A gray craft with a orange secondary theme hovered in the orbit of the planet that the Robinsons were stranded on for the time being. It flew further and further toward the planet breaking through layers of the atmosphere. It was dark when it came to view as the Robinsons were picking out constellations at a time and Locksmith was resting in his bed feeling quite unwell. Debbie sat by Locksmith's side while B-9 was set beside the blazing fire observing the family with his sensors out.
B-9 turned in the direction of the blazing meteor show and bobbed his helm up in alarm.
The craft went a considerable distance away from the shuttle.
"Warning!" B-9 announced. "Space craft has landed on the planet!"
The Robinsons bolted up to their feet then fled into their shuttle and B-9 cleaned up the fire pit by splashing water upon it until it was no more.
B-9 rolled on then stayed there on patrol as the Robinsons peeked out of the windows.
"Alright," Maureen started that morning as she stood between the doorways with her back to the outside. "Time to start another day of mining!"
"How much more mining do we need to do?" Will asked.
"Just a couple more weeks." Maureen assured. "Then we can get off this planet and resume our search for Alpha Centauri."
"Heavens! A few more weeks on this planet!" Locksmith whined. "Oh no! Oh heavens no!"
"You can stand a few more weeks." Will said. "We aren't being chase by that space patrol people since we are planet side."
"It could be worse," John agreed. "We might be in some big trouble if we go out there with you."
Locksmith faced the Robinsons then noticed as they were slowly loosing color before his eyes as their clothing was turning gray as was the space shuttle. All except for Don, Penny, and Will. Robot remained in technicolor to the older man's bright blue eyes. The older man paled then lowered his gaze and sat down into the chair then slumped.
"My presence is dooming this expedition. You're going to leave me behind, aren't you?"
"No, no, no." Judy shook her head. "We have been working on a secret compartment for you to rest in while the ship is being scanned."
Locksmith bobbed his head up in surprise.
"Over there," Will said then slid the panel beside the refrigerator opened.
"We'll keep you there should we find ourselves being captured by a tractor beam." Maureen said. "It has been reinforced with the material that we found on Afterstep. It had blocked Robot's sensors in the botany section of the crashed ship."
"I-oi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i I don't know what to say." Locksmith said.
"You don't have to say anything," Judy put a hand on the side of his shoulder. "All you have to do is believe in us."
"I do with my heart." Locksmith smiled putting his hand on her hand.
"How is your stomach this morning?" Judy asked.
"Bad day." Locksmith leaned forward. "Oww. Feels like it is . . . oh heavens, I am suffering. I haven't eaten in daaays!"
Maureen and John exchanged a glance then turned their attention upon Judy.
"We will find a way for you to eat," Penny assured him. "It's going to be okay."
"I hope you believe in that, my dear child." Locksmith said. "Because I want to."
"Doctor Locksmith, how about you and the children go exploring in the tunnels of the mine?" Maureen offered. "It will keep your mind off your stomach for a time. There are even some tunnels that were made naturally on the planet."
"That is a good idea," John said. "It can work. We went after a terrorist who ran for hours and forgot about the pain that we were in. I did, at least."
"It is worth a try." Don said.
"Indeed," Locksmith chimed. "Woe is me. Woooe is me. Maybe a good walk will make me feel better."
"It will." Will said.
Locksmith slid out of the wrap around table then helped up to his feet by the young boy by his side.
"B-9, you can stay. Nothing could be possibly wandering those tunnels." Locksmith twirled a hand in the air. "And possibly would not be capable of doing me a favor by electrocuting me to death! The indignity of being rid of pain that way! The indignity!"
Will and Penny laughed as they followed him out then the door closed behind them.
"Should we tell him that he can write down his wish for end of life terms?" Don asked.
"I don't think that would be such a good idea," John said. "Giving up isn't in his cards."
"How do you know that?" Maureen said.
"It's a gut feeling." John looked out the window toward the man being helped standing up by the children. "He isn't going to leave us now on Murf. Besides, we are awfully close to leaving the planet."
"Close." Maureen said with a nod.
"Don, could you do a favor and listen for the sound of trouble at the cavern?" John asked. "I know this is a lot to ask-"
"No biggy." Don shook his hand. "This is the best kind of babysitting I have been asked to do."
"Are we going to do the mining tomorrow then?" Judy asked.
"If they are at it for several hours." John said. "That is the case. Let's go tend to the hydroponic garden. It'll be fun!"
"You are having too much fun with being a house bound husband," Maureen said in amusement.
"I like this state of life." John said as he descended down the stairs to the craft. "I only have to go to war when it comes to my family." he turned toward Maureen. "Not for country."
John went out after Don did.
"Patriot." Maureen rolled her eyes with a grunt.
"He is trying." Judy said.
Maureen closed her eyes, momentarily, then turned her attention on to Judy.
"I am scared if we get to Alpha Centauri that he is going to enlist into the military behind my back." Maureen said.
"That's okay." Judy said. "Because I feel the same way. Much as I like to get there. . ."
"You don't want the worse to happen," Maureen said.
"Losing them to their work is worse than not having them at all." Judy said.
"Are you coming?" John poked his head out. "There is hundreds of new weeds invading the potato field!"
The women laughed as John bolted out of the doorway then they went after him.