"Judy, before I don't have the opportunity say it, I really respect you and like you as a person." Don said.
Judy smiled, looking toward Don, as she ate her last dinner aboard the Jupiter 2.
"And?" Judy asked.
"And . . ." Don said. "I really like you. In a way I haven't like anyone else."
Judy's features softened then she reached her hand out.
"I really like you, too." Judy said, squeezing his hand.
And Don smiled back.
Locksmith turned away from the doorway then folded his arms and lowered his head as he walked away.
Woe are the Robinsons. Woe are the Robinsons.
It was necessary but painful.
The Jupiter 2 tore out of the wormhole taking the shuttle behind it. Everyone gathered at the front window of the craft then cheered loudly and celebrate over the comn.
Don set in the docking procedures then Judy went outside of the craft, through the air-lock, and unhooked the shuttle from the Jupiter 2 then returned back into the ship with the cord in hand. Maureen looked on spotting rows of Jupiters lining the rims of the circular gate around the ship.
They had made it to Alpha Centauri, they had made it, then returned to Earth for minor repairs and the new Jupiters had been docked. It brought a smile to her face seeing the Resolute existing. It was going to be tricky to make the docking, but, she was certain that as the designer of the ship, they were going to be capable of making the docking.
From the Jupiter 2, Don flew the ship and slid it into the airlock door. The airlock door slid. From inside of the ship, Don nodded toward Will and Locksmith. Will came to the front half of the ship with Robot in the wheelchair by his side then was joined by Locksmith and B-9 who stood close to the older man's side. They came to the front entrance where the ship ended and the Resolute began.
"Scared, Doctor?" Will asked.
Locksmith nodded, his hands clasped in his lap, his leaves trembling.
"If it's any consolation, so am I." Will said.
"Me too," Judy said.
"I, three." Don said. "Open the door, doc."
"We, too." Robot said, his words static like, his once bright blue bulb was fading and wasn't as bright as it used to be.
Judy came to the door then inputted the code. She joined the side of Don then took his hand. They squeezed her hand facing the uncertain future of what laid before them. A security team entered the room with laser pistols joined by Captain Radic. Radic walked forward then scanned the small gathered crowd with a frown.
"Captain," Don said. "I recommend you lower all those weapons. Really."
"Ah, West." Radic said. "It is good to see you. And your hedge looks very well done."
"That is not a hedge." Judy said. "That is a person."
Will frowned in disgust as his hands clenched into fists, B-9 bobbed his helm up, and Robot's helm glowed a dark red that faded on and off.
"You won't feel the same about June Harris." Don said. "She is in the lower decks."
"But, we need her alive." Judy said.
"So don't just space her out," Will said. "Yet."
"Captain." Judy finished.
"Why?" Radic asked.
"Mom will explain this whole mess." Will said.
"Grr!" Laser pistols aimed at Locksmith who only nodded in agreement. Locksmith jumped behind the boy and cowered in fear with his covered claws on the boy's shoulder. "Grr! Grr! Grr!"
"ALIEN!"
A officer fired and all hell broke loose in less than a second. B-9 fired at the officer then sent the entire squad flying out of the Jupiter 2 in rage. Judy grabbed on to Will's arm then yanked him out as the officers exchanged fire. B-9 stood in the way of the collapsed figure and Radic fled out of the room.
Don scrambled out of the room fleeing out of B-9's rampage. It was Radic who closed the door to the ship and panted as now Robot, Locksmith, B-9, and Jun was all that was left in the ship. B-9's claws cackled with electricity as his helm bobbed up and down as if emulating someone panting. Radic turned then glared at the officer who had caused the commotion as Maureen ran into the waiting arms of her children. A loud bloop drew his attention toward a strange chimpanzee.
"Ensign Davis, you are to be confined to a brig for starting friendly fire after being treated for your injuries." Radic said. "You, the rest of you, I did not order to fire on anyone."
"But, sir, it fired at us!" protested another officer.
"It fired at him," Radic pointed toward the injured Ensign. "Not at you."
"I am sorry, sir." Davis said then was helped up to his feet.
"What in the hell is that creature?" Radic asked, pointing toward the creature looming over Locksmith.
"It's a environmental robot from Earth," Maureen said. "A different version of Earth."
"What do you mean by that?" Radic asked.
"He is from a alternate universe," Don said. "Historical wise. He is. . a bit from the 20th century."
"His name is Gunter," Maureen said. "but he goes by B-9."
"Gunter?" Radic said. "Is it his initials?"
"Yes." The group said at once.
"General utilities non-theorizing environmental robot." Will recited.
Radic looked toward the window showing the bridge.
"Project Gunter," Radic said. "Doctor Smith's little project." he smiled as their eyes widened behind him. "No wonder it looks familiar; it's straight out of his design schematics." he shook his head with a laugh in amusement and his hands were placed on his hips. "I can't believe it. I thought he had gone a little nuts after that attack your friend launched. . . speaking of who-" Radic turned toward the boy. "Is he, reformed?"
"He is on our side." Will said.
"He is alive?" Judy asked.
"Well," Radic said. "He can't walk. His back is awful." he grimaced at a memory that flashed across his mind. "Primary think he invented the environmental robot as his personal protector rather than a caretaker as he claims it is. Medical environmental Robot for a Jupiter." he rolled his eyes as he shook his head. "As if."
"And?" Don asked.
"He is irritable and unhappy as he has ever been." Radic reported turned toward the fallen creature then toward them then squinted at the fallen man and everyone fell relieved. "Who or what is that?"
"Oh. . . um. . ." Maureen was at a standstill as each member of the crew exchanged a glance in the middle of silence then she grinned as she hit her answer. "just a friend."
"Who is needed," Don said. "Speaking of being needed; we need your alien navigator. Yes, we know."
"We all know." Maureen said, folding her arms.
Radic pressed a button then allowed the frantic chimpanzee in to the room and closed the door behind her.
"What do you want?" Radic asked.
"We want the engine that you stole and the other Robot."
Radic paused, as he paled, then inhaled.
"You mean our dying friend Scarecrow?" Radic asked, with a wince, and everyone grew horrified.
"Yes." Maureen said.
"If there is any way we can help. . ." Radic said. "we would, but-"
"There is a way," Maureen said. "If we help him then he will help us. It will take away gravity but . . ."
"We'll do it." Radic said. "But, can we study him?" he pointed toward the laid down man that was groaning on the other side of the door way. "For a few days. I promise that it won't be long. I know several botanists who want to get a crack at his alien DNA. . ."
"Can we, pleaaaase fulfill a botanists greatest dream, pretty pleaaase, momm?" Will plead. "They will love it more than he does."
"Pretty please?" Judy added.
"I have to think about this, Will, Judy." Maureen said. "Captain, if you can treat his wound then this plan can be delayed a little bit."
"I get the distinct feeling Robot would be outraged if he saw Scarecrow." Will said.
"Then we don't show them each other," Radic said and Maureen agreed with a nod.
"However," Judy said. "We need to make another wheelchair."
"For who?" Radic asked.
"The alien that you're hurting." Maureen said.
Radic had the distinct feeling that if their glares were weapons; he would be dead by now.
"I will get that ordered for." Radic said. "Officers, stand down." He moved his hand and the armored officers lowered their weapons.
"Looks like you really need to use the solar panels." Maureen said. "Going old school."
"I thought that wasn't going to be needed," Radic said.
"You got rid of it?" Maureen asked.
"Yes," Radic squeaked. "After the attack."
"What about the nuclear renewable power source?" Maureen asked.
"Still have it." Radic said. "We don't know if it will work in space. There is a million ways it could go wrong."
"What is the harm in paving the future of space flight power pods?" Maureen asked.
"We haven't had a good reason until today to test it." Radic said. Judy finished opening the air-lock and bolted in followed by Will who helped the wounded man up then lead him out down the corridor. "Why can't your friend speak?"
"He can't move his tongue up." Maureen said. "I am thinking some kind of bird or reptile is part of the genetic evolution of the species that injured him."
"Crocodiles can't move their tongues," Radic said. "Is he contagious, Professor Robinson?"
"Long as he wears those gloves everyone is safe." Maureen said.
"And the boots?" Radic said.
"For convenience to make him feel as human as possible." Maureen said watching him be guided further down the corridor. "It's the one piece that is grounding him down to Earth." She turned toward Radic then she grinned. "We have lots of data to share."