Chapter 2

It seemed as if she had barely closed her eyes when the Robot interrupted her repose.

"Warning, warning, Mrs. Robinson, the alien creature has returned and is attempting to pierce the force field. There is a 78.3 percent chance that the field will be compromised."

Instantly awake, she dashed to the weapons area and snatched a laser rifle. She opened the hatch and waited at the top of the ramp. The creature beat at the invisible field with a thick branch, sending sparks back at him, which only made him angrier.

Watching the scene before her, Maureen made a decision. "Shut down the force field, Robot."

"That does not compute, Mrs. Robinson. It is the only protection you have."

"I know what I have to do. Shut it down and on my mark give the beast all the electricity you have."

The Robot rolled over to the unit and threw the switch as Maureen steadied the laser rifle. As soon as the beast took a step, Maureen shouted, "Now!" and blasted the animal with all the power that her weapon possessed. The Robot did the same and the animal slowed, but did not stop. Maureen unconsciously walked backwards as the animal continued to approach. After what seemed like an eternity, the monster dropped at her feet, but Maureen continued to depress the trigger.

The Robot finally spoke to attract her attention. "Mrs. Robinson. The alien is dead."

Maureen removed her finger, but continued to aim at the beast. "Are you sure?"

"Affirmative. My sensors tell me that all life signs have ceased."

Dropping the rifle to her side, Maureen sighed, "Thank God! Help me get it away from the ship."

"Mrs. Robinson. The creature may hold the key to the cures."

"How so?"

"The animal feeds on the fruit and may have developed an immunity to the spores that the fruit produces."

"You mean its biology may have adapted to it?"

"Affirmative. The answer may lie in its biochemistry."

"I hope you're right, Robot. Please turn the force field back on. I'm going to check on our patients, and then I'll be back to take some samples from this beast."

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Maureen approached her husband's sleeping form and was startled when he spoke to her.

"I heard… shooting. What happened?"

"The monster came back, John. I finally killed it."

"Alone?"

"Not really. The Robot was with me, and believe me, I needed him there."

"I should have… been there."

"And you would have if your fever wasn't approaching 104 degrees. Try to rest, dear. I'm going to check on the others."

Dr. Smith was sleeping soundly. Now that the rash had stopped spreading, he seemed to be more comfortable although he still had a fever. It wasn't as high as it had been the previous night, and she hoped that he had passed the worst of the illness. The same was true for Will. She guessed that the biggest source of contamination for them had been consuming the food, and vomiting may have resolved half of their problem.

Entering Judy's room, Maureen was unnerved at the sound of Don and Judy's ragged wheezing. They seemed to struggle for each painful breath. Judy's rash had stopped spreading across her face, but their fevers were still dangerously high.

Penny was still her biggest concern. She had barely moved in several hours and her fever continued to rage.

Satisfied that there was nothing more she could do for them, she took her equipment out to the monster. She collected several samples of the monster's skin, hair and blood, and prayed that she was holding the answer in her hands as she returned to the lab.