Title: The Boys Fly Again
Author: LadyNRA
Rating: T
Spoilers: If you are a fan you've already probably seen all the episodes
Characters: All - but main focus is Dr. Smith and Don
Genre: Lost in Space, Sci-fi
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or anything connected to the show. All thanks go to Irwin Allen. I'm just playing in this creative universe.
Summary: Dr. Smith and Don get into more hot water than they expected after landing upon a new planet for a resupply run.
Author's Note: Sequel to Fly Boys. Will read okay on its own but it wouldn't hurt to check that one out before reading this.
The Boys Fly Again
A brilliant azure and emerald orb, like a glittering jewel nestled on black velvet, slowly advanced toward the viewscreen of the Jupiter 2. Major West, her pilot, was in one of the command chairs with the leader of the expedition, Professor John Robinson seated beside him, fixated on the screens and readouts directly in front him. The planet below them was a welcome change from nearly all the dismal and virtually barren worlds they'd visited in their three years. Alpha Centauri, their ultimate goal, wouldn't look like this new world either but they were still glad to see it.
Much of the land surface was made up of various shades of greens, divided by some tall, granite colored mountain ranges. Smaller oceans, encompassed the land masses. Wide rivers wove their way through some of the visible continents. Here and there, large circles of gray, too regular to be rock formations, dotted the landscape. As they drew closer, John worked with diligence, sending out message after message announcing their arrival. Too many worlds had taken aim at them for arriving unannounced and Robinson didn't want this to be another such occasion. Once more he spoke into the microphone.
"This is Professor John Robinson of the Jupiter 2 from the planet Earth. We are on a mission of peace, seeking to temporarily put down for repairs. Please grant us permission to land."
Still no answer. Then again, there were no warning shots either. "Is it possible that their communication system is so different from ours that they can't read us?" Maureen looked down at the planet with some trepidation.
"Or maybe they just don't understand our language," Will Robinson added unnecessarily.
His father always welcomed input from his family and the Major, necessary or otherwise. Even their reluctant and usually annoying stowaway, Doctor Zachary Smith, on rare occasions had something practical to add. Uncharacteristically the man was silent but John already knew he was thinking about whether or not this was the day he could manipulate someone into getting him back to Earth or bestowing upon him enough wealth to finally feel secure and protected. As the thought rolled around in his mind, he realized that in reality no one had ever provided for or protected the good doctor half as well as they had, and it was a shame he still hadn't comprehended that. Or maybe Smith had known it but some twisted mindset had refused to acknowledge it.
"Look Dad, those gray spots are cities," Penny Robinson pointed outward as she leaned between the two command chairs. "I think so, anyway."
"I'm betting you're right, sweetheart."
The soon-to-be teenage boy leaned against his father. "They sure are doing things weird. Designing it like that, I mean."
John looked at the gray spotted areas. There was clearly next to no agricultural zones visible and what little there was encircled the 'cities', like gem encrusted rings on silver hued fingers. Beyond that there were no discernible areas revealing population growth. The land appeared pristine and undeveloped although his assessment might change when he got closer.
"Still no contact," Don reminded him.
"Take us down anyway. As long as there are no signs of hostility, this is the best course of action. We're in desperate need of supplies. Not that I have to remind you of that."
Compressing his lips, the Major bobbed his head once and answered with a quick grunt of affirmation. He flipped more switches, adjusted their rate of descent and angle through the atmosphere and brought their ship toward the nearest city. Countless Spires shot up hundreds of levels and he estimated the population center to be about 50 miles in diameter.
"Looks like they grew upward instead of outward," Judy observed.
"Wiser use of the environment," Smith joined in. "No signs of pollution. Clearly advanced, at least in comparison to Earth." He moved to the panels displaying pertinent information about atmospheric composition. "Suitable for humans. Oxygen 19%, a bit low but I doubt we'd notice. Nitrogen 80%. Argon .1%., Carbon Dioxide, 0.04%. No other harmful gases whatsoever. No indication anything would adversely effect us. Gravity a tad above normal but as long as we don't do anything strenuous for long periods of time, we should be fine." The doctor's voice had not taken on its usual panicking, doom and gloom tone so no one stopped him.
Although John could have figured all that out for himself, or asked the Robot to do it, he let the matter rest. If Smith wanted to be useful in that small way, John wasn't going to stop him.
Gradually they found the landing area. One spot toward the outer ring had a glowing circle radiating like a beacon, beckoning them. Since it was the only one currently lit, they assumed it for them. As they got closer they saw that the circle had revolving lights around its perimeter, like Earth's chaser lights so commonly see at Christmas, except these were of multiple colors. And the diameter was significantly larger than that of the Jupiter 2.
Don pointed. "Looks like they are prepared for way bigger vessels than ours."
Shrugging, Robinson replied, "Agreed, although at the moment I don't see any. Come to think of it, I didn't see any in orbit either."
"Maybe they don't get many visitors."
"You could be right, Will. I hope that's not a bad sign. But we'll find out soon enough, won't we?" He tousled his son's red hair affectionately before paying attention to their landing.
Setting down easily and without any jarring to the ship, the two adult members of the crew headed for the steps on the landing legs, but not before discussing the need for the laser pistols. John opted against it, despite West's protestations.
"There's been no indication they want to hurt us. Let's go out and see if anyone comes to meet us before we start being concerned."
However, they did lay their weapons at the top of the steps just in case. At the entrance, Smith and Will were looking down at the tarmac. The glowing lights were apparently imbedded just below surface level and were no longer pirouetting around the ship. Once West and Robinson got the Robot at ground level, John glanced back up at his son and the doctor.
"If it looks like we are in trouble we'll be high-tailing it back as fast as we can. If they are blasting at us, provide suppressive fire. Oh, and Smith, if you hit us instead of them, I promise you won't like what we'll do to you."
"You wound me to the quick, Professor!" He put his hand over his heart.
What he didn't see was Maureen hovering only a few paces behind him, a laser pistol in her hand. If Smith proved too frightened or unwilling to help them…then she would do whatever it took to protect her family. Three years had turned Smith into 'family', albeit as a black sheep member of that family. Yet deep down, she still didn't feel she could trust him to protect her loved ones simply because he had proven, far too often, to be more of a liability than an asset.
Two humans and one robot started what looked to be a very long walk to the control tower. The Robot continuously scanned the area. The ball bearings within his lower half made a gentle metallic rasping as he swiveled from left to right and back again. Suddenly he stopped.
"Professor Robinson, I believe we are about to have guests." He extended one clawed arm to point in the direction they were approaching from.
The crew stood motionless, waiting for whatever authorities were about to arrive, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. A vehicle, gliding over the ground without any visible wheels, slid to a stop not far from them. Two beings got out of it. Both were of similar makeup, reminding John of the Tellarites in the old series Star Trek. Porcine in appearance, although one was thin and one decided overweight. Long ears tipped with bristly ruddy hued fur wobbled back and forth. Pig like snouts sniffed the air as if they could read a lot about their visitors by their smell. Small yellow eyes appeared to look them over.
The thin one bowed at the waist. Then it reached out a hand that was more humanoid than piggish. There were two devices in its hand and it indicated they were to go over the human's ears. Once settled, John looked back at them.
"Welcome travelers, welcome to Vedania!" bellowed the fat one in a decidedly male voice. "Glad you landed safely. What can we assist you with?"
"Sorry about the lack of communication," John began. "We tried contacting you but couldn't get through."
The thin one made a surprisingly human dismissive gesture. "No problem. We heard you but couldn't understand your language." He pointed at his own ear which clearly had the same device in it. "This will more or less translate any known language in this sector of space. Anyway, you didn't sound belligerent, so we weren't worried."
He waved at the ship. "So how may we assist you?"
"Any fees to leave this here?"
"None whatsoever—".
"Unless you need our staff to refuel your vessel," the other one said.
As if the he hadn't been interrupted, the first continued, "-although we would like registry information. Names of your crew, planet of origin, anticipated length of visit. Purpose of visit as well. That sort of thing."
John put both hands behind his back and tried to look relaxed. "We can certainly provide you with all the information you require. First and foremost, I can tell you we're here for supplies. We're running low on everything from food and water to replacement parts. Some of our equipment is held together with spit and baling wire to use an old colloquial Earth term."
The fat one tapped out something on what looked like clear glass tablet. "Earth, the name of your planet I presume."
"Yes."
Listing off the crewmembers, John added, "Do you think it's possible to get replacement parts made. Our Robot has a synthesizer that can replicate smaller equipment but not the bigger items.
"My electronic synthesizer is this big by this big," the Robot stated, using his claws to provide visual measurements since he didn't know what standards the aliens used. "Anything bigger would need to be machined."
"Understood and we do have businesses that can create what you need as well as providing sustenance."
"That's wonderful news." The professor's hands went from his back to be clasped in front of him. "Our biggest problem is we don't know what kind of currency you take or what we can give you in trade."
This time the thin alien took over. "There are places for currency exchange if you have it. If not, we do allow for trade of goods but it sounds like you are, how do you human's put it-?"
"Shoe-stringing it," the Robot interjected, sounding proud of his knowledge of colloquialisms.
"Understood. If you have nothing to trade, there is always bartering. Some businesses will accept skilled labor in trade for production of items needed. Other businesses will hire you on for short term work. Usually labor intensive but neither of you look incapable of handling a little hard work. Your females can find menial labor jobs as well. Then you can acquire the currency needed to purchase what you need.
Don turned to John with a raised eyebrow at the words 'hard work'. They were both thinking of the same person. Grinning evilly, the Major said, "Hook us up for a job. Smith and I will pair up. John, why don't you try to connect with people who can get us the parts we need. As soon as we figure out how much we have to earn, we can decide if the ladies need to pitch in."
"Sounds good to me." He turned again to the alien who first approached them. "We're ready to start when you are. So lead the way."