"Director Adler, we're releasing Scarecrow." Radic said.
"To die?" Adler frowned. "In the middle of space; all alone?"
"No." Radic shook his hand. "To live."
"His people come for him?" Adler asked.
"The Robinsons say they have a way to save us and him." Radic informed him.
Adler looked toward the shackled creature then knelt down toward the blinking red helm and stroked the side of the creature's head.
"You hear that?" Adler said, watching white lights dance on Scarecrow's helm. "You're going to be saved."
Adler smiled at the dancing lights then stepped back.
"Where do you want him transported, captain?" the first transport officer asked.
"Take him to the Robinson shuttle," Radic said. "Leave him on the bridge."
A wheelchair was skid forward by one of the officers then Scarecrow was gently laid into it and his helm was pressed against a comforted head rest. The necessary adjustments to his figure for the reverse-engineering machine were detached from his rusted, filth covered figure, his helm dancing with lights as if sensing that he was going to be healed. He was wheeled out of the engine room by the officers.
He was guided down the hallway then the door to the door to the shuttle rolled open and he was wheeled in. The room was empty with a view of space ahead of him. The officers came out of the room then the door to the bridge closed.
"Hi," Will popped in alongside Scarecrow then had a small wave. "I am Will Robinson."
Scarecrow sensed the young boy approaching the natural transition of childhood to teenage hood wasn't harmful. It was radiating from the boy, not just the relaxed and friendly smile that held no ill will to him. Will had startled him but Scarecrow had little energy to react. His head kept in place by clamps that supported his neck which was part of the wheelchair. Comfort clamps that didn't squeeze his neck.
"Will." Scarecrow said, weakly.
"You're going to be okay," Will pat on Scarecrow's shoulder. "Do you like comedies? We got our room set up for that."
"Com. .. . comed. . . comedies?" Scarecrow asked.
"We have hundreds of them and lots of science fiction shows," Will said. "We got twenty plus seasons of Stranded in the Cosmos including the reboots and movies, all the Galaxy Quest reboots and original movie and original series, even the original Star Wars. Mom deleted all of the other Star Wars films after we got stranded once we had a group vote about it. If you like dark stuff, we got Hellraiser, Star Beast-"
"Twenty seasons?"
"It started as a radio show. There was computer generated animation made to go with it a decade ago. Looks very uncanny. Like it were filmed."
"Twenty seasons?"
"Well, that's technically years."
"Twenty years?"
"And more."
Scarecrow lifted his head up.
"Torture?"
"No torture on machines are done in it. It's about a alien juke box, a captain, a lieutenant, and reluctant stowaways becoming a found family while seeking for their galaxy in a space pseudo submarine. It is very entertaining."
Will looked down toward Scarecrow.
"You need a good wash." Will said.
"He needs motor oil." B-9 said as he entered the bridge with the small family behind him lacking Locksmith as they carried rags in their hands. "It will make the rust go away faster."
The family gathered around Scarecrow then unfastened the clamps keeping him place. With combined group effort, they proceeded to lift him up on to the improvised cryostasis standstill in front of them and turned it on. It had cords connecting to it all around the room that were plugged into different outlets and a single cord lead out into the ship. They sprayed his figure and began to clean off the rust as well as the dirt. Wiping away years of neglect as minutes ticked by. The hand motion rubbed along his armor was a unusually pleasant sensation getting into parts that hadn't been touched for a long time.
Judy and Maureen laughed as Don and Will sprayed each other with motor oil and accidentally got Don's eyes. Don stumbled back clenching at his eyes with a over dramatic shriek and fell over the couch. Scarecrow watched as the family tended to his frame revealing the bronze armor until all that were left was the severe damage. Scarecrow felt better; cleaner, happier, alive for the first time in a long time. And, he felt free. His lights were dancing in joy.
Maureen pressed the button as Will and Judy were standing in front and behind Scarecrow. Maureen and Don stood by each side of the machine. Judy caught Scarecrow then fell back.
"Scarecrow is sure heavy." Judy said.
The family burst into laughter.
"Comedies." Scarecrow said. "Want."
"He looks so light." Don said. "Heavier than he looks."
"Heavier," Maureen grimaced. "We will need more than two people."
"How about we ask one of the botanists after they use B-9's friend to infect them?" Will said. "It might help out in their study."
"Before we do that," Maureen said. "We have to tell him."
"Will and I can do it." Judy offered. "I tell them the situation and he tells him."
"Sounds about right." Don said.
"All agree?" Maureen asked.
"Yes." Will, Don, Judy, and B-9 agreed.
Maureen grinned then they lifted Scarecrow on to the wheelchair and Judy slid him down the deck whistling.