ROBINSONS & ROMULANS-
Meanwhile, in the Rec Hall, Maureen Robinson, her children, Dr. Smith and the Robot remained frightened. Smith, with some prodding, had given a cursory examination to Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy. Aside from smacking them lightly on the face, to no effect, there was little he could do. He confirmed terrified to Maureen that it did seem to be some form of catatonia. The Robot too had made a medical scan, but said that the results "Did not compute."
Minutes later, they heard voices in the corridor. Hopes that it was Spock, John Robinson, and Don West quickly faded, as the doors slid open and seven men of alien origin entered the room, with weapons drawn. Immediately, the Robinson party was confused. They looked just like Mr. Spock, pointed ears, greenish-yellow complexion, arched eyebrows, but Kirk had told them that Vulcans were the allies of the Federation. They spread out, looking around rapidly, and then aiming their "laser pistols" at the frightened family, Smith, and the Robot.
The leader, resembling but more muscular and stern-looking than Spock, approached them. "You! Humans. Who are you?" Maureen Robinson stepped forward. "I'm Maureen Robinson, these are my children, " she indicated Judy, Penny, and Will, "Dr. Smith and our Robot." The Romulan looked from one to another, he seemed puzzled. "How is it you are unaffected by the gas?" "We don't know," Mrs. Robinson answered. The Romulan didn't seem satisfied with the answer, but had nothing else to say on the matter.
"Regardless, I am Sub-Commander Hiren" he began, "You are now prisoners of the Romulan Star Empire. Consider it a unique gift, because we normally do not take prisoners. Any attempt to escape and you will be killed. Any attempt to revive the other human crew…the same fate." He turned to the Robot. "What is this device?" The Robot spoke for itself. "I am a B-9 Environmental Control Robot." The Romulan sub-commander seemed confused by it actually speaking to him. "What is your function?" "To protect the Robinson family." "Are you armed?" A momentary silence. "Yes, I am capable of discharging electrostatic shocks through my pincers." It opened its pincer "hands" slightly. Immediately, Hiren put his pistol to Will's head. "Do that and regardless of who you strike down, this boy dies. Understood?" The Robot closed the pincers. "Affirmative. Understood."
The Romulan looked towards Maureen Robinson. "Are there others unaffected by the gas?" She responded quickly "How should we know?" Hiren studying her face and eyes, smiled. "You humans…are such poor liars…I like that in you." He turned and walked away.
Hiren went over to the intercom panel and punched up "Ship-wide Broadcast". He cleared his throat. "Attention. This is the Romulan commander of this vessel. We know that there are still non-effected members of the Enterprise crew and company active. If you do not immediately report to the Recreation Hall, un-armed, and surrender within the next 15 Earth minutes….the male child here will be killed by my guards. I will then execute a new hostage every ten minutes after that, from youngest to oldest." At that, Maureen Robinson gasped and put her arms around Will, a weak "No" escaped her lips. Hiren ended "The fifteen minutes begins…now!" He turned to four of the guards and ordered them into the corridor.
Smith moved towards Hiren. The two guards remaining trained their weapons on him, but their commander waved them off. He eyed Smith with contempt. "What do you want, human?" Dr. Smith smiled smoothly, "The same thing that you want, Sub-Commander, a quick resolution to this situation." The Romulan sniffed. "So?" "So, may we discuss this privately," Smith led Hiren to a corner of the room and began oily, "I can help you." Hiran laughed as he followed him, "I believe I have the situation in hand. If the remaining crew does not surrender, your people start dying…including you, Smith." Smith demurred "Yes, but we humans are a strange lot, it's possible that they may attempt to FOOL you into thinking all the remaining crew have surrendered, when some have not." Hiren pondered this.
"And you would provide a list of the remaining crew," he began, "So we can make sure we have them all." "Yes, Sub-Commander," Smith said again smoothly. "For a price?" Hiren added, "Your freedom?" Smith smiled and added, "And, merely dropping me off at the nearest habitable planet with the ability to communicate with Earth for rescue. You would make easy your escape with the Enterprise before any Earth forces could arrive." Hiren pondered this. Though not informing Smith, he knew that the Romulan sensors still couldn't fully penetrate the Enterprise, with its remaining shields up.
"Very well, Smith, what is your part of the bargain?" he said. Smith smiled slightly. "We have an…arrangement?" Hiren nodded. "My word, you will be transported to the nearest non-Romulan habitable world as soon as we have control of this ship and left with communication equipment to reach Starfleet." "Very well, Sub-Commander," Smith agreed, "There are three. One is a Vulcan, named 'Spock', Science Officer onboard. The others are human males, Professor John Robinson and Major Donald West." "Major? A Starfleet Marine?" Hiren asked. "No," replied Smith with an air of disgust, "Simply a dunderhead space pilot." Hiren nodded. "You're not part Romulan, are you, Smith?" Smith smiled, but wasn't sure it was a compliment or not.
The Romulan commander turned back to the intercom. "Attention. Twelve minutes remaining. I now address directly…the Vulcan known as 'Spock' and the humans known as 'Robinson' and 'West'. All of you are to surrender in the Recreation Hall, or face the execution of the boy hostage." Almost immediately, Maureen Robinson and the rest of the Robinsons glared at Smith. "Dr. Smith!," the mother began, "What have you done?" Smith tried a weak smile. "Forgive me, dear lady, this close to getting back to Earth, some sacrifices to honor must be made." Will Robinson spoke up as well "I can't believe you'd do this, Dr. Smith." Smith gave a mournful look to the boy. "Dear William, you are so naïve. If you survive this incident, perhaps you will learn something from it about human nature." Hiren smiled and deployed his men around the room.