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 9…

"Here they are, Dr. Smith, Will…" Verda gently depositing the unconscious Judy and Penny …

"Good, good…My dear…" Smith sighs. "And you, dear girl, just fine." To the female robot.

"Thank you Dr. Smith. Would you like to register and nameme now?"

"Perhaps just a bit later."

" …" Will hisses, indicating the somewhat downcast Nancy Pi Square, Farnum B also eyeing her with downcast expression.

"Oh, yes. My dear Miss. Pi-Square, well done as well."

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown of Smith." The Robot notes to Smith's frown.

"Careful, Robot…" Will whispers. "I don't think the ladies like to see Dr. Smith teased."

"Are the young maidens unharmed?" Sagramore, eyeing the unconscious Penny and Judy.

"They're fine." Verda notes. "But I won't let them take Dr. Smith…"

"Now my dear…" Smith, a bit insistent… "No need for that…Jealousy in the service of Smith is very unattractive." Farnum listening, rolling eyes.

Will eyeing the Robot…

Lets hope he's just enjoying the moment…

"Will?!" John calls as he carries Maureen to them…Will hurrying over to help.

Smith moving to Farnum as Will goes to John…

"A fine boy, that…" Farnum notes.

"Yes, so he is…"

"Don't disappoint him, Smith. He clearly thinks the world of you." Farnum eyes him.

"I hardly know why…Though because of him, I'm slightly less of the man I was."

"Same here…" Farnum smiles. "I suppose we both owe a lot to that little Earthboy. I owe him a soul, I know, among other things."

"Yes…And some one, something, wants to harm him, though me." Smith notes. "Perhaps I am the main target, but that's not important, I hardly count. But I don't want to see William or what has become my family hurt…And humiliation can be the worst form of hurt. And I see you'd prefer not to see your lady friend further harmed or humiliated."

Farnum regarding him.

"Sagramore…"

"Yes, a good man and sure to be of help but…His handicap is like Professor Robinson's. He's a good man who sometimes can be defeated by his goodness. You and I, Farnum, are alike in many ways." Smith notes.

"Insulting but true enough I suppose." Farnum nods. "So, you want my…Unique…Help." Smile.

"We may need to play a fairly deep game to stop this creature or creatures…But I won't let it harm the others to harm me." Smith notes.

"You have changed…" Farnum smiling.

"We both know I haven't…Neither of us has….Fundamentally." Smith shrugs. "But we have to come to realize there are things truly worth fighting for, even above comfort and success. At least that comfort and success mean little without them. And you do want revenge for your dear lady." He eyes Farnum,

"You make me sound like Sagramore, a true knight."

"Merely a man who's risked his life pursuing the woman he loves to an alien world and Heaven knows what sort of dangers. A man who wouldn't mind killing me right now when he sees that poor woman helplessly humiliating herself with me. Perhaps that is a knight, even if you may not follow the code Sagramore does." Smith shrugs. "Men like us may find it difficult to achieve a noble, clean victory, but we can achieve revenge. And we love very few if any, but we do avenge them. Help me free and avenge these people we love, Farnum. And if we're lucky, perhaps please the boy we both love."

…

"Is she ok?" Will asks as John sets Maureen down.

"Just stunned. Will, try and reach Don. Tell him to bring the Chariot. We've got to get your mother and sisters back to the Jupiter. We can't have them here in their current state."

"Right, Dad." Will pulls radio mike. "Will to Don West. Will Robinson to Don West, come in…."

"Will?" Don's voice. "Are you guys ok? Are your mother and sisters there? They still haven't recovered, knocked me out and locked me in your parents' room but the lock was damaged. I'm coming in the Chariot."

"They're ok, but…" Will pausing as John signaled for the mike.

"Don, John here. They're fine but we've had to stun them. Get the Chariot over fast as you can. Follow my signal. And are you ok?"

"Got a good clip on the head from that wife of yours but I'm ok." Don, slight rueful tone. "I'm on my way as soon as I get to the Chariot. Over."

"Ok, Robinson out."

"Dr. Smith…" the Robot had rolled over to him as Smith receives a water canteen from an eager Nancy. Farnum standing near, eyeing her a bit grimly. Verda now coming to Smith…"Can I get you anything, Father/owner?"

"Perhaps a cushion, dear. This rock is most uncomfortable." Smith notes.

"Watch that head swelling." The Robot hisses to him. "You know what I mean. Whoever is doing this does not have your best interests at heart. And we need Mr. Farnum's help, it's not a good idea to antagonize him just now."

"Perhaps…" Smith agrees. "But it would be rather interesting to know just how long and far this power reaches."

"You are doing it again." The Robot, sternly. "And you know how it always ends."

"All right, all right…" Smith hisses. "But letting the alien causing this to think I'm succumbing to this ability may bring him or her out."

Hmmn…Not all that bad, the Robot had to admit. "Not bad and it is your usual modus operandi. Stumble into some dangerous power and seek to rule the Universe."

"Well, just keep your metal plate shut and your sensors at maximum…." Smith notes.

….

"Thanks, Sir Sagramore…" John nods to him. As the group awaits Don's arrival.

Hmmn…Smith increasingly anxious…

Time's running out and those Tribunal aliens tend to be very punctual.

"It's just a gentle sedative field." Sagramore notes. "Hopefully it will keep the maidens unconscious until we can determine the antidote to their affliction."

"Well, we couldn't have saved them without your help. So, thanks again."

"A knight's, even out of his armor and armed with high tech, duty…" Sagramore smiles. "My former page seems quite well, growing into a fine boy."

"We think so. Thanks for your help with him that time as well."

"A true pleasure getting to know him…And all of you."

"They're ok?" Will had come over.

"They're just fine, Will. Sir Sagramore has them sedated till Don comes." John smiles.

"I assure you they're fine, my boy." Sagramore beams.

"Yeah…What about Dr. Smith's hearing? We don't have much time." Will notes.

"We'll get him there." John notes. "And then we'll get to the bottom of all this."

(Hmmn… Zalto watching from his cave with his puppet minion. I was hoping Dr. Smith would be dead in the crossfire by now. But soon enough…And just look at him, he's starting to believe he can use this power to his benefit…" cackle.

"Master? The puppet minion, dropping jaw. "The Earth humans have met some advanced allies. Their scanning methods are primitively ridiculous and your cheap rival Farnum can't match your technology but the Anterian's is quite advanced…One of what was one of the most evil and powerful robots in all the Galaxy is now dedicated to Dr. Smith. And if the Anterian and the Tribunal should scan too carefully…" "Nonsense, my Magic and technology is the greatest in the known and the not -so-well-known Galaxy. Stop worrying." "It might be well to finish this before the Tribunal reconvenes, Master." "What are you saying, we can't increase the spell, we'd be detected." "Perhaps something more simple, Master." "Oh….Ohhh…" as the puppet whispers in his ear. "Not a bad idea.")

…

John staring at the unconscious Maureen as Farnum comes over…

"She's not betrayed you, Professor."

"I know that, Mr. Farnum." John nods firmly.

"You're lucky, sir. Frankly, I can never be sure…"

Robinson eyes him. "Oh, Nancy's a good kid. She cares for me in her way." Sigh.

"But could I really be sure? And I don't mean that as anything against her." Farnum put up a hand. "But she'd have every right to leave me for the first decent fellow who came round. Or, not so decent but able to make her life a bit easier. Even a Zachary Smith…Though I know, he's not responsible here." He put up a hand. "But, you know I came here not entirely without ulterior motives. I did consider killing him. When Nancy revealed who she was seeking, of course… It wouldn't have been that difficult. But…" shrug. "What would be the point?"

John staring…

"I do feel just a bit sorry…Not for Smith…He may not have a Nancy or someone else but he's won a family. It's you I feel for, Professor." Farnum sighs. "Because you have no space, no grey between you and her…" he eyed Maureen. "You've had nothing to forgive, ever, have you? That can hard…When something finally comes and you've never had to bear it in small doses." Pause.

" She'd sold my soul, you know, the last time we met you…To please me, thinking the money would be enough, was what I wanted most. But also I know for herself…And if not for you good people I might yet be a slave, instead of the weak but free fellow standing here." Smile. "Yet, I adore Nancy…" he looks over. "And if I believed Dr. Smith was the cause of that…" he shrugs.

"Don't make her suffer by inches, Robinson. Let yourself be unfair. Tell her how much this hurt and then beg her forgiveness when she can't understand how you could feel that way. I know…I speak too much…But I'm an old showman." Farnum, smiling at John's look.

…

Same time, same fan-fiction site…