The Jupiter 2.

This is the lost ship of the Robinson expedition. Its passengers are mere specks in the infinity of the cosmos. The year is 1999. However time is now rather unimportant to the Robinsons.

In space, time has become merely a period of yearning. Yearning for but one glimpse, one clue to their whereabouts. One vague inclination that could lead them to familiar stars and worlds. But time brings nothing more than another period of lost hopes.

Professor John Robinson glances over the main computer console. The readings he jots down confirm his fears. Since departing from the Irran V star system, the Jupiter 2 had been losing speed and power. There was excellent deutronium readings, yet the Robinsons’ ship was slowing and eventually would cease all forward propulsion. When that happened, the Jupiter 2 would remain stationary – another victim of the cosmos. With all power absent, the support systems would cease, dooming the crew to agonizing suffocation.

Now, with great restraint, John systematically rechecked the advance control mechanism, vainly trying to force the controls to respond. Finding his efforts useless, he reached for the intercom.

"Don, this is John. Report to the aft controls at once. It’s important. Acknowledge."

Major Don West, the pilot for the expedition, replaced the shield on a guidance computer in the Power Core, the heart of the ship, and reached for the intercom.

"Sure, John. I just completed a circuitry check down here in the core. I’ll be right up as soon as I replace the instruments. What’s up?"

"I’ll fill you in when you get up here. Oh, and on our way up, reactivate the Robot and bring him up with you. We’ll need him."

West, after replacing the intercom, began stowing the instruments he had used in the storage locker, making certain all were in their proper place. Finished, he climbed the ladder leading to the port storage locker. Walking the length of the room, past emergency food rations, he entered into the living section of the Jupiter 2.

There, in the center of the level, was the Robot. A class M-3, number B-9 servo mechanism, the Robot, in a way, was the basis for the expedition’s survival. Stored in the expanse of the machines memory tapes was the grand total of man’s knowledge of space. By some mix-up in the machine’s memory tapes, the Robot was endowed with a computer version of emotion.

Reactivating the Robot, West disengaged him from the magnetic lock.

"Professor Robinson wants us above and it sounds important. Follow me."

"I will comply" replied the Robot as it followed West to the lift. West stepped in after the Robot and pressed the button causing the lift to rise to the upper deck.

"Is anything wrong with the ship, John?" asked West, stepping from the lift. He walked quickly to the main control cockpit followed closely by the Robot.

"I’m afraid there’s plenty wrong, Don" said John, rising from the gravity chair. "The trouble is, I can’t explain the actions of the ship. John pointed to the instrument panels.

"According to the readings from the core we can achieve maximum thrust, yet every second we’re losing forward thrust. At the moment, we have absolutely no influence over the Jupiter’s destination."

"Maybe the Robot can help explain it" suggested West and the Robot replied without prompting.

"A sensor probe I have just made indicates that the Jupiter 2 is under the influence of a high atomic directional beam. It is therefore obvious that aliens are attempting to bring the ship to a halt in an effort to set it on another course.

Professor Robinson frowned.

"Why wasn’t this energy projection indicated on the ship’s instruments?" he asked. John had the utmost confidence in the capability of his ship. It had served them well the past two years since they left Earth.

"The answer to your question is simple" replied the Robot. "The ship’s computers were programmed before departure from Alpha Control to respond to elements already known to man. However, the elements at work here are unknown to the ship’s instruments and therefore, they did not respond to the change in control. Since I have the superior ability to comprehend new ideas and concepts, the acting force has become known to me."

"Okay" said West, shaking his head. "We get the picture. The question now is ‘can we break free of this force?’"

"Negative, Major West" said the Robot. "An attempt to break free of the force could inadvertently unleash an anti-matter disruption which could result in an explosion equivalent to a twelve megaton atomic blast."

John and Don looked at each other. The enormity of the situation suddenly struck them. Their firsthand experience with aliens made it obvious that aliens who waylaid spaceships were generally not the friendly type.

Despite the Robot’s warning, the Robinsons knew they had to try to break free from the alien force. All attempts failed.

A reverse radiating burst from the power core resulted only in sorting the circuitry console. The effect of the ship’s force field was also negative. The Robinson’s hopes were dashed when the Jupiter 2 suddenly reversed course and headed back, at an incredible rate, to the Irran V star system.

Doctor Smith did not help the Robinson’s spirits with his continuous wails of utter despair. "We are doomed" he would say. "We are doomed to die at the will of unearthly creatures. What a sad, sad demise it will be! Oh, alas and alas!" and so went his wailing. All attempts by Will and Penny to calm the frightened doctor failed.

"Listen, Doctor Smith," said Will hopefully, "you can’t go on acting like this. You’re fraying your nerves. Besides, you’re not exactly doing ours any good either."

"Oh, William," murmured Smith sadly. "How could you turn against me so? Not to your constant companion?" Will was rightly exasperated by the doctor’s senseless replies.

"Listen, Dr. Smith," he said impatiently. "I’m not turning against you. I’m just trying to tell you not to give up hope. Who knows? Maybe the aliens are friendly. Besides, I’m sure Dad and Don will find a way to break free."

"We’re doomed, William. I say we’re doomed." Moaned Smith. Will could control his feelings no longer.

"Dr. Smith," said, "I never can understand you! You’re always getting smothered in your fears. You never seem to have faith in anyone, not even your own abilities. Let me put it this way – when you’re ready to talk sensibly, then we can be friends."

Will went above, leaving a very perplexed Dr. Smith behind.

Two days later, the ship’s instruments indicated an alien ship ahead, although still out of visual or monitoring range. The fact that the ship was there, but couldn’t be seen, only added to the air of suspense already present.

From the readings of the ship’s computer, the Robinsons learned the alien craft to be size of a class C asteroid and circular in shape. Whatever the craft was, it was definitely colossal in proportion to the Jupiter 2.

Several hours later, the alien craft came into view. The craft could best be compared to a bicycle wheel, but a million times larger. The craft seemed to rotate counterclockwise, very slowly. The structure slowly increased in size as the Jupiter 2 neared, until only the rim could be seen through the aft observation ort. Along the gigantic rim, the Robinsons noticed countless points of light, which the Robot identified as ports.

An hour later, the Jupiter 2 passed over the rim of the craft into the central spokes of the gigantic wheel. Countless, shimmering tubes joined at a central platform hundreds of yard across. It was here that the Jupiter 2 was docked. Without control from the Robinsons, the Jupiter 2 settled down to a perfect landing. The landing gear lowered under the apparent command of their unknown captors.

Not knowing the outside conditions, the Robinsons remained inside. The Jupiter was found unable to liftoff because of some type of electronic moor, holding the earthcraft secure.

"Robot," asked Professor Robinson, soon after the touchdown, "I want a full analysis of this craft". There was a short pause before the answer came.

"Affirmative, Professor. From the sensor probe I have just completed, I have computed this craft to be approximately twenty miles in diameter and composed of a metallic substance yet unknown to my computer tapes."

"What about the inhabitants of this craft, if there are any?" asked Robinson.

"My sensors do not indicate any life form in the alien craft. However, it is impossible that my sensors have encountered and alien lifeform entirely new to my computers. Therefore, making them undetectable, so to speak."

"I see," said Robinson. "Robot, is it possible that this complex is computer controlled?"

"A good theory, Professor Robinson," said the Robot, "but not so. My sensor probe indicates numerous types of alien computers. However, none of these is capable of controlling the ship itself. Those I have located are obviously built for controlling living conditions in the craft and keeping it stabilized."

"Living conditions," murmured Robinson. "Is there an atmosphere inside?" Professor Robinson knew that an atmosphere in the craft was non-essential if the ship was uninhabited.

"Affirmative, Professor Robinson" replied the Robot. "The atmosphere contains a high percentage of oxygen, but also a high percent of carbon dioxide and methane." The Robot added "It is advisable that protective suits and masks be worn upon entering the craft."

"That’s all, Robot," said Robinson. He then picked up the intercom mike. "Maureen?" When his wife acknowledged, he continued. "Maureen, I want you and the girls to make an inspection of the lower decks. Check for any signs of damage due to the alien ray. Get Will to check the landing hatch for any sign of wear and tell him he can start rewiring the damaged circuits when he’s finished."

"Yes, dear," replied Maureen. "Penny and Judy have been checking the galley for any signs of contamination. Will’s already working on the circuits. Smith’s busy checking the hatches."

"Smith? Working?" John was thoroughly surprised by Smith’s unusual actions.

"That’s right, John. It surprised me too. Though I must admit Smith’s been acting rather sad and moody lately. I think it’s because he feels we’ve rejected him. I think he misses Will’s friendship the most. Will refuses to speak to Smith and I can’t really blame him. But maybe I should speak to Will about it."

"No, Maureen," said Robinson, "I wouldn’t force Will into it. I’m sure he’ll come around and forget what he was mad about."

"I guess you’re right, dear," said Maureen