The following morning, Judy and Don lifted Robot out of the room then straight into the kitchen. They took out rags and coated them in soap then quickly set down to work. Will aided in the effort cleaning up Robot peeling away layers of filth at a time. From afar, Locksmith watched on leaned against the corridor with his arms folded looking on appearing not to be involved in the slightest.
They peeled off the duct tape and got to the dirty parts of his wounds that stung momentary then soothed down and became light pain. The duct-tape was put back on giving the illusion that the parts were still connected. The figure relaxed in the unfolded chair then his armor was shined with a can of motor oil after the water was wiped off. The lights in his head were dancing as he felt better with the rust gone but the wounds from before still lingered on his figure and the family were laughing in delight at his happiness.
The chair broke beneath him.
"Whooops." Don said.
"Let's make him a wheelchair." Judy said.
"Would you like that, Robot?" Will asked.
"Yes." Robot said.
"I will start the printing." Will ran on.
Robot was set in the kitchen along with the family watching Don and Locksmith playing a game of chess while he was resting in his chair.
He was bound in a wheelchair chair that was heavily modified to his design.
He wore casts around the joints that had been yanked off, sawed, and thoroughly troubled enough that it was highly difficult for parts of him to reconnect. It was strange, being on the receiving end of care instead of being the maker of care and wheeled by the family to and from around the ship. Robot regarded the casts that were lined in the strange writing of the civilization that were words he were not quite familiar to.
B-9 put a claw on the side of Robot's shoulder.
With pain, struggle, Robot turned toward his counterpart.
It was strange to detect advanced technology from a primitive machine.
"I heard that, Robinson Robot!" B-9 bobbed his helm up.
They raised their heads up in unison with a exclamation mark appearing on Robot's visor and the family chuckled as Don made his move and captured Locksmith's queen.
"Check and mate!" Don said.
Locksmith leaned back and folded his arm then got up from the chair, walked away with a scowl, as the small group of Robinsons laughed.
"What movie would you like to livestream, mom?" Will asked.
"The old holo flick, the very first one, of The Lion King," Maureen said. "Then if you like we can watch Bambi tomorrow."
"I am good with that." Will said. "Makes the feeling of planet sick the less bad."
"Family night is the best," Judy said. "I am getting the popcorn ready."
"How is the security guard and June doing?" Maureen asked.
"Every time that she gets close to his compartment when getting to the bathroom, he electrocutes her," Will replied earning a laugh. "I am starting to think I am some sort of pain lover."
"Why?" Maureen asked.
"Because I like seeing her get hurt." Will admitted.
"It's okay to feel that way, Will. After all she had done." Maureen assured. "Don't feel bad. It's natural."
"Did you do that?" Will asked. "Before Earth . . "
"Not often back on Earth," Maureen cut him off. "When they got hurt, they were paying the due that their actions had made a debt."
"I feel a lot better." Will said.
"Where is our reluctant stowaway?" Maureen asked.
"He is taking a nap back in his cabin." Will said.
"Will, get him. It's family movie night not group movie night." Maureen said. "And leave Harris in the air-lock."
"Okay!"
Will bolted out of the center of the family room. She watched as Judy was setting up the popcorn in the microwave as the karnals popped and danced within the bag. Each pop was loud and clear over the holographic three dimensional screen that was in high definition. The large screen was in the way of the view screen. A entire different view of seeing moving tinfoil and the sound of static and birds cooing in the background. She had enough reserve food for the birds to last them for the long journey that meant certain time had to be taken.
Loud groaning that sounded like a whine came from the exit of the core of the family room. The older man stumbled into view digging his heels in; Judy turned then stopped and something told Maureen that his head wasn't supposed to be covered in a thick layer of leaves making it impossible to see his face. Judy took out a pair of scissors then a bag and yanked him into the chair. Penny was handed some scissors then they went down tending to his head until he looked human, again.
"There. All better. Now, don't you feel lighter?"
Locksmith whined.
"Maybe the leaves grew back because of the shower," Penny suggested. "Maybe, we just need to water you with a bucket."
"Mmhm! Nnnn shhrr?" Locksmith stood up to his feet then pointed at his chest and made a loud baaa. "BB-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-"
"It is just for a little while." Judy reassured. "After you get cured, you can take a good and decent shower."
"Shhww." Locksmith said.
"Yes," Penny said. "Hot and steaming water."
"I don't know why you don't use the sonic shower setting, Doctor Locksmith." Will said. "It makes the dirt vibrate off your skin."
"c-c-c-c-c-cmmmm-" Locksmith folded his arms with a pout and shuddered as he ceased to try speaking the word in its entirety in irration.
"I got the movie up!" Don announced.
Maureen picked up Debbie then set her into the co-pilot seat.
"I got the chimpanzee ready!" Maureen added.
Debbie the Bloop handed a small bowl of popcorn to Maureen.
"Ah, thank you, Debbie-" Maureen looked toward the chimpanzee in surprise; she hadn't started cooking popcorn but the Bloop had. Then her shock faded with a small smile upon the creature staring back at her. "You are more intelligent than I thought you were."
Debbie the bloop grinned as the group cheered then guided Locksmith over to the couch and everyone sat down. The older man was squeezed into a seat beside Will with Penny by his side while Judy and Don sat alongside the other on the right hand side of the couch. The screen came to life with a highly detailed castle and fireworks then the movie began play with familiar music as everyone grinned. And the lights in the residential deck were turned off by Judy tapping on a small touch screen device then put it on the table and she snuggled up against Don.
"Whhh mm ggll?"
It was the first noise that Don was greeted to that following morning.
"I don't know." Don said.
Will frown turning away from the front window of the Jupiter 2.
"Uh, Don. . ." Will said. "I don't mean to pry, but, is that why you asked us to suit up?"
Will pointed out the window.
"Thought it would be gone by now." Don admitted.
"Mmmrrrrrr!" Locksmith shrieked spotting the gloves freely floating in space.
Locksmith turned toward the mechanic. He raised his hand then slapped the younger man. Don staggered back clenching on to his shriek. The tranquil fury faded then he looked down at his hands that were covered in blood. He looked up toward the mechanic spotting several long scars newly formed on the side of his cheek and stepped back, recoiling, from the sight.
"Thanks, buddy." Don said, rubbing his cheek.
Locksmith's bright blue eyes widened in shock then his face became replaced by a scowl and hurt. He stormed off from the bridge. Will followed after the older man with a wince as he began to form a idea of how to best break it to him of their plan. Moments later, Judy came down to the bridge carrying the gloves.
"Don, did it-" Judy was cut off.
"Uh huh." Don grinned.
"Eh." Judy winced.
"Bright side, we can make the walk." Don said. "Downside, I don't know if our friendship can come back from using him that way."
Judy took out a bandage from her pocket, slipped the back end off, then placed it on to the side of his face.
"It can." Judy said. "I know it can."
"Judy," Don said. "Would you like to date me? Like real dating, after, after, after all this mess is over."
"Weren't we already dating?" Judy asked.
"No," Don said then he paused. "Wait a second. . . Is that why your mom kept trying to let us have some free time back on Grandstand and went hiking with your siblings and dad?"
"Maybe." Judy said.
"Everyone thought I was dating you and your parents never asked me not once if I was going to quick to home base," Don said.
"My parents like you and trust you." Judy said.
"You are a bunch of geniuses," Don said. "But not to personal relationships. Here I thought she knew were being friends."
Judy laughed as she leaned against the pilot's chair.
Locksmith was silent, seated on his bed, his head held low and he heaved a great sigh then his shoulders sulked. Will was watching him from the doorway.
"Doctor."
The older man raised his head up. Although the leaves clouded his vision, he was able to see peeks of the boy through the leaves and a good observation of his surroundings. With little vision that could be provided, he was able to see everything that he needed. The boy's face was the clearest of them all. He appeared to be a fourteen year old instead of thirteen years old and stood up to six foot. Taller than five foot five. He was five inches taller than how Locksmith had seen him a year ago and the awkward deep voice wasn't awkward anymore but fit him like a glove.
"We're going to help Robot and his friend get better." Will said. He slowly went through the doorway then sat down alongside the older man. "But, we have only enough time to get them there once we land there."
Locksmith tilted his head.
"So," Will said. "We are going on a theory that the species who infected you have roots that are hard to get rid of."
Locksmith raised his head then lowered it with a nod as he understood.
"You would have refused to infect Don," Will said. "That is why he had to do it."
Locksmith looked down upon him then put a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I am going to be watching the sensors while you two help them," Will said. "I am not part of the party helping them to their holes."
Beneath the leaves and other greenery, Locksmith smiled upon the boy.
"We are going to go home from that act of self-sacrifice." Will said.
Locksmith lowered his head.
"You will regrow and so will Don." Will said. "Resurrect like a plant."
Locksmith winced,
"Mom and Judy takes the Jupiter 2 to deal with Harris and we take the space shuttle after we get Robot's friend." Will said.
Locksmith whimpered.
"Once the vaporizer is gone, I will wait for a few days, search for your plant signature, then transplant you into your own separate pot and put you into your bed. Course, I will water you once we leave the planet to meet up with the others. There is enough food to last me for while you are gone so I can wait for you to grow back in the shuttle." Will explained to the older man easing his concerns and worries about the events after the act of kindness. "We have plenty of fertilizer in there as back up for a emergency. Mom has already made the necessary adjustments to the beds."
Locksmith hummed.
"We need your help to get them in there." Will said.
Locksmith sighed, "fffnnnn." then nodded, I shall help, but I won't like it.
"The Resolute," Will said. "However. . . ."
Locksmith stared down upon the boy.
"That is a very unsure part of the plan," Will said. "It can either make sure everything goes the way it should or it could change everything."
They were silent seating there together.
"We will be there by the end of tomorrow night," Will said then Locksmith whimpered. "and we will protect you from the security teams."
Locksmith bobbed his head up, frightened, then his eyes looked from side to side for a moment toward the ground then stretched his arms out as if asking 'can I have a hug?'.
"Sure." Will said.
It was one of the warmest but unusual hugs that Will had with someone else in a long time and the leaves tickled under his chin so he laughed.