What was once left of the Dragonship crewmembers were scattered about the surface of Priplanus and some where fighting against the waves of the hungry sea to make to arctic dominated section of the planet. From the hot, steaming desert area with a view out of the sky it could be seen the survivors were gathering into large groups with large tents set up that had carpeting below them that was cooler than the sand itself.
It was a massive tent that provided shade to the survivors. From inside of the light brown tent, there were piles of rations that were set up on the table being organized neatly by members of the royal cooks. They made a fort around the tent using their downed life boats and were slowly beginning to make a roof to their shelter from inside using tools from the engineering lifeboats that could be had. They expected their stay to last for a few month at most. Bahosky stared at the sky from under the entrance to the tent.
To most humanoids, being underneath the hot beating sun would be very uncomfortable an making feel exhausted from standing there for hours. Fortunately for Bahosky, they had shed their winter coat so they felt they were ideally warm. Their paws, however, easily got hot from the sand so most of the survivors were wearing improvised shoes if they stood outside. The cosmic wind beat against Bahosky's fur bringing a gentle breeze against their face. With all things considered it was a perfect enlightening day contrasting the dark, dreary mood from inside the tent.
What was left of the army had fallen down.
The survivors of the one sided battle had fallen five hours ago.
The cries from the air waves of mercy being asked coming from the bridge.
And being answered by furious blasts that did not relent in intensity.
Bahosky's fury at the human was incomprehensible clenching tightly onto the improvised staff in their claws. They were waiting to be picked up and taken off the planet. By whom was the better question. Their mobile intergalactic distress beacon was up and running above Priplanus. It was a matter of time before before they came off the planet. There were five hundred survivors in total. There were injured among their ranks being tended to by what was left of the nurse force. The physicians were gone.
Incinerated by one of the blasts that had tore through the ship by the space drill including any other injured who had any chances of survival. Only a few survived that with barely any fur remaining, coated in heavy burns, and screeching in pain from the other side of the tent. A strange bus came over the sand dune from above being piloted by two pink skinned individuals that were humanoid in nature. Ah, humans. Bahosky's eyes widened. HUMANS. Bahosky turned in the direction of the opening to the tent.
"HUMANS!" Bahosky screamed.
Five crewmembers came toward the opening of the tent putting on their shoes and took their improvised energy spears. They formed a line in the doorway glaring in the direction of the oncoming silver and red craft that seemed to be bound to the sand. They shared puzzled glances with each other watching the Chariot roll down the sand dune leaving a trail behind. The chariot came to a stop approximately five feet away from the tent.
A human with dark curly hair came out as did a strange machine coated in scars and metal that shined in the crew's eyes. They had to squint just to get a good look while shielding their eyes. A woman with red hair came behind him and a unique outfit that seemed unlike the one commonly seen from humans.
The taller human shook his hand and began with, "We come in peace."
Bahosky became enraged.
"YOU COME IN PEACE?" Bahosky asked, then spat to the ground. "You disturbed our peace!"
The humans appeared to be confused from the sputtering, screeching creature then looked toward the Robot.
"They insist you have disturbed their peace," the Robot translated.
"Now, that is not true," Maureen said.
"We just got here," John agreed.
"WE WERE GOING TO HAVE IT ALL!" Bahosky started. "But nooo! That ship overseer Za'car went in the way and distracted Dragos! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID! YOU TOOK VICTORY FROM THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR. DESTROYED A SHIP BY DRILLING THROUGH IT! AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR US BEING VEGETARIANS, I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN EATING YOU AS ONE OF YOUR KIND TRICKED HIM."
"They are outraged," the Robot translated. "Insists you sent a ship overseer to distract the emperor," The Robinsons grew confused expressions then slowly shook their heads. "They are also outraged that you used a space drill to destroy their ship."
"That was Major West," John said. "It was the only way to stop Dragos from launching another fatal attack."
"Another fatal attack," Bahosky said, in disgust. "We didn't kill that many."
"They claim they didn't kill that many," The Robot repeated.
"I left Major West at the Jupiter 2 to prevent a altercation," John said. "I know that someone would have died had I not and I don't want that. I was planet-side with my wife, Maureen," John gestured toward her. "and family bracing for the impacts of your downed ships."
Bahosky and the others stared in confusion then exchanged glances.
"Jupiter 2?" Bahosky said.
"But. . " the others gathered in a circle facing Bahosky away from the Robinsons. "That's at Alpha Centauri."
"And they are dead," Bahosky said.
"Wouldn't that mean. . ." came the third.
"If we are speaking to Professor Robinson. . ." Came the second.
There was silence.
"That we're in the past?" Bahosky finished.
There were slow nods from the others.
"We can only hope the others went through the void back," Bahosky said. "And there are chances that we are destined to be our own ancestors."
The group shuddered at once.
"What is this about ship overseer?" Maureen repeated, raising a brow drawing the attention of the crewmembers.
"There is no such thing as a ship overseer," Bahosky said. "It was a lie."
"A smokescreen," the Robot replied. "A cover to get aboard the dragonship."
"The liar got off but he never got back on his feet after being stuck in a sinking escape pod," Bahosky added. "So," Bahosky aimed the spear toward the two and the others followed. "Go back where you belong before we get violent."
The Robot's glass head bobbed up then wheeled his way in front of the Robinsons.
"Elaborate," the Robot said. "What you said does not compute."
"That human died in a sand pit!" Bahosky said.
"I can still hear his screams for help," the fourth said. "Dying in the distance."
"Got what he deserved," Bahosky said.
John and Maureen carefully stepped back at the anger radiating off the Robot.
"I will ask you politely," The Robot's voice raised out of anger then released a charge that sent Bahosky falling back to the floor and the electrical spears broke apart. Contrary to the normally calm robotic voice that John and Maureen had become familiar to. The crew members looked at the Robot rather terrified. "Take that back."
Bahosky stood up as the crew members ran in.
"Everyone I know is dead or dying," Bahosky said. "I don't have to."
"What if it were you?" The Robot slid forward. "What if you had his fate? I wouldn't wish that not even upon Debbie Robinson." Bahosky paused. "Now take it back."
Bahosky glared back.
"Never!" Bahosky said.
Sachun bolted out out of the tent as the Robot's claws began to charge up.
"HE'S SORRY!" Sachun waved their claws back and forth. "HE TAKES IT BACK! He takes it back! He takes it back!"
The Robot's claws depowered as the other crewmembers dragged Bahosky away.
"You almost got yourself killed, idiot!" Sachun screamed into the inside of the tent then turned toward the Robinsons. "We are very sorry for your loss," then grew confused. "What brings you to our dwelling?"
"They want to know why you are here," The Robot replied.
"You must need help with the injured," Maureen said. "We offer our services."
"Do you have a doctor to spare?" Sachun asked.
"They want to know if you have a doctor," The Robot said.
"No," John said.
"Tell them to leave and don't bother coming back," Sachun said. "They are not welcome here. We do not need the pity of colonists."
"Affirmative," the Robot said. "You cannot help them. Any help from you will be refused or returned."
Sachun nodded in agreement.
"Sure about that?" John asked.
Sachun folded their arms with a nod.
"Very certain," the Robot translated.
The Robot turned away then moved in the direction of the chariot.
"Robot, what did the other say about Doctor Smith?" John asked.
"It will only make Major West feel a lot worse," The Robot said.
A bad feeling fell into their stomachs.
"But it won't for us," John said. "We didn't have a part in it."
John and Maureen exchanged a glance.
"A hint would do," Maureen said, as they turned their attention toward the Robot.
"Sand. Trapped. Never ending. Swallow." The Robot said.
The Robot ascended into the Chariot.