As bulky and cumbersome-looking as the Robot was, he was surprisingly gentle in the swift manner that he gingerly scooped up the limp form of young J.D. West and hastened to carry him to the purified atmosphere inside the Jupiter 2. Upon entering the spacecraft, he paused briefly to secure the ship and reactivate the force field.
He then swiftly made his way to the lower deck and entered the Med-dem compartment. The equipment hummed quietly, keeping Dr. Smith asleep peacefully in his artificially induced coma.
"Activate second patient emergency treatment program, authorization B Dash 9 Environmental Robot," demanded the Robot.
"Emergency diagnostic and treatment programs activated. Is patient on file?" inquired the Med-dem.
"Affirmative. Patient identity: J.D. West," replied the Robot.
"Accessing history files. Patient identity scan confirmed. Retrieving medical files for West: John, Donald," droned the Med-dem’s electronic voice.
Fortunately, the Med-dem could handle and treat up to four patients at a time. Immediately, a red light flashed on the main control panel indicating that the E.R. treatment program had been activated. A second exam table extended from the wall in the far half of the cabin. With the Med-dem’s emergency treatment program active, the Robot knew that it would make all the decisions on immediate treatment if the injury or illness was life-threatening, as in this case. The mechanical man quickly laid J.D. on the table and the scanning matrices descended around the boy’s body.
"Initial diagnosis indicates atmospheric poisoning caused by prolonged exposure to microscopic spores. Proceeding with emergency detox - - Alert: code blue. Patient is now in state of cardiac arrest," stated the Med-dem. "Please stand clear while Med-dem employs electro-cardiac treatment."
The machine’s scanning matrices now became electro-cardiac pulmonary resuscitators, affixing probes to the boy’s chest and forehead, while a breathing apparatus was lowered over his mouth and nose. The Robot’s audio sensors could pick up each thud of the machines electrical probes, and his bubble instinctively retracted sharply with every attempt to restart J.D.’s heart. The heart monitor on the control panel continued its flatline screech as the machine continued its emergency life-saving efforts.
The Robot watch anxiously, noting the Med-dem stopped briefly to administer an ultrasonic injection directly into the boy’s heart. His complexion had changed from ashen to a pale bluish tint. Another electrical charge was sent into him and the heart monitor stopped its screaming and began to "bleep" again in a systolic rhythm.
He wasn’t dead, but the Robot’s sensors could tell that J.D. was far from being out of immediate danger. He could see on the Med-dem monitors that the toxins built up in the boy’s bloodstream from the alien spores were at lethal levels, and unless the Med-dem could reduce the toxin level in the next few minutes, there would be no hope at all. Judging from the advanced level of poisoning, the Robot estimated that J.D. must have been outside for nearly two hours.
* * * * * *
"I do regret that I don’t have the same regenerative circuits that Verda did," Drykr said to Will. "If I did, perhaps I could be of aid to your injuries."
"It’s really feeling a lot better now," replied Will. "I guess I was pushing myself a little too hard. How much further do you estimate it is to the cavern entrance?"
"I’ve been going over these maps," said Drykr. "Judging from our average speed and time since we left, I calculate that that we should arrive at the cavern entrance in approximately 68 minutes."
"Wait a minute," replied Will. "That can’t be right. We’ve got to be a hell of a lot closer than that."
"You may have correctly judged the proximity, my friend," retorted Drykr, "but I doubt you are factoring in the reduced speed of travel that I plan on holding you to."
"Reduced speed of . . .?" Will stopped and sighed. "Oh, all right, ‘mommy.’ I’m all rested now, so let’s hit the road. I assume I’m to be following your ugly backside from here on out. Is that how you’re gonna keep me in line?"
"You know, I don’t care what anybody says - - you actually are a lot smarter than you look," said Drykr with wink and a grin. "Let’s go."
Will followed Drykr as they made their way through the final leg of their journey to the cavern entrance. Drykr made good his promise and kept a constant pace that was neither an effort nor strain to Will’s leg. It had actually been a rather mundane trek thus far, Will thought. The terrain was manageable and they’d come across no signs of wildlife. The Med-dem’s spore anti-toxin was working as well. It had been almost three hours since they left the ship, and he was feeling no signs of discomfort from breathing the planet’s atmosphere.
They stopped again after about an hour. They’d be arriving at the caverns in about five minutes, and Will wanted to be rested, totally alert and ready for anything. Once they got inside, there was no telling when he might next get a chance to rest his leg. Drykr wanted to scout the trail ahead, and reported he’d return in 4.25 minutes. Will sat down on a rock, took a drink of water from his canteen, downed a K-protein bar and took another hit from his anti-toxin inhaler.
As he was returning the inhaler to his backpack, he felt something brush lightly against the back of his head, like a branch in the wind. Problem was, there were no trees or brush in this rocky ravine. His reflexes told him to jump, but he restrained himself and remained perfectly still as if nothing happened. He was aware of a presence, and really, really hoped it was just Drykr.
His hand was still inside his backpack and he deftly felt around until it rested on what he was searching for. Removing his hand, he quickly tossed the object backwards, high over his head. There was a sudden flash and a loud popping sound as the small contact flare ignited when it hit the rocks.
The moment he heard the "pop," Will jumped up and spun around at lightning speed, swinging his extended leg in an upward motion. His heavy boot came in contact with the alien disrupter, and it flew out of its startled owner’s hands. He followed up the kick with a fluid and effective blow to the alien’s mid-section, and finished him off with a sharp blow to the back of his head as the would-be attacker doubled over.
By the time the alien hit the ground, Will had his Atomizer unholstered and ready to fire. Making a quick 360 degree sweep of the area, he spotted no other adversary. Where were the others, he thought. This one, armed attacker would never be out here all alone. Hearing a high-pitched sound approaching, he dove for cover behind a large boulder and raised the Atomizer, ready to fire.
He relaxed and released pressure from the trigger when Drykr rounded the corner, actually whistling as he dragged along three unconscious alien antagonists - - two by the collar in one hand, and the other thrown over his shoulder.
"Oh, I was wondering what happened to that one," said Drykr, noticing the unconscious alien lying on the ground next to Will. "I was just coming after him."
Suddenly feeling slightly inadequate, Will stood up and brushed himself off. "Remind me never to piss you off," he replied.
Drykr and Will decided it would be better to conceal the unconscious alien attackers in the cavern, just in case a back-up team were to come along. So, Drykr made two quick trips to the cave entrance, carrying two aliens at a time. They were bound and gagged, and Will had "relieved" two lucky aliens of their uniforms and helmets. It had actually been a fortuitous meeting - - they now had the perfect disguise once they got inside.
As Will removed the uniforms and helmets, he was able to get his first real glimpse of the aliens’ physiology. Drykr was right. These men were Ghelan. Or, at least they resembled Ghelan physiology. There was one other possibility that had occurred to him: shape-shifters.
Will had no way to verify this theory. If they were shape-shifters, so long as they remained unconscious, they’d maintain their current form, and he had no intention of reviving these men. He’d already administered a knockout drug that was known to keep most species out cold for at least 24 hours. He hoped that would be long enough. The helmets didn’t have a breathing apparatus built in, so the aliens were obviously immune to the microscopic spores in the planet’s atmosphere.
Having donned the alien uniforms, Will and Drykr went over the map they had of the caverns, deciding on the most expedient course to get underneath and into the complex. They grabbed their gear and helmets, and started off. The caverns were dimly lit from small openings and crags in the ceiling that extended to the planet’s surface, but they still broke out their flashlights, as the areas of sunlight breaking through looked to be scattered and would disappear completely as they descended into the depths below.
They’d proceeded about 50 yards when Drykr stopped Will. He suddenly noticed he’d forgotten his radio communicator back at the entrance. Will took out the cavern map and studied it with his flashlight while the android went back to the cavern entrance.
A few minutes later, Drykr returned. Will looked at him oddly.
"What?" questioned the android.
"Nothing . . . I guess," replied Will with a slightly confused look. "It’s just, well - - I saw you put your radio communicator in your gear pack after we changed into these uniforms. What were you really doing back there?"
"Do you trust me?" asked Drykr.
"Of course. You know I do," answered Will.
"Okay then. Just trust me," responded Drykr.
"What kind of a half-assed answer is that, Drykr?" quizzed Will. "I want to know what’s going on."
"Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies, Will Robinson," replied Drykr coolly. "Just trust me."
* * * * * * * *
It had been nearly an hour since the Robot discovered young J.D. West outside the Jupiter 2, dying from exposure to the microscopic spores contained in the planet’s atmosphere. The Med-dem continued to de-toxify the boy’s body of the poisons produced by unprotected breathing. According to the monitors, the toxins had almost completely been purged, however, J.D. was still unconscious, and the Robot knew that every minute he remained in that state, the potential that irreparable neural damage had occurred became greater.
The Robot had actually become quite fond of the boy over the past couple years. Prior to that, it was another story completely. As a baby, toddler and small child, J.D. West had proven himself to be a handful - - a mischievous, energetic dynamo. To him, the Robot was just a great big, giant toy with lots of pretty, blinking lights and buttons to push.
The Robot had never been around infants and very small children. The Robinson children were much older went he first met them. It was a new experience, and often times taxed the his patience to the point that he’d find himself going out of his way to avoid the child. Even the Bloop ran away and was never seen again after being subjected to one too many games of J.D.’s "Space-Jungle Head-Hunters."
He had always been tall for his age. His grandfather, Professor Robinson, theorized that living much of his young life in the reduced gravitational environment of the Jupiter 2 had something to do with it: less gravity, more height. His physical features most resembled Major West, however the golden blond, usually-tousled hair left no one guessing the identity of his mother.
It was around J.D.’s 10th birthday that the Robot began to notice a change in the boy. He stopped pushing his buttons, pulling out his power pack and pretending to destroy him with play laser guns, and started wanting to play chess and go on hikes together. The Robot had always sensed that lad had an extremely high intelligence quotient. Just that fact that he was able to sneak into the Pod undetected and actually launch it at the tender age of six was one of the first indicators. But now his intelligence was beginning to manifest itself in ways that reminded the Robot very much of Will Robinson at the beginning of their voyage.
The Robot’s memory banks warmly recalled the days that he had been such a vital part of Will’s daily life as protector, teacher and friend. But Will had grown up, and even though he still considered Will to be his best friend, their relationship had naturally changed as Will got older. He no longer felt truly "needed" in the same way.
But that had changed. Things had now come somewhat full cycle. These days there was another boy who needed him - - now more than ever.
But he was helpless. He could do nothing, save stand beside the unconscious lad like a nervous parent and watch as the Med-dem continued its treatment. He knew he should be continuing his work, repairing the damaged Jupiter 2 as Will Robinson had instructed him to do, but he found an overwhelming need to be next to J.D. in case he woke up.
* * * * * * * *
"You killed them, didn’t you Drykr," accused Will.
Drykr looked Will straight in the eye and said nothing.
"Damn it, you did! You bastard! I told you that it wasn’t necessary," shouted Will.
"Oh, and I suppose it hadn’t occurred to you that they would’ve toasted your sorry little butt in an instant, without a glimmer of remorse or hesitation," retorted Drykr.
"You don’t get it, do you! We’re supposed to be the superior ones," replied Will, throwing his arms up in an air in exasperation. "We’re supposed to be the good guys. But then we go and start acting just like them!"
"Don’t start preaching your father’s sappy sermons Will, because I know you don’t buy them any more than I do," shot back Drykr. "You learned a long time ago that all the ‘good guy, bad guy’ crap goes out the window in situations like this. You can’t tell me you never killed someone out of necessity on Ghela during the time you were part of the H’rlax."
"What I did - - or didn’t do there, is private, and none of your damn business," answered Will in a low growl. "That," he said pointing back to the cavern entrance, "wasn’t necessary. There can only be one person in tactical command here, Drykr, and if you’re not going to listen to me, then get the hell out of here right now and I’ll do this alone!"
"You need me and you know it," snapped Drykr in Will’s face. "I respect your authority, but believe it or not, I did what I did to protect you and your family - - and I’d do it again. We don’t have the slightest idea of what we’re up against here. And you know as well as I do, that in a combat situation - - and this IS a combat situation - - in any combat situation, you eliminate as much potential risk to your ranks as possible . . . no matter how ugly the job is!"
Will could come up with no other argument, and glared defiantly at Drykr for a moment in the dim light of the cave, finally speaking in a low, gritty voice, "I don’t care how big you are. I don’t care how strong you are. The next time you mention my dad and the word ‘sappy’ in the same sentence . . . I swear I’ll kick your android ass around the nearest moon."
Without another word, he turned and headed down into the cavern.
J.D. was resting quietly. The skin blotching was gone and the color had begun to return to his complexion. The Robot checked the boy’s vital signs and noted that, at last, they had all returned to normal. But he was still unconscious.
"I wish to inquire about the state of unconsciousness of this patient," the Robot stated to the Med-dem.
"State of unconsciousness is a result of prolonged exposure to microscopic spores in planetary atmosphere," replied the Med-dem. "Toxins have been removed at the 99.8% level and prognosis is for complete recovery."
"Then why is he still unconscious?" inquired the Robot.
"Unconsciousness is attributable to state of exhaustion in patient - - a natural regeneration process of common occurrence in human beings," stated the Med-dem.
"Do you mean he is merely sleeping?" asked the Robot.
"Affirmative," answered the machine.
Relieved, the Robot set about to get some work done. He decided to work on some of the systems housed on the lower level so that his audio sensors could remain in close proximity to the Med-dem chamber, should something change in either of his charges.
He’d been working on the auxiliary helm controls in the Tactical Control Room for some time, when his sensors became aware of movement. He was not alarmed, as he was able to recognize the familiar sensor reading. He turned from his work to face the hatch door as J.D. stepped through it.
"Oh, there you are," J.D. said to the Robot. "What was I doing in there connected to Dr. Computer?"
"You were sick," replied the Robot. "I found you outside and brought you in. How are you feeling now?"
"Not bad," answered the boy. "Actually, a whole lot better than I remember feeling when I was outside looking for the ship. Is there something in this planet’s air that makes people sick?"
"Affirmative," replied the Robot. "Your uncle and I determined that there are microscopic spores in the planet's atmosphere that are deadly to human beings."
"Uncle Will’s okay?" interrupted J.D. excitedly. "Where is he?!
"Your uncle was trapped in the Power Core and sustained injuries during the alien attack," answered the Robot. "However, they have been treated and he and the android known as Drykr are currently attempting a rescue mission to bring your family back to the Jupiter 2."
"Wow! They’re both okay? That’s great!" exclaimed J.D., who thought that Drykr had been destroyed. "But, Robot, what’s old Zeek doing connected up to Dr. Computer in there? Isn’t he supposed to be in a freezing tube?"
"Dr. Computer" was, of course, what the boy called the Med-dem. "Zeek," on the other hand, was the name that J.D. had always called Dr. Smith. He, naturally, had never met Dr. Smith in person, having been born almost four years after the good doctor had been put into suspended animation. But as a toddler, he’d always been fascinated by the man in the sleeping tube on the upper deck of his home. His mother tried to explain simplistically to J.D. that the man’s name was Zachary Smith, but when the child tried to repeat the name, all he could say was "Zeek." Over the years, the nickname just stuck with him.
"The cryo-stasis freezing controls and Dr. Smith’s freezing tube were damaged, and he is currently in an artificial state of sleep induced by the Med-dem," answered the Robot.
"You mean he was actually awake?" J.D. asked excitedly, eyes widening at the thought of this sleeping legend actually coming to life. "Is he still as bad as my dad says he was?"
"Affirmative to your first question," replied the Robot. "He was conscious for a short period of time. As for your second question, I would have to answer negative. The alien mindwash that caused Dr. Smith to act in a harmful manner is now in a state of remission."
"So, Zeek didn’t try to do anything bad while he was awake?" J.D. almost sounded disappointed.
"I have a question for you, J.D. West," replied the Robot, wishing to change the subject.
"Okay," said J.D. "I bet you wanna know how I got away from the aliens and found my way back here, right?"
"Affirmative," responded the Robot.
J.D. went over his recollection of the alien attack and how he and his family were teleported to the alien complex, followed shortly by Drykr’s appearance and then the altercation and shooting that had destroyed Verda.
The Robot had never been terribly fond of either android. He reasoned it was more a reaction by his computer banks to the manner in which they treated him. They tended to view him as merely a machine (Drykr more than Verda) and oftentimes sounded as if they were bragging about their "superior android technology." And to this day, the Robot’s circuits still heated up when he remembered how Verda took his chalkboard pointer away from him and usurped his classroom and teaching responsibilities on several occasions when Will and Penny Robinson were young.
Over the years since they joined the crew of the Jupiter 2, he mostly acquiesced to their presence because of the value they added to the Jupiter expedition, and the fact that everyone else had grown so fond of them. So, while not overly attached to Verda, his computers still felt badly about what had happened to her.
J.D. went on to explain to the Robot that he and his family were moved to a detention room and then told that Drykr had been destroyed and both he and Verda had been disposed of.
"Then, it all gets kind of fuzzy," continued the boy. "I sort of remember sitting around for a real long time and then being taken into a room by myself and hooked up to this big-ass machine. Oh, sorry, don’t tell my mom I said that. Anyway, they were all saying something to each other about me being ‘just right,’ or something like that. Then, the next thing I remember was being outside and feeling lost. I didn’t know where to go. You know, maybe I dreamed some of this, Robot, because the next thing I think I remember was holding my pocket vid-game, you know, the one Uncle Will made for me, and it was, well, like, kind of telling me, somehow, which direction to go. I don’t know if it really happened or not, but I kind of remember finding the spaceship. My dad always tells me to throw a rock at the ship to see if the force field’s turned on, so I did. I saw it was on, so I threw another one to try to get the attention of whoever was inside."
"That was a very smart thing to do. It alerted me," commented the Robot. "That is all you remember?"
"Yeah, it’s weird," replied J.D. "It’s kind of like trying to remember a dream after you wake up, you know? Well, I guess you wouldn’t know. Do you really think it’s possible my vid-game led me back here?"
"Where is said video entertainment unit now?" inquired the Robot.
"Right here," answered J.D., pulling it out of his pocket where he always kept it.
"I would like to examine it," said the Robot.
"Sure, here you go," replied J.D., handing the small hand-held box to the mechanical man.
The Robot’s sensors powered up and he began to scan the circuitry.
"My sensors indicate the internal circuitry has been altered somewhat from its original state," reported the Robot. "I cannot determine, however, the nature of the alteration. I suggest we isolate this unit within an quantum containment field until it can be determined if it is dangerous and poses a threat."
"How can a vid-game be dangerous, Robot?" asked J.D.
"That I do not know," replied the Robot. "However, given the current, dire circumstances, it would seem the logical action to take."
"Okay, cyber-man. You’re the boss," remarked J.D.
* * * * * * * *
Will and Drykr continued making their way through the subterranean caverns in silence. They had not spoken a word to each other since their heated exchange 15 minutes prior.
Drykr broke the silence to report a discovery he had just made.
"Will! Stop!" he called ahead to his companion.
Will turned. He could barely make out the android in the darkness of the cavern. Adjusting the aperture on his flashlight, he opened up the width of the light beam, illuminating the area in which they stood. He noted that Drykr had donned the black visored helmet that went with the ill-gotten uniforms they now wore.
"Yeah, that’s great, Drykr. You look real scary," commented Will. "Come on, this is no time for messing around."
Drykr removed the helmet and said, "No. Put yours on. There’s an internal radio monitor inside. You can hear what they’re talking to each other about - - at least what they’re talking about on this frequency. I think they’re trying to locate the search party that tried to ambush us."
A sudden stabbing thought occurred to Will.
"Drykr, what if these uniforms or helmets have some kind of electronic signature that allows them to track each other’s whereabouts."
"I thought of that myself and just scanned the circuitry," replied Drykr. "Nothing so far as I can tell. But something’s going on. Listen in."
Will slipped the helmet over his head. Immediately the helmet buzzed to life and circuits activated. He noted that his vision improved drastically through the visor. There must be some kind of image enhancing circuitry coupled with night vision, Will thought. Next, the radio receiver began to squawk. It was set too loud and hurt his ear, but it sonically auto-adjusted itself to his eardrum almost immediately.
The aliens were trying to raise their search party and were reporting to base on their progress. But, what were they searching for, Will asked himself. Were they aware of his and Drykr’s presence? Or were they after something else?
"All units have reported no findings, sir," buzzed the radio transmission. "And unit four is still unaccounted for."
"What was their last known position?" asked another voice.
"They were in quadrant four," reported the first voice.
"Quadrant four," repeated the second voice. "Isn’t that the mountainous geography? No wonder you can’t raise them. Just send unit three or five over to retrieve them and have the rest return to base. It’s going to be getting dark before too long, and by now they kid’s probably dead anyway."
Will and Drykr both heard the words and felt the same sharp wave of shock register throughout both human and android bodies. The only "kid" they knew the aliens had in custody was J.D.
Will pulled off the helmet and motioned for Drykr to do the same.
"I don’t think these things function when they’re not on your head," said Will, "and I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to speak to each other while wearing them."
"Agreed," replied Drykr. "I assume you just heard what I did?"
"Yeah," answered Will. "My God, Drykr, he’s out there somewhere. He could be hurt."
"Or dead," interrupted the android. "I’m sorry, but that’s the stark reality of the situation. He can’t last long out there if he doesn’t have a breathing apparatus. And something tells me he probably doesn’t from what we just heard."
"What do I do, Drykr?" asked Will in a desperate tone. "He’s just a little kid. I should go try to find him. Help him."
"If they can’t find him, what makes you think you can?" answered Drykr. "Besides, we’re not even 100% certain they’re talking about J.D."
"You know they are as well as I do," responded Will. "This changes everything."
"What do you mean?" asked Drykr.
"What I mean is, we’ve got to split up," answered Will. "I’m going back up to the surface to see if I can find J.D. You continue on here. Even if I’m discovered, I might be able to bluff my way inside by pretending to be part of the missing search party."
"Maybe we should both go in that way," offered Drykr. "It might be best if we remained united."
"I don’t think so," replied Will. "Even together, there’s no real advantage in our numbers. It’s too risky given the turn of events. On the surface, we don’t possess the element of surprise we have down here."
So, it’s divide and conquer time then?’" mused Drykr.
"Well, you got the ‘divide’ part right," agreed Will. "As for the rest, well, I guess you and I’ll see what we’re really made of for the ‘conquer’ part."
Quickly and urgently retracing his steps back to the cavern entrance, Will paused and looked around. He could see no tell-tale signs of Drykr’s mass execution of the aliens who had ambushed them earlier. He was neat and thorough - - Will gave him that much.
He’d been monitoring the aliens’ radio communications on the trip back up to the surface of the planet. From the banter back and forth, his fears had been confirmed that they were, indeed, searching for his nephew. Apparently, there had been a transporter malfunction in one of the examination or detention rooms and the boy had been teleported somewhere within a two mile radius of the alien complex. The machine shut down after the transport and they could not access the logs to learn the exact coordinates.
These guys are either working with highly experimental - - or very stolen - - equipment, thought Will, as they were obviously experiencing setbacks and learning curves.
Will had previously transferred the items from his own backpack to the gear pack of the alien uniform. He opened up the gear pack and retrieved a hand-held scanning unit. A two mile radius was going to be like searching the proverbial haystack given the critical time factor. He had no idea how long a human could survive breathing the planet’s atmosphere.
Which reminded him, he’d better take another dose of anti-toxin himself.
An idea suddenly occurred to him that would at least double the chances of locating J.D.
"The Robot," he whispered outloud.
"Is that you Unit Four?" squawked the communications receiver in Will’s ear. "Come in, over."
Damn, he thought, these things are sensitive. He removed the communications helmet, which deactivated the circuitry and retrieved his own radio communicator from his gear pack. If he could contact the Robot, he could alert him and send him out to search for J.D. as well. His tracking circuits could probably hone in on J.D. a lot quicker, once he got into range.
Will had kept the radio open as he promised the Robot he would, but he now activated its voice-data encryption feature. He figured if the aliens intercepted his transmission, at least they’d have one hell of a time figuring out what he was saying.
"Jupiter 2, this is Will Robinson. Jupiter 2, this is Will Robinson," he spoke softly into the radio’s transmitter. "Do you read me, Robot? Over,"
He repeated his attempt to raise the Robot, but after a few minutes of silence and static, decided that the communication channels were probably being either disrupted or blocked at this range by the energy beams from the alien complex.
Oh well, he thought, it was probably a bad idea anyway.
Thinking the radio communicator to be useless, he switched it off, returned it to his gear pack and activated the hand-held scanning unit he had retrieved. It was heat-seeking unit and could be adjusted to pick up readings associated with humanoid life forms. The trouble was, it had a fairly limited range.
Will put the dark helmet back on. The inner circuitry once again activated, but as it did, he noted that his own reading on the scanner disappeared from the small screen. Apparently, the suits and helmets have stealth circuitry built in. This could be helpful, because if he did pick up a reading on the scanner, he could be fairly certain it was J.D. But on the other hand, it would give him no warning of approaching aliens search parties.
Checking his compass, Will decided to go southeast, knowing full well that choice would take him directly toward the alien complex.
* * * * * * *
J.D. West lay fast asleep in his bed. The Robot had gone back to work on his repairs to the spaceship. He had tried earlier to send Will Robinson and encoded message on a low band radio frequency he’d determined the aliens weren’t monitoring, to let him know of the events that had transpired at the Jupiter 2. But the transmission was either being jammed by the signals emanating from the alien complex, or Will and the android were out of radio communication range.
So, he continued his work tirelessly while his young charge slept. Before going to bed, the boy had been famished. Fortunately, the galley computer’s emulator programming was functioning, so he was able to prepare himself a dinner of his choice, which J.D. programmed to include hot dogs, French fries and chocolate ice cream. The Robot intervened during the meal preparation, making certain the composition of the computer-generated, soy-based meal was at sufficient nutritional levels, even adding a few extra vitamin supplements himself. After dinner, J.D. begged the Robot to let him stay up, as he was extremely worried about his family and anxious to hear news regarding their rescue. But, the Robot was firm, and J.D. was asleep within minutes of his head hitting the pillow.
The silence and solitude of the ship was suddenly broken as terrified screams reverberated throughout the Jupiter 2. The Robot hastened to J.D.’s cabin and found the boy shaking violently and calling out for his parents.
As the lights came on in his cabin, he seemed to calm down slightly. Seeing the Robot, he remembered he was safe.
"I-I’m okay now, really," J.D. said in a slightly embarrassed voice to the Robot.
"Are you certain?" questioned the Robot. "My memory banks recall several occasions when your uncle and aunt were approximately your age, and would awaken in the night having experienced what they called a ‘bad dream.’ I observed that sometimes they would experience a sense of relief when they conveyed the nature of said bad dream to one of their parents. Since neither of your parents are currently present, I would be happy to listen."
J.D. laughed nervously, "I was really a stupid dream, Robot. But it seemed so real."
"My knowledge of the human mind is such that I understand it is a powerful source of psychological and physiological energy," explained the Robot. "Such energy can be quite convincing during the R.E.M. stages of sleep."
"Are you trying to tell me you don’t think I’m stupid for being scared by a dream?" asked J.D.
"That is an accurate assessment," replied the Robot. "Would you like to tell me what occurred in the dream?"
"Well, okay, but you gotta promise you won’t laugh, okay?" answered J.D. "It all started with me being strapped to that big machine I told you about - - you know, in the alien building, in that room? Well, anyway, they had me all tied down like I told you, and then . . . and then . . .," he repeated slowly.
J.D. stopped. His face turned white and he started shaking slightly.
"Robot," he said slowly, taking hold of the Robot’s claw to help steady himself. "You remember how I said before that everything was kind of fuzzy when I tried to remember what happened? You know, how I got away?"
"Affirmative," replied the Robot. "My memory banks recall that particular statement. Does your dream have a connection to this statement? Are you beginning to remember the events that were previously obstructed from your memory?"
"Yeah . . . I think that’s what’s happening," replied J.D.
"Do you wish to continue?" asked the Robot.
"Yeah, it’s okay," answered J.D., trying to pull himself together. "Like I said, I was tied down to that big machine, and they had these gooey things with wires attached to my head. And then . . ." he concentrated, paused, took a deep breath, and continued slowly, trying to remember each detail, ". . . and then, the one that was standing in front of me just kind of started staring at me, and grinning. And then, he began to change . . ."
"The alien removed his garment?" inquired the Robot.
"No. I mean he started to change, you know, like morphing," corrected the boy. "I thought my eyes were whacked out or something. I kept blinking and holding them shut and then opening them, ‘cause I’d never seen anything like that happen before. But he kept on grinning and changing. It was really weird."
"What you are describing," replied the Robot, "is an alien with shape-shifting abilities. Do you remember what form the alien adopted?"
The boy was silent as the scene unfolded and replayed in his mind’s eye.
"Yeah," answered J.D. West slowly. "Mine."
