Artemis marveled at all the artificial and blinking lights. They seemed both familiar and foreign at the same time. Familiar from Smith's thoughts, but foreign because it was so different seeing them in person for herself. She wandered over to the consoles and watched the patterns change. She sniffed. Everything smelled so different from what she knew and was used to.
While their mother was enchanted by the technology, the cubs romped around the upper deck. Deimos chased Nyx under one of the consoles and they tumbled out from under it, wrestling each other. Aurora hopped up on one of the flight chairs and leaned forward with her front paws on the console, watching her world through the viewport.
As the rest of the family entered the ship, John told Will and Penny to keep an eye on the cats and make sure they didn't get into trouble.
"We will, dad," Penny promised.
The Professor gently lifted Aurora off the console and set her on the ground. He and Don checked everything to make sure nothing was disturbed.
Artemis could smell the meat cooking downstairs. She headed to the lift, urging the cubs to follow her. Smith had sent her mental images on how to work it a few minutes before, mentally envisioning the look on everyone's faces as the cats worked the contraption. It was an obvious invitation to the lower deck. When all the cubs had joined her on the platform, she pushed the down button with a single extended claw and watched as four humans looked on, dumbfounded.
"John, did you just see what I saw?" Don asked.
"I just saw an alien cat work an elevator," John replied.
"Then, I am not hallucinating."
"No. No, you are not."
Will and Penny followed the cats down on the ladder and John and Don followed the kids.
"Smith?" Don asked, "Is there something you're not telling us about these cats of yours?"
"Cats of mine? My dear Major, these are independent, intelligent creatures. I do not own them," Smith replied.
"That didn't answer my question," Don retorted. "We just saw Artemis work the lift. How?"
"As I said, Major, they are intelligent creatures. They probably saw me operate it. They learn rather quickly by mimicking their parents," the doctor explained.
After a moment's thought, that seemed to satisfy Don and he dropped the subject.
Artemis went over to Smith and sat on her haunches next to him in the kitchen.
Is there enough for us? she asked.
"Oh, you're right," he said. "I forgot."
"Forgot what?" Maureen asked.
"Sorry, Mrs Robinson. I was talking to Artemis. I forgot their portions."
"Oh," she replied, somewhat confused.
He turned and looked at Artemis. "I left them in my knapsack outside the ship. Would you be a dear and fetch it for me?"
The Robinsons watched in amazement as Artemis went back to the lift, up to the upper deck.
"She... " Don pointed at the lift, "she isn't going to get the bag, is she? I mean, can she really understand you?" Don asked.
"Well, I guess we'll find out if she returns with the bag," Smith answered, suppressing a grin.
Meanwhile, Will and Penny had gotten some toys to play with the cubs. Will delighted in throwing the Tauron ball and watching the cubs leap acrobatically through the air trying to get it as it followed its circular path back to the boy. Penny wiggled string along the floor, enticing the girls to pounce and attack. Peals of laughter filled the air as the humans enjoyed the cubs antics.
When the lift activated again, all human heads turned to look, with the exception of Smith's. The cubs all ran over to their mother as she exited the elevator with Smith's bag. She brought it over to him and dropped it at his feet. The Robinson's and Major West watched, speechless.
"Ah, thank you, my dear," the doctor said as he picked up the bag and rummaged around in it, pulling two more containers from the bottom.
The cats all surrounded Smith, awaiting their food. He tossed a large chunk of meat to Artemis, who caught it mid-air in her mouth and claws. For each of the cubs, he dangled a smaller chunk. They each took their piece gently with their mouths, trotted a few paces away, and laid down to begin gnawing on it. Smith looked up to see all eyes on him.
"What?"
"Artemis brought the bag back," the Professor stated. "She understands you."
"My dear Professor, whatever notions you have about the intelligence and behavior of large cats are limited to species of Earth. Artemis and her offspring are as alien to Earth as we are to this planet. I told you she was intelligent. What precisely did you think I meant by that?" Smith queried.
"Point taken," the Professor relented. "She's obviously very intelligent and it's clear the two of you are able to communicate."
"Yes," Smith confirmed.
"How?" Don asked.
"I'm not sure you'd believe me if I told you," Smith answered.
"Try me," Don urged.
"Well, to be honest, your guess is as good as mine, Major. All I know for sure is that when they reach a certain age, they develop the ability. It appears to be some sort of telepathic bond."
"Telepathy? Are you saying you have telepathic abilities?" Don snickered.
"While, as a psychiatrist, I've had occasion to dabble in research regarding the mysteries of the human mind, I have tested others but not myself for such abilities," Smith explained. "That said, I believe it is Artemis and her offspring who possess the ability, not I. They can both receive my thoughts and transmit thoughts to me. Try as I might, I cannot read their thoughts unless they transmit them to me."
"Can they read our thoughts?!" Penny asked, excited at the prospect.
"I'm afraid not, my dear," Smith replied. "At least not at the moment. Artemis and I have a theory that the cats must learn an individual's brain wave patterns and bond with them before they can communicate. They have only just met you."
"Oh," Penny said. "Well, maybe given time they'll be able to."
"We shall see," Smith smiled. "It is a fascinating possibility. There is much I have yet to learn about their species."
Penny went back to playing with Will and the cubs while Smith and Mrs. Robinson continued preparing dinner. Artemis wandered over to where the Major was seated and lay down close enough to him to make his posture visibly stiffen with concern. He tried to move his chair away, as nonchalantly as possible, but the scraping of a leg on the floor drew some attention. Artemis watched him, amused.
Smith grinned, seeing the Major hemmed into the corner by the cat. "What's the matter, Major? Afraid of a little pussycat?"
"You told her to do this, didn't you, Smith? To intimidate me," the Major accused.
"I did no such thing," Smith said, returning to the counter to continue to slice and chop vegetables for their meal. "Perhaps she just wants to get to know you."
Don eyed the cat suspiciously. "I don't think that's what she wants."
Smith shrugged. "I wouldn't assign her motives when you know nothing about her, Major."
The Major sat for a moment wondering just what Smith had told the cat about him. Hesitantly, he reached out a hand and cautiously touched Artemis' head. She sat perfectly still as he began to gently stroke her head. She closed her eyes and allowed the contact. Soon, she was purring.
For all of his bluster, she knew Smith respected the Major, even though the two rarely saw eye to eye and the conflict irritated both of them. And though she did not have the connection with the Major that she did with Smith, she felt he likely had some fondness for the doctor as well. She wasn't sure if it was trust in Smith or bravery that pushed the pilot to pet her, but she figured it was likely a bit of both. As long as he and the others were trying to mend things with Smith, she would do her part to keep things as harmonious as possible.
Smith glanced toward West and Artemis and raised a single eyebrow. "It appears she likes you, Major. This is the first time I've ever questioned her judgment."
The doctor could feel Artemis' mental laughter at the gentle tease. In response, she rubbed her cheek against the Major's leg.
Touché, Smith thought.
He's no problem at all, Artemis thought. You just have to know how to handle him.
Women, Smith rolled his eyes. Again, laughter tickled his mind.
The Major caught the look on Smith's face and turned to look at Artemis, whose eyes were fixed on the doctor. "Are you two talking about me?"
Smith chuckled. "Ask Artemis," he suggested as he got back to work on the evening's meal.
As the pilot turned his attention back to the big cat next to him, Artemis stood and stretched, then wandered over to the children. He gave her plenty of room, even though she seemed perfectly tame. He simply was not used to being so close to what he instinctively perceived as a large, wild predator. She was an intelligent alien, he reminded himself, not like Earth cats. She likely saved Smith, as well.
The Professor, seeing how gentle Artemis was being with Smith's occasional nemesis and the children, went over to the cat and ran a hand down her back. Just beneath her fur, he could feel her strong muscles and marveled at how Smith could feel so at ease around a being that powerful.
The Major, the Professor, and the children occupied their time interacting with the cats as they waited for their meal to be ready.
Some thirty minutes later, Mrs. Robinson announced, "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
Everyone made their way to the table as Smith and the Robinson matriarch put the finishing touches on their meal. Eyes widened in anticipation as the large roast, already sliced into generous portions, was set in the middle of the table, soon followed by roasted vegetables, what looked like a green version of mashed potatoes, and a salad.
Will reached out to stab a slice of roast for himself, when his hand was lightly brushed away by his mother. "Will, we should allow our guest of honor to go first."
Sheepishly, Will mumbled, "Sorry."
"Thank you, madam," Smith replied as he held his plate out to receive the portion Professor Robinson doled out. The others held their plates out in succession as the rest of the roast was served. Then, the side dishes were passed amongst the family in a flurry of activity. Soon, a comfortable silence settled over the table as everyone took their first bites. It wasn't long before their usual meal time chatter started up.
"Mmmm," the Major's eyes closed and he shook his head. When his eyes opened, he looked at the doctor. "You know, Smith, I felt sorry for you being stranded here, but if THIS is how you've been eating, I think maybe I envy you instead," he laughed.
"It is delicious, Major, but I assure you, meals like this were not as common as you'd like to think. Feast or famine, as they say. There were ten times as many days when I had nothing to eat. And then there were the times I became violently ill from alien toxins I'd ingested."
"Sorry," the Major apologized. "I didn't mean to..."
"It's quite alright," Smith interrupted. "You couldn't possibly know what I've been through."
An awkward silence filled the room for a few moments.
"Why don't you tell us?" Mrs. Robinson suggested.
Smith felt all eyes on him. He looked around the table, seeing everyone eager to hear the tale of how he'd survived.
Artemis, who'd been with her cubs, could feel Smith's inner turmoil. She came over to him and laid down next to his legs. His hand dropped below the table to stroke her head.
"I understand your zeal to hear my tale of survival, and perhaps sometime soon I will be prepared to regale you all. But, if it's alright with you, I prefer not to dredge up those memories at the moment. I would rather just enjoy your company tonight," Smith replied.
Everyone nodded and smiled, a tad disappointed, but realizing those were likely powerful and unpleasant memories. They understood why he might not want to revisit them so soon.
"Why don't we tell you some of our stories then?" Will suggested.
"I'd like that," Smith replied.
Will started from the beginning, describing the mad scramble to avoid the stampede. Others chimed in to fill in details Will missed. Smith, sucked into the tale and wanting to feel a part of the story, revealed he'd been knocked unconscious by one of the elephantine beasts at the time.
"I regained consciousness just in time to see the Jupiter 2 rocket skyward," the doctor concluded. The family could see the anguish on his face as he struggled with the memories. "I... I thought you'd forsaken me."
"I can't imagine how you must have felt," Judy offered, as she reached across the table to grab Smith's hand. "I'm so sorry you had to experience that."
The doctor nodded and gave her hand a squeeze to let her know he appreciated the sentiment.
"Kai re-programmed the Robot," Will added. "He caused the stampede to force us to lift off without you."
"It wasn't until much later that we discovered the re-programming. We realized he'd framed you for his own misdeeds," the Major continued, "and we fell for it. We're... sorry."
"We never would have left you had we known all that. We should have taken your concerns into consideration, asked more questions," the Professor added.
A round of apologies traveled around the table. Smith sat uncomfortably silent, acknowledging the apologies with a nod and a forced smile.
Recognizing the doctor's discomfort, Will changed the subject back to their story and continued where he'd left off. In the space of an hour, the family had filled Smith in on the highs and lows of their adventure up until Smith showed up at camp with his feline companions.
"A harrowing tale," Smith commented. "Nearly as harrowing as mine." Stifling a yawn, he continued, "I would love to stay and chat, howsomever, I am completely exhausted and should be getting back to my abode."
"Oh, Doctor Smith," Mrs. Robinson pleaded, "please stay. We've kept your cabin just as it is. You and the cats are welcome to sleep there."
They've missed you. They don't want you to leave, Artemis said.
Are you and the cubs comfortable with staying here overnight? he asked. The cats turned their attention to the doctor.
I am, Artemis nodded.
Stay overnight! Aurora chimed in.
With human peoples! Nyx added.
Have playtimes and social niceties! Deimos announced.
Smith chuckled, "Well, madam, the cats and I have conferred and we unanimously accept your generous offer. If you don't mind, I shall avail myself of it immediately." His left hand covered his mouth as another yawn escaped.
"Yes, of course," she replied.
As the doctor stood, so did everyone else. Smith did not make it to the cabin without several hugs, handshakes, and kind sentiments. The cubs bounded ahead of him and chased each other around his old room while Artemis followed behind.
The Professor shook his head after the cabin door closed. "I wouldn't have believed any of this if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. I would have bet money Smith would never have survived this long on this planet. And intelligent alien cats?"
"We've encountered stranger things, dad," Judy reminded him.
"Talking carrot, anyone?" the Major added, to rounds of laughter.
In the cabin, Smith rummaged through the closet. His clothes were still there. He plucked his nightshirt off the hanger and changed into it. He settled onto the bed and sighed, "Home."
This Smit home? Nyx asked.
Cave not Smit home? Aurora asked.
When he is with us, the cave is home, Artemis explained. When he is with his own kind, this is his home.
The cubs nodded, though they weren't quite sure they completely understood, since both families were with Smith at the moment. They hopped up onto the bed and surrounded him, settling into their favorite napping spots. Artemis stretched and laid down next to the bed. The doctor dangled an arm over the edge and scratched her head.
As much as the cats brought him a sense of safety and security, it was nothing compared to the nearly impenetrable titanium and cosmium steel hull of the Jupiter 2.
Goodnight, my dears, he thought.
He heard tiny voices in his mind, Night, Smit! Night!
In mere moments, the doctor and his feline family were asleep.
With the doctor asleep, Maureen turned to her husband and asked, "Do you think he'll stay?"
The Professor nodded, "He was happy to be here tonight. That I know. It might take him a little while to forgive us, but I think he's on that path."
"We have a lot to make up to him," the Major admitted.
Murmurs of agreement followed.
The Professor clapped his hands together, "Well, it's getting late and I think Doctor Smith had the right idea. Why don't we all head to bed. Operation Mea Culpa starts tomorrow in earnest."
With a few smiles and chuckles, the family each headed to their own cabins to sleep.