Unlike the Robinsons, Smith didn't get a respite from the cold. He remained cooped up in the cave and he was beginning to get "cabin fever". Or more appropriately, "cave fever". Artemis didn't understand Smith's anxiety and restlessness, which grew stronger each day. She tried her best to calm him, but it became nearly a full time job.
After two straight months of unrelenting blizzards and sub-zero temperatures, Smith quickly realized why most animals migrated south in the winter months and was beginning to second guess his decision not to do the same. His pacing was beginning to grate on Artemis' nerves.
An image of Smith forcibly being made to sit down and be still entered the doctor's mind. He stopped his pacing, hands clasped behind his back, and looked at Artemis. "I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't mean to irritate you. I just feel... trapped. I fared much better incarcerated in the cramped confines of the Jupiter 2 for months on end. Though, even that drove me mad on occasion. The only thing that got me through it was..." Smith's voice trailed off.
Artemis knew Smith was thinking of his human companions.
The doctor sighed and resumed his pacing. As he came back towards the opening to the cave, he stood at the threshold to the outer room he'd built. Whether it was madness or curiosity that compelled him, Smith stepped into the room and tried to open the doors to the arctic world beyond, but they wouldn't budge. The snowdrifts had piled up high against them. He felt Artemis brush up against his leg.
"We really are trapped, my dear," Smith trembled. "What if we run out of food and need to go outside?" He shoved against the doors again. "We'll starve!" He shoved again and pounded his fists to no avail. He leaned back against the doors and slowly slid to the ground, defeated.
Artemis reached over and gently took Smith's hand in her mouth. She pulled, coaxing him to stand, and led him back into the cave. Numb from more than just the cold, he followed her and sat down on the ground near the fire pit, his back to the boulder he usually sat on.
The cat curled up next to him, resting her head in his lap, and mentally urged him to tell her about his former companions, thinking fond memories might calm him and bring him some comfort.
"I appreciate your curiosity, Artemis, but I have many more important things on my mind," Smith explained. "Like survival."
A feeling of peace washed over him and got the impression she was telling him "We're alright. Don't worry." Smith leaned back and closed his eyes. He thought of other times when he'd felt trapped, the anxiety it caused. He thought of times he'd experienced severe hunger. He wanted Artemis to understand why he felt the way he did, why he worried about their future.
Smith sensed Artemis' confusion. She didn't seem to understand the concept of the future. She understood the past and she lived in the present. "Future" held no meaning to her. He tried to explain in concepts she might understand. He first explained to her the concept of "tomorrow" as when it would be light out again. Then, he explained that "tomorrow" is in the "future" since it hasn't happened yet.
Smith was satisfied Artemis finally understood his concern when images demonstrating the passage of many "tomorrows" entered his mind. She realized what would happen if there were too many tomorrows that passed before they were able to get out and hunt again.
"Yes," Smith nodded. "That is what I'm concerned about, my dear."
Again, Artemis seemed to say "We're alright. Don't worry."
Smith sighed in frustration.
Artemis suggested they check conditions every day. Perhaps conditions would change and the snow would melt. The hardest part was that neither of them had endured a winter on this world, so neither had any idea what to expect.
"Alright," Smith agreed. "It's all we can do for now."
While the weather cooperated, John and Don decided to take the opportunity to search for deutronium deposits. The ground was hard and frozen. The laser drill would take far longer than the duo would like to reach deutronium. It would be better to wait for the thaw rather than expose themselves to risk of attack by Kai. But that didn't mean they couldn't identify and map out the deposits for later.
"Can I come too?" Will asked.
The young man could tell by the look on his father's face, the answer was no.
"I need you to stay here, Will. If Kai comes back, I want you here to..."
"...hold down the fort?" Will finished.
"In a manner of speaking, yes," the Professor confirmed. "I would feel more comfortable if you were here to protect the camp and help your mother while we're gone."
"But we have the forcefield," Will countered.
"And what happens if the forcefield fails?" the Professor asked.
Will sighed. "Point taken."
"Don and I will check in every hour. If we miss a check-in, do not let anyone out of the ship... until you hear from us. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Will said, disappointed.
"Don't be too upset, Will," Don consoled. "There'll be plenty of opportunity for adventure once things start to thaw."
Will smiled, wished them luck, and walked back to the Jupiter 2 to man the forcefield controls for their departure.
John and Don started their pre-mission check, making sure the Chariot was properly fueled, all the instruments they'd need were packed on board, and the emergency and first aid kit supplies were replenished. Then, they detached the Robot's top half from his treads and placed him in the Chariot.
The two settled into their seats and John grabbed the radio mic. "Jupiter 2, this is Chariot, over."
Will responded, "This is Jupiter 2, over."
"Roger, Jupiter 2. Radio check, over," John replied.
"Roger, over."
"Will, cut the forcefield for departure," John commanded.
Will complied, "Forcefield deactivated. Good luck!"
Don drove the Chariot out of camp towards the hills to the south. Once they were out of the camp, Will reactivated the forcefield, then walked over to one of the pilot chairs and slumped into it.
Mrs. Robinson, who'd been on the upper deck to watch the Chariot leave, walked over to Will and, placing a hand on his shoulder, said, "I know you're disappointed you couldn't go with them, Will, but I do need you here. It makes all of us feel more secure knowing you're here to help us handle things."
Will smiled and grasped her hand, "Thanks, mom."
To keep himself occupied, Smith took inventory of their food. They had enough for maybe two weeks, three if he rationed it. Artemis could sense their situation would soon turn dire if they weren't able to leave the cave. She made a suggestion.
"Dig a tunnel?" Smith mused aloud. He mulled the idea over in his mind. "Well, it's back-breaking work and I don't really have the equipment required. I'd have to dig by hand."
Artemis raised a paw and extended her claws.
"Ah, right. You're better equipped than I am," Smith replied. "Well, then," he gestured towards the front room, "have at it."
Smith accompanied her and removed the doors to give her access to the enormous snow drift.
Artemis stretched, then took position in front of the drift. She raked her claws down against the solid wall of snow, which refused to yield at first. The snow was hard packed and had frozen, thawed, and refrozen against the door until it was more like ice. Bit by bit, the wall began to surrender to her claws. She worked faster and faster, shoveling the snow behind her, through her legs. She began to disappear into the drift as she burrowed farther and farther into it.
Smith watched in amusement as snow flew from the tunnel back into the little room. As Artemis got farther away, snow began to build up at the entrance. Smith pushed the snow to the side to allow Artemis to back out if needed.
A few minutes later, Artemis was far enough away that the snow no longer escaped the tunnel. Smith peeked inside and couldn't see the black cat at all. Just then, the tunnel collapsed. The doctor rolled out of the way to avoid the small avalanche as it spilled into the room.
"ARTEMIS!" Smith screamed. Frantically, he started digging with his gloved hands to get to her. "No... no... no... please be alright," he pleaded. His human hands were no match to Artemis' claws. His progress was slow and frustrating. He quickly became exhausted but kept digging. Two feet, then three, he slowly disappeared into the same tunnel Artemis had. He mentally cried out to her but got no response.
The unstable drift collapsed again, burying all but Smith's feet. He struggled to free himself, but his exhaustion was total and he was hopelessly entombed by the ice and snow. He'd lost Artemis. He'd lost the Robinsons. He had nothing left, but his own life and that was soon to be extinguished. A feeling of peace came over him, realizing his struggles were now over and if the Robinsons were already on the other side, he might soon see them again. He smiled at the thought, then lost consciousness.
