Chapter 18

Misguided Souls

The first reports from the deep space probes had come back in March and were disappointing. Proxima Centauri did not have a planet that would sustain human life. General Bowers took the information in stride, but John was deeply disappointed. "Frank, what do we do if none of the systems indicate a habitable planet?" he asked the general.

"You know what Plan B is, John," General Bowers replied.

"The pilot, environmental control robot and I make the trip alone to the planet that is the best match to determine how we can adapt to suit its environment. I know the drill, Frank, but I was hoping that Plan A would succeed."

"Have you told your family about Plan B?"

"I won't tell them until it's absolutely necessary."

"What about Captain West?"

"He doesn't even know he's been chosen as our pilot yet."

"I suggest you tell him soon. We've decided to officially announce the choice on June second."

"Are you going to announce information about the probe results at the same time?"

"Yes. And you know the reporters are going to ask their questions. You need to tell your family about Plan B, John. It's time."

The family continued to undergo interviews with Dr. Smith as spring bloomed. Rumors of sabotage persisted, and he was given the responsibility of maintaining a regular check on the mental health of the pilots and Robinsons. By giving Colonel Smith brief, expected answers, Don was able to minimize any contact with the Colonel, but the Robinson children were not as fortunate. Judy, especially, was intensely monitored by Colonel Smith, who was ready to declare Judy unfit for space travel, but a written report from Dr. Shapiro, as well as John's insistence that she remain with her family, kept her in the training program.

In addition to evaluating the stability of the future travelers, Dr. Smith had also become involved in the programming of the environmental control robot a few months before and so was in the area where the Jupiter was being built more days than not. He ran into Will a few days before the Memorial Day weekend. "William, what brings you to this part of the facility?" he asked.

Will greeted him. "Hi, Colonel Smith."

"Well?"

"Don and I just came to take a look at the chariot. It is so cool! They won't let me drive it yet, but Don promised me that he would bring me on one of his training runs."

"We'll see what General Bowers has to say about that!"

"Don't you think he'll let me?"

"Captain West has gone beyond his authority to promise that to you, young man. His arrogance knows no bounds."

"Then I'll ask General Bowers on Monday."

"Monday?"

"General Bowers is having us and the pilots over his house for a barbecue."

"So you'll be all together, eh?"

"Yup!"

"Well, enjoy your weekend, William!"

T Minus 4 Months and 20 Days…

"Set-up!" John called as he tapped the volleyball to the front line and Tom spiked it over the volleyball net. "Point!"

John, Maureen, Tom and Penny were on one team and Don, Judy, Will and Red on the other. The competition was fierce, especially between Don and John who were the self-designated team captains. The score was 20-19 in favor of John's team. Some men would have conceded their girlfriend's father the win, but not Don.

He was up to serve and was tempted to hit the weakest spot, but he wanted a fair win. A wicked serve went towards Tom, who was just out of position and dove for a hit, but it went into the net. The score was 20-20. Tom wasn't about to let that happen again and moved to better cover more territory. Don's next serve was hit back by John to Judy to Maureen to Penny to Will who hit the ball… out. The score was now 20-21. Don's team needed only one more point to win the set. The serve came over the net. John slammed it back and Don tried to set it up for the front line, but tripped and didn't get it high enough. Penny dipped under it to keep it alive and Red slammed it right over Will's head and it hit the ground inches within bounds. Game over.

John observed with his arms crossed as the winning team high-fived each other. Don's smile was a bit too smug for his taste. General Bowers announced that dinner was served and the players made their way over to the terrace.

"Good game, Professor," Don stated as John and Maureen walked by.

"That was just one game, Captain. If we played the best two out of three, the outcome might have been different."

There was that smug smile again. "Yes, sir, it might have been."

Red stopped Don by placing a hand on his shoulder and they watched the Professor walk into the house. Then he told Don, "You like to live dangerously, don't you?"

"Danger is…" Don started.

"… my middle name," Tom and Red finished for him together.

Judy stayed back and grinned at the camaraderie of the trio. Captain Jackson had bowed out of the program after his mother had become seriously ill, and it was now down to the three 'caballeros.' She wondered how much they would miss each other once the training was done and the mission underway.

Don turned to walk her to the table and smiled. It was good to see her happy again. Since their time in California their relationship had righted itself. They were 'simpatico' once more.

Before eating, General Bowers took a moment to remember those soldiers who had died in the service of their country. Judy grasped Don's hand tightly as she knew he was thinking about Lynn for she was too. After the brief prayer, Don squeezed Judy's hand in gratitude. He almost mouthed the words, "I love you," but a plate was held before him by Maureen and he had to release Judy's hand to grab it.

A cherry pie sat on the table, which was Maureen's contribution to the meal. Judy brought out brownies she had made and General Bowers passed a bottle of beer to each of the three pilots.

"Sir, aren't we technically still on duty?" Tom asked.

"Technically… Major Bryce." Soda was passed to the younger members of the group and then General Bowers cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, Professor Robinson has an announcement that will be made to the general public in a few days. We have decided which one of you will be the pilot of the Jupiter 2."

John looked at his wife and commented, "Are we ready?"

She nodded.

John proceeded. "We have been privileged to have trained with the best that the USSC has to offer. It has been a difficult competition for all of you." He looked at Don. "…perhaps a bit more difficult for some. My own choice would have surprised me at this time last year, but I believe I have chosen the best man for the job. Captain West, congratulations. You will be the pilot for the Jupiter 2."

Don was motionless as Judy, then Penny and then Will hugged him.

John shook hands with both Tom and Red, as did General Bowers. Maureen waited until her children let Don go and took his hand in both of his. "My sister and brother-in-law wanted me to pass on their congratulations also. They think very highly of you."

Don found his voice and thanked her and then turned to the professor. "I will do my best to justify your decision, Professor Robinson."

John shook his hand. "I'm sure you will."

Colonel Zachary Smith had expensive taste. His parents had died when he was quite young and his inheritance had been squandered by his cousin, Jeremiah, leaving him with little choice than to find alternative ways to add to his meager income. Of course he could have modified his life style, but he never seriously considered that option.

He had been 'employed' by Aeolus Umbra, which was an organization determined to destroy the colonization mission, years before he was transferred to the USSC. He was paid well when he reported that the entire Robinson family and the pilots would be under one roof at none other than the home of the military head of the Jupiter project on Memorial Day. 'How fitting,' Zachary Smith thought, 'that the famous Robinson family would meet their demise on Memorial Day, always to be remembered as misguided souls who had given their lives because of their commitment to the betterment of mankind.'

A 'commando' team made its way into the Woodlands, the forested community of General Bower's lake front home. The security was tight, but there was easy access for anyone approaching from the lake. Splitting up into two groups of four 'soldiers', the commandos scattered to their assignments. Team A was to disable the security detail and capture the house. Team B was to hustle anyone in the back yard into the home, which would be burned to the ground once all of the targets were inside.

Maureen was in the kitchen helping Mrs. Bowers clean up and prepare the coffee and tea that was to accompany dessert. "Maureen, I'm surprised that you don't seem to be… enthusiastic… about John's choice. The children adore him and he and Judy make a lovely couple. What's your concern?" Mrs. Bowers asked.

"Well, that's just it, Susan. He and Judy do make a lovely couple here at home, but what will happen once we're in space?"

"Why should things be any different for them up there?"

"Don is so much more… 'worldly' than Judy. She's been somewhat sheltered. Once they are out there with nothing and no one else around to compete for their affections, will they still be a happy couple?"

"I'd think that would be an advantage."

"I hoped that Judy would find what John and I have with someone. I'm not sure she has."

"Maureen, I've wanted the same thing for my children, and two of them have divorced. There are some things that we just have to let happen and hope for the best."

"I suppose you're right, but I still can't quite give my approval for their relationship. I wish I could. If only he didn't have that reputation…"

Dessert was finished and the conversation had never gotten around to discussing back-up plan B for the Jupiter flight. Now that Don had been named as pilot, the conversation kept drifting back to his and Judy's future plans. They both noticed that Maureen and John were still cool to the discussion. Anxious to take a breath away from the conversation, Judy and Penny volunteered to clean up the table and also pressed Will into service as they carried dirty cups and plates into the house. They never came back out.

"I wonder what they could be getting into," Maureen stated.

Susan stood. "I'll go in and see, Maureen, you relax."

Before she could take a step, five well armed soldiers in camouflage outfits emerged from the surrounding woods. Susan sat and the pilots stood, ready to take action. Before they could act, the children were dragged out of the house by commandos, each with a gun pointed at their heads. Maureen looked at her husband in fear, "John!" He was as frightened as she was.

Don gauged the expressions of the siblings and saw a mixture of fear and anger, but no panic. That was good because he could count on them to follow orders when the time came to act against the infiltrators. He, Tom and Red exchanged glances, but remained motionless. They had been training together long enough that they could communicate with a gesture and were confident that they would be able to thwart their captures when the time was right.

General Bowers raised his hands and stood. "Let the children go." The lead commando strode over to the general and hit his face with the butt of his rifle. The general fell to the ground and was helped back into his chair by his wife.

"I give the orders here," the commando hissed. "No one else will move a muscle or pretty faces will be blown away." Don's jaw twitched and he clenched his fists to hold himself back from tackling the man. The head commando nodded to his cohorts and they flipped out handcuffs as they surrounded the pilots. "I trust I have your cooperation. Hands behind your backs, gentlemen." Handcuffs were snapped onto their wrists and guns nudged into their backs as they were pushed towards the house. Judy's eyes widened in fear as Don walked by her and he tried to reassure her with a nod.

Professor Robinson raised his hands and asked, "May I have permission to speak?"

"Permission granted," the man answered.

"Can you please explain your demands?"

"I have no demands."

"Then why are you holding guns on my children?"

"Only because they are your children, Professor Robinson. They have the misfortune of being the first family in space. We cannot let that happen. Aeolus Umbra is devoted to destroying the colonization mission so that money will be spent where it is most needed. Sending families into space is a foolhardy expedition that will result in global warfare. We are only trying to preserve our planet and the peace."

"Frightening innocent children is not a move of peace!"

"Sometimes blood must be spilled for the betterment of all."

One shot rang out from the house… Judy helplessly stared at her father, her face in shock. Moments later two more shots were heard in quick succession and she screamed Don's name and slumped to the ground. John sank to his knees. "Please, I am begging you. Let my children go. Hold me as a prisoner, but allow them to leave unharmed."

"No one will be held as a prisoner, Professor. Holding hostages is not our goal."

"I will give my life for my children!"

"And so you shall."

The pilots had been pushed into the house and shoved to the floor on their stomachs. Red shouted, "Soccer feet!" and the three of them kicked at their captures shins and entangled their legs with theirs, then flipped over and pulled the enemy down hard. The three pilots had been better trained than the commandos and, even without their arms, they had them disarmed and unconscious within minutes. Tom managed to pick up a gun and the three friends stood back to back. "Crouch down on the floor and hold your hands apart, Red. Don, you crouch down and feel for the barrel. Be sure it's aiming at the metal. I'll pull the trigger when you give the word," Tom ordered.

"Got it. Shoot!" Don exclaimed. Red was free. He took the rifle from Tom and quickly shot his handcuffs apart and then did the same to Don's. The men confiscated the weapons and locked the intruders in the basement. They each grabbed a rifle and Red ran out front to check on the status of the men on the security detail. Tom and Don went to a back window to plan their next move.

"Judy!" Don whispered and Tom held his arm to hold him back. She lay on the ground and the commando roughly grabbed her and pulled her to standing, shaking her awake. The other commandos let Will and Penny free and they ran into their parents arms while a gun was once again pointed to Judy's face.

Red rejoined Tom and Don. "Every one of the security detail is dead. Their throats were slit and they were dragged into the garage. They're not planning on anyone getting out of here alive," he said. "They've got five gallons of gasoline waiting to be poured out here."

"Any ideas?" Don asked.

"Not with a gun pointed at Judy," Tom replied.

"I found a working transponder on one of our men. I reported back to base and called for back-up," Red reported.

"Good. They're probably going to move the family the house, so all we have to do is slow them down and wait for the air force to get here," Tom suggested.

"Uh-uh. That'll scare them into a hostage situation. I think we need to act before back-up gets here," Don stated.

"We have a hostage situation right now!" Tom hissed.

"No, we don't. As far as they know, this is still a 'search and destroy' mission. They don't want to hold hostages. They want to get in and get out before they're found out."

"So, you want to attack?" Tom asked.

"No, that'll just get Judy killed."

"They're on the move," Red observed.

The head commando barked out orders. The 'soldier' holding Judy pulled her along towards the back door of the house. A commando trained a gun on General Bowers and his wife, while another took Maureen and Penny and the last man covered John and Will. The head commando brought up the rear as they walked across the lawn.

"All right. I'll take Judy's man. Red, you take the General's and Tom, you take Maureen's. I think John will turn on his man once he sees what's going on," Don ordered.

"What about the head honcho?" Red asked. "He'll have them all shot by the time we take out our men."

"I bet you ten bucks Will tackles him and then we jump right in and finish the job," Don replied.

"You're on, hot shot," Red said.

"I don't like it, Don. There are too many wild cards," Tom stated.

"Do you have a better idea?"

Tom didn't respond.

"Wait a minute…" Red stated and ran out to the garage and came back with a cylinder that looked like the barrel of a D-cell flashlight. "Better idea," he stated. "A flashbang."

"All right!" Don exclaimed.

The Bowers home was an older home with a dining and living room off the kitchen. Don retreated to the dining room, and Red and Tom to the living room. Red waited for the group to enter the kitchen. The 'flashbang' was a hand held grenade type of weapon that emits a loud sound and blinding light meant to disorient a crowd. That would give the pilots five seconds to disable their targets before the effect wore off. Given the odds, they were still in a difficult situation, but it would give them a brief advantage.

The head commando did not follow the group into the house, but Red could not wait any longer. He launched the device into the kitchen and everyone in the room crouched and covered their ears after it 'exploded'. The three pilots ran into the room, and immediately grabbed the rifles that had been trained on the women. Tom jumped over Penny and tussled with the fourth commando, and John grabbed the weapon as Tom overpowered him.

"Don!" Judy screamed and she jumped up to hug him, but he handed her a gun instead and said, "Don't be afraid to use it."

General Bowers shouted, "Where's their leader?" as he trained the rifle on the enemy.

"Outside!" Will shouted and was out the back door before John could grab him.

"Get everybody out the front door!" Don shouted as he and John rushed out the back door after Will.

As predicted, Will ran out the door and tackled the commando by diving straight for his knees. Don saw the commando's hand curled around a grenade and he knew that this one was not designed to simply stun its target… and the pin was pulled.

Don had his gun trained on the leader and shouted to John, "Get Will out of here!"

John grabbed Will around the waist and pulled him to safety.

The leader and Don stared each other down. "Where's the pin?" Don demanded.

"It is our day to die… together…" the man said before he released his hold on the button.

Don jumped as far away as he could and the device exploded.

Back-up arrived and the soldiers jumped out of the vehicles and surrounded the house. General Bowers hustled the women out the front door while Tom and Red secured the enemy inside. Soldiers were filtering to the back of the house when the ground shook and the women hit the deck. Judy, Maureen and Penny looked at each other in alarm and Judy scrambled up to run to the back of the house, but was stopped by a soldier. "Let me go!" she cried.

At that moment, John appeared at the side of the house with Will, who ran to his mother.

"Dad!" Penny shouted and threw her arms around him.

Judy went to him and her eyes begged him for information. "Don?"

"I don't know, Judy," he replied.

She tore away from him and made a dash for the back of the house, but, again, was stopped by a soldier, who held her back. John and General Bowers were steps behind her. The general motioned for the soldier to let her go and Judy ran to the edge of the yard. A shallow six foot wide crater surrounded a body and Don lay just beyond its circumference, a medic kneeling beside him.

His eyes didn't want to open. He felt a pressure on his neck and then the pressure migrated to every part of his body. He wondered if he was dreaming, but the hands were far from gentle. He forced his lids up and focused on… nothing but a blur. His eyesight gradually sharpened and a mouth was in his face, moving, but Don's ears weren't cooperating. Beyond the moving mouth, a face came into view. He smiled. He knew those gorgeous blue eyes. Judy reached a hand out to Don's face. Don caught it and held it tight. She helped him sit up and then held his face in both her hands. She mouthed his name and he shook his head. He couldn't hear a thing.

"Probably temporary deafness caused by the explosion. I also want him evaluated for a concussion."

"I'm okay…" Don said and he tried to stand up, but a wave of dizziness pushed him back down.

"I don't think so, Captain," the medic responded. Don tried to wave him off, and the medic turned to Judy and stated, "Stubborn fellow, isn't he?"

Judy shook her head… "You don't know the half of it."

"Classic car magazine, box of chocolates, GameBoy…" Judy turned to her siblings and said, "I think we're ready."

They approached Don's room and Will ran ahead of the rest of them. "Hey, Don! We brought some stuff for you!"

Don looked up when Will touched his leg and dropped the GameBoy in his lap. He smiled and said, "Thanks."

Will turned to the door when Penny and Judy walked in and Don followed his movements and grinned when the girls approached him. Penny gave him a hug and placed the chocolates on his bedside table and Judy kissed him on the cheek as she handed him the magazine. Judy turned his head towards her lips and carefully said, "How are you feeling?"

He shrugged, "Tired. They kept waking me up last night."

She tapped her head and asked "Headache?"

"No, but you probably guessed that I still can't hear a thing."

She pursed her lips in sympathy. A movement at the door caused them all to turn and in walked Red and Tom. Red held a ten dollar bill out to Don and said, "Here…"

Don grinned and snatched the bill from Red's hand. "Told you so!"

Judy asked, "What's that all about?"

Don had no idea that she had spoken and so didn't reply. Tom and Red exchanged worried glances. "Still can't hear?" Tom asked.

"No," Judy replied. "But the doctor said that it should only last two or three days."

"What are you talking about?" Don asked.

Judy pointed to her ear. Don let out a frustrated sigh and frowned. "If my hearing doesn't come back soon, I'm going to be cut from the mission."

She took his hand and said, "That won't happen." Don wasn't looking at her when she said it, so she turned his face towards hers and said again, "That won't happen."

He kissed her palm. He almost believed her.