 2 leaving it in silence.
It was only forty-three minutes later did Smith's door open then Smith began to trudge out holding on to a collection of his Jupiter 2 civilian wear.
"Smith, you're looking well!" Don said.
"That, I am, major." Smith leaned against the doorway then tilted his head then regarded the two men. "What is it you need?"
"You are over due to do your mining." John said. "We have one more piece of the hull to replace and then we are gone."
Smith glanced from Major to Professor who's glares were on him.
"There is very little to argue against that." Smith said.
"Very little, Smith." John said.
Smith sighed, leaning against the wall, then looked up toward them.
"I will be ready after breakfast." Smith said.
Smith sped for the bathroom.
"That went better how it used to go." Don said watching the door close behind Smith.
"A part of me wishes he had argued," John admitted. "Strange. I used to dislike arguing with him. And now. . ."
"There isn't counter arguments he could have against you," Don said.
"There were." John said, troubled but gravely concerned. "He just didn't use them."
"If West and he hated each others guts as he claims," Don said. "I can only imagine the first time he argued was a lot worse than how it happened here." And it visibly bothered the grimacing major.
"Men, we have the coffee ready!" Maureen called.
"Thank God!" Don said then made a bolt for it.
"Caffeine addict." John shook his head with a laugh.
Smith exited the bathroom carrying his folded clothes in his hands. He tossed it into the laundry hamper then went over to the door that was set ajar and looked on toward the young Judy tending to her brother's facial features with a cloth absorbing in at least some of the sweat.
"How is the patient, my dear Judy?"
"His fever hasn't broken yet." Judy replied then smiled as she turned her attention upon him but had the tinge of worry. "But it will in time."
"Hm," Smith looked upon the resting child. "Who took him out?"
"All Will told mom was that it was Rax." Judy said.
Smith looked toward the young woman visibly paling then it vanished in a matter of seconds.
"Is Rax. . . still. .. up there with his friend?" Smith asked.
"They left this morning before everyone awoke," Judy said.
"I will speak to him. Later. Quite later," Smith grabbed a handful of napkins from the box held out by the young woman then sneezed into them. "Allergies!"
Judy grew one of her radiant smiles back at him as he sneezed into each of the napkins then began to laugh.
"Here," She handed him one. "You are really having it rough." she tilted her head slightly then lifted a brow up. "Sure you are getting better?"
Smith sneezed for the last time.
"Absolutely!" Smith assured with a wave of his hand while blowing his nose into the offered napkin. "Side effects of getting better."
"Usually when someone is getting better, they don't sneeze that much, Doctor Smith," Judy said as he approached her side.
He reached a hand out then gently grasped the side of her arm.
"I appreciate your concern but keep them to William in this trying time." He took his hand back then looked off toward the boy. "He needs the worry and attention the most." He looked down toward the plate of breakfast that was set close to her then back toward Judy. "I will see you sometime after the mining, my dear."
"See you later." Judy said then watched Smith smile briefly and leave the stateroom.
The drive was started early for the mine. Smith snoozed in the back catching up on some rest while the professor drove the vehicle up with Don beside him. The Chariot was full with buckets that ranged in size and width. The buckets bright scheme stood out against the sky that was gradually getting brighter as time went on for the men. The drive was long but worth the trek as the men arrived to the station.
John parked the vehicle close to the bundle of trees then the group unbuckled. Don and John were the first to exit then Smith was the last carrying four buckets. Smith rolled his sleeves down and zipped them up. He picked up the buckets by the handle and looked on toward the dark tunnel that loomed ahead of them.
He began to sneeze then dropped the buckets at once. Smith unzipped his pocket and jabbed out a collection of tissue then sneezed into one. With the act done, he shoved it back in, then zipped the pocket up. He sighed, relieved, feeling better. Smith followed the men toward the mouth of the tunnel.
John flung a switch and the orange glowing lanterns lit up against the rounded curvature of the tunnel.
"Very festive in here, Professor." Smith said. "You could hold a spooky party and be in the mood of it."
"We did that once and it wasn't pretty," John said.
"Let me guess, one of you was possessed and it ruined the party," Smith replied.
"It was Judy." Don said. "One moment, it was her and I dancing to the space music we got back at one of the stations-"
"Then the next moment it was a stranger." Smith finished.
"Yeah," Don said. "That is how it went."
"How very cruel," Smith said. "Professor, Major, how about you go ahead and I lag behind you?"
"You are not about to wiggle out of this!" Don squinted at the older man.
"I have no intention in flopping my way out of this necessary task," Smith said. "Who knows? There might be cybernetic bats that live here in tunnels, naturally, even ones made by man. Best to send the muscle in first."
"Smith, there are no bats calling this tunnel home." John said then walked on ahead of him.
Don rolled his eyes then shook it off and walked into the tunnel with Smith lagging behind him holding on to the pickaxes. When they were further and deep enough into the cavern, John gave the sign so Smith carefully put down the buckets. He returned to the chariot with four more holding on to the handles with his long and odd unusual fingers. They chose their own individual sections of the wall then chipped away the wall.
Bright blue blocks tumbled out of the wall that gave Smith some pause and looked down at the item kneeling down holding it on one hand. Azurite, Smith identified then tossed it into the barrel. He chipped at the wall until he achieved his quota. Smith was the first to exit the cavern and dump his contents into the dumpster barrel by barrel. The chunking of azurite ore was music to his ears.
Smith slipped out the basket of lunch from the Chariot. He slipped out the bottles and sturdy cups out of the side compartment within the chariot then surveyed the contents of the lunch. He grinned, fit for hardworking men. He closed the lid to the basket then returned into the tunnel approaching the men.
"Lunch is ready!"
Don paused lowering his pick axe to the ground then looked over toward the older man.
"Smith, it has been two hours!" Don said. "Not even close to the scheduled lunch break."
"It has been hours since we have last eaten!" Smith said. "And you need a drink to replenish yourself."
"Oh, like I need to replenish myself." Don said with a roll of his eyes.
"Actually," John said. "I could do with some water myself." John wiped off the bead of sweat from his forehead.
The ground trembled beneath his feet and the men were sent stumbling back falling to the floor. Smith dropped the basket then grasped the wall. He looked on spotting rock falling down from the ceiling. Smith shrieked then made a run for the exit of the tunnel as the men started to react. John was the first to gasp then drop his pick axe then began to start fleeing.
"Run!" John was the first to get up and start to run.
Abruptly, a rock crashed upon John's head knocking him down.
"John!" Don's cry came from behind Smith. "Come on."
The major fell by the professor's side from the onslaught of rocks.
"Smith, come back here and help me!"
In a matter of seconds, Smith considered what to do coming to a loud halt using the side of the tunnel as his support. And how he could do it. He looked at himself then inside the cavern. Smith unzipped his sleeves then rolled them up. He turned back into the cave takin a deep breath then exhale with determination in his eyes. Determination once summoned on numerous times during the war. With speed and precision, he bolted toward them as the rocks gained steam. He lunged forward. Don yelped as the colonel speed walked his way after the active part of the tunnel with stillness and certainty in his movements. Don saw the man moving quickly among the terrain acting unafraid looking down upon the older man getting closer and closer without a ounce of emotion.
Then Don lost conscious when a rock crashed on his head. Quickly, Smith flung off the wall of rock. Smith used himself as a human shield over the fallen professor while his left arms were over the fallen major shielding his head and back and allowed his other arms to perform the same task over the professor. Risky! They may die anyway! But, it had to be done. The effort, the thought, the attempt was all that really mattered. His widened bust acted as as a shield over the professor and the major lowering himself even down further toward their figures. Smith's enlarged shoulders shielded the professor's back and some of the major's figure. The ceiling fell overhead then the colonel squeezed his eyes shut. The ceiling collapsed above his head. The rocks covered the area up to five feet leaving behind a notable sun roof above them.
The rumbling stopped. The rocks stirred then fell leaving a opening into the large pile with several sinister, long, thin hands sliding the rock down. Smith coughed then shook his head. Smith lifted himself up off their figures then shook off the sand and the rock off his figure. He noticed that the professor and the major had significant wounds on their heads but one that could be walked away from. A fine layer of dirt coated their colorful uniforms that lacked the black band on their sleeves. He felt the side of each neck. Lup-dub lub-dup lup-dup. Life had prevailed. He sighed in relief. Smith stopped at the notice of the band but when upon looking over toward the professor, the third band was still black. Much unlike the major who had two arm bands. Much to his annoyance, he hadn't gotten quite to the professor.
Soon, Smith assured himself, he will talk to me.
Smith's arms retreated then he rolled the torn sleeves down and zipped them back up to the best that he could with a tremble. He wringed his hands scouting from man to man considering how to best lift them then he relaxed himself as he closed his eyes, reminding himself. I am stronger and lighter than them. He tapped on his chin considering how to best lift them into the Chariot then looked back down toward them. He started with the major first, lifting him up to his feet, then putting his arm on his shoulder and lifting him to the Chariot. He put him down alongside the wheel then returned inside the tunnel and repeated the same act.
Smith paused in his tracks, looking on, sensing the camp of Martay and Rax was close by. It is not worth it, Zachary. He reminded himself. As much as he liked to approach the duo regarding their foolish plan, he had hope things were not going to turn out the way they wanted. Things were better in this place. Better than where he had came from. If it happened, it would not be for long or be has overbearing as it would be in his world facing the consequences of their actions.
He placed the professor against the tread then returned, smacking the buckets until the dents were out of them, then refilled them, and set them at the entrance of the cavern's tunnel. He picked up the discarded basket, set it on the counter beside the co-passenger seat, including the intact jug of water. With that, Smith opened the door to the Chariot. But had a moment of pause, considering how to best lift them each inside.
Don slowly regained consciousness then started to reach his hand toward his aching head.
"Careful," Smith warned. "It is very touchy there."
"What happened?" Don asked glancing toward the hunched forward Colonel looking from side to side.
"Earthquake of some sort for all I can assume," Smith said. "Rocks were falling is the best I can remember. Frightening ordeal. A terrible fright."
"It came from above," Don said then looked toward the colonel. "Smith, that was a mine collapse!"
Smith nodded, curtly.
"It could be." Smith said. "I won't deny it."
"How did we survive that?" Don asked. "We couldn't have survived that."
Don looked toward the unconscious professor plopped in the back then back toward the older man.
"Yet, you did." Smith said. "A miracle."
"So, you're unharmed?" Don asked.
"Not completely," Then, Smith sneezed. "The conditions in the mine weren't ideal for my ailment recovery." He coughed. "Just my ego!"'
Don snickered then his eyes began to close.
"Sounds to me that you're still sick." Don said.
Smith looked toward the major then lifted a brow up.
"Whatever makes you think that?" Smith asked.
Don's eyebrow twitched for a moment staring at Smith then replied.
"You don't sound too well."
Smith returned his attention toward the route ahead of him as he leaned forward looking from side to side hunched over.
"Only allergies, my dear Major." Smith replied, closing the side window with a thud. "I have ugly allergies."
"Allergies," Don said, skeptically. "Allergies."
He was trembling like a leaf searching for the potential signs of danger as the major began to close his eyes leaning in the back seat of the co-passenger seat with his eyes fixated on the sky. Don fell quietly asleep only to be jerked awake by the sound of Smith's loud hacking then looked spotting the window completely covered in mucus.
"I will get that." Smith said, apologetically.
"Smith. .." Don started as the man sprayed the window shield with a bottle of water then picked up a cloth and cleaned it up. "How long have I been out?"
"Three hours." Smith seated himself down then buckled up and coughed into his hand.
"Let me drive." Don said.
"Erh." Smith sounded worse. Smith hacked into his hand then leaned against the chair. "No."
"If you don't then I am going to kick your face so hard that you will fly out the window and that seat belt won't help!"
Smith hopped behind the seat, unbuckling, quickly in the speed of light that for a sheer moment; Don was concerned. The speed told him that there was no reluctance, no issue, just the belief in what the major had said. It only bothered him that he was going so fast. The older version of him would have gone slow with some trouble getting out of the seat further more displaying his incompetence in driving the Chariot.
"Take it, Major!" And Smith hacked harder trying to clear his throat. "She is all yours!"
"And go to sleep!" Don said.
"Why in the heavens would I want to sleep when the driver with a concussion may lose consciousness?" Smith said then sat down across from the professor and buckled up.
"Because you're sick," Don said.
"I am not-" Smith sneezed. "Oh dear! Oh no! Oh sweet heavens!" and his voice became a familiar whine that made Don turn toward him. "I am sick!"
"Yes, you are." Don agreed.
Don chuckled then turned his attention on the route ahead.
"I will take a nap as you have so requested, Major." Smith relented. "A short one."
"No," Don said over Smith's hacking. "A long one! And you will be a lot better when we get back to the Jupiter 2!"
Smith buckled up then leaned back into the chair.
"Oh. . . The pain. The pain." And Smith fell into a series of snoring.
"Martay, we need some more medicine,"
"It is not working for the child?"
"It is working but Doctor Smith has Bronchitis."
"Wish I could help you there," Martay said. "I don't have it. I am sure it won't last long."
"It could last a lot longer," Maureen said. "Doctor Smith isn't quite a young man."
"Old man by the inside?" Martay asked.
"He is that way," Maureen said. "The fountain of youth is different on him."
"That must be what your pilot warned me about," Martay said.
"And it could get ugly for him," Maureen said. "I am sure it won't."
"But there is a chance that he will not."
"A very small chance," Maureen replied. "He will make do with what we have."
"I am sure he will," Martay said. "I will see what I can do."
"You are of great help with Will," Maureen said. "It is the thought that counts. . . I like to thank you for spending some time with our doctor yesterday."
"He is a very good listener but a annoying talker," Martay said. "I had to punch him so he could fall asleep."
"Got on your nerves that easily?" Maureen raised a brow.
"I am not the person you should ask to be around him. . ." Martay said. "Although, he and I shared a great discussion that was beneficiary to the both of us."
"He is good at idle chatter," Maureen said. "I can't be sure he will be good at idle chatter tonight."
"Not sure he is on the mend, Mrs Robinson?" Martay asked, concerned.
"I can't be exactly sure since one moment he is fine and the next that he is not," Maureen said. "Survived a collapse of the mine just hours ago."
"Good, good . . . I mean, how awful," Martay said. "I am not exactly the kind who enjoys people getting better. I like hearing about people suffer." He walked into his craft then returned with a medical kit then slid out a needle and a small box of medication. "But to those who don't like it; here is a way to end it. He will be lucid by tomorrow night."
"Thank you," Maureen said. "I will tell him. And maybe then, you can patch up your differences then."
"Hopefully." Martay said then watched as the Earth woman return to the Chariot joining her waiting partner.
Will listened to their petty bickering during the trip searching for the shuttle bay. Their bickering was ceased by the interruptions of the space spiders that leaped out at them with their small mouths ready for a eager bite only to be destroyed in mid-air. Smith shrouded Will's eyes once one of the spiders legs were sewn off and the spiders began to feast on their injured over the child's complaints. Smith finally let go of the boy's eyes once they reached a remarkably uninfested part of the ship.
"Hello, Smith," Tsew came out of the red hue of the klaxons.
Smith jumped behind Robot using him as the shield then.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" Smith asked.
"Why don't you talk to them, bug to bug?" Tsew held up a detached leg to one of the space spiders. He threw it into the center of the floor. Smith's eyes widened in recognition while lifting his attention up toward the man. It was West, the dark version, the butchered version, the antagonist version. "Terrorist."
"Monsters are rarely so easily dissuaded," Then Smith added, cowering behind Robot, terrified. "Especially after they are designed to kill." he ducked. "Course!"
"Who are you?" Will asked.
"Someone he used to know," West said. "You remember me. You killed Captain Daniels. Remember? You told me."
"Lies! Slander! I wouldn't do that," Smith protested coming to Robot's side, his hands in fists. "A smear!"
"A smear? How is it that you sabotaged the Jupiter 2 AND I VIVIDLY RECALL THE PROOF!"
"Fabrication!" Smith protested.
"You had the burns! You had the comn! You had the tell tale signs of working for Global Sedition! And it isn't a fabrication when I have evidence behind me."
West lowered the weapon as he drew closer to the man at each word then abruptly dropped his weapon making Smith take several steps back from Will and Robot so that he hit his back against the wall. West took out a dagger and stabbed into the man's waist -abruptly- then another stab wound, twisted, turned, and shoved it forward over Smith's startled gasp.
"I have been wondering what it was like for John to watch the alien spiders eat their parent," West recalled. "I don't have to wonder anymore." He tilted his head then a bittersweet smile grew on his face. "Now do I?"
Smith collapsed as West withdrew himself and dropped the blade then picked up his weapon as the spiders began to be drawn toward Smith's body. West took several steps back watching as the spiders surrounded the fallen man who's disguise faltered revealing his true nature. Will was taken back at first at the physical change in his friend's appearance; spider like, armored, yet somewhat human in respects. West fired at the newborn spiders that crawled toward him to the point that they were dissuaded and went after the main course of meal.
Will kicked away the spiders from his friend that came near then held a hand out - regardless of the change - for the fallen man. Smith looked up with a groan to see Will offering his hand. Smith took the child's smaller hand then proceeded to get up. Will's eyes froze, stunned, at seeing the creatures climbing up Smith's leg with ease. Smith was up to his feet cupping his wounds arching over and used the neighboring wall as his balance by his second arm with his primary hand set on Will's shoulder. He stepped back, lowering his head, wincing as Will's eyes were focused on the spiders.
What was left of Smith's uniform was being torn away by the sharp teeth belonging to the hybrids. That was the only horror shook Will out of the shock and stun from the rapid change that his friend had gone undergone was the small spiders eating his skin and the wound beneath the torn clothing. Smith's eyes opened and closed, struggling to remain open, puzzled at first. Smith's eyes shifted from Will on to his finger then toward the creatures that were biting into his skin with a alarmed yelp. Smith attempted to claw off the crawling small space spiders to no avail with a grimace that turned into fright and horror.
"HELP ME! WILLIAM, HEELP! HEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPP!"
Smith shrieked as Robot's alarm was drawn then yanked the boy away from the older man then whirred toward the aged dark West.
"Doctor Smith!" Will cried as West restrained him from going after him.
"William, what?" West said. "Are you shitting me? Stay away from him."
"Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" Will cried. "Let me help him!"
"Kiddo, look." West said. "That is a monster! It stopped being a human a LONG time ago."
Robot cackled out a wave of electricity upon the struggling figure.
"THAT MONSTER IS MY FRIEND!" Will screamed then bit into West's hand and was rewarded with freedom and ran after the scene.
Smith was running away from him with Robot on his tail.
"Doctor Smith!" Will cried. "Robot! Wait! WAIT! WAIT!" Will heard the familiar shriek that belonged to the grayed Smith echo through the corridor. "nO-No-no-no-no."
But it was the shriek of death as Will traveled through the endless corridor that had no ending in a maze like manner.
"I'm coming, Doctor Smith!" Will called. "I am coming!"
And there was silence as he sprinted for the source.
"no-no-no-no-no-no-"
"No."
Will's eyes flipped open laid on his side with a messy bed head. He saw his mother by his bedside put a hand on his shoulder. The young boy relaxed looking up toward Maureen. Her presence was comforting. The fear and the nightmare began to retread into the dark as where it had came from being overshot by the bright thought that everything was okay.
"Mom, am I going to be okay?"
"You will be better than okay," Maureen withdrew her hand from her son. "You will be fine in a few days with the additional medicine that Martay gave us."
"And Doctor Smith?" Will asked.
Maureen cleaned off the sweat from his forehead.
"He has bronchitis," Maureen said. "Low grade, not contagious. . . but still sleeping as of this moment. He will have recovered before you."
"I. . . I. . . I thought he was already better?" Will said. "I heard him and Robot earlier."
"His recovery is long and difficult," Maureen said with a light hearted laugh. "But the steps of reaching that point are awfully slow for him. He has his moments. And he is going through them with fire."
"Okay." Will said.
Will awoke early in the night then used the bathroom. He exited the bathroom then went to the stateroom that Robot called his quarters. Robot was no where to be seen to his alarm. He shuffled the door close then went up the deck. He found the two whispering up front in a very small discussion. He hid in the dark then watched the older man seated in a chair while Robot was set beside the door leading into the space pod that had been moved up a deck.
"And how does that make you feel?"
AH-AAH-AH ACHU!
"Upset. Bless you."
"Thank you." Again, Smith sneezed. "Never mind me," Smith said. "It is alright to feel these things, Gunter."
"I should have gone with him." Robot said. "Down there."
Smith stared incredulously toward Robot then sneezed once more.
"And abandoned the Jupiter 2 to fly off into space from orbit?"
"Her orbit was fixed,"
Smith held up a finger as he began to prepare to sneeze then threw his head forward into the clump of napkins then wiped the snot off.
"Orbits could decay at any time." Smith dropped the trash into the trash can then put another pile of napkins on his lab with a stuffy nose. "You were needed to be there. Providing some back up for him should things go wrong and you swing to the rescue as the cavalry as a big hero that you are."
Robot's helm lowered with a kachunk and he turned away from the man.
"Don't turn away from me, please." Instead of rash of anger and insult, it was a softened and patient from Smith. "Talk to me."
"I still feel like a failure."
Under the nightlight, Smith rose his brows in unison.
"How so?" Smith sneezed again. "Elaborate to the best of your ability."
"I wasn't there. I am always there by his side when it comes to these confrontation when it regards family," Robot said. "I am always there to back him and Will up." He turned toward the window of the Jupiter 2 wheeling past the older man then his helm lowered. "I failed my duty."
"And this time you were not," Smith said, softly.
"Affirmative," Robot replied as Smith coughed.
Smith took a bite out of the sandwich, chewed, then placed it on to his lap and sneezed into his spare napkin.
"He felt the same way." Smith said. "He blamed me for his untimely demise. And I accept that blame." he looked aside, regretfully. "I was the key leading him into that position."
"And you blame him for allowing yourself to live long enough to become a monster," Robot said.
"What I truly was. Not a monster." Smith shook his head. "A creature turned monster demented by insanity."
"Godhood." Robot said.
Smith lifted his attention up toward Robot.
"How do you feel on most days?" Smith asked.
"I feel like my circuits want to explode on some days yet my battery pack feels low and my advanced sensors do not feel optimized. These feelings bother me. When I go inside of the space pod bay, I want to destroy it all. Everything. Every little piece until all that is left is scorched Earth."
"This anger inside threatens to make me explode and vaporize every being of my shell. Sometimes, I am afraid that it will happen again. That I will be forced not to be there through one means or another when a member of the crew is murdered. And it makes me want to cry. Hard."
"It makes me shake some days with these feelings inside of me. Most days, I find a way to expel them on my off time."
Silence hung between them as the older man processed the reply.
"Did you cry enough in the dumps?" Smith asked.
A small little "No," came from Robot on the brink of tears.
"Here," Smith handed his handkerchief then Robot took it and Smith patted on the back of Robot's chassis. "Cry."
Robot began to sob, softly, as generated liquid began to appear on his grill.
"It is okay to cry, Gunter." Smith lifted his head up with a small hopeful smile and patted on his chassis.
"T-t-t-thank you," Robot said.
"You are very welcome, my dear boobed friend." Smith said then sneezed. "Feeling any better?"
"Starting to!" Robot wept as Will retreated into the corridor and back into his chamber. "Starting to!"
"Good, good!" Smith rubbed his hands in a self-congratulation gesture."Go on."
Smith was silent during the weeping, only interrupting to point out that Robot needed a new handkerchief, and sneezed every so often into his rolls of tissue. Smith finished eating his sandwich then folded his napkin into a thin long rod and dropped it into the trash can that he had moved in beside him. Smith looked up toward the astronavigator that was still in the ceiling waiting for time to tick on by. He took out his grandfather's watch and checked the time then snapped it close.
"Since I have cleaned up those cobwebs in your mind; how would you feel about giving me a back massage tomorrow morning?"
Robot bobbed his helm up as he shifted toward Smith leaning up.
"I would be honored, Doctor Smith." Robot said.
Smith grinned leaning back into the chair, proudly, admiring his work.
"My work here is really done with you." Smith said. "Go to bed."
Smith sat there silently watching the environmental robot head to the lower deck of the ship. Smith got up then came to the closed doorway of the ship then leaned against the frame with his arms folded; contemplating. He leaned off the frame then made his way down the ship to the lower decks. He opened the door on the residential deck then went out the doorway.
Will silently stalked after Smith under the night. Waiting for him to go on and on. Smith paused looking back. Will ducked out of Smith's line of vision before he could see him. Smith turned away then resumed the walk into the night silently tapping his fingers together. Will peeked out from behind the trees waiting until he were distant until he started walking after the older man.
A month on Tremfya and Will could pin down some familiar habits that were similar to his counterpart. All too familiar as if he were young instead of a older version when he was still older than Will. Smith's all too familiar habits showed up in the last three weeks prior to getting sick. The three weeks were a reprieve to Will from the issue regarding Smith's mutation.
Smith picked up a stick and sharpened it up on the long walk to the alien's spacecraft. He tossed the rock aside as he approached the craft. He came close and closer to the craft until he came to a stop. He raised his fist then knocked on the door: rapidly.
The door opened with a pool of crimson red light revealing Martay.
"Oh, hello-"
"I have little time to deal with you, my dear sir." Smith jabbed the stick under Martay's chin. "And I have little interest in killing you, either."
Smith applied more force against it with a trickle of blood coming down the skin.
"I have only this to say; anymore attempt to neutralize me as a threat to your plan will not just hurt you, but millions of people. I need to be around to spare a alien invasion from happening to Earth. I need to take down a monarchy. Then you can to do do what you like. That can wait up to a -" he tipped Martay's chin up then lifted a brow up. "A little week. Can it?"
Martay shook his head.
"I got the kid!" Rax came out of the forest with Will restrained.
Smith turned in the source of Rax's voice.
"William!" Smith's weapon was yanked out of his hands then thrown aside and a weapon was shoved into his back. "Spare me! Please!"
"If you want to live including the child then you will do exactly as I say," Martay said as Smith turned toward back toward him.
"I am a innocent young man." Smith insisted. "I am sure we can work out . . a deal."
"Deal is," Martay slapped a large device around Smith's neck that weighed him down. "You stay silent and be on the down low."
Smith screamed as the wound in his throat came to life as his neck burned.
"Doctor Smith!" Will cried.
Smith fell silent, his knees buckling, then Martray shoved the man aside to the grass.
"He will be fine." Martay said. "Rax."
Rax smacked the weapon on the back of the boy's head knocking him out.
"That should do with the short term memory." Rax said.