Each person in camp was preoccupied with something until they felt the slight tremors in the earth beneath their feet.
"Do you feel that?" Judy asked Don nervously.
"Yeah, and I don't like it," he replied.
Penny pointed. "Look!"
There, in the distance, they all saw Bertram heading toward the camp.
"Don, get the lasers," the Professor commanded and the pilot immediately obeyed.
"There's something on its back," Penny added.
When they got close enough, Will shouted, "Penny! Look what I'm riding!"
"It's Will and Doctor Smith!" she exclaimed as she ran out to meet them, being careful to give the gigantic beast plenty of leeway.
The others followed her, curious as to how they ended up riding the behemoth.
Smith brought Bertram to a stop. The creature dipped its head and held his trunks to the ground as Deimos climbed down. Next, Bertram kneeled and assisted Will and Smith to the ground.
"Thank you, Bertram," Smith whispered as he laid his head against one of the creature's trunks and gently stroked it. "Once again, I find myself in your debt."
Bertram wrapped his trunks around the doctor and hugged him.
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd have never believed it," Don said.
"You and me both," the Professor added.
Will was busy excitedly telling Penny about his ride on the beast as the others welcomed Doctor Smith back to camp. Deimos had run over to his mother and sisters to recount their harrowing tale and tell them about how he and Smith had bravely protected Will.
"Mom, can I take a ride on Bertram too?" Penny asked her mother.
"Bertram?" Mrs. Robinson asked.
"I named the beast," Smith explained. "I couldn't keep calling him 'hey you'."
"Doctor Smith, how did you and Bertram get to be... friends?" she asked.
"Well, madam, you know what happens when you feed strays?" he asked.
A look of understanding dawned on her face, "Ah, I see."
"Yes," Smith replied. "He came around my camp as a juvenile, nearly starving. He tried to steal my rations, the poor thing. I offered him, instead, some of the local fruit I'd gathered. Ever since then, we've been good chums." Bertram rested a trunk over Smith's shoulder.
"I can see that. Well, it doesn't hurt to have friends...", she craned her neck up to see the creature's full height, "in high places."
"Indeed," Smith replied with a wry grin.
"He saved us from the big cat," Will said as he came over and hugged one of Bertram's trunks.
"Big cat?" the Professor asked.
"Yes," Smith confirmed. "A large male of Artemis' species. Deimos and I held it at bay until Bertram could dispose of it."
"Oh, is that how it happened, Smith?" Don asked skeptically.
"Yes, that's how it happened, Don," Will interjected defensively, upset that Don doubted Smith.
"Alright, I believe you," Don raised his hands to placate the boy. "I'm glad everyone's ok."
"From now on, I want everyone to take a laser pistol with them if they leave camp," the Professor warned. He turned to Smith, "I assume that you, knowing the dangers here better than I, would agree with that directive?"
"Indeed, Professor. I should've insisted Will bring one along. It's just, I've grown accustomed to not having access to one that it didn't even cross my mind," Smith explained.
The Professor nodded in understanding. "Well, from now on, I suggest you take one too."
"Of course," Smith answered, somewhat relieved at the thought of having something more powerful than his spear to protect him outside the ship.
"Oh, one more thing, Professor Robinson," Smith turned towards the Robinson matriarch to address her as well, "Mrs. Robinson, I would like to invite all of you to my humble abode this evening. Since you were so kind as to invite me into your home last night, I would like to return the favor. It may not be as advanced or as comfortable as the Jupiter 2, but it has one thing the ship doesn't have... a jacuzzi."
"That's right," the Major stated. "The cave has hot springs."
"Oh, that sounds so relaxing," Judy sighed.
The children begged their parents to let them visit the cave, but they didn't have to do much convincing. "I think it's settled," Mrs. Robinson stated, as her smile confirmed she and the Professor had silently made a mutual decision with no more than a glance. "Pool Party at Doctor Smith's house tonight!" she announced. "But first... lunch."
As the rest, including the cats, went inside the ship to have lunch in the galley, Mrs. Robinson gently grabbed the doctor's arm and pulled him aside.
"Doctor Smith, I know that cave has been your home for a while now, but I hope you will soon come to consider the Jupiter 2 your home again. You will always be welcome for as long as you care to stay with us," Mrs. Robinson declared.
"My dear, dear lady, I never stopped considering it my home... next to Earth, of course. I missed it nearly as much as I missed all of you," Smith confessed. "I had always hoped the cave would only be a temporary home. Although, I think I will miss it, especially my 'roommates'."
"Oh, Doctor Smith, I know it's going to be hard to leave them," Mrs. Robinson said.
In the back of his mind, Smith knew that if the Robinsons returned for him, he would have to leave the cats, but until a few days ago, it was just a remote possibility. Suddenly, it was all too real and he was having trouble coming to terms with the idea. He closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "I shall miss them terribly. I know they're just animals and I feel silly to think this, but it feels like I will be leaving my child and grandchildren behind. I raised them all from birth."
She grasped one of his upper arms to reassure him, "They are not just animals. They're intelligent beings you've developed a strong bond with. You're not silly to feel that way at all."
A small smile graced Smith's lips. He grabbed her hand and enveloped it in both of his. "I've missed human contact, too. Not just conversation, but human touch. Conversing with intelligent beings is one thing, but it simply cannot replace being with your own kind."
Mrs. Robinson pulled him into a hug. Hesitantly, his arms raised and he placed his hands on her back to embrace her as well. When she released him, he held her for a few seconds more, reluctant to let go. Mrs. Robinson saw the hint of a smile on his face and knew the look in his eyes were communicating a "thank you" that the doctor would likely not verbalize.
"Well, I'd best go get lunch ready," she stated.
"Would you like some assistance?" Smith offered.
"Always," she smiled.
Later that afternoon, as the group prepared to leave for Smith's cave, the doctor spotted Bertram in the distance.
"Penny?" Smith inquired, "Would you like to ride Bertram to the cave?"
The teen's eyes widened in excitement. "Boy, would I!"
Smith gave a shrill whistle, which got Bertram's attention. He trotted towards the doctor, which got everyone's attention as they felt the ground slightly tremble at the approach of such an enormous creature. Smith stroked one of Bertram's trunks affectionately. "You don't mind doing me another favor, do you?"
Bertram had no idea what Smith had said, but trumpeted in response anyway.
Smith positioned Penny in front of Bertram and instructed her to hold her arms wide to indicate she wanted a ride. Bertram immediately wrapped his trunks gently around the girl and swung her up onto his back. She squealed in delight as she somersaulted in the air in the secure grip of the trunks.
"Oh, that looks like fun!" Judy exclaimed.
With a sweeping gesture, Smith invited her to stand in front of Bertram for a boost up onto his back. Judy giggled as she flew upwards and landed gently on the elephantine creature's back.
"Major?" Smith turned to the pilot with an evil grin, "Would you like a ride?"
Don held up a palm, "Uhh, no thanks, Smith. I think I'll walk."
Will took Smith up on the offer, but the Professor and Mrs. Robinson informed the doctor they would walk as well.
Smith shouldered his backpack and grabbed his spear with his right hand. Mrs. Robinson similarly slung a bag over her shoulder, full of utensils, some food, and other items to make dinner away from the ship more enjoyable. Don handed a laser pistol to Smith and the Professor and they all quickly strapped them on.
The doctor walked to the front of the group and lightly grabbed one of Bertram's trunks to point him in the right direction. Artemis walked on Smith's right side as she had her entire life and the cubs trotted along behind them.
After a few minutes of walking, Artemis' keen ears heard an unusual sound.
Do you hear that? she asked Smith. He silently confirmed he did. It was an engine of some sort.
The sound grew closer and Smith slowed, keeping his eyes on the sky for the source of the noise. The entire party came to a stop as a small craft landed in front of them. Bertram trumpeted and shifted nervously. Smith placed a reassuring hand on his side, but Smith was anything but calm about this encounter.
The Robot activated his defensive circuits and rolled to the front. The Professor and Major unholstered their weapons as the door to the craft opened. Out stepped a Vilkaian.
Like Kai, the alien was tall and had tough plate-like skin in places. On its head, it wore something approximating a helmet, though it was not one solid piece. Three plates held together by some flexible material rested on its forehead and curved upward over the head like a bird's crest. It was held in place with a strap that secured under its chin. The being had similar plating on its shoulders elbows, and knees. Underneath, he wore a plain, red uniform. Around his waist was strapped a weapon of some sort. The Robot translated his words for the others. "I am Vorzh, commander of the Tyr'non. You are the humans we had contact with recently?"
"Yes," the Professor confirmed as he and Don holstered their weapons. "I trust you've finished your salvage mission with your lost ship."
Vorzh confirmed that they had and asked if they still required help searching for Smith.
The Professor gestured to Smith and stated that he had been found, a little worse for wear, but alive, despite Kai's attempts on his life. Vorzh walked toward the doctor, which caused the older human to tense, and stopped a few feet away. Smith instinctively trembled at the proximity of the alien towering over him. Vorzh sensed the human's unease. He touched the clawed fingers of one hand to his forehead, and bowed, breaking eye contact. "Please accept our apologies for the trouble our prisoner caused you," the Robot translated. "His behavior is not at all representative of our species as a whole and hope you hold no ill will towards us."
Don whispered to John, "It's a good thing no one judges us on the worst example of our species."
John rolled his eyes and nudged the Major with an elbow, indicating he should be on his best behavior in front of the alien.
Hesitantly, Smith replied, "Apology accepted."
The alien smiled as he resumed eye contact with the doctor. Unlike Kai's vicious, toothy smile, this smile concealed the alien's formidable, sharp teeth. This was not a malicious smile. This was a kind smile, Smith decided, an apologetic smile. Despite their similar appearance, Smith's instincts were not setting off alarm bells like they did with Kai. Will's words came back to him, "You'll really like Kai once you get to know him." Maybe not Kai, he thought, but perhaps his species was not as bad as that one poor example. Still, their intimidating appearance was enough to have him hoping they didn't meet again.
Smith looked to the Professor briefly, wondering if there were any further diplomatic steps he should take. Getting nothing from John but a shrug, the doctor offered his hand to shake as the Robot explained the human custom to the alien. The commander took the doctor's hand gently, being careful not to harm the human's delicate flesh with his sharp claws.
When the handshake was over, Vorzh addressed John, "As we mentioned earlier, we will drop off supplies to your ship as compensation for your trouble before we leave. If there is anything in particular you require, don't hesitate to contact us."
The Professor extended his hand, "Thank you. We appreciate your help."
Vorzh shook John's hand and bowed his head in apology again. "Good luck on your journey, Vorzh," John offered.
"Good luck to you as well," Vorzh bowed once more to the entire group, then returned to his ship.
When the ship had departed, Smith let out the breath he was holding with a whoosh.
"You ok, Smith?" Don asked.
"I am now," the doctor admitted.
The Professor chuckled. "Having seen how terrifying Kai's species can be at their worst, doctor, I share in your relief at having that encounter over."
Murmurs of agreement followed.
Smith patted Bertram's side and led the group onward to the cave.
