(Part 5)
by Kevin Pellew

Matthew Robinson looked at the old man an smiled. Uncle Zack, he thought happily, you are so funny!

Smith winked cheekily, "Funny, am I?" he said pompously, "We'll see about that!" and with that Smith threw the ball that he and Matthew had been playing away without looking at where it went. Matthew already knew what would happen but laughed anyway. The small ball was a Tauron toy. You would throw the ball in any direction and after a few minutes it would come back to you. 'Uncle Zack' would throw it over his shoulder and wait for it to hit him the back of the head. It did not hurt the old man but he liked to pretend that it did. Sure enough the ball connected with the back of Smith's head and the old man feigned injury by falling onto Matthew. Together the two laughed. Smith loudly and Matthew in his mind.

Will stood by the Robot and nervously watched the scene. The Robot was carrying a small metal thermos in one claw. He too was watching the scene nervously. At every sudden movement that Smith made the Robot's Bubble would rise and fall in an agitated fashion.

"So," Will said cautiously, "How has he been?"

The Robot replied, "He has been in many moods. He his always in many moods but since making his decision he has been calmer," the Robot paused and raised the thermos, "He has been taking the medicine regularly."

Will sighed dejectedly, "Well that's one thing at least," he said, then, "Does he know what he is doing? Is he sure that he wants to do this?"

The Robot raised his bubble suddenly. "It was his idea," he said.

Together the two made their way over to the Chariot where Lenore sat quietly. Her eyes were red rimmed as if she had been crying. Her cheeks flushed as if she had just run the fastest that she could. If you looked close enough you would see that she was shaking slightly. Will took her hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Hey," he said softly, "How are you doin'?"

Lenore shook her head, thinking sarcastically, Oh just fine. I'm having such a good time. She looked down at the floor of the Chariot and thought, I'm sorry Will. I am all right. But it is very hard for me. Do you have the Sorba Weed?

Will motioned at the thermos the Robot held. "Yes. We have the weed and the Robot has brewed it into a broth for Dr. Smith to drink."

At the sound of his name Dr. Smith appeared at Will's side. He looked at Lenore and frowned. "Oh my dear lady," he said taking her hand and squeezing it, "Look at you. I am the cause of your pain. Please forgive me."

Lenore thought back, Dr. Smith I will be alright, it is you that I am concerned for.

Smith smiled and said, "Your thoughts warm my old heart. I appreciate your concern for me." He did not face the Robot but said, "I suppose that you have that poisonous broth with you, you metal murderer?"

The Robot protested, "It is for your own good."

"For your own good, for your own good!" he mimicked childishly. He winked wickedly at Lenore and asked, "Why is it that everything that is good for you tastes like poison?" And with that he took a cup from Will and poured the broth into it. The odour was rank and the taste vile but Smith downed it one go. Almost immediately the effects of the Sorba Weed Broth took effect. Smith relaxed visually and Lenore seemed to take on a healthy appearance.

The Sorba Weed had many medicinal properties and it's use on this day was to provide a buffer for Lenore from Smith's dementia. It eased the silent screams that emanated from Smith's brain by pushing them back to the rear of his mind leaving a coherent and relatively sane Smith behind. For Lenore it was like getting a crowd of shouting voices to stop and be replaced by one sane moderate voice. Or as Will would say, "turning the volume down." This effect did not last long but it was hoped that it would stay long enough for Smith do what he had decided to do.

Smith climbed aboard the Chariot and looked back at the others, "Well don't dilly dally," he said haughtily, "We haven't got all day." He shot a cheeky grin at Matthew, "Your father was always very slow. I used to finish all his chores for him. Yes I did!" He laughed and continued "He and that metal moron needed constant supervision and I had to watch them every day! I did, I did indeed."

Matthew smiled and thought, I'm sure you did. Matthew climbed in and slid into the seat beside Smith. The Robot and Will went to the back of the Chariot where will lifted up the rear panel to allow the Robot entry. Here the Robot disengaged his Torso from the tread section and slid into the special access port that served as his seat. The Tread section was then stored in its storage bay beside the Robot. With the Robot secured Will closed the panel and then climbed into the driver's seat and started the chariots engine. Lenore sat beside him.

Smith giggled excitedly like a child, "Oh I do enjoy a family outing. A nice picnic, yes, a nice picnic would be the order of the day!"

Will steered the Chariot away from Smith's home and drove slowly to the destination that Smith, himself, had chosen. This would be no nice picnic. Their destination was the Jupiter Two.

* * *

Conway, Taylor and Penny sat in the Galley of the Jupiter sipping on more of the Coffee brought down from the Orion. The news of the Orion's condition had been kept from the Jupiter crew and the Taurons because Conway, the optimist, believed that the damage could be repaired even though all the efforts so far had failed. He had refrained from chastising the Doctor over his dalliance with Penny even though he knew he should have. He had chosen this path for two reasons. The first was that the Doctor, unlike the majority of the crew, was not married. Conway, himself, was single. Most of his crew on the Orion were married couples. The tradition of sending families into space started by the Robinsons had continued. The second reason was more personal.

Conway had formed a relationship with Tish that had become more than professional. They had spent too much time together and a small part of Conway's mind secretly hoped that the Orion could not be repaired. On the upper deck of the Jupiter Hannibal was pacing back and forth while running systems checks on the Jupiter. Conway had assigned Hannibal this task because he was nervous about meeting the Jupiter's Robot. Every now and then Hannibal would ride the lift down to the galley to report on his progress only to disappear back up the lift disheartened at the Robot not being there.

The three talked and laughed for sometime. Occasionally there was an open show of affection from Penny to the Doctor which Conway overlooked thinking to himself that maybe this was something that they both needed. Space travel could be hard on the body and soul and sometimes a brief interlude of madness was just the thing that, oddly enough, the doctor ordered. He also thought that given the current state of the Orion another favourable voice here on Trimea might be needed. If repairs did not go well then the crew would be needing somewhere to live.

And so they drank and ate and kept there minds from the up coming event that had brought them here.

Maureen appeared at the galley entrance.

"We have company," she said, in a concerned motherly tone, as she motioned for them to follow her to the auxiliary Control Room. Here she opened the blast shields to reveal the outside world. Coming slowly to a halt beneath them was the Chariot. At the drivers' controls was Will. He was driving the Chariot up under the Jupiter as close as he could get without damaging either vehicle. Maureen could see Will quite clearly but the others were obscured from view. She turned to go to greet them but found her way blocked by Don. He looked as he always looked, rugged, manly and stern but today he had a Laser pistol strapped around his waist. Maureen glanced at it then frowned disgustedly, "Is that really necessary?" She asked.

"Smith is dangerous," West protested, "And I don't trust him." West looked at Conway and Taylor, "We should have done this some place else. I don't think that having Dr. Smith here is going to help anyone. Not us, not you and not Smith!"

Conway stepped forward, "Major," he said, "We are trying to ascertain Smith's mental state. We need to know that if we take him back to earth that he total understands what is happening to him."

West replied angrily, "Smith has always been very good at escaping justice."

Taylor added, "Incarcerating a sick man could hardly be termed justice. We need to know whether he was ill at the time of the Jupiter launch. What his motivations were. Was he under duress. All these questions and more."

Maureen interrupted by saying, "Well let's just see what he has to say."

* * *

"Oh dear," Smith said softly, "It hasn't changed, has it?" Will lead the old man up the steps of the Jupiter and onto the access way that led to the lower deck. "All drab despite it's silver colour! Oh dear! All drab and military! Oh the pain!" The Robot was being winched aboard via the Space Pod Bay. "Are they waiting William?" Smith asked, "Have the ghouls gathered for a feast upon the sorry bones of Zachary Smith?".

"Yeah Doctor," Will replied, trying not to smile. "They are." Smith still had the habit of playing word games. "And they're probably very hungry." Smith had the habit of rambling and the Sorba only made it worse. He was now feeling very sorry for himself.

"Indeed!" He snorted. Smith straightened and tidied himself. "Well then," he said, "I must make a good impression on them. First impressions and all that bother!" he stopped and grabbed Will by the hand. He squeezed the hand and held it tightly against his chest. "Regardless of how things go here, William," he said, softly, "I want you to know that I have always appreciated your support and friendship."

Will smiled and replied, "Thanks, Doctor."

With that Will pushed on the door that opened onto the deck. Maureen saw her son first and embraced him. West and Will acknowledged each other curtly while Will and Penny hugged each other with the affection that only siblings know. Conway and Taylor shook hands with Will and exchanged polite greetings before turning to face the most famous traitor since Benedict Arnold.

"Gentlemen," Smith said firmly, "Standing may be perfectly all right for the young but I find it tedious and exhausting." He faced West and motioned at the laser, "My dear Major West. A pistol? For me? How some things never change." Will helped Smith over to the galley table and eased him into a seat before sitting down beside him. Conway and the others sat opposite them.. The group was joined then by Lenore, Matthew and the Robot. Judy also joined the group. Smith pointed a bony finger at the Robot. "What took you so long? You're a Robot and I am human. I arrived well before you did."

Conway watched the performance and noted that this Sith did not really resemble the one that he had seen countless times on video tapes. He started slowly by saying, "This is not a trial, Mr. Smith. This is merely to establish whether you are mentally capable of facing the charges laid against you."

"Charges?" Smith asked, "I know of no charges." He paused and studied the faces around him then added, "I know a bit about these things. Look at West. A military man! You are a Military man! I know, sir, the Military mind too well. Kill or be killed eh Major?," he paused as West shook his head in reply, then continued, "This is a trial and I am already found guilty."

"So," Taylor asked, "You deny sabotaging the Jupiter Two on October 16th, 1997. You Deny the murdering of a security guard aboard the Jupiter? You deny the other various acts of treason committed against the Robinson family?"

"My dear sir," Smith said softly almost sweetly, "I deny nothing. These things I did, though, happily, they failed and for that I am eternally grateful. But you must understand how things were at the time. That was a long time ago, yes it was indeed, a very long time ago. Other times, other places. Those crimes were committed by an evil man. A truly vile dark snarling character who no longer exists," he paused and cast a wry eye at West, "No matter what some of the mindless military may say."

West was about to reply but Dr Taylor stopped him. "Mr Smith," he said pleasantly, "This is just a friendly visit to determine certain things about you and your past."

Conway added, "Things that may shed light on the actions of the Umbra and of your actions in the Jupiter Sabotage."

Taylor continued, "This interview is just to see how you feel about everything. Your views and ideas. That's all," he paused seeing that Smith was weighing every word carefully, "So Mr Smith your co operation would be appreciated."

Smith eyed them both incredulously. His look showed that he thought that they had gone mad. His actions made Conway and Taylor sit back. "Have you taken leave of your senses, Gentleman? Mr?" he questioned, arching an eyebrow as he did so. "Mr? Mr? What is this Mister? I am Zachary Smith, Doctor and Colonel," he snapped angrily. "And don't you forget it!" This last comment was issued with a stab of an accusatory finger.

Conway snapped back, "After Professor Robinson's logs were retrieved from the Lighthouse a trial was held. You were stripped, in absentia, of your rank. Your records were pulled from official channels. You history was examined. Your credentials as a Doctor were re evaluated. You were struck off several medical registries world wide." On saying this Conway noted that West was smiling. "So Mr. Smith it is."

Smith slammed his hand down hard upon the galley table. "How dare you!" he blustered wildly, "Struck off? Stripped of rank? Bah!" he disregarded Conway's words with a casual wave of his hand, "Regardless of that, Sir, I am a Doctor and you will address me as such or this interview as you call will cease!."

Will looked over at Lenore and thought, how's he doing?

She replied, the Sorba's working fine though the mad ones are still lurking beneath. They're held in check but I Think it will be all right.

Will then interrupted the interview. "Relax Doctor," he said calmly, then, "Can I suggest that for the time being you refer to him as Doctor?"

Don grunted in disgust. "Another good suggestion, Will? Bringing him here was bad enough. You know what the Taurons think of your friend here."

In a calm and measured tone Smith replied, "My dear Major, the Robot has boiled me up a brew of that noxious Sorba Weed. I am as harmless as a kitten."

Don snarled back, "A kitten with really sharp teeth."

Conway raised his hand in an attempt to quieten the banter then asked Smith to explain, from the start his part in the Jupiter Sabotage and subsequent attempts upon the lives of the Robinsons. Smith was unusually candid and admitted readily to his crimes although alluding to extenuating circumstances. He was under great financial stress. His family problems were just as bad. There had been a viscous power struggle in the Smith Clan. This small family matter had even followed Smith into space. Smith talked and talked detailing this and expanding that. Now and then Will and Penny would add to one of his answers, clarifying the point that as he progressed in years his condition deteriorated. Smith himself admitted to being aware that his sanity was failing and that there had been the development of several character traits into full blown personalities.

"You see Dr. Taylor," he said pompously, "I do know these facets and the trouble that they cause. I know them because they are a part of me," he motioned at West, "We all have these little quirks, these little Demons inside us and we all attempt to control them. Even you Major, have them, limited as your imagination is. But I do know mine and I know them because I am a Doctor."

For Taylor, watching Smith retell his tale was an exercise in watching the fall of a great man. Taylor watched the mannerisms, listened to the tones and inflections in his voice and drew the conclusion that here was a man who had indeed suffered more than any term in jail could have done. Smith's crimes had been horrendous but the retribution for them had been more than their equal. And yet he held them all spell bound. He held them silent. There were so many questions to ask but Smith's narrative power just held them back. His voice painted landscapes and characters in ways that videos and movies could never do. Anything that a video could have depicted would have appeared false compared to they way the Smith described it. Purple landscapes, wild weird monsters and pale green floating ladies. All told with such clarity that you could almost touch it. Taylor thought of the stories that Penny had told. While those tales had amused him the tales from Smith had captured him totally . Smith was a master story teller. His stories made you laugh and cry. He was a scoundrel, a thief and a showman. As the time passed Taylor began to see why the Robinsons, despite his crimes, had accepted him into their family.

* * *

The Robot had been dismissed from the interview when Dr. Smith had expressed the desire for a recess. When he had entered the Jupiter through the Space Pod Access Bay he had noticed the other Robot standing at the control panels but had not had the time to introduce himself. The Robot had been surprised at how the design of this new Robot had not changed since his creation. He had thought, you can't improve on perfection. There were of course certain modifications. The ribbed leg section had been replaced by an articulate lever system that attached itself just below the torso. The Torso itself was still barrel shaped and contained an array of sensors and lights and resembled closely his own Torso. It still possessed the ability to rotate 360 degrees. This new Robot was conversing with the Orion and the Robot noticed that his chest plate lit up every time he spoke. The arms were similar to the Robots although they ended in three claws and not two. The tread section was slightly larger than the Robots' and it was obvious that this Robot could negotiate stairs as the treads and legs acted independently of each other.

On top of the torso was the collar and bubble that had distinguished the B - 9 class from all others. Here ear like sensors twirled and lights blinked in happy order. So much like me, he thought, but so much more. He did not feel threatened by this new Robot as he had done in the past when meeting alien Robots. .This Robot was impressive.

But what had really impressed the Robot was that the new breed of Robots actually had their own names!

Hannibal had finished the systems check and was reporting to the Orion when the Robot approached. He finished his report then swivelled so that he faced the Robot. "Hello," he said politely, "I am Hannibal, mission robot for the Historical survey ship Orion." The voice had no mechanical sound at all. It was clipped and slightly British in accent.

The Robot raised his bubble in shock. Another revelation!

These Robots spoke with almost human quality! No mechanical grating tones for them, he thought. In humble reply he said, "I am Robot B - 9, Environmental Control Robot for the Jupiter Two mission."

Hannibal lost all composure. He was finally meeting one of Robot kind's greatest heroes. "I have been looking forward to meeting you," he spluttered, "You are an inspiration for all Robot Kind. I chose space exploration in my final year at the Academy based upon your exploits. Your adventures in space are legendary!"

The Robot, if he could have, would have blushed. He answered, stuttering as he did so, "I, I, I was only doing my job."

"Your job?" Hannibal cried, "You were not programmed with emotions. Your programming was the most basic of all and yet you grew! Time and time again you proved that an artificial intelligence could act above and outside it's parameters! You should be proud of your achievements!"

The Robot thought for a moment. He felt that he had not really achieved anything outside what he had come to see as his duty, protecting the Robinsons. He then said, "I am proud of my friendship with the Robinson Family. Above everything that I have ever done, my friendship with the Robinsons is the most important."

"And your friendship with the traitor Smith?" Hannibal asked, "I have been told that you care for the Traitor. He is the ultimate enemy of all Robot kind."

The Robot answered directly, "Dr. Smith is my friend."

For sometime neither Robot spoke. It was if they were summing each other up. Then Hannibal asked, "Would you like to be updated on the advances our kind have made since your absence from Earth?"

The Robot replied, "I would like to know how we have fared."

Hannibal began transmitting all the historical data that he had stored within him. The Robot received the information and began studying it immediately. So many advances had been made. Robots were almost considered citizens even though many in the human race still thought them as mere automatons. Rather than just being built and programmed by humans, the Robots now played a part in the education and training of other Robots. Where he had been assigned to the Jupiter mission, Robots could now apply for positions on any mission. He had missed so much and there was so much to catch up on. This continued for some time before both Robots became aware of raised voices emanating from the floor beneath them. Raised angry voices.

Together they boarded the lift and descended to the lower deck.

* * *