Lost in Space: "Wanted Man…"

Summary: Smith's past…And the Space Tribunal catch up with him.

Stranded once again due to needed repairs on an unknown planet in a star system far from Earth (or Alpha Centauri), the Robinson, Major West, Dr. Smith, and the Robot are about to encounter an old foe. Several, actually.

Part 5…

About the same time …

A cave on the planet about twenty miles from the Jupiter site…

Shielded from the most sophisticated detection by some of the most sophisticated and banned screening technology in the known Galaxy…

At least that's what the guy at the shop said…Mr. Zalto, prestidigitator par excellence…Some of mpre primitive technologies might say, "Wizard"…And one of the most advanced users of high tech telekinesis and astral projection in the said known Galaxy...Noted to himself and his robot puppet minion.

But since that fiendish betrayer Dr. Smith, Zalto has come to be slightly more suspicious of such claims…Still the stuff's been working so far.

He eyes what to a more credulous and primitive species might be considered a magic crystal ball…In fact a very sophisticated scanner and probing device. All quiet outside and yes, inside the Earthmen's space ship.

Good. Let Dr. Smith have his troubled night's rest…

For tomorrow is Judgment…Space Tribunal style…Day.

Well, today, actually…In about six hours.

"The spell has worked brilliantly, hasn't it?" he addresses his robopuppet.

Who pauses, opening dummy-like mouth… "Indeed it has, Master. Even the Space Tribunal, with the different judges' advanced technology…Even our subjects, despite their powers and technologies, apart from the Earth primitives…Haven't detected your influence."

"No, no….Ha, ha, ha, hah. They haven't."

"Not yet." The robopuppet cautions.

"What? You think they'll detect my work…The work of Zalto the Magnificent? The greatest 'Wizard' in the known Galaxy?"

"Some of them hail from the not-so-well-known Galaxy. Like the Earth primitives. We should be on guard, Master. Sorry, my prime directive is your protection."

"Fine…I'm on guard. Ready to escape at a moment's notice. But I won't be cheated of my vengeance. Dr. Smith will pay for betraying me and leading to my humiliation."

"Yes, Master. May I say, though…" pause to drop mouth. "It is a very unique vengeance. That every female he's encountered should desperately want him."

"Well…You have to understand the nuances of my revenge." Zalto shrugs. "Besides a spell…Or biomental/slight biochemical/telepathic manipulation of this sort can be a potential gold mine. When word spreads across the Galaxy, the wealthy will beg for the chance to make use of it. For their personal delight, for revenge, and what a weapon it'll make." Chuckling.

"Zalto-Magic/high tech biomanipulation and Armaments, Inc. will soar on the Galactic stock market." The puppet nods.

"And who better to be the first victim of its testing than Dr. Smith? At last he will fulfill his destiny, to make my name flame across the Galaxy!"

"Yes, Master…Unless…" pause.

"Unless…Unless?! Are you suggesting I might fail?!"

"No, Master. I'm saying it's possible the alien females and the Tribunal might learn of what you've done. The three higher species females possess considerable power. The Tribunal also."

"Well, they'll never catch on till it's over and we've hidden away...And secure powerful clients who'll protect us. The females' ll be too busy destroying each other and fighting the Tribunal…After Dr. Smith is…"

"Dead. You are right, Master." Both chuckling evilly.

"Well you should charge and I should rest so as not to miss the spectacle of my supreme revenge!" Zalto notes.

"Yes, Master. Shutting down to recharge." The puppet closes mouth, then eyes.

"Good night…And good bye, Dr. Smith." Zalto eyes the tents on his "crystal ball"/imager.

…

The days on this planet being twenty six hours long, and it being the shortest night season, sunrise had not been too difficult for most of the Jupiter expedition to rise…Approximately seven o'clock, earth time…

With of course the exception…

"Dr. Smith!" the Robot calls from outside his tent. "Seven o'clock, rise and shine!"

"Urggh…" sound from within.

"Smith!" Don on the Jupiter ramp, as he stretched. "If you want breakfast before we go, you better get up. Will? Your dad needs a hand below giving the girls and your mom some breakfast." Will nods, hurrying in up the ramp.

"Yes, Dr. Smith." The Robot agrees. "A condemned man should have a hearty last meal."

"You, clattering collection of spare parts! Oh…I didn't sleep a wink, my back….Oh, the pain."

…

Below, on the lower deck…

"Maureen? I've you some breakfast. I'll open the door but please stay back." John calls. "Will?" he turns to Will holding a folding table. "Whatever Mom says…"

"I know, Dad." Nod.

"Maureen? Will's going to come in."

"John? It's all right, I…I'll stay back."

He unlocks and opens. Will carefully stepping in and setting table as Maureen eyes him from the bed.

"I'm sorry, Will." She sighs. "I didn't mean to frighten you or your father. I don't know what came over me or the girls yesterday."

"It's ok, Mom." He nods. "All right, Dad." Call, John opening door and passing tray which Will set down on the table.

"John? I'm so sorry." Maureen calls. Moving close to table, Will backing out of room. "Please don't be afraid of me."

"It's all right, darling." John calls as Will exits the compartment, John closing door immediately. "This isn't your fault."

"Have you had any luck…Finding out?" she asks, wearily.

"Nothing yet, but we're taking Smith back to the Space Tribunal in a bit. They may know something." He pauses. "If you feel up to going…?"

"I don't know…" she calls. "I think it might be best if we stay away from them and Dr. Smith, until you see if they can tell us anything. I'm very tired in any case. Is that all right, John?"

"Of course, darling." He replies. "We'll keep in touch by radio. You try and rest."

"Penny?" Will tapped on her door. "You want some breakfast?"

"Will? What's going on? I'm feeling so strange this morning. And I was acting so…Weird…Yesterday?"

"You were. We think it's something to do with Dr. Smith's hearing, before the Space Tribunal."

"What?" Penny, a bit wanly. "Are they doing…Something…To me?"

"We don't know. We'll find out. You want breakfast?"

"Sure…Whatcha got." She calls.

"Dad made omelets and bacon, I'll get you some." Will turns for galley area.

"Wait for me, Will." John calls.

"Dad?" Penny calls. "Am I gonna be all right? Are Mom and Judy ok?"

"It's all be fine, Penny. Just a minute and Will can bring in some breakfast. Judy?" John pauses by her door.

"Oh…Can I sleep, please? I'm so tired." Judy calls.

"All right, honey. Just let us know if you want any breakfast before we go." John calls.

"I just need to sleep…But could Don come down?" she calls. "I said some terrible things to him last night."

"I'll send him down in a minute." John.

"Ok, Will…Just let me get the door." He moves to Penny's door, Will bringing tray and table.

…

"You think they're ok now, Dad?" Will asks as he and John rise to upper deck in elevator.

"I'm not sure, son. I hope so."

"But you and the Robot couldn't detect anything?"

"Afraid not, son. But we can't be sure what the source of the alien influence is." He sighs.

…

"Judy? Penny? Are you both all right?" Maureen calls.

"Fine, Mom." "Fine." Calls.

"Will and your father are gone. Judy, don't try to do anything with Don. They' re still suspicious."

"Mom?"

"I think I can break the lock in a few. Don't do anything to make them suspect us." She calls.

"You'll let us out?" Penny's voice, just a bit suspicious. "I need to take a walk."

"We all do, dear." Maureen notes, calmly. "It will take all three of us to save him. All right, Judy?"

"Yes, Mother." Calm tone.

But once we save him…Judy thinks.

…

"Should we really leave Mom and the girls alone, Dad?" Will asks as he, Dr. Smith, Don, and John eat breakfast at long outdoor table. Smith groaning with hand on back occasionally.

"Don'll stay with them. But I think we'll need the Robot." John nods.

"Perhaps it would be best, Professor, if I…" Smith tries.

"You're going, Doctor." John, sternly.

"Yes, sir." Sigh.

"Besides, Smith…" Don grins, munching a roll. "You can't disappoint the future Missus Smith."

"How droll, Major." Smith glares. "And mind your manners, you bubble-headed boob of a lawyer…" to the chortling Robot.

"All right, Don." John, slight smile. "Just keep an eye on Maureen and the girls and stay in touch. Keep the ship ready for an emergency lift-off but that's a last chance option."

"Right." Don nods. "Don't worry…Will." Grin at the nervous Smith. "I'll hold her long enough for you to get on board. Smith…? We'll see."

"Indeed…" Smith, indignant.

"We'll all leave together…If it's humanly possible." John notes. "But we don't know what we're up against to be sure, so we have to have an option just in case."

"Think of it as proof of your redemption, Smith." Don, smiling as he rises. "Ok, sorry." He eyes Smith's fearful look. "Good luck and take care. We'll be waiting for you."

"Right." John rises. "Everyone ready?" he eyes Will, then Smith. Will nodding…Smith nervously so.

"Here comes the groom…Here come the groom…" the Robot sings as he leads the three humans. Don watching as they depart.

"Oh, do hush you ridiculous cybernetic clod!"

Same time, same fan-fiction site…