Will and Drykr set about gathering as much information as they could about the planet’s terrain and geography, while the Robot had been assigned to analyze the quantum energy signature and randomizing patterns emanating from the alien base. If they could get a decent pattern lock, they might be able to run what Will called a reverse vector scan, using the aliens’ own shields to extract a small amounts of information about the base. It was a trick he’d learned during his time spent on Ghela, and he managed to jury-rig some H’rlaxian counterintelligence equipment he had in storage to some of the Jupiter 2’s own scanning equipment.

But, even if they could manage to extract information about the base, they still faced the problem of getting near it, let alone in it, undetected.

"There!" said Will slapping Drykr on the back. "That’s the answer. Our ticket in!"

"What? Where?" questioned Drykr. "Which one of these things are you looking at?"

"Here. Look at these subterranean geology reports," answered Will, excitedly pointing at one of the screens.

"See?" he continued. "Right here. Look what I found passing directly underneath the alien complex?"

"It looks like a series of natural caverns," replied Drykr.

"That’s exactly what it is," reported Will. "And I’m willing to bet that they have access to the complex above them."

"How can you be so sure?" asked Drykr.

"Two reasons," answered Will. "Emergency escape and water. The caverns contain an underground water supply right . . ." he ran his finger along the screen until he came to a spot that turned blue, ". . .here! See? And if we trace it back far enough, we come to. . ."

"Likely access points on the planet’s surface," finished Drykr. "I can see why your little H’rlaxian buddies think so highly of you."

"I, too, have completed my analysis of the energy fields emitting from the alien complex," interjected the Robot brusquely, "if anyone would care to hear my report."

The Robot wasn’t certain why he felt it necessary to include the last part of the statement. Will Robinson and the android would, of course, be interested in the energy field findings. But, he found there was a program virus that had somehow developed in his central computer over the years that would become active and cause the Robot to become verbally hostile or irritated whenever Will spent an excessive amount of time with Drykr.

It greatly puzzled his logic sub-routine. And even more peculiar was the fact that whenever he isolated and deleted the virus, it would recreate itself spontaneously. Many years ago, he reported this apparent program flaw to Professor Robinson, who told him that jealousy was one of the oldest "viruses" known to mankind. When the Robot reminded the professor that he was not a man, John Robinson reminded the Robot that on many occasions he’d proven himself to be far more than a machine. He then suggested the Robot tell Will about his "virus problem," which he did.

Even though he was still a teenager at the time, Will had always possessed a sensitivity beyond his years. He told the Robot that he thought of him like a brother, and assured him that even though Drykr and Verda more physically resembled humans, they could never replace him as his best friend. While the boy’s words did little to eradicate the program virus, they did cause his internal sensors to warm strangely.

Drykr and Will turned around and faced the Robot. Drykr responded first to the Robot’s terse comment.

"Of course, robot," he said condescendingly. "Will would not have asked you to analyze the quantum energy signatures had he not wanted to hear your findings."

The Robot’s cracked bubble retracted in embarrassment.

"Actually, I was just going to come over to see how you were doing," replied Will, walking over to the mechanical man and resting a hand on his "shoulder" as his perused the reports laid out before him.

Drykr knew that Will’s response would be to placate the mechanical man. It was a pattern he’d seen many times before and noted over the years. Drykr felt it was almost as if this robot somehow resented him, which he knew, given the laws of physics and cybernetics, simply wasn’t possible. Mere robots were not capable of producing emotional sub-routines as androids were. If so, he might comprehend the childish behavior the robot exhibited from time to time. He dismissed it as he had many times before - - faulty programming. This robot had always seemed just a little "off" in his opinion.

"This is good stuff," commented Will. "What’s your take on their scanning perimeter and range?"

"According to my calculations, alien scanners are operating at a 360 degree circumference and a 180 degree radius above the complex," reported the Robot. "As far as its range, according to these readings, it appears they are actively scanning at a distance of approximately one mile."

"Were you able to capture any kind of a randomization pattern utilizing the ‘spy beam’ we patched in?" asked Will.

"Affirmative," replied the Robot.

From the one pattern the Robot had managed to capture, Will was able to gather some rather basic, sketchy details about the alien complex. After viewing and reviewing the pilfered information with Drykr and the Robot, he downloaded it into a pocket micro-mainframe and slipped it into his backpack. They located a likely entrance to the caverns that was outside of the alien’s scanning range. Once the terrain and subterranean maps being produced by the geographical targeting system were ready, Will and Drykr picked up their gear and prepared to leave.

"I’ll keep a channel open, but we’d probably better try to maintain radio silence, if possible," Will said as he and Drykr started to head outside. "Once we enter the caves, we’re liable to lose contact anyway. I’m counting on you to keep things battened down here and get as much repair work done as you can. We may have to make a quick exit off this dustball."

"I will do my best, Will Robinson," the Robot replied as Drykr exited the ship. "However, I do not wish for you to leave thinking I harbor adverse thoughts against you or your decision concerning Dr. Smith. Further, I would like you to know I have every confidence in you, and that you will be successful in your rescue endeavor."

Will stopped next to the Robot at the airlock, breathed in a dose from the anti-toxin inhaler, patted the mechanical man’s collar, and confided in a low, private tone, "Thanks, Robot. I probably needed to hear that. You know, you’re about the best friend a guy could ask for."

Even though the alien complex was only about three miles southwest of the Jupiter 2, Will and Drykr were going to have to travel on foot due west over two times that distance to enter the caverns undetected. Additionally the course they chose to travel took them over a small mountainous range. Even though the android was physically superior and didn’t tire, Drykr let Will set the pace and followed behind him as a good lieutenant would. After about two and a half hours, they were scaling a particularly rough embankment when Drykr notice Will favoring his right leg slightly and stopped him.

"Okay, what’s the matter with your leg?" the android asked.

"It’s nothing," replied Will. "I’m fine. I just got a little banged up during the crash, that’s all."

"And I’m guessing you used Med-dem emergency field triage so you’d be off and running right away, right?" asked Drykr.

"Yeah," confirmed Will. "It’s just a little stiff."

"You should have told me," replied Drykr. "We could have charted an easier route…"

"Yeah, right - - and maybe added on a couple more hours of travel," interrupted Will.

"Well, I think we should rest here for a few minutes," said Drykr, putting down his own gear and gently forcing Will to sit. "The last thing your family needs right now is a lame hero with good intentions. What are you taking for your injuries, anyway? No, wait, don’t tell me - - probably that H’rlaxian voodoo brew you call BET, right? Do you have some with you?

"Yeah," answered Will, "but I don’t have to take any more until tomorrow morning."

"What about the anti-toxin?" questioned Drykr. "Isn’t it time for you to take another dose?"

"Okay, okay. Sheesh, I thought my mother was somewhere out there," replied Will, pointing in the direction of the alien complex, "but I can see I was wrong."

* * * * * * * *

It had been a little over three hours since Will and Drykr left the Jupiter 2. The Robot had been trying to track them on the radar scope and radio telescope, but found the energy signals emanating from the alien complex interfering with his efforts. One minute he had Will’s position pinpointed, the next minute he’d get false life form readings miles away, or no reading at all.

He had managed to re-initialize the ship’s auto-repair computer, so many additional internal computer-based operating systems were starting to come back online. The astrogator, however, was proving to be more of a physical challenge to the mechanical man. To aid in his efforts, he decided to switch out his regular pincer claws for his optional labor claws, the ones with the tabs he often used when playing chess. This set provided additional dexterity and enabled him to more easily handle small modular parts and wires.

The Robot’s sensors suddenly alerted him to a disturbance in the ship’s force field. It was only a slight wavering in the pattern lasting a few seconds, but his inner defensive circuits immediately activated. He went over to the main viewport and visually scanned the area outside. There were several large rock formations along the perimeter of the field, and he computed the disturbance to be coming from the other side of one particularly large one that blocked the range of his visual sensors. Something out there appeared to have readings of a life form. But, as the energy field from the alien complex was causing disturbances in all of their scanning equipment, he was not certain he could trust even his own sensors.

The disturbance stopped. According to the instrument panel, the force field was still operating at 100% capacity. Again, he scanned the area, and again his sensors picked up what seemed to be a life form. If Will Robinson had returned, why had he not radioed his arrival or come into visual range?

The disturbance in the force field occurred again. It was, as before, a quick flash, as if something collided with it and was stopped. The Robot diverted power from his defensive circuits to try to run an enhanced scan of the nearby life form. There was still a lot of interference, but he was able to further determine from this scan that whatever it was, it was apparently either injured or nearly dead.

Re-activating his defensive circuitry, the Robot decided he should investigate. If, indeed, it was Will Robinson and he was injured, he computed that time was of the essence.

Deactivating the force field, the Robot went over to the main airlock of the ship and opened both inner and outer hatches. A low-level micro-force field was activated on the outer airlock to prevent the spores and other fine particles from entering the ship, while allowing anything not on the microscopic level to pass through unaffected. The Robot cautiously made his way down the extended gangplank to the ground. He computed the life form to be behind a group of rocks about 25 yards away.

Claws extended, ready to fire an electrical blast, the Robot made his way toward the rock formation. His enhanced audio sensors picked up no sound at all except shallow, labored breathing. Whatever it was, it was probably in no condition to be a threat to the mechanical man, but his defensive circuits remained charged and ready to fire.

He rounded the rock formation and saw the small form laying on the ground next to what must have been the remains of a couple of rocks shattered by impacting the force field. His defensive circuits immediately charged down and his primary programming directive to protect the crew of the Jupiter 2 took over.

On the ground in front of him lay the limp form of J.D. West. His face was ashen and blotched, and he was now unconscious and very close to death from unprotected breathing of the planet’s atmosphere.