Celebrations Found
Part 3
Marvenian Miracle
Introduction
Professor John Robinson (Guy Williams): Doctorate in Astrophysics and Planetary Geology. Interested in sports including football and fencing. Birthdate 1/14/57
Maureen Robinson (June Lockhart): Doctorate in Biochemistry. Interested in cooking, hydroponics and gardening. Birthdate 6/25/58
Dr. & Dr. Robinson were married on 6/10/77
Judy Robinson (Marta Kristen): Wanted to pursue a career in acting, singing and dancing. Birthdate 2/26/78
Penny Robinson (Angela Cartwright): Interested in zoology, classical music and literature. Birthdate 9/9/85
Will Robinson (Bill Mumy): Interested in geology, electronics, singing and playing the guitar. Birthdate 2/1/87
Major Don West (Mark Goddard): Air Force major. Interested in flying, cars and contact sports. Birthdate 7/24/73
Dr. Zachary Smith (Jonathan Harris): US Space Core staff psychologist. Specialized in Environmental Space Psychology. Birthdate 11/6/45
Above information was lifted from a website by M.Z. Gates, who summarized the biographies from The Alpha Control Reference Manual, published in 1986 by William Anchors and Gary Stork.
Judy Robinson and Don West were married on8/24/99
DISCLAIMER: Alas, the above characters do not belong to me, and I would never think of making any money off of them. I'm just reliving my childhood from an adult perspective.
Original Characters (Are of my creation and, therefore, belong to me):
Appolus (A blondish Matthew McCaughney type) From a powerful family.
Gannon (Similar to David Duchovney) Worked his way up to medical director on a ship.
Phiscus (A middle aged Peter Graves type) Medical doctor at spa and for Appolus' family.
Kairon (A youngish Keanu Reeves type) A masseuse at the spa.
Counselor of Claims (Would you believe a Mel Brooks look alike?) Religious Leader.
Ronon (Similar to Andy Garcia) A masseuse at the spa.
Marcus (Similar to Richard Gere) Medical doctor out of favor with the government.
Scotter (Like John Mahoney of Frazier) Retired soldier and mechanic at the yard.
Chapter 1
August 6, 2000
It's been five days now. If nothing has gone wrong with the ship, they're probably ready to land. I am so lost without him. I've been going to the caves with Penny and Will to collect more saliva samples, but, other than that, I haven't been very useful. I would have been better off going with him; at least I would know what was going on. All I can do here is wait and worry. Of course, I imagine the worst possible things happening to them.
I'm still waiting to find out if I'm pregnant. I should have been ovulating our last couple of days together, but with the stress we were under, who knows? Marcus said that there was only a miniscule chance for pregnancy given our situation. If I don't get my period in the next few days, though, I'll do a pregnancy test. I can always hope for a miracle.
The habit of gathering after the last meal of the day to discuss past and upcoming activities continued with the men as they traveled to Marvenius. John, a natural leader, acted as chairperson, steering the discussion to resolve any and all issues that might arise. Don was more than happy with this arrangement, as he was quite comfortable in the role of second in command. He preferred being the one to take action as opposed to making diplomatic decisions.
Although their personalities were quite different from John's and Don's, Kairon and Ronon were gradually growing into similar roles. Despite his young age, Kairon's thirst for knowledge, his charisma and enthusiasm for the ideals he had adopted made him a prime candidate as leader of the rebellion. Ronon, much like Don, was comfortable questioning and making suggestions, but preferred action as opposed to actual decision making. Scotter, due to his experience, was the pragmatic one of the group. He just wanted to get the job done with minimal causalities.
Despite all of the time spent on Carmellia, specific goals had never been spelled out for their current trip. John thought that it was time to establish their mission objectives, as well as discuss the long-range goals of the native rebels. He entered the galley to find Kairon and Ronon discussing the merits of the lightsaber versus having a 'good blaster at your side' with Don and Scotter. Kairon, of course preferred the mystical nature of the lightsaber, while Scotter and Don voted for the quickness of the laser pistol. Ronon could see both sides of the argument and decided that the situation should dictate the weapon.
John took a fencing stance and commented, "But the lightsaber," he parried, "is such an elegant weapon." He parried again, "'Not as clumsy or random as a blaster, it's a weapon of a more civilized time and place." He slashed a "Z" into the air. Kairon and Ronon looked at him in amazement while Don hid his smirk behind his hand.
"Professor Robinson," Kairon observed, "you are also a fan of Star Wars?"
"In fact that was the last movie Maureen and I saw before we got married."
"You also know lightsaber dueling?"
"We called it fencing in high school."
Ronon and Kairon looked at each other and exclaimed, "High school fencing!"
Kairon added, "I believe I would have liked this thing called high school."
John chuckled. "Alright, gentlemen, time to get serious. I believe we need to solidify plans for our mission. Let's start at the ending. What do you hope to accomplish with your revolution?"
Kairon immediately replied, "Freedom."
"Freedom from what?"
"Tyranny."
Ronon added, "Freedom of choice. Having a voice in our own destiny without fear of death."
"And how do you hope to accomplish that?" John asked.
The men stared at each other in silence.
Ronon suggested, "With the bacta enzyme."
"How is that going to change your society?"
Kairon collected his thoughts and summarized. "We need to find a reason to offer the medical men the bacta. I believe we should search for records proving that people have been exterminated who could have recovered from their illness. With the support of the medicine men, we have a stronger chance of eliminating the Ministry of Extermination."
Scotter added, "So we need a way to gather those records, which will probably have to be done at the Ministry of Extermination."
Don stated, "So that's one of our first clandestine operations. Once we have the records, we can have Marcus study them."
Ronon interrupted him. "Not Marcus. He is considered a renegade by his peers. We need to find someone who has worked within the system and would be sympathetic to our cause. Maybe someone who has treated Tier 2 or Tier 3 males?"
Kairon asked, "How are we supposed to do that?"
Scotter exclaimed, "After work eating establishments!" while Don simultaneously suggested, "Neighborhood pubs!"
John nodded in agreement. "So the second spy operation would be to send men out into the neighborhoods to inquire about doctors. Once we have all of the information we need, how do you present it to the powers that be?"
Kairon immediately replied, "Balus."
Don interjected, "Who?"
Ronon repeated, "Balus, the man who is hiding the counselor."
"What can you tell us about him?" John asked
"My father worked for him as a gardener," Ronon replied. "Balus has held a position in the government for as long as I can remember."
"Why would he help us?"
"Balus and his 'vessel' never had children, so it was assumed that she was incapable of procreation. Yet, he never sent her away or asked for another 'vessel'. My father told me that he would come to the garden everyday to pluck a rose to present to her. I was with my father on the day that Balus plucked her last rose. He told us that his 'vessel' had contracted the women's disease and was to be sent to the Ministry of Extermination on that very day. He had fought the decision through all of the diplomatic channels he could, but a stay was not granted. He once told my father that he always believed she would have recovered and vowed to rid our society of the Ministry of Extermination."
Scotter observed, "He must have loved his 'vessel'."
John queried, "What is his position in the government?"
Kairon continued the explanation. "He is a secretary high up in the Ministry of Claims. He upholds the traditional ways and sought out Ronon to offer his help when the counselor and I became fugitives. He has always been the voice of reason and has tried to balance the power of the more aggressive forces in our government."
Scotter asked, "Like Appolus and his family?"
"Like Appolus."
Don didn't react to that pronouncement. He still thought of Appolus as a personal conflict and not one to involve the others.
John summarized, "So you have the support of the masses and someone to work with you from inside the government. I'd say that's a good start."
Kairon concluded, "We will contact Balus as soon as we arrive."
Don started the landing sequence. Given the fact that their last two positions were compromised when they took off from Marvenius, they had to find another place to house their base. Scotter knew of a lightly forested area that was isolated from the rest of the metropolis; yet close enough for travel into the city with the right transportation. It was a tricky landing, but they were able to slide the Marvenius Miracle into a clearing and camouflage it with branches. It would be their base of operations for the foreseeable future.
Their first move was to report their homecoming to Balus, who arrived at the ship that evening with the counselor for a planning meeting. Upon entering the ship, the counselor was immediately drawn to Don as introductions were being made. The counselor gave him the same facial examination he had done the last time they were together. He smiled and nodded. Speaking through the translator he announced, "Better! Although you are still in pain, you have achieved some peace. You have left your mark on the universe."
Don, somewhat embarrassed, thought, 'God, is it that obvious that I've had sex?' Heasked,"What do you mean, 'left my mark'?"
"I cannot explain. Someday you will understand."
"O-kay, thank you, I guess."
"However, there is still great danger looming over you. You must beware the golden haired one."
"Appolus. Yeah, I know. One of the first things I want to do is find out where he is so I can avoid running into him. I don't want my personal problems to interfere with the rebellion."
Balus nodded to him. "I believe I can help you with that, Major West. Your last encounter with Appolus has become quite well known. As you might know, he is from a powerful Tier 1 family and he has sworn vengeance on you and Scotter, and still intends to claim his 'vessel'. In fact I saw him leaving the Ministry of Intelligence just this morning."
"What would he be doing there?"
Balus chuckled, "Probably complaining that they haven't done enough to capture you and Kairon."
"Well, at least we know he hasn't gone off to look for Judy."
As Balus was speaking those words, a sleek private transport was preparing to leave Marvenius. It carried three men, one of whom had become twisted with jealousy and vengeance, and two mercenaries who were looking to profit both monetarily and personally from their association with the golden haired one. Appolus had employed these men to aid him in his quest for Judy.
Appolus' trip to the Ministry of Intelligence that morning had convinced him that it was time to take matters into his own hands, rather than rely on legal channels to resolve his claim. In studying sky maps of the surrounding area, he had determined that there were no more than two planets that could have housed the Robinson clan. Appolus and his employees, the Tier 3 mechanic who had worked with Scotter and a Tier 2 soldier, set course for the nearest system, the very planet that the Robinsons called Carmellia.