Lost in Space

Jupiter 2 What is new

By: David Carter

Authors note: Lost in Space was pretty popular upon its launch in the 60's. People endured the constant ramblings of Dr. Zachary Smith and the troublesome explorer Will Robinson. Truthfully I got annoyed with both of them, why? These characters were the show's constant attention; that left out any Don and Judy relationship. If you like certain characters their bound to meet a fall somewhere down the road. I won't say who but the above list should give you an idea, now on with the drama. And review if you like something.

CH.1: Space is very long

Space can be endless at times, then there are other times where planets make boredom go away. For the Robinsons it's been a very long voyage and by now the crew has gotten use to the free time they had while in their ship the Jupiter 2. Penny was on her bed listening to Earth's many classical Broadway plays, while Judy spent her time brushing her long blonde hair. In the kitchen Maureen Robinson made use of the Jupiter 2's food processor. John Robinson was in the large cockpit of the ship helping Major Don West find bearing on their current location.

"John are we sure we can trust Smith to change the weapon cartridges? I mean he's screwed up on practically every simple job we gave him. I still don't see why you put so much trust in him," Don said while entering in some coordinates. Don was in his late twenties with short black hair and he wore a green tunic with a yellow shirt underneath. Don was the pilot of the Jupiter 2 and was dating John's oldest daughter. He had a temper, and when he was around Dr. Zachary Smith.

"Don you have to realize that like Smith we mess up occasionally, besides for better or worse he needs to do a little work. I harbor my own feelings of resentment towards the good doctor, but it would be wrong to just drop him off at the first planet we land on. And if it won't help, that planet is miles away now," John said with a smile cracking on his lips. Professor John Robinson was the head of the Jupiter 2; married to Maureen Robinson, and father to Judy, Penny, and Will. He was very protective of his family and would go to such lengths as: challenging aliens in promise for his family's safety, sacrifice himself, or make deals of the weird circumstance. John stretched back in the copilot seat and gave the young pilot a tired look. "Look Don go get some rest I'll take over-."

"Sorry John but seeing how you were the first to stretch, it appears you need that rest more then me." John Robinson wouldn't budge and Don shook his head, this man is one tough negotiator, he thought with a grin. "Ok John I'll put it on autopilot at 2300 hours, is that ok?" The Professor nodded and as he left he patted Don's back before entering the elevator. Don looked at his watch and realized John had assigned Smith weapon inventory 1 hour ago. Figuring he'd take John's offer on rest he hit the Jupiter 2's autopilot then instead of wait for the elevator chose to descend by ladder. John was already in his sleeping quarters, that's good, Don thought, because he may not want to hear the sound of my laser pistol going off.

"Dr. Smith that is not the proper way to put that cartridge into the pistol. I was left instructions by Professor Robinson to ensure you did the proper procedure, from this perspective of mine you aren't-." Don grinned as he recognized the Robot's voice and realized John was way ahead of him. Putting his back to the wall he peered into the room and felt his temperature rise when he saw the weapons lying across the room in messy fashion. "Dr. Smith you are not following orders, do I have to show you my-."

"Will you stop blathering you quivering quack," Dr. Zachary Smith retorted, "your voice has been droning on and on and can you for once let me do my job as I see best?" Dr. Smith was in his early fifties with graying hair and a black tunic with a tan shirt underneath. He seemed at first to be wise, but when put to work he often complained of his aching back.

"Smith the only job you do best is getting us into trouble," Don said as he entered. Dr. Smith wasn't at all surprised by the young Major's sudden appearance. "Look here Smith we need these weapons at all times…in any condition. Now I am here to relieve the Robot of his task…and see you put these weapons back to their original shape and purpose. Robot your dismissed." As the Robot left Don heard a mechanical wheeze, he didn't have a clue, but looking at Smith and how his face scrunched up realized the Robot had made a fleeing joke. "Well Smith?"

"Really Major must I face such an ordeal after working and working for hours on your weapons? I beg you let an old man have his few hours asleep, then I'll be ready to start over, so I bid you a kind-." Don crossed his arms and didn't budge from the door. I despise you Major, he thought while looking over a disassembled laser pistol, you push me around like I can't do anything right, well I'll show you, then you'll see. Doctor Smith was originally sent to the Jupiter 2 to spy and disable, what he did was activate the B-9 Robot and try to kill the crew; all before lift off. All failed and Will Robinson fixed the Robot getting rid of the killing urge in him; not to mention eventually setting Smith to do good.

"Ok Smith what is the first thing you do when reassembling a laser pistol?" Doctor Smith picked up the weapon and attached the stub of the weapon. Then he put the middle half followed by the snout lead of the weapon. Don was impressed that Smith could do all that, but the matter about the cartridges proved more worrisome. "Well Smith you proved to me that behind that very stubborn soul of yours that you can probably reassemble a weapon, but now the challenge is getting the right las cartridge in-."

"Spare me the lecture Major, I know fully well how to put one cartridge into your delicate weapons," Dr. Smith said giving the Major a little smile. Don looked at his watch casually and slapped his head.

"Look Smith by tomorrow morning I want all these weapons ready for testing, see to it you take care of it…tonight." Don gave him one last glare then headed to his sleeping quarters. He hesitated at the door afraid Smith would put blanks in one laser pistol when they were surrounded, but shook away the notion trying to put more faith in Smith's words. Meanwhile a tired and restless Dr. Smith grew bored of his current situation:

"My delicate back, this won't do at all, I just cannot work any more without a nap. I'll just slip a few cartridges here…and here…and voila my work is done 10 times faster. Now to bed I go," and with that said he walked away from the newly assembled weapons and once inside his room he was so tired he fell on his cot wrapped in slumber's arms.

Will Robinson was the first to awake the following day and ate his artificial nutritious meal. He was about 11, but being in space he almost forgot his Earth birthday. His red hair was sticking up and his eyes were staring anywhere but the artificial food. He wore a blue robe and in his pocket was a treat, in case he was hungry again at night. Penny awoke next and her hair was all over her half awake face. She was 2 years older then him and had black hair, much like their dad. She didn't bother to eat and instead chose to pour herself a healthy drink. "Morning Medusa-."

"Hey that's not nice! Why I ought to tell mom on you, but I guess I shouldn't huh washer boy?" Will tried smoothing his hair but in his efforts only made more stick up in back. Penny enjoyed picking on Will, he was 2 years younger then her, but still more entertaining then Judy was. The next up was Maureen Robinson who walked with a smile on her face and a bounce to her step. "Good morning mom."

"Well good morning to you too Penny, and to you too Will," she said to her children. Maureen wore a simple dress and had a blonde red bun of hair (which seemed undisturbed during the night). "Oh Will before I forget would you go remind Dr. Smith that John and Don are waiting for him in the...equipment room?"

"Sure mom," Will responded simply. Sliding out of his chair he ran to the door leading to the sleeping chambers. Boy I hope I don't disturb his sleep again, Will thought nervously, last time he threw his clock, who knows what it will be now. Pushing the door control he waited patiently as it slid aside and revealed a single cot and a room fit for royalty, but the closest it got was Dr. Smith in his blood red bath robe. "Dr. Smith…hey wake up Dr. Smith!" Will looked down at the figure who many times in the past had caused the crew of the Jupiter 2 much pain and suffering…the pain from listening to him, then suffering from his many schemes to get to Earth. "Dr. Smith my dad and Don-."

"I'm up Major don't…oh it's only you William, be a dear and help a friend up," he said helplessly. Will obliged and helped up helped up the Doctor, much as he could, and when up the doctor seemed to consider his next move, "would you go tell the Professor and Major-?"

"No I can't Dr. Smith, my mom gave me strict orders, as did Don last night. Now march on to the equipment room…then and only then can you have a bite of breakfast." Dr. Smith always thinks with what scheme he learns, or his stomach, Will thought eyeing the Doctor curiously, I wonder if his heart struggles with all this selfishness.

"Fine William…but how I hate weapon detail," Dr. Smith said as he ushered Will out. As he dressed he felt his pulse bounce and with his finger placed on his hand counted, "oh the pain…the pain," he said miserably. The walk to the equipment room went slow and as he poked his head in saw the Professor and Major holding up the weapons he had reassembled the night before.

"Just in time Smith," Don said giving the Doctor a wide grin, "we were just about to fire the first round of our newly assembled laser pistol," he added keeping a keen eye on the nervous Doctor. John too noticed Smith's nervousness, Don noticed, which means we're either doomed or damn near it. Don held the laser pistol up so that the silvery pistol glowed…then spreading his legs apart he took a ready stance and fired. The laser tore through the wall and caused the space outside to fuel angrily with strong pulling gusts of wind.

"Smith that cartridge is explosive," John said as he clung to one of the armor shelves, "it was supposed to go in the laser rifle, have you no brains Smith!" Don tripped to the deck and before he got sucked into the vacuum of space he slapped the emergency lock sealing the hole up. The equipment room was an add on, a project the Robinsons did out of boredom. The extra door was laser proof…and a way to dispose of unused cartridges. The laser fired however was very experimental; it was orange; a clear warning considering the other cartridges were blue. Smith was lying on the deck trying to catch an already erratic pulse.

"Smith…if I recover within the next 10 minutes you are still here…I swear there will be nothing left…" Don coughed and got up on one knee, but gravity pulled him down face first. By now the crew of the Jupiter 2 was well aware of the alarm by the Robot and had taken their time getting to the equipment room. The Robot was left in the cockpit and his rubbery arms began to wail about.

"Danger! Danger, approaching planet at a speed of 40.4 mph, warning extreme possibility of crash landing!" The robot turned its body a full 360 and noticed he was all alone. As he turned to the view screen he was the only one aboard who saw the planet's green surface rush up to greet them.