Will opened his eyes. Then he closed them. He tossed and turned, until he finally sat up. The robot, who took his position every night in front of Will's room, turned around. Will nodded at him, then turned to see his sisters sleeping on the spare mattress. Penny's red hair was spread out on the pillow, half on Judy's face, the other half hanging off the side. Judy's eyes were wide open. She turned to look at Will.
"Hey, Squirt."
"Hey."
Will twiddled his fingers. He didn't know whether to tell his older sister about his recent discoveries. He looked at the robot, to get support. The robot voice spoke clear in his mind.
"Yes, Will Robinson".
Will took a deep breath, and started.
"Judy, there's something I need to tell you. I've been able to communicate with the robot."
Judy just rolled her eyes.
"We all know you can, Squirt. No need to rub it in." Judy grinned.
"No, really," Will insisted. "Full on conversations, in my head. I can can understand them like you...or Penny!"
"Yeah, yeah, lm up..." Penny said groggily. "You said my name, Will?"
"Yeah-well, no-but- oh forget it. I think it's coming from the planet down there."
Will pointed to an Earth-like planet down below them, that he'd discovered a few weeks ago. They were thinking of landing, but the risks were too great.
Judy shook her head.
"No. Just, no, Will. I can't do that."
"Oh come on, Judy!" Will pleaded. " We're already dying, an-and the Fortuna can't supply us forever!"
"Well, we'll talk about it in the morning, Squirt, go back to sleep. You too, Penny." Penny didn't complain, turning over, and snoring, and Judy closed her eyes, but it was a long time before Will got to sleep.