The crew of the Jupiter 2 were all breathing a collective sigh of relief as they sat down to dinner in the galley that evening, having escaped from the junk planet by the scrape of their teeth only a matter of hours earlier. The dinner tasted all the more sweet because it was a dinner which none of them had expected would ever come. Professor Robinson chose to say a few words: "I think we all know how fortunate we are to be sitting here tonight. If I'm being honest, I really didn't think we were getting off that planet. It's a miracle we're here and every one of us should give thanks."
"I have to agree with you dear", Maureen noted, "I don't think any of us did either. And as for the robot surviving being in that blast furnace for so long, I can't even begin to fathom it."
"No", her husband grinned, "neither can I."
"Maybe it's like the junk man said", Will responded sincerely, "maybe it was love after all."
"Maybe son", John responded warmly, "maybe."
"Maybe one day soon you'll learn more about love Will", Judy noted.
"Oh please", bellowed Dr Smith, "where in this vast intergalactic sea of nothingness is William going to meet anybody? If he wants to find love then he must set his sights on returning to Earth, as should the rest of us if I'm being quite frank."
"And of course it's Will's welfare you're really concerned about I'm sure Smith", responded Don harshly. "And in case you hadn't noticed, we're not just hanging out in deep space billions of miles from who knows where for the sake of it. We're lost…in…space, in case you didn't receive the memo. John and I are working night and day trying to figure out where we are, between working round the clock keeping this ship in the air." He was now fuming as his face turned bright red. Judy comforted him by putting her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Major", Dr Smith answered, "I didn't mean any offence."
"No, you never do."
"That's enough, both of you!" John snapped. "The last few weeks have been tough on all of us. Now let's just try to relax and unwind a little."
"I agree completely Professor", Dr Smith responded resolutely, "on that note I shall unwind by retiring to my quarters for the evening." He then hastily leapt up out of his seat, picked up what remained of his meal and then stormed off to his quarters in a huff as he so often did.
"Same old Smith", Don observed.
"I know", John answered, "but this quarrel between you and him has come to a head and he's become more and more problematic in recent months. Ever since we left Gamma 6 its been one disaster after another. I need you to try your best to turn the other cheek and go easy on him."
"Ok John, I'll try my best", he agreed reluctantly.
With that dispute settled and Smith having retired to his quarters for the evening, the rest of the Jupiter 2 crew were able to enjoy the remainder of their dinner in peace.
Will Robinson was feeling cheerful despite the awkwardness of that evening's dinner table conversation; after all, his eccentric friend's outbursts had been more the norm rather than the exception since the beginning of their voyage. And after their against the odds escape from the junk planet - and his sister Judy's off the cuff comment at dinner - Will was now expanding his mind more and more to the possibilities of where he and his companions may wind up next on their long voyage, as he knocked on the door to Dr Smith's bedroom.
"Who is it?" He answered belligerently.
"It's Will."
"Come in."
"What can I do for you my boy?" He asked, now speaking in a slightly more pleasant tone.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to come up to the control room with me? The robot and I were going to do some star gazing and also listen for any radio signals."
"Well, I was planning on getting an early night but I suppose I could be tempted, at least for a little while", he agreed dryly.
"Great, I'll race you up there", Will answered enthusiastically.
"Very well, but you'll have to give me a heads start. My back's extremely delicate." Will smirked in amusement.
"Ok Dr Smith, whatever you say."
After Will had given Dr Smith his head start, the two friends then raced each other up to the top level, with Will taking the lift while Dr Smith took the ladder.
They both landed on the top level simultaneously, where the robot was waiting for them.
"Anything yet robot?" Will asked.
"Negative. Just standard space sounds."
"Oh well, maybe something will show up", answered Will as he and Dr Smith each took a seat and began staring out the front window of the ship, while simultaneously listening for any frequencies.
After a short period of silence, Dr Smith spoke: "dear William. I must admit I was taken aback by what your sister Judy happened to mention at dinner this evening and I certainly didn't mean to cause any offence."
"It's ok Dr Smith. But why were you taken aback?"
"Well, it's just that I've spent so much time mentoring you and thinking about your future but I'd never really thought about you meeting a lady, I guess on account of you being so young, but then again, you are thirteen now so I suppose you probably would be starting to think about those kinds of things", he concluded, sounding rarely sincere. Will briefly contemplated the doctor's words.
"Well…i-it's kind of funny. I hadn't really thought about it but then when Judy brought it up tonight it did get me thinking, and I think I would kind of like to meet someone soon but I would hardly say I'm in a massive rush."
"Indeed", Dr Smith replied before he too became momentarily lost in thought.
"You know what!" He started enthusiastically, "I think I'm going to teach you how to dance!" Suddenly, the robot's tracts turned in Dr Smith's direction.
"Oh, I didn't know you knew how to dance Dr Smith", answered Will. "How come you never mentioned it before?"
"Maybe because he doesn't know how", the robot interjected.
"Silence ninny", rebutted Dr Smith, gesturing for the robot to make no further comments on the matter.
"It just so happens that I do know how", he insisted passionately. "Look here, I'll show you!" He proclaimed as he stood out of his chair and moved into the space between the navigator and the front of the ship, where the two front seats and the control panel lay.
"I'm about to demonstrate a famous dance known as 'the waltz.' Now follow very carefully. First you put your left foot out, then you put your right foot to the side, then we close", he concluded in a confident tone, as he strutted up and down the narrow confines of the Jupiter 2s top level, clumsily repeating the same short sequence.
"Now you come and join me William. You can act as the lady for this demonstration." Will reluctantly got out of his chair and came over to join his companion, who took him by the arm as he continued his dance lesson.
"Now, you want to lean back and I'll lean forward. Then we move our feet down, up, up, or is it down, up, down", now sounding puzzled. "No wait, it's down, down, up", trying frantically to make his demonstration work as he and Will clumsily moved about, continually stepping on one another's feet and bumping heads.
"Hahahaha", robot exclaimed, unable to control its laughter.
"Silence", Dr Smith exclaimed, as he scoured intensely at the robot, "there's nothing wrong with my demonstration." However, it was no use as the Robot's chest compartment starting flashing its customary pinkish red light the moment Dr Smith resumed his demonstration: "Hahahahaha…Ahhhaaaaaaahaaa."
"That's enough!" He screamed. "You cease that horrendous sound right now you cackling clod."
"Ok Dr Smith, I'll try my best."
Seeing that he was unlikely to have success with his current method, the Doctor decided to empty his pockets, taking out the metal cog he'd retrieved from the junk planet, and placing it on the nearest object, which happened to be the navigator. He then walked back around to where Will was standing and promptly resumed his demonstration.
"Now young William, like I was saying", he continued as he took Will by the arm once more, "you lean back and I lean forward, then we go heel, toes up as we move to the side, and then toes up and close to finish", this time looking slightly more coordinated.
"And again, heel back, toes up and to the side, and then toes up and clo…" Suddenly Will and Dr Smith were both knocked off their feet and onto the ground as the ship made a sudden loud thrusting sound. They instantly turned to the robot.
"Robot!" Will shouted frantically, "what's happening?"
"We've been knocked off course", he responded. "We're now travelling 14 astral degrees east of our plotted course."
"Do you know what caused it?" Will pressed.
"I think you'll find it's the piece of scrap metal Dr Smith decided to rest on the navigator."
"Well it's simple then isn't it", Dr Smith interjected, as he moved over to the panel to remove the piece of metal he'd placed there only moments earlier, thoroughly convinced that would solve the problem. However, not only did it not solve the problem but something unexpected occurred: "what, what's going on?" He shouted, "it's stuck, it won't come off!" Will came over to attempt to remove the metal piece but no matter how much they both tried, it wouldn't budge.
"Come over and help us", Dr Smith shouted at the robot.
"I'm afraid that if I do, I'll also get stuck seen as I'm metallic myself."
"You coward", Smith exhorted, "a whole load of good you are." Will then had an idea.
"Maybe if we turn off the robot's power pack, temporarily remove one of his arms to remove the metal and then reattach the arm." Dr Smith agreed with the idea but the Robot was worried that the piece of metal might become stuck to his own arm permanently. He suggested that it would be better to first test another metallic object to confirm it wasn't just the navigator which the piece of metal was magnetically drawn too. Will agreed and promptly went down to the lower deck to retrieve a metal appliance from the galley.
A short time later he returned with a button magnet which had been attached to one of the refrigerators stored inside the food storage lockers. He then placed it against the metal piece which was still attached to the navigator.
"That's incredible", he exclaimed. "It's stuck to the navigator like a magnet yet it won't connect with the actual magnet at all. Do you have any explanation robot?"
"None at this point in time, I'm afraid Will", he responded remorsefully. "However, I recommend you try placing the button magnet against the navigator itself." Will did as the robot suggested. To his surprise, it did stick to the navigator.
"I can't believe it!" Somehow the navigator is acting as a magnet."
"Affirmative Will Robinson."
"Let me see if I can remove it." To Will's relative surprise, the button magnet did peel away from the navigator.
"So, you're telling me that the navigator is acting as a magnet and that it's most strongly attracted to Dr Smith's metal cog?" Will concluded, shaking his head incredulously.
"Affirmative."
"And you've still got no explanation I presume?" Will countered irritably.
"I'm sorry Will."
"Well then, I guess I'd better go and wake up Dad and Don."
Will rushed down the ladder to his father's bedroom and knocked on the door frantically.
"Come in."
"Dad!" Exclaimed Will.
"What is it son?" John answered in a concerned tone.
"There's a problem upstairs. Dr Smith placed a piece of metal on the navigator because he had no where else to put it and now we've changed course." Suddenly, the professor's face turned bright red.
"Ok, I'll be up with Don in a moment. And you can tell Dr Smith to not touch anything else, if he can manage it", now sounding highly irritated.
"Yes sir", Will answered sincerely.
Will then returned to the top level where Dr Smith and the robot were chatting amongst themselves.
"Ah William. Were you able to retrieve your father and the major?"
"Yep, they'll be coming up any minute."
"Good. Then maybe we can get to the bottom of this mystery."
"I sure hope so. I guess your metal piece didn't turn out to be a mere useless cog after all."
"Indeed. I've always had an eye for valuable artefacts."
Moments later professor Robinson and major West arrived on the top level, looking none to happy.
"Ok, what have you managed to do this time Smith."
"As it so happens major, this time I wasn't to blame. I merely placed a small piece of metal on the navigator as I was trying to teach young William here how to do the waltz and for some inexplicable reason it's become attached." Don looked at Dr Smith with a perplexed, almost repulsed, expression. He looked as if he was about to question him further before raising his arm in a dismissive manner: "never mind Smith." He then turned to his captain.
"What do you think John? Could this have something to do with the junk planet? Could we be getting pulled back there?" His hands beginning to tremble slightly.
"Negative", the robot interjected. "Our trajectory is currently leading us towards a different star system." Looking startled by this revelation, professor Robinson and major West both moved swiftly towards the navigator.
"Look Don, he's right. We're heading right for this system over here", pointing at a system located a short distance north east of the one they had just come from.
"Well that's a relief", noted Don. "At least it looks like we're not going to get swallowed up by another giant magnet."
"I wouldn't be so certain", John replied. "Don't you find it a little bit funny that we're being pulled right towards an unknown star system by some unknown magnetic force? Perhaps this whole region of space is highly magnetic?"
"Well it could help explain why the junk planet was located where it was in the first place. But I'm really hoping that's not the case."
"Well I guess we'll know soon enough", answered Professor Robinson in his usual composed, matter of fact manner.
"Robot?" He began. "How long until we enter the system?"
"Approximately five hours", he answered.
"Ok, well Don and I will stay up here manning the controls. You stay with us on watch Robot. Will and Dr Smith: I think you two should get some rest. It looks like we're going to have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Yes Sir", answered Will, as he and Dr Smith both headed for the escalator.
Once downstairs they bid each other a good evening, before retiring to their respective quarters to get whatever rest they could manage, before finding out where their ship was being led and why.
At around 7:00 that morning, Will was awoken by loud, repeated knocks on his door.
"Who's there?" He called out.
"It's me Will", Dr Smith cried out enthusiastically. "Could I please come in?" He pressed eagerly.
"Of course Dr Smith", he answered, wondering why Dr Smith was sounding so keen, as he began to remember the events of the previous evening.
Dr Smith then rushed into the bedroom, and immediately began tugging at Will's arm.
"Come on William", he insisted. "Quickly put on your day gown, we must make haste for the upper deck"
"Why?" Will asked curiously.
"Your father just sent a message over the navicom; he says everyone is to come up immediately."
"Really? Wow, they must've found a planet in that system we were heading into last night."
"I agree", Dr Smith responded joyously, "who knows, it might even be earth?" Will began to roll his eyes.
"Dr Smith", he began in a matter of fact tone, "it's not going to be earth."
"Have faith my boy, have faith. Anyway", he pressed, "quickly get dressed so we can see where we are."
"Yes Sir", Will answered politely, "just give me a minute to put my clothes on."
"No problem my boy."
As Dr Smith left the room to wait outside, Will hastily changed into his now customary green top, with a yellow stripe across the collar, having recently put aside his purple coloured top which he had now outgrown. He then put on his boots and quickly made for the door, where Dr Smith was waiting on the other side. They then preceded to the escalator, which they stepped onto together, before Will pressed the 'up' button on the mechanism, which now began moving upward, taking the pair to the second and top level of the ship.
When they landed on the top deck, they noticed that the rest of the crew were already present, their eyes fixed to the front window of the ship, in front of which Professor Robinson and major West were both seated. As Will moved closer he noticed a planet was in full view. A planet which looked very familiar.
"Earth!" He and Dr Smith shouted in unison, as the others - suddenly aware of their presence - all turned around to face them.
"Ah-ah-ah", replied the Professor, "look more closely." Will did as his father had commanded. At first he was perplexed: it appeared for all money to be their home planet. All the main continents were present and the right size; the oceans were where they ought to be; their home country of the United States was right where...suddenly Will paused in disbelief as the truth began to sink in. America was in the right spot but the shape of his homeland was distinctly different in certain spots. Instead of five Great Lakes, there were only three. Furthermore, the bottom section of Florida now hooked out to the right; there were also a number of other differences. Will continued to notice more and more distinctions between this planet and the real earth as his eyes darted around the section of the planet currently visible on screen. South America had parts missing and new ones added, Ireland was no longer visible, while the four main islands of Hawaii were now arranged in a near perfect square shape.
"But it is earth", Dr Smith insisted. Will wasn't sure whether his friend really believed that, or if he was just in denial.
"Doctor", John replied calmly, "please just calm yourself and take one more look. Look closely this time." Dr Smith did as he was asked. At first he still seemed convinced but after a few more moments the pin finally dropped. The expression on his face was heartbreaking.
"N-not earth", he moaned. "But how c-could it be. W-what is this place?"
"Your guess is as good as ours Doctor", answered John. "Robot", he continued, "report on the atmospheric conditions please."
"Affirmative. Running atmospheric report." A matter of seconds later, the robot had already finished his many millions of computations and was ready to report back.
"Atmospheric composition is as follows: nitrogen 77%; oxygen 20%; argon 1%; iron 1%; polonium 0.5%, other trace elements 0.5%. Gravity reading: 9.1." The Professor raised his eyebrows at the last set of readings.
"That sounds similar to earth", Don observed.
"Yes, very similar", John observed, "but with a few small differences, and sometimes it's the small distinctions which make all the difference."
"What do you mean Dad?" Asked Penny.
"What I mean dear, is that life on our planet relies on a very fine balance of atmospheric conditions and it only takes a small imbalance to potentially throw things into chaos. For example, remember back on Priplanus how the small but subtle differences in atmospheric conditions compared to earth created all kinds of strange life forms to materialise that we'd never have seen back on earth?"
"Yes", she responded, "I remember."
"Well we could find similar kinds of anomalies on this planet."
"But weren't the oxygen levels on Priplanus quite a bit lower than the ones the robot is reading for this planet? Will pointed out. "These readings are almost identical to earth conditions."
"Yes, that's true son but it's the abnormally high amounts of a couple of the trace metals the robot mentioned which gave me cause for concern. Robot", he continued, "am I correct in assuming that the one percent iron composition you mentioned in your readings indicates that this planet is highly magnetic compared to earth?"
"Affirmative. It is most likely the magnetic pull of this planet which drew us here in the first place."
"Thank you robot", he responded. "And what do you make of the 0.5% polonium reading?"
"The comparatively high amount of polonium indicates the atmosphere of this planet is quite highly radioactive." The Professor threw his arms up in the air.
"Now you all see what I mean?" The others nodded in reply.
"Ok", he pressed on. "Robot, do you think it's safe for us to land?"
"The atmosphere will be sufficient to sustain human life, at least in the short term. As for the planet's ability to sustain life in the longer term, further analysis will be required."
"Thank you Robot."
A short time later the Jupiter 2 began to orbit a landmass in the planet's northern hemisphere which, to Will's eye, closely resembled the nation of Japan. It consisted of three main land masses spread out in a mostly north-south direction but with some westward drift. It was at this time that Professor Robinson took out the communicator.
"I'm going to try to establish contact", he announced. The others were now all on their toes, eagerly anticipating what would transpire next.
"Hello. This is Professor John Robinson of the earth ship the Jupiter 2. We request permission to land." A few moments passed and then suddenly...there was a response.
"Hello Jupiter 2. You are in contact with the Johto space centre", the voice began. It sounded like the voice of a normal earth man, perhaps aged somewhere in their thirties. "You said you were from earth, however we have no record of your vessel or of a Professor John Robinson in our files." John and the others were bewildered by this response. 'Why would they expect to have a record of them seen as they were from earth, not this planet?' He exchanged looks with Don, with both men appearing equally puzzled. A few moments later John decided to respond to the message.
"Johto space centre, as I was saying, we're from a planet called earth in the system of Sol, out near the Alpha Centauri system. May I ask what the name of this planet is?" After some pause, another reply came back.
"Jupiter 2. This is the planet earth and we know of no earth in the system of Sol; for that matter, we know of no system which goes by that name. We have decided you're a threat to our planet. Turn back immediately or we'll be forced to take retaliatory action!" The man concluded defiantly.
"Johto space centre. We don't have enough power to break free of your orbit and we need to land to make repairs to our space ship. We could arrange to land in a more rural area if that would put you more at ease. However, I stress that we are not hostile. We're merely a family of colonists who've been lost in space for the past three and a half years. We mean you no harm." Everyone was anxious and on-edge as they awaited a response. A minute passed and none came, then another and still nothing.
"Don", Professor Robinson began, "can you pinpoint the source of the transmission?"
"Yeah John, pinpointing now. It was from the middle of those three islands which are kind of shaped like the Japanese Archipelago, from somewhere within the Western quadrant of the island." The Professor appeared lost in thought before responding to Don's report.
"Ok, you see that island to the south of the one where the transmission came from?"
"Right", answered Don.
"Head for it. And if you can, try to find a landing spot a little off the beaten track."
"Aye aye captain."
However, not long after Don began the descent the voice returned: "Jupiter 2, you're entering Hoenn air space. Turn around immediately or you'll be eliminated. I repeat, turn around now or you'll be eliminated!" Everyone was now terrified and Dr Smith began to cry aloud: "Oh doom, doom. Oh wretched fate! Why me!"
"That's enough Smith!" John shouted. "Don", he continued, maintaining his composure as always, "can you get us to the surface?"
"Maybe, if I crank up the speed a little but we'll be cutting it fine. If I crank it up too much there's no way we'll survive impact."
"Do whatever you can. The rest of you get below and strap in, hurry!"
The rest of the crew followed the Professor's command as they rushed frantically to reach the lower deck and get strapped in in time, with Dr Smith shoving ahead of the others to be the first on the escalator. The ship was already vibrating heavily and moving from side to side as Don navigated them through the incoming missiles while also increasing the speed just enough to get them through to the other side of the barrage.
Moments later, the rest of the crew was strapped in down on the lower deck. While upstairs, Don and the Professor were working frantically to land the ship safely, with Don having just cleared them through the barrage of missiles. But now they were getting close to the surface and their speed was still way to fast. He was pulling the controls back with all his strength, attempting to get the ship to float through the air for as long as possible, hoping to burn off more speed. They were now really close.
"20,000 miles till impact…16,000 miles...12,000 thousand miles..."
"Come on Don", the Professor pleaded. "Get us there."
"I'm doing everything I can John."
There was now only a few thousand miles left as the major frantically pulled back on the controls with one last ditch effort, before he and the Professor strapped themselves in and reclined their chairs back, hoping against hope for a clean landing.
Moments later, the ship made impact with the surface, creating a massive thud which could be heard for many miles in every direction.
