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 Robinsons, Major West, Dr. Smith, and the Robot are about to encounter an old foe. Several, actually.
Part 12…
"B-9…" Judge Icho addresses the Robot, Will and John beside him to right, Sir Sagramore to the left.
The Tribunal barriers just in front of them but not surrounding them…Several alien "judges" to Judge Icho's right and left.
"Where is Dr. Zachary Smith? He is to make his choice or face the charges and sentence." Grim tone.
"My client has been kidnapped, Your Honor." The Robot states. "He regrets he cannot attend the Tribunal at this time. Please feel free to scan all my memory banks for verification."
"Indeed…Scanning complete. You are telling the truth." Judge Icho coldly. "Fortunate for Dr. Smith. And the reason for his seizure is clearly related to the case…However. It is suspicious that members of his party are involved."
"Your Honor, Sagramore ofAntares, a member of the Galactic Confederation…May I speak for the accused." Sagramore speaks up.
"Sagramore of Antares, welcome. You may speak."
"I'm oflong acquaintance with Dr. Smith and his friends." Sagramore begins. "And I believe what my people would under our current retrogration of technology policy would call 'enchantment', in the form of a highly sophisticated mentallic/biophysiologic/pulsed multifrequency field is involved here, if I may submit my data?"
"You may…Processing. I see…Judges and advocates?"Judge Icho turns. "It is as we suspected…A malevolent force is at work, for once not Dr. Smith but seeking to do him, his associates, and the Galactic Confederation great harm. Thank you, Sagramore of Antares for helping to confirm our suspicions."
"Wait…" John eyes Icho. "You people knew Smith was innocent?"
"With Dr. Smith…" Pause… "As you should know, Professor Robinson, one must be cautious. It was possible he was in league with the force. The four females most affected were not only acquaintances some of whom indeed he'd once pledged himself to, but represented quite powerful Galactic powers. There was considerable concern as to the goals of whoever instigated this action. Though, naturally none of us really thought Dr. Smith was that great a stud. Fortunately my species is self-protected by our electrostatic field…"
"Robot?" Will hisses. "Is it saying…?"
"She is…" the Robot replied.
"…Or I myself might have been endangered, having encountered him." Judge Icho concludes.
"Thank you, Madame Judge." Sagramore bows.
"Four?" Will stares.
"Where are Dr. Smith and his captors now?" Judge Icho asks.
"He's being held about a mile from here." John explains. "One of the females holding him is an extremely powerful robot. You may want to handle her with care."
"Yes, so we see from B-9's memory feed. And two others are extremely dangerous under this influence…" Icho agrees. "We must proceed cautiously."
"Mom and the girls are plenty of a handful…"Will, a bit miffed, to the Robot.
"They may have access to a fairly powerful starship." John notes. "Can; you block them from transporting to it?"
"Our field is calibrating based on B-9s data…However, Sagramore? Can your data provide an identity on the starhip's owner and the two artificial beings?" Judge Icho, addressing Sagramore.
"Let me upload, Your Honor." Sagramore, tapping arm controls.
"Farnum B of Phico Prime is involved. Hmmn…"Icho, grimly. "He's run afoul of a number of Galactic regulations in the past."
"It's his ship but his female assistant is the one acting here." John explains. "I'm sure Mr. Farnum's past actions occurred when he was under another alien influence."
"Perhaps." Icho considers. "But the immediate problem is to discover the source of this influence before it can spread. And prevent the females from taking Dr. Smith…If they do, the malevolent force may spread with them."
"A Galaxy of females worshipping Dr. Smith…" the Robot notes. "A terrifying prospect."
…
"Maureen…" Don trying as she and Penny disarm him and Farnum. "You don't know what you'redoing."
"I'm sorry you can't understand, Don." She shakes head. "And about Judy…"leaning forward. "Not that I ever expected much would come of that…" Whispering… "But I'll try to leave her behind, if you like."
Don frowning as the listening Farnum smiles slightly.
It is a bit obvious my boy, with all your posturing…
"Whatever deal Mother's offering…" Judy, happily guarding Smith, hisses. "I'm younger and you know I've already had a soft spot for you, Zachary."
"I think that was natural compassion, my dear…" he notes.
"I'll take us to Earth…Somehow. Just let me take care of Mom and Penny." Whisper. "What were you planning with Mom? I overheard a little."
"We have to use Miss Pi-Square's…" he stops as Maureen looks over. Judy keeping quiet but holding gun on him.
("See, see…"Zalto, invisible, exalts… "I knew his basic nature would resurface. He will spread my curse through the Galaxy!" "But I thought we meant to kill him?" the puppet robot notes. "Plan A, but Plan B is much better…You have to learn to improvise in this business. Besides, I always planned to branch out. Oh, think of the ransoms I can charge the great ones of the Galaxy…And it will all be blamed on Dr. Smith. They'll imprison him, torture him, kill him, and resurrect him from his ashes to do it over and over again. Ah, ha, ha, hah!"
"If the human primitives can break the Tribunal's field and make an escape. Whoever survives their bloodfight to the death." The puppet notes.
"Well, either way, Dr. Smith dies, horribly! And disgraced, even among hisfriends. That boy will never forgivehim for causing the deaths of his whatever they are, relatives? We don't have that on our Home. It's far more sensible to grow us in tanks." "You are right, Master." )
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