Chapter 2
Dr Zachary Smith waited until all personnel had cleared the Jupiter 2 then quietly went aboard. He made his way down the elevator to the lower deck, and after a few quick glances to make sure he was the only one there, he eventually turned his attention toward the robot being held in the magnetic lock. He flashed a wicked smile. Going over to it he took a device from his pocket and installed it inside its lower programming compartment. Once he had done that, he crossed over to the other side of the room to a small control panel where the robot's power pack was charging. He took the power pack and went to plug it into the robot. He then returned to the control panel and pushed a sequence of buttons.
Immediately the robot came to life. It's mechanical voice could be heard as it repeated its instructions. "At exactly launch plus eight hours, inertial guidance system destroy, radio transmitter destroy, cabin pressure control system destroy."
Colonel Smith smiled and nodded in approval. As he turned to leave, a strong flashlight caught him in the eyes temporarily blinding him and he realized that he wasn't alone.
"Turn that thing off, soldier!" He demanded.
The man complied and then stepped towards him. "Sorry Colonel," he said "there is no personnel allowed in here after zero minus six hours."
"Do you know who I am, soldier?" Smith asked, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Sir, I wouldn't care if you were president of the United States. I'd still have to put you under arrest."
"Of course that's your duty," Smith replied, "but just for the record, I came in here to check the helium-nitrogen ratio aboard. I had a sudden feeling I turned a valve the wrong way. You know how it is when you get those feelings that won't let you sleep. I had to come back and make sure."
The guard nodded his understanding but still insisted, "Sorry sir, but I still have to turn you over to the officer of the day."
"Naturally, don't apologize. You've got your job and I've got mine. Eh soldier?" With that he suddenly turned on the guard and landed a karate chop to the back of his head. He crumbled to the ground unconscious.
Colonel Smith knelt beside the man. Placing two fingers to his neck, he determined that he was still alive. He glanced around the lower deck looking for a way to get rid of him. His eyes locked on to the trash chute and he began to drag him there where he finally disposed of him. Once that task had been completed, he procured a miniature handheld radio from his pocket.
"Calling Aeolus 14 Umbra. Aeolus 14 Umbra, reporting mission accomplished. I have reprogrammed the robot and his power has been activated. At exactly eight hours after launch the robot will destroy the spaceship with all hands aboard. Repeat, exactly eight hours after launch the robot will destroy the spaceship."
As he ended communication, the PA aboard the Jupiter 2 piped through the ship, "This is Alpha control. The countdown stands at zero minus one hour and fourteen minutes. All systems are now green and go."
At this Dr Smith looked at his watch and gasped. In fifteen minutes he was due to give the Robinsons their final physical exam. As quickly as he could he exited the ship and hurried over to the medical bay. The Robinsons were already there when he arrived waiting for him.
"Good evening," he said as he began setting up his equipment, "I apologize for keeping you waiting. How are we all feeling today?"
"Physically great," answered John Robinson, "Emotionally, I guess you could say we are all over the map."
"Well that is to be expected," Smith acknowledged, "after all, you are the first of hopefully many families that will be taking this journey beyond the stars to establish a new colony. The burden you feel must be a very great one."
"That would be putting it mildly Dr Smith," said Maureen as she took her husband's hand and squeezed it in her own.
"Indeed," said Smith, " Now then, let's get on with the examinations, shall we? Professor Robinson, you will go first."
He assessed them individually, from John down to Will,the youngest one. The boy looked up anxiously as the doctor finished. "Am I okay Doctor? Did I pass?"
"You'll do," said Dr Smith as he unhooked the boy from his machine and ruffled his hair.
"Did you hear that?" He cried as he joined the rest of his family. "I'm okay!"
Professor Robinson smiled at his son, "We weren't worried were we?"
The boy laughed and shook his head.
"No need for any of you to worry about your physical condition," Dr Smith told them, "You're all in top shape and ready to go. I envy you and your adventure."
"Thank you Doctor," said John, shaking his hand.
At that moment the PA was heard in the medical bay. "This is Alpha Control. The Robinson family will prepare to board the space vehicle at once. It is now zero minus thirty-three minutes and counting."
Taking a deep breath, John took Maureen's arm and led his family to the launch gate. Dr. Smith followed silently behind. General Morgan was there to greet them when they arrived.
"Ready?" He asked.
John looked at his wife searchingly, "Are we?" He wanted to know.
Maureen spoke with a slight quiver in her voice, "I should say something light and clever shouldn't I?" She asked. "Well, I just can't."
"This is Alpha Control. The Robinson Family will now board the spacecraft."
John looked from his wife back to the colonel. "We're ready," he said.
Colonel Morgan nodded and led them out to Jupiter 2.
Don and Bethany were already on board with some of the flight engineers giving the controls one final check. As the Robinsons entered Don dropped what he was doing and went over to join them.
"Took you guys long enough," he said jokingly.
"Good to see you too, Don," John laughed.
Bethany ran over to Will and waved. "Hello," she said.
"Hi Squirt," said Will as he went over to watch the flight engineers.
Judy, the Robinsons oldest daughter went over to the little girl and picked her up. "Are you excited?" She asked.
Bethany nodded her head up and down rapidly.
Colonel Morgan spoke up, "Naturally you're all well acquainted with Major Don West by this time."
"Uncle Don's the pilot!" Bethany chirped happily.
"Only in a manner of speaking," Colonel Morgan smiled at her. "Just in case something would happen to go wrong with the automatic guidance system, which isn't very likely."
"If you wake up and find me driving," said Don, "You'll know you're in trouble."
Everyone laughed.
Meanwhile, Dr Smith had wandered down to the lower deck again to where the robot was being kept. His eyes widened in horror when he noticed the technician working on the robot. He watched carefully to make sure that he didn't find the program he had installed inside the machine. As he did so, the voice over the PA was heard again:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States."
The president's voice could be heard over the microphone as he gave his speech on the importance of this flight and of the bravery of the individuals who were undertaking it. Smith wasn't really paying attention to anything being said. All he could focus on was the technician as he continued to work on the robot. Fortunately for him, the program was not found. He breathed a sigh of relief as the tech finished up and then to his dismay, he saw that he had removed the robot's power pack and set it back on the robot control panel.
"This is Alpha Control. Zero minus two minutes and counting."
"Better hurry Doctor," said the tech to Smith as he made his way up top.
As soon as he was gone, Smith grabbed the power pack and plugged it back into the robot. He then began pressing buttons making sure that none of his work had been undone.
Back up top, Colonel Morgan shook both Major West and John Robinson's hands and made his way off the ship. Don turned to Bethany, still being held by Judy. "I can take her," he said softly.
Judy relinquished her to the arms of the Major. "You have a wonderful little niece," she told him.
Don smiled at the beautiful woman. He opened his mouth to say something more but was cut off by another PA.
"Astronauts in the following order will enter freezing tubes. Bethany West, Will Robinson, Penny Robinson, enter tube."
Don carried Bethany over to her tube and set her inside. "Now remember what I told you," he said.
Bethany nodded. Her uncle had explained to her that the tubes would put her in a deep sleep and when she was awakened, she would be on Alpha Centauri. At first the thought of that had scared her but the Major was able to calm her when he explained that it would all be so quick that she wouldn't even realize she had been asleep.
"Dr. Maureen Robinson, enter tube. Miss Judy Robinson, enter tube."
John and Maureen shared one last kiss before she stepped into her tube. Don hurried over to Judy and helped her inside hers.
"Good luck," he told her.
"Thank you," she replied, "You too."
"Zero minus eighty seconds. Range clearance to launch. Major Donald West, enter tube. Dr John Robinson, enter tube."
Reluctantly the Major tore his gaze away from Judy and turned to John. They exchanged a quick handshake, and then both stepped into their tubes.
"Zero minus forty-five seconds. Activate freezing units."
The tubes slid closed and a glow illuminated each of the figures inside. As it died down the seven travelers appeared to be asleep, for their eyes were shut and they were as still as statues.
Down below, Dr Smith had finished making the needed adjustments to the robot. He hurried back up top. Once he was on the control deck he made a dash for the open hatch.
"Verify all hatches secured."
The hatch closed before he could reach it. He pounded on it with his fists as hard as he could and yelled for someone to let him out. No one could hear him of course. After a few seconds, he ran over to the big window on the control deck and began waving his arms in hopes that someone would see him trapped aboard.
"Remove gas transfer and propellant vent umbilicals."
Panic filled Smith. He grabbed a hold of one of the fire extinguishers on board and threw it with all his might at the window attempting to break it. It was a futile effort and he glanced around the control deck for something, anything that would help him get off the ship.
"Zero minus thirty."
At this point cold realization set in as Smith saw that he was hopelessly trapped aboard. He stumbled back down below and made his way over to the control panel. He pushed a few buttons and a small door opened, revealing a black leather chair. After the chair slid out, he quickly sat down and began strapping himself in while the announcer over the P.A. finished counting down.
"Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero!"
At that moment, a deafening noise was heard as the ship's rockets fired. Dr Smith felt his entire body being pushed into the chair as it lifted off. He screamed in terror as the craft began climbing in altitude. Suddenly, everything went dark as he slumped into a dead faint. Sometime later, he opened his eyes and looked about him. Everything was quiet; he could no longer hear the engines. He wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious but he figured it must have been quite a while. Slowly, he began undoing the buckles on his seat. He was shaking as he got to his feet and looked around. The room swam around him and he nearly fainted again but at last the dizziness stopped and he gathered his wits about him.
Reaching into his pocket, he drew out his small radio. "Aeolus 14 Umbra. Calling Aeolus 14 Umbra."
He put it to his ear and listened; there was no response.
He tried again. "Aeolus 14 Umbra, come in please. Mission accomplished. What do I do now? What clever instructions do you have for me now? How much more money are you going to pay me for this excursion?"
Silence.
"Aeolus 14 Umbra, do you know where I am? Do you know?" He screamed and threw the communication device to the floor.
Seeing that the device was completely useless, he went back up top to the control deck and tried using its radio.
"Alpha Control. Hello, Alpha Control. This is Dr. Zachary Smith calling from the Jupiter 2. Can you return us to earth? Repeat: can you return us to earth?"
No response.
Smith quickly fiddled with the controls and made another attempt, "Alpha Control, this is Jupiter 2!" He slammed his fists into the radio, causing the glass to break and cut him.
"Alpha Control, this is lunar tracking station 2 Omega." The voice over the speaker was music to his ears.
"Go ahead Lunar tracking," said Alpha Control.
" We've got a problem with the Jupiter 2 fly profile. It is now negative, repeat, negative."
"Hello Lunar Tracking," said Smith, "Hello Alpha Control. Does anybody read me?"
The voice from Alpha Control spoke again, though not to Smith. "Roger, we've been working on it. Our computers tell us there's close to two hundred pounds excess weight aboard. It has altered the flight pattern."
"Abort the mission!" cried Smith, "Do you hear me?" Abort the mission!"
"Alpha Control, initiate an immediate course change. Jupiter 2 is headed directly for a massive meteor swarm."
"Negative. Vector controls aren't effective."
At this Smith switched off the radio and hurried over to the Astrogator. He didn't have much time and if what Lunar tracking and Alpha Control were saying was true, he would need to guide the ship out of the swarm. He began messing with the controls as he tried to change the ship's course. He was not familiar with the equipment however and had no idea whether or not he was having any success. He glanced over at the freezing tube where Don was still asleep. As much as he would have preferred to keep everyone in their present state of suspended animation, if he was to survive this he would need the Major's help. He went over to the freezing tube and began pounding on it.
"West!" he cried. "West, can you hear me?"
The Major didn't move. Suddenly, there was a loud crash, and the ship began to rock back and forth. Smith was knocked over by the gun rack. He looked out the front window and saw that the ship was being pummeled by the meteors that Lunar tracking had warned about. Trembling, he took one of the small pistols from the gun rack, aimed it at the Major's tube, and fired. Immediately the tube opened. Dr. Smith rushed over to him and laid his stiff body on the ground. He took out a small device from his pocket and attached it to one of his fingers. He began to press a little red button on it repeatedly. As he did this, West began to unstiffen as blood started to flow. He opened his eyes finally but did not seem fully aware of his surroundings.
"Major West," Smith said as he attempted to wake him.
Don slowly blinked his eyes and opened his mouth, looking as if he were trying to say something, but no sound came out. Finally, after a few attempts, he found his voice, "Wh-who are you?" he stammered weakly.
"Major West," said Dr Smith, paying no attention to his question and instead helping him get to his feet, "You've got to take over the controls! Fast!"
With Smith's help, Don stumbled over to the astrogator. As he did, he gradually became more aware of his surroundings. Dr Smith pointed to the window. "Look meteors! Get us out of this flight path! Quick!"
Don was now fully awake and took hold of the guide stick. Smith watched him breathlessly as he piloted the ship away from the meteors. After a few moments, they were clear of the swarm.
Don turned to Smith angrily, "What the devil are you doing on board?"
"I was trapped just before lift off. I neglected to adjust the balance control valve on your helium nitrogen ratio. The hatch closed before I could leave." Smith said, rehearsing his well-crafted lie.
"Well, with your extra weight, it's no wonder the automatic navigator didn't pull us out of the swarm in time," Don snapped as he set the controls on the autopilot.
"Can you get us back to earth?" Smith asked.
Instead of answering, Don hurried over to the radio. "What have you done to the transmitter?" He demanded after finding the broken glass and burnt out circuitry.
"I-I don't know," Smith stammered nervously, "I must have lost my head. I was trying to reach Alpha Control."
Don went to the main control board and began pushing a sequence of buttons.
"What are you doing?" Asked Smith.
"Waking up the others."
Upon hearing this, Smith pointed the laser gun he still had in his hand at the Major's head. "No," he said, "Don't wake them."
Don's back was turned and so he did not see the gun. "Why not? It's their lives too and since I'm the only one who can pilot the ship, I'll make the decisions."
Smith lowered his gun. The Major had a point. "Have it your way then," he conceded, "Make it a family outing. Why not?"
A whirring noise was heard as the tubes opened and the Robinsons began to regain consciousness. After a few minutes of stretching and yawning, they stepped out of the tubes and began blinking their eyes rapidly as if to adjust to the light. Judy was the first one to fully awaken. Giving one final stretch, she turned to her mother to say something to her. That was when she noticed that Maureen had not opened her eyes and was swaying back and forth. After a few seconds, Judy realized she was going to collapse.
"Dad!" she cried.
Professor Robinson whirled around just in time to see his wife go down. He caught her before her head could hit the floor. Dr. Smith hurried over to the woman and once again took out his device from his pocket. He attached it to one of her fingers and began pushing the button. After a few minutes, the color returned to her cheeks and she stretched and opened her eyes.
"She'll be alright now," said Smith as he removed the device from her finger.
John helped her to stand and then wrapped her in a loving embrace. "You really had us worried," he told her.
Maureen managed a shaky smile, and returned his affections, "It's alright dear, I'm fine," she told him. Then her eyes fell on the stowaway. "Dr Smith, you shouldn't be here at all!" she said in surprise.
"That is precisely the point I am trying to make, without much success I might add," he rolled his eyes as he said this.
The children had joined Don at the viewport and were staring out into space as he continued to work the controls.
"Where is Alpha Centauri?" Penny asked.
"It's out there somewhere," answered Will as he attempted to spot a familiar star.
"It looks like we're standing still," Bethany observed.
"We're off course," John explained to Maureen as she looked up at him questioningly. "We don't know how far off yet. Don's trying to determine whether we should return to earth or not."
"There's no question about what we must do," Smith cut in. "You saw your wife's metabolic reaction to the suspended animation state. I warn you Robinson, she may not survive another such trauma."
"Don't worry Darling," John gave his wife an assuring squeeze, "No matter what we decide, I won't let you back in that tube."
At that moment they were joined by Don. "The meteors clobbered us," he said grimly. "Our whole control system is badly damaged."
"You're supposed to be a space pilot and qualified, improvise something," said Smith, "Turn us around and get us back to earth."
"If I were you, Doctor," said Don in a threatening voice, "I'd keep my mouth shut. You're responsible for this mess we're in."
"Really Major," Smith gave him an unamused look, "Have you bothered to wonder who revived you? You tumbled out of there like a block of ice as dead as a coffin nail. Who do you think brought you back to life?"
"Thanks," Don replied using a tone that was far from grateful. He then turned his attention back to John. "Our payload was calculated to a fraction of an ounce," he explained, "Without his extra weight we would have ducked the meteor storm automatically."
"Maybe and maybe not," said Smith, "but without me, not one of you would be alive now."
"Alright Dr. Smith," John cut him off sharply. "We're properly grateful. Right now we have to make a decision. I'm not sure we should turn back even if we can."
"Now look here," Smith exclaimed , "You people volunteered for this mission. I did not. I have no business being here! I demand to be taken back to earth!"
"Don, do you have any idea of our present position?" John wanted to know.
"Not precisely, but maybe we can calculate it. Luckily, the atomic clock is working. It's been nearly eight hours since takeoff. The vector tapes could be of help." He led the others to the secondary control panel where the radio was located. He removed the tapes from the recorder and examined them."I was afraid of that," he sighed. "The tapes are damaged."
"Well, is there any way we could repair the inertial navigation system?" John inquired.
"I could try but it would mean shutting off the artificial gravity for a while."
"Alright, do it." John replied. He then turned his attention to the children who were still gazing out the viewport. "Will, Penny, Bethany."
At his call, they hurried over to him.
"Now listen," he told them, "we're not going to have any gravity for a little while, so we're all going to have to hang on."
"Oh boy!" Will squealed in excitement.
John smiled at his son's enthusiasm and led everyone to the astrogator. They gathered round and grabbed ahold of it. Don was at the gravity control when he turned to the others. "Ready?" He asked.
They all nodded.
"Alright. Hang on!" And with the flick of the switch, the gravity was turned off.
The sound of excited shouts and squeals was heard as everyone's feet lifted off the ground and they experienced weightlessness. After a few minutes of hanging on, Will, growing bored, released his hold on the astrogator and slowly began to rise in the air.
"Hey look at me everyone!" he said as he did a flip in the air.
"That looks like fun!" laughed Penny and she too let go and floated up beside him. Bethany followed suit, and for the next fifteen minutes, all three of them floated in the air doing little tricks while the adults watched them, laughing. All too soon, Don called out that he was finished and both John and Maureen helped the children back down before Don turned the gravity back on.
"Well, is it fixed?" John wanted to know.
Don nodded, "It is. I'll have the results in a minute." He looked around the control room, "Where's Smith?" He suddenly asked.
John looked surprised, "That's funny! I haven't seen him since the gravity was turned off."
Don sighed irritably, "That's just great. The last thing we need is for him to wander around unattended on this ship."
"How did he even get on board?" Maureen inquired.
"He said that he was below adjusting the helium-nitrogen intake valve when he got trapped." Don rolled his eyes.
"Isn't the helium-nitrogen on the top deck?" said John.
"That's what bothers me."
"You don't trust him?"
Don gave a small snort. "Let me put it this way, John. When I was in cadet school, an excuse like his wouldn't have gotten me out of Sunday chapel. I don't know what it is about him, but something inside me says that he shouldn't wander around the ship alone."
"Shall I go look for him?" Will asked.
"You know that might not be a bad idea, Son," said John. "When you find him, tell him that I want to see him."
"Yes, sir!" the boy replied as he hurried over to the elevator.
"I'm coming too," said Bethany hurrying after him.
"Alright squirt. Come along." Will pushed the button on the elevator and the gate slid open. Once they were on, the gate closed and the two children slowly began to descend to the lower deck.
Dr. Smith had indeed gone down below. He was listening to the Major's plan on pinpointing their location when all of the sudden, the amount of time that had passed from liftoff was mentioned. His heart nearly stopped when he heard it.
Almost eight hours since liftoff? If that were true, then the robot could start on his rampage any moment now! He had to get down there and deactivate it. So, without a word to the others, he slipped below. Fortunately, the robot was still in its magnetic lock when he came down and had not begun his destructive course. Breathing a sigh of relief, Smith quickly made his way over to the machine and attempted to pull out its power pack. It wouldn't budge. Smith tried again this time yanking a little harder but still it did not come loose. Beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead as he tried desperately to pry the pack from its side. His efforts were all in vain. In a panic he dashed over to the tool shelf to retrieve a small screwdriver to use as leverage so that he could remove it. As he was running back over to the robot he tripped and fell. The next moment he felt himself being lifted in the air. At first he was frightened at this strange occurrence but then he remembered the artificial gravity and realized that for some reason it had been turned off. As he lay suspended in the air, he tried desperately to reach the robot by attempting to move his arms and legs in a motion similar to swimming. He soon found that air, unlike water, has less resistance and so the ability to propel oneself through it is greatly diminished. After what seemed to Smith like hours of helplessly floating, the gravity was finally restored, and he dropped to the floor landing flat on his face with a cry. At that moment, the robot's lights began to flash, indicating that he was coming to life.
"At exactly eight hours, destroy." The mechanical voice could be heard as it began to move forward.
Groaning, Smith got to his feet as the robot began to move forward. Before the machine could do any damage, he jammed the screwdriver into the space between the power pack and the metal plating and used the leverage to dislodge the pack causing the robot to go dead again. For a moment Smith slumped against the machine breathing a sigh of relief. His relief, however, was short lived as he heard a voice behind him.
"Hey, what are you doing there?"
Dr. Smith started and whirled around. Will and Bethany were standing there watching him suspiciously.
"You're not supposed to do that," said Bethany.
Smith gave the girl as charming of a smile as he could muster, "Now who's the doctor, you or me?" he asked her.
Will shook his head and walked over to him. "But they told us in the briefings that-"
"Would you like me to program him to play chess?" Smith interrupted, attempting to change the subject. "You play chess don't you? Ever play on a three-dimensional board? Did you know that I was the grandmaster of the Oxford chess society for three years running?"
Will just frowned and crossed his arms and continued to eye the robot indicating that he was not interested in what he had to say about chess.
Smith got the hint. "You have to disconnect the robot when you want to teach him something," he explained as he walked over to the control panel and set the power pack back on the charger.
Will followed him. "Major West told us that you were left aboard when you came down to adjust the helium-nitrogen intake." He said.
Smith nodded, "That's right."
"But the helium-nitrogen intake valve is in the upper levels."
Smith's heart rate quickened. He hadn't thought of that. "Well," he gave a nervous chuckle, "who said anything about the intake valve? It's the emergency supply that I was concerned about."
"Oh," said Will, nodding, "Then I'd better go up and tell the others that they were wrong about you."
"Wrong?" Smith asked, suddenly fearful that his cover had been blown. "Why? What did they say?"
"Well," said Will, "Major West said that when he went to cadet school, an excuse like yours wouldn't have gotten him out of Sunday Chapel."
Smith rolled his eyes, "He said that did he?" The disgust evident in his voice. "Well that's the military mind for you. Kill or be killed. That's all they understand."
"Uncle Don isn't like that!" Cried Bethany angrily.
"Calm down, Squirt," Will told her.
"Wait!" Dr Smith said suddenly, grasping Will by the shoulders. "Say that again."
"I just told her to calm down."
"Open your mouth," Smith ordered as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flashlight.
Will gave him a funny look but obeyed. Smith shined his light on inside then shook his head, "That's what I was afraid of. How long have you had that?"
"Had what?"
"That touch of virus on your tongue?"
Will shrugged indicating that he had no idea what the doctor was talking about. "I don't know."
"Well you can feel it, can't you?"
"I guess so?" Again the boy shrugged.
"I must have been blind not to spot it before liftoff," said Smith, turning off the flashlight.
"I thought freezing kills any virus."
"You thought? Well I guess it's a good thing I'm the doctor and not you. Do you know what that virus would have done while the rest of your body was in a state of metabolic animation? It would have taken over bit by bit. After five years there'd be nothing left but the metal in your space suit. All the rest of you would be one big raging mass of virus." He smiled at the children's evident fear at his lie. Let them believe what they wished, as long as earth was their destination in the end he didn't care. He turned to leave. "I'd better go and let the others know. We have got to return to earth immediately."
"But-"
"You both stay right there. In quarantine." Smith told them as he stepped into the elevator.
After he was gone, Will turned to Bethany and stuck out his tongue. "Do you see anything?" he asked.
Bethany looked at it carefully and shook her head. "Nope."
Will sighed and then went over to the control panel where the robot's power pack was.
"What are you doing?" Bethany asked, following him.
"Reactivating the robot, silly." He picked up the power pack.
"But Dr Smith said-"
"Oh bother, Dr Smith. I don't think he knows a thing about this robot. Now that we're in space, he should be kept activated." He grabbed the power pack, crossed over to the robot and plugged it in. Watching expectantly as it came to life.
Meanwhile when Smith arrived upstairs he saw that Don, John, and Maureen were arguing over whether or not they should return to earth.
"I'm an officer in the United States Space Corps, not a school bus driver," Don was saying. "I'd like for conditions to be perfect, but just because they're not isn't reason enough for me to abort a 30 billion mission."
"Major, that 30 billion is just as much my money as it is yours, and I don't like to waste it either," said Maureen firmly. "But I'd gladly waste a hundred times that much to safeguard my family. Now I say we turn back." She turned to John. "Do you have an opinion?"
He shook his head. "No, I don't." He answered. "Not until we've checked every component inside and out and know exactly how we stand."
"And then?"
"And then I'll let the computer make the final decision."
"And will the computer also take into consideration a man's love and concern for his family? Or has all that been put into cold storage for the duration?"
"Maureen, we knew perfectly well what we were getting into."
His wife sighed and turned away. Suddenly she caught sight of Dr Smith standing there listening. "Dr. Smith," she said, "is it possible that certain parts of the body don't reanimate as quickly as others? The heart for instance." She looked at John pointedly.
"Mrs. Robinson," began Smith, "I'm afraid the decision no longer rests in your hands or the computer's."
"What do you mean?" John inquired.
Smith looked at both parents, feigning seriousness. "Your son," he said quietly.
"What about him?" Maureen asked, the fear evident in her voice.
"Now there's no cause for alarm. Not yet at any rate," Smith began.
Suddenly, an explosion was heard and the ship began rocking back and forth knocking everyone off balance. Don quickly stabilized the ship.
"What was that?" John exclaimed.
Don shook his head as he began checking the controls. "I'm not sure."
Suddenly they heard Judy cry. "Mom, Dad look!"
Turning around they saw the bulky, tin-plated, frame of the robot in the glide tube. It began to move slowly forward towards the astrogator.
"Destroy!"
At this Dr. Smith ran over to the machine.
"No, no!" he cried. "Abort! Can you hear me? Abort!"
The robot turned towards him. An electrical current came out of his claw hands which zapped the doctor. He tumbled back either unconscious or dead. The robot reached the astrogator and used its claws to begin beating on the control panel. The ship rocked back and forth again. This time even worse than before.
As soon as the rocking had ceased, Don charged the robot in an attempt to stop it. Once he reached it, however, the robot's arm collided with the major's stomach, knocking the wind out of him as he tumbled back. The robot turned away from the astrogator and began to move towards the cabin pressure control panel. Seeing that it was moving away, Don got to his feet and attempted to stabilize the astrogator. It was no use.
"We're going into a hyperdrive!" he yelled as the ship suddenly lurched forward. "We're out of control!"
John meanwhile was trying to sneak up on the robot himself. He knew that if it destroyed the cabin pressure control, all hope would be lost. He attempted to grab a hold of the tin plated armor but he was shoved aside. Once it reached the cabin pressure control, it began using its claws to pummel the control and eventually punched a small hole in the wall. A hissing sound filled the air as the ship began to lose pressure.
"He's breaking through!" John cried as he began to rush it again. The robot turned and used its claws to zap him and he crumbled to the ground. Meanwhile Don had regained control of the ship and after placing it on auto pilot he again rushed the robot.
"The power pack!" He heard the weak voice of Smith from behind him. "Pull out the power pack!"
Don ducked as one of the robot's arms came towards him barely missing him. Then reaching up, he grabbed ahold of the power pack and pulled it out. Instantly the robot slumped over lifeless. Don then rushed over to the supply rack and retrieved a magnetic repair plate which he placed over the hole the robot had made to seal it shut. The Major stood there for a moment catching his breath and then went over to help John up.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Like I stuck my finger in a giant light socket." John answered. "Let's check the navigator and see where we are."
They did so and found that, unfortunately, the robot had driven them further off course bringing them into an unknown part of space.
"It's incredible," John mused, "not one constellation you can recognize."
"Will!" Said Maureen suddenly, "He was below with the robot!"
Suddenly they heard the sound of the elevator as Will and Bethany came up to the top deck.
Maureen rushed over to them. "Are you two alright?" She questioned.
Will nodded then looked at Dr Smith.
"Are Beth and I still in quarantine?"
"Quarantine?" Maureen gave the doctor a confused look.
"It's nothing," Smith said glumly without taking his eyes off the viewport, "nothing that matters now."
00oo00oo
General Morgan was walking to his office. He ran his hand through his messy hair. He didn't know how anything like this could have happened. They had placed so many checks into their procedures to prevent something like from ever occurring. Nevertheless, it had happened, and it was his job to find out why. So far, the only clue he had to go by was the guard that had stumbled into the control tower claiming that he had been knocked in the head by Dr Zachary Smith, when he had found the medical man wandering unauthorized aboard the ship. A search had started for the doctor but as of yet there had been no result. The general sighed. Unless they found that man there would be no way of learning what had happened to the ship. He reached his office and opened the door.
"Hello Alpha control, this is Lunar Tracking Station Copernicus. Jupiter 2 is moving at incredible speed, far off course, beyond the range of our tracking instruments."
The PA in his office relayed the words he dreaded to hear. The words of failure. Now he would have to let the president know. He went over to his desks and picked up the phone.
"Get me the president on the scrambler," he told the operator.
After a few minutes of waiting the president was on the other end.
"Mr. President," General Morgan began gravely, "status report on the Jupiter 2. As of this moment, the spacecraft has passed the limits of our galaxy. It's presumed to be hopelessly lost in space."