Last week, as you recall, the Robinsons landed on a planet that housed a cybernetic culture in which the Robinson party would become workers on an assembly line. They managed to escape back into space, only to be fired at by a missile, which the Jupiter dodged, but it crash-landed after it was damaged by the impact of the missile. They were now stuck on another inhospitable planet, but their boredom was lessened when a space circus, owned by Dr. Marvello, came through and entertained them with their show. Will volunteered to participate and was found to have thought materializing powers. Dr. Marvello, with Dr. Smith's help, conspired to take Will with them as a star entertainer, but Dr. Marvello let Will go when he realized that his heart was with his family. To soothe his own disappointment, Dr. Smith decided to try his hand at winemaking. While working on the still, an animal appeared carrying a large machine in its hands. Will and Dr. Smith ran back to camp, but the animal followed…

The Prisoners of Space (Written by Barney Slater)

The animal deposited the machine in their camp, backed away and disappeared. A speaker flipped up and a voice stated, "Attention. Attention! By order of the Galaxy Tribunal of Justice, you are hereby notified that charges have been brought against you for crimes committed in space. The following Earth people are indicted: Professor John Robinson, Major Don West, Maureen Robinson, William Robinson, Judy Robinson, Penny Robinson. These persons are to hold themselves in readiness to testify before the Tribunal.

John and Don wondered what crimes they could possibly have been speaking of when an impenetrable force field surrounded their camp. "All accused will now consider themselves under house arrest. Warning. Do not attempt to leave the area. The fence is highly energized."

Maureen was convinced that they had committed no crimes, but Dr. Smith warned her that they may have unknowingly broken alien laws. Don noted that Dr. Smith was not named in the indictment and Dr. Smith assured him that it was because he was not guilty of any crime.

Don had trouble sleeping that night. He didn't share Maureen and John's confidence that everything would be ironed out in the morning. Judy found him staring out the lower viewport in the middle of the night when she went to the galley for a glass of water. "Don? What are you doing up?" she asked.

"Ah, worried, I guess," he answered.

She joined him. "About the tribunal?"

He shrugged, "Yeah. Like Smith said, who knows what laws we broke out there?"

"But how can we break laws we know nothing about?"

"Somehow I don't think ignorance is going to fly in court. I wish I knew what they had on us."

"Mom and Dad think that it's all a mistake."

"Well, Judy, your parents don't always like to see the negative…"

"Now don't start that argument again…"

"No, I don't want to argue."

She came up behind him and started messaging his shoulders. "What can I do to ease your mind and help you sleep?"

"Keep doing what you're doing…"

She moved her hands down his chest and kissed his neck. "Can I go lower?"

"Sure…"

She moved her hands to his hips. "Lower?" she whispered.

He sighed. "Unless you're going to come to my room with me, I think you'd better stop."

She giggled and he brought her around to his lap. "I can take care of you, you know," she offered.

"Oh, I'm sure you can, and I'm tempted, but… that's not exactly how I'd like us to, uh, start…"

"How would you like us to start?"

"Let's see. I haven't thought about it in a while."

"You haven't thought about sex?"

"The less I think about it, the better off I am… I've kind of become asexual, if you know what I mean."

"No, I don't know what you mean."

He chuckled. "Well, I'm with your Dad more than you… or anybody else, for that matter. That's enough to put sex out of my mind."

She was about to reply when the elevator rose and Penny came out. "Judy?" Penny called. "I was wondering where you were."

"What are you doing up?" Judy asked as she stood and took a step away from Don.

"I had a nightmare."

"What about?"

Before she could answer, Will climbed the ladder and joined them. "I had one too," Will said.

"About the tribunal?" Don asked.

Both Penny and Will nodded.

"Do you want to tell us about it?" Judy asked.

"I couldn't answer any of their questions," Penny said, "and they said that, since I couldn't tell them anything, we must all be guilty."

"That was kind of like my dream too," Will stated, "but they threw us all in jail."

"I guess you're both too worried to go to sleep, right?" Don asked. They both nodded. "Do we still have a Scrabble game on board?"

"No, we threw all our games into the junk pile when we took off from Priplanus," Will said.

"Mom and I retrieved them," Judy stated. "I'll get it. We'll play until you both get sleepy, okay?"

The three siblings slept late the next day, but Don was still worried as he had breakfast with John, Maureen and Dr. Smith. John was called to testify and Maureen asked him not to go. He reassured her that he would be fine and he stepped into the beam of light and disappeared. "Poor Professor Robinson," Dr. Smith commented, "Poor, poor man. I wonder if we shall ever see him again."

John sat in a chair and was asked if he was ready to answer to the charges. He stated that he and the family had done nothing wrong, but the judge stated that the tribunal would decide on his guilt or innocence. "Activate the memory machine," the judge announced and two crystal spheres moved to either side of his head. He was asked to think back to the beginning of his journey and his memories appeared on a nearby video monitor.

"Why that's Alpha Control," he commented. He was told that, according to his memory, the launch went perfectly. Then he was asked to account for why the ship was off course. He explained that Dr. Smith had been trapped on board, which upset the navigational balance of the ship. The 'judge' then asked why they did not return to Earth at that time. John answered that, "Something went wrong with our robot's programming." The memory machine was again activated and showed the robot destroying equipment and Don shouting that they were out of control. The memory machine was deactivated and John was dismissed and returned to the Jupiter.

John recounted his experience to his family and Don commented, "That memory machine sounds like quite a piece of equipment."

"Truth serum with pictures," Maureen added.

"Yes. They'll be very little lying in that courtroom," John stated.

Dr. Smith and Don exchanged a few barbs about whether or not Dr. Smith's involvement would become an issue, and then Don was called to testify. They all walked outside of the Jupiter and Don turned to them and said, "I'll see you folks later." He took Judy's hands in his to reassure her, and then walked up to the beam of light.

"Don't mention my name, Major," Dr. Smith called after him as John put an arm around his daughter to comfort her.

Don sat in the same chair as John had and an object was floated before him. He was asked if he had ever seen the object before, and he replied that it looked like a solar wrench from the Jupiter 2 and then he asked where they had gotten it. "It was found floating in space," the judge replied. Don commented that it was the wrench John had lost when he went outside the Jupiter to fix the scanner towards the beginning of their journey. "He lost a contaminated wrench," the judge stated, "a deadly danger to anyone who happened to come in contact with it."

"You don't understand. You see it wasn't his fault," Don said. He was told to explain and the memory machine whirred into action. Don states that their navigational scanner had been damaged in a meteor storm and John went out to fix it. He went on to say that John's lifeline broke, and he couldn't understand why because Dr. Smith had claimed that he had thoroughly checked the line himself. He explained how they were able to get John back into the ship, but then said that, "The loss of the wrench was really my fault."

"I do not understand," the judge said.

"I was the experienced space pilot."

"Yet, you let Professor Robinson go outside?"

"He was in command of the voyage. I had to follow his orders. He insisted on doing it himself."

"That's one explanation. Another would be that you didn't want to risk the danger."

Don lost his temper and replied, "You're way out of line! You're twisting the facts. I would have gone."

"That will be enough, Major West. This Tribunal will not tolerate anger."

Don wanted to make a further statement, but he was dismissed.

Will was called next to testify and he was asked about his involvement on the Derelict spaceship. He had unwittingly defrosted the aliens on the ship and shortened their life span. He replied that he had no idea about that. He was told that ignorance of the law is no excuse, even for one so young. Will was told to give Dr. Smith a message – that he would be called to testify the next day.

That evening, the Robot hatched a plan to help Dr. Smith escape before he had to testify. The Robot hid him and Will behind him as they made their way to the fence. Will dug a hole underneath it and Dr. Smith escaped.

Dr. Smith was called to the tribunal the next morning. Will explained that he had escaped the night before. Will was told that he and his family would be severely punished for what Will had done. Everyone in the crew would receive five years imprisonment, but Will offered to find Dr. Smith and bring him back.

Will and the Robot found Dr. Smith enjoying a glass of wine at his still. He refused to return with Will, saying that it was a matter of survival. "It is every man for himself," Smith stated.

The Robot took matters into his own claws. He picked Dr. Smith up under the armpits and commanded, "If you will come with me, Dr. Smith. You will come back by your own decision, or I will carry you back."

"How dare you threaten me, you tyrannical tinplate. Unhand me at once, you hear?" Dr. Smith demanded. Dr. Smith finally agreed to the Robot's command and added, "I'll never forgive you for this. Never!"

Dr. Smith reluctantly entered the beam. He attempted to explain his escape by saying that he feared that his testimony would hurt the others, but the memory machine was activated and showed Dr. Smith coming out from his hiding place on the day of the Jupiter 2 launch and reprogramming the robot. When he attempted to retell the story to adjust the facts in his favor, the television monitor showed static. His next testimony showed that it was he who defrosted the aliens on the Derelict, not Will.

The judge consulted with the jury and announced that the case against the Robinsons was dismissed. "Dr. Smith, however, was not a member of the original Robinson group and his case has been considered separately. We find that he has been responsible for all of the crimes charged against the Robinsons and have found him guilty on all counts. We recommend that the tribunal punish Dr. Smith to the limit of the law." Sentence was to be passed the next day and Dr. Smith was dismissed until that time.

John signed his name to an official looking document and passed it onto Don who read aloud as he laughed, "Whereas we the undersigned do hereby swear and agree – Oh, John, I'll sign it, but Smith will never agree to this."

Maureen commented that she thought it was unfair, but John asked her, "Well, do you have any better ideas?" The rest of the family joined them and asked what was going on. John asked them to sign the paper. "We hope to influence the aliens to dismiss their charges against Dr. Smith." Dr. Smith was appreciative of their efforts and was not hopeful that it would be successful. He took the petition from Judy, who was preparing to sign it. Don said that it was an appeal for clemency.

Dr. Smith read aloud, "We, the undersigned, do hereby swear and agree that Dr. Zachary Smith cannot be held accountable for his past actions as he was mentally and emotionally disturbed." Dr. Smith looked up. "You're saying that I'm insane?" He refused to go along with the idea.

Don approached him, "… of course if you'd rather face the alien sentence – torture or some other fiendish punishment."

Dr. Smith 'saw the light,' so to speak and demanded that everyone finish signing the petition.

"Dear Joan,

So the tribunal was quite an unsettling experience. Penny and I were very glad that we didn't have to testify… and poor Dr. Smith. The tribunal did accept our petition. It said that, although the laws of Earth and space are different, they did agree in one area and it was that anyone who is mentally incompetent cannot be held responsible for their actions. In addition, he was placed in the custody of the Robot who was to make his decisions for him and keep him out of trouble.

Now we're in another situation. Dr. Smith found an alien transfer machine and activated it…

The Android Machine (Written by Bob and Wanda Duncan)

… And out came a silver female android. Apparently he ordered it without knowing what he was doing. Her name is 'Verda' and she has a lovely figure with upswept eyebrows and these three – things – sticking out of her head – one on top and one on either side. She would be pretty were it not for those – things. She said that her purpose is to serve her master, who is Dr. Smith. I'm afraid he's going to take advantage of her.

Dad and Don are mining deutronium and I went to the mining site to tell them about the android. They've collected three canisters of fuel, but we need at least five and Don said that the vein was running dry. They showed me something else they're worried about. There are these three-toed footprints outside a cave and they think it's a nocturnal animal. Dad warned us all to stay away from that area. Don hopes that, if we don't bother it, it won't bother us. Let's hope he's right."

Judy worried needlessly about Smith taking advantage of Verda. He was not happy with her services, finding her too easily distracted and wanted to be rid of her. The Robot was also unhappy because she had taken over his role as tutor for the children. He warned Dr. Smith that the Robinsons would opt to keep Verda, which upset Smith even more. He realized that another body on board would mean that more fuel would be needed, lengthening their stay on the inhospitable planet.

Dr. Smith hatched a plan to rid himself of the android and he manipulated Verda into taking the children on a nature walk near the cave, hoping that an encounter with the three-toed monster would frighten Verda into leaving them. Verda put herself in danger to save the children and they ran for their father and Don. John killed the creature and thanked Verda for saving them.

That evening, the family had a double celebration after dinner. One was to thank Verda for her heroic efforts and the other was to celebrate Judy's twenty-first birthday. Verda was at first confused about the whole affair. She did not understand the fuss over her, but she was curious about the other reason for the celebration. When Maureen announced that the cake would be brought out in a few moments, Verda asked Don, "What is a birthday?"

"It's a celebration to commemorate the day you were born," he explained.

"Born?" she asked. "What is that?"

"I suppose for you, it would be the day you were made," Judy added.

"Oh, I see. And is there something special about the number – twenty-one?" Verda asked.

Will explained, "Well, on Earth, it means that you're not a kid anymore."

"Kid?"

"Yes," Penny responded. "It's a milestone in someone's life when they are no longer a child and are considered an adult."

Don moved his hand over Judy's and covered it, squeezing it a little tighter. John couldn't help but notice and stared at his daughter, longing for the days when he used to hold her in his arms and rock her to sleep. "Where had the years gone?" he asked himself

Maureen brought out the cake, and after a rousing birthday song, Judy made her wish and blew out the candles. Dr. Smith was first in line for a piece of cake. When all the pieces were distributed, he came back for seconds.

Afterwards, Don invited Judy on a short walk. As they made their way towards their usual spot, Maureen turned to John and asked, "Why have the years flown by so quickly? I remember when I fed her at my breast. It seems like it was just yesterday."

John smiled wistfully and nodded. "I was thinking the same thing myself. Looking at her and Don… it seems that it won't be long before they're rocking their own babies."

"Now, John, put that right out of your mind. This is no place to become pregnant and raise a family. That better be the furthest thing from their minds."

Unfortunately, it was on Don's mind and he couldn't ignore the thought. They settled into their niche in a bolder and stared up at the starlit sky. "The only thing missing tonight, Judy, was some champagne. I wish I had some to give you a proper celebration," Don said.

"Me too. I remember the last time I had it was at Mike and Sherry's wedding. I really enjoyed it that time."

"What do you mean, that time?"

"Well I had it at a cast party a few years before that and it went right to my head."

"Were you with a guy?"

"Yeah, Eddie. He tried to take advantage of me… more than once."

"Ooh… I guess he underestimated you."

"Yes he did."

"Did your parents give him a hard time?"

"Nothing like the hard time they gave you."

"Ha! And I'm the one who has always taken care of you."

"They know that, Don. They're ready to officially accept you into the family."

"I know… How about you?"

She shifted in his arms and didn't answer.

"Judy?"

"I guess so."

"You guess so?"

"I'm not sure I want to be… tied down yet."

"Judy… ah… it sounds like you're having second thoughts about marrying me."

"Don, I'm twenty-one and I've only had two boyfriends in my life. You and Eddie."

"So?"

"So, I'd have liked to have had a few more experiences before I settle down."

"Settle down… as in settle down and have children?"

"Yes. We both know that now is not the time."

"Yeah… but… I thought we could at least talk about when we want that to happen."

"Don, please! Having children is the furthest thing from my mind right now."

"Then I guess marriage is pretty far from your mind too."

"Oh, Don, of course we'll get married someday…"

He had promised himself he'd be patient. For some reason, he thought that once Judy reached the age of twenty-one, something would change. He could see now that he still had a long wait ahead of him. He placed his hands under her armpits and lifted her away from him. "Let me know when that 'someday' is within the foreseeable future."

"Don, please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad, but I think it's time we got back to camp."

She stood and they walked back in silence.

"Dear Joan,

I'm twenty-one now. I don't know, I thought something magical would happen or that things would change, but nothing has. I'll always wonder if I would feel differently if we were back home, but turning twenty-one was certainly anti-climatic. There's nothing to celebrate. Drinking alcohol is not an issue, since we don't have any. Don was mad that I wasn't ready to talk about getting married. I'm beginning to feel smothered, Joan. Everyday is the same for us. Get up… survive… get up the next day to survive again…

Oh, by the way, our android is quickly becoming a part of the family. Her name is Verda and she's been teaching Will and Penny about the history of the galaxy. The owner of the machine, a Mr. Zumdish, came to get his payment. Actually he was the manager of some sort of galactic department store. Anyway, Dr. Smith claimed that Verda was defective and that he shouldn't have to pay. When Mr. Zumdish looked Verda over, he agreed with Dr. Smith. He said he would take her back and toss her into the recycling bin!

We're not about to let that happen. We've just voted that we're going to do everything we can to keep her. Will suggested that we trade deutronium for her. I hope Mr. Zumdish goes for the deal because Verda is not just a machine. She is becoming more and more human everyday."

Zumdish took the deal, but discovered that he had been mistaken about Verda. She was a much higher quality android than he had first thought. She was almost human, and, therefore, was worth much more than anything the Robinsons could pay for her. It also meant that she would not be destined for the scrap heap and Verda decided to go with Zumdish so she could be placed where she would truly be needed.

Later that evening, Judy and Don were on a rare moonlight walk. "Do you think Verda will be all right?"

"I think so, Judy. She seemed confident about her decision to leave."

"I just hope she'll be happy. Don, are you still mad at me about last night?"

"I wasn't mad."

"I think you were."

He rolled his eyes, "All right, maybe a little bit, but I was more disappointed than mad."

"Just give me time, Don."

"I guess I don't have much choice."

They found a rock to lean against, and Judy snuggled in Don's arms. "This is nice."

"Judy? I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"When that circus came through here and you sang for them… were you tempted to go with them?"

Judy didn't respond right away.

Fear crept into his consciousness. "Judy?"

"I'm not sure what to say."

"How hard could it be? Either you were tempted or you weren't."

"It's not that simple."

"Then talk it out with me."

"Performing again was… exhilarating."

He sighed. "I knew you'd miss the stage."

"But… I wouldn't have wanted to leave all of you and travel with them."

"Especially me?" he asked with a smile.

"Especially you."

He wanted to tell her how much he appreciated the personal sacrifices she had made to come on this voyage. Instead, he leaned down and kissed her gently, sweetly and just as their kiss deepened, the Robot approached them and told them that Professor Robinson wanted them back inside the ship. They had received information from the weather station that a storm was coming.

"I don't see any signs of a storm," Don stated.

"My sensors agree with you, Major West, but the Professor still ordered me to retrieve you and Judy Robinson," the Robot replied.

"All right, tell the professor we're coming."

"You are to return with me, Major."

Don rolled his eyes. "Someday, Judy, someday we'll have more than five minutes alone."

She laughed as they stood and returned to the ship.

The weather station was indeed faulty and the professor gave Dr. Smith and Will the task of repairing it. When John came to check on their progress, Dr. Smith declared that it was done. When he flicked the switch, however, sparks flew in all directions…

To be continued…

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