(Part 10)
by Kevin Pellew

Last Week as you recall - Thoughts of leaving Trimea have plagued the space farers. Her mind made up and now in possession of Captain Conway's secret Mrs. Robinson is throwing a Dinner party.......

Maureen Robinson had never been comfortable with the tag, 'a nineties woman' but she had admitted, more than once, that it did apply to her. She was career minded, studious, intelligent and ambitious. She was also a mother and, once, a wife. Many people thought that those two careers could not exist together and yet, before they had left the Earth, she had proved that it could be done. And the years in space had only reinforced that fact in her mind. The nineties were far behind now but she felt that the tag still held to her. The publicity people at Alpha Control had tried to paint a certain picture of her to the public that she did not totally agree with and now with the arrival of the Orion's crew she found herself dealing with that picture again. The crew were expecting one thing but getting another.

Maureen loved to throw a party and the one presently in paly around the Jupiter was one of her best. She and several of the Tauron chefs had spent the afternoon preparing exotic Tauron and domestic Trimea treats (although, at Penny's request, Space Chowder was not on the menu!) while the Orion galley staff had supplied the event with earth style delicacies.

The Taurons had erected a large pavilion decorated with images of their struggle on Tauron. The Orion had a small military band and they were playing to a small but appreciative audience. Tish had convinced Conway to dance with her while Penny and John Taylor sat together on a trestle seat watching them. Will and Lenore stood apart from the rest. Defore had convinced Manya to dance with him although they found the human music difficult to follow at times. Penny smiled at the way Manya was relaxing. Manya was smiling at the shocked looks that her actions had wrought on the faces of the Council.

Matthew was studying Hannibal and making comparisons to the Robot. Smith, as always, proved to be the centre of attention. To many of the Taurons Smith was something of a legend. He had been talked about but never seen. Now that his madness had been quietened the Taurons were eager to get close to him. Smith adored the attention and played the small crowd for all it was worth. Smith loved being a celebrity!

Not unexpectedly Don had joined with a group of Orion officers and was in a discussion on tactics and politics. Don found that he, too, was a celebrity and that the officers hung on every word that he said. They wanted to know everything about the Jupiter and his ability to make the craft flight worthy after every mishap. Judy was the ever present dutiful wife and partner and stood at Don's side as he spoke.

Maureen watched her eldest daughter and smiled ever so slightly. Judy was almost the opposite of Maureen. In fact Maureen often thought Judy to be a throw back to the woman of the early fifties, a woman ready to work hard but just as ready to defer leadership to her man. In that respect Maureen also understood the reasons why Judy had ventured, briefly, into the showbiz world. In that world, for the most part, actors, male and female, were directed and ordered by their mangers, their lives and decisions made by others. Judy could be strong but she really was very different from her siblings.

What the Orion crew expected from the Robinson women was the opposite of what they saw. They had expected Maureen to be head strong and powerful, a nineties woman who's career was central to her existence. They had expected Judy to be the self assured performer and Penny to be the bright intellectual. They had expected so much, Maureen thought, and they had believed in the publicity. But what they saw was an anachronism. It was all so easy to forget, Maureen thought, that they nineties woman was a myth, a fabrication. Judy loved being a dutiful wife and Penny loved her freedom. Maureen loved her family and her career.

And she loved throwing parties!

She saw no contradictions here, no errors in her reasoning, it was just the way it always had been.

There was a break in the music and Conway and Tish came over and stood with Maureen. "So Captain Conway," Maureen asked, "Are your crew enjoying themselves?"

Conway laughed, "I believe so," he answered before motioning at Frank Garrison, "Although Frank there wouldn't be happy if he had every modern ship at his disposal," he paused as he saw the confused look on Maureen's face, "Frank was, is," he corrected himself quickly, then, "The Orion's Chief of Engineering." Immediately as he said this Conway's thoughts flashed to the stricken Orion. It was a strong definite thought and one that he hadn't intended for anyone else to experience.

But Tish had experienced it.

The Tauron faced him with shock in her eyes. "You're not leaving?" she asked in whispered tones.

Maureen laughed. "You haven't told her?" she asked to which Conway just shook his head in embarrassment. Maureen added, "Never try to keep a secret from a Tauron," she said, "Especially one you're close to." This last statement made them both blush and react coyly causing Maureen to become all motherly. "Ah!" she exclaimed, ""Some things never change. Young love!"

Tish protested, meekly, "We're hardly young," she stammered and then, "And who said anything about love?"

"Love at first sight affects us all," Maureen said, "And no matter how old you are, when you fall in love, you are always young."

With that Maureen left them and proceeded to be the consummate hostess. Her next port of call was to her son and daughter in law. Both Will and Lenore looked agitated and ill at ease. They looked so out of place here amongst the revellers, she thought. They were the embodiment of caution and concern. Will smiled as his mother approached while Lenore merely looked on anxiously.

"This is a party, Will," Maureen said, "You can relax here. Have a good time. Enjoy the company."

Lenore replied, it is not that simple. Lenore looked about at the other party members and noted that Tauron and Human were mixing freely. Attitudes had changed but Lenore still bore the scars of discrimination that had fallen on her when she and Will had married. To see them mixing, she thought, to see them all laughing and talking, she was referring to the council members, it's all so strange. It's all so unreal. After all the trouble that they caused us!

Will grunted, "Fakes and frauds."

Maureen shrugged. "If you let it bother you then they win", she said softly, "Act naturally and ignore them if you want to. Just enjoy yourselves. You two don't visit enough," she added and then, "And in the next few weeks I think that having you around will be a good thing."

Will said flatly, "Mom I, we," he took Lenore by the hand and squeezed it , "We wont be returning to Earth."

Maureen laughed, "Oh Will," she said happily, "I know that! I knew it even before you did," she paused and hugged her son tightly, "I know my children," she said as she smiled at Lenore, "I know my son, too." Again she paused although this time she looked at Lenore and winked, thinking, even if he wanted to go back to Earth, he can't. And with that she thought of the Orion and revealed Conway's secret. Our little secret for now, Maureen thought. Lenore's head rolled back in joy and she patted will on the head, mussing up his hair. Then to the surprise of those nearby Maureen and Lenore embraced in an obvious show of affection. Then Maureen moved away.

Will looked at Lenore and asked, "What was that all about?"

Lenore answered, you'll see. Soon!.

Maureen had intended to talk with Penny and Taylor next but found her way blocked by both Defore and Manya. Defore was dancing and exuding joy and happiness at an exhausting pace and Manya had steered him into Maureen's path deliberately. Telepathically Manya begged, please save me, to Maureen, he is trying to dance me to death!

Defore rebutted vocally, "I heard that!" and then to Maureen, "Some of us think that they are older than they really are. He released Manya and bowed politely to Maureen, "I would be privileged if you would honour me with the rest of this Dance."

"Why thank you sir," Maureen replied as he led her back onto the floor.

Manya made her way back to Penny and sat down beside her. "Your Mother is in for a shock," she said, "That man has too much energy for one so old."

Taylor replied, "You are only as old as you feel."

Manya smiled, "You are right Doctor," she looked over to where the Council Members were standing. "I am only as old as I feel," she said, "And tonight I feel very young," and with that she walked over to Cal. Cal looked at ease and happy but Manya knew better. She could feel his suspicion, taste his mistrust and his unease made her smile. "So Councillor," she said, "How is your evening going? Are you enjoying the Humans?"

Cal smiled hollowly, "The sooner they are gone the better," he said, "Some of the council feel that there presence here can only benefit our Settlement. I do not agree. They are a nuisance," he paused and thought then said, "Hopefully they will take the Robinsons with them."

Manya laughed. "Oh no Councillor," she said slyly, "They won't be leaving. Not the Robinsons and not the Orion," she paused allowing her words to sink in, "The Orion is crippled. They cannot leave and it is your fault."

Cal could have scanned the crowd and found the truth but the fact that these words were coming from Manya told him all that he needed to know. The Orion was crippled and somehow it was his fault. Smiling again he asked, "How is this my fault?"

Manya smiled, "You had the opportunity to stop the Crewman from attacking Smith. Had you allowed us to interfere he would not have died at Smith's hands. The crewman had sabotaged the Orion. Only he could reverse his actions."

Cal momentarily lost his calmness. He snarled, "I did what I had to do. did what I thought was right."

"And our children suffered from your decision," Manya replied, "How do you think your supporters will vote at the next election when I give them the truth. Do you think that they will understand that you did what you had to do?" And she thought to him, how does it feel, now, to be like me? I only ever did what I had to do!

Cal regained his composure, "What do you want Manya?" he asked, "Power? Position? A seat on the Council?"

Manya's thought reply slammed like a brick into Cal's mind. Power? she thought, I already have more power than you could ever hope to have! Position? I have that too. A seat on the Council? I would never stoop so low!

Cal thought back, then what do you want?

Manya spoke softly, "You will not oppose the Humans in anyway. In Council debates you will push the Human cause."

Angrily Cal asked, "And what is the Human cause?"

"For the moment they need a home. They need to settle here for a time," she said, then, "Eventually they will want to repair the Orion. You will provide them with the expertise and labour to that end."

"You ask for a lot," Cal said.

"And I expect a lot," she replied, "Enjoy your evening Cal, as I will mine."

From the far side of the Pavilion Penny watched Manya and the Councillor talk. She could tell that, even through their smiles, some topic of supreme importance was being discussed. When Manya returned to them she asked Taylor to get them all some refreshments and like the true gentleman that he was he did so. While he was away Penny asked, "What was the discussion about?"

Manya rebutted, "That was a private conversation."

Penny frowned, "I know you Manya," she said, "I know when you're laying down the law. What's going on?" she motioned about at the crowd, "I don't need to be telepathic to know that something is going on."

Manya smiled, "Your Doctor friend wont be leaving," she said, happily, "Their ship is damaged. They can't leave. Their Captain will be making an announcement shortly."

When Taylor returned Penny threw here arms about his neck and kissed him deeply. Manya smiled at her daughter in law's actions. The Orion's dilemma made Penny happy and the Council squirm, Manya thought, it truly is a wonderful world!

From the Dance floor Maureen watched her youngest daughter embrace the Doctor and felt her heart race. Penny, Will and Judy were all adults. Given that their lives had been anything but normal she was surprised that they had grown they way that they had. All things considered, the Robinson offspring were refreshingly normal and well adjusted. Without any dishonest modesty she noted that they were a credit to her and to John. She wished that John was here, wished that he could see how they had survived and how they had all grown. And how things have worked out for the best, she thought. The Orion crew, she thought, will just have to accept who we are now and not who we were. She said quietly, "We're not what we used to be."

Defore smiled, "Forgive me Mrs Robinson," he said, "I could not help but hear your words."

"Oh that's all right," she replied, jovially, "I was just thinking about how we all grow and change. You know Defore we could have vanished without a trace. We could have remained lost and isolated. We could have stagnated in loneliness but instead we found you Taurons. We could have died bitter and alone," she added, "But we grew, we survived," she looked him in the eye and repeated, "We not what we used to be."

Defore added, "And that's what makes us strong." he paused as the music stopped and Captain Conway appeared on the small stage that carried the Band. "Both Tauron and Human. We never really remain what we were. We adapt and grow. That is how we survive. That is how we prosper. It is only when we consciously elect to remain locked into the past that we wither and die," he said.

Conway's words interfered with their conversation. He speech started with a short history of the history of the Earth and detailing the true human nature. They were explorers. They were battlers. "Humans," he said, "Always made the best of a bad situation and we hope to now." He then detailed the actions of the saboteur and the present state of the Orion. "We require a place to stay," he said, "The Orion cannot support the crew indefinitely. What we ask of the Tauron people is the permission to set up an encampment, a settlement of our own, till such time as the Orion is repaired."

At first no one spoke and Taylor turned to Penny and said, "I expected some response but not silence. Nothing's happening."

Manya answered before Penny could. "No Doctor," she said, "You don't hear it but there is a lot being said."

Cal stepped forward and spoke politely. Before he did so though he glanced over at Manya. His reply was short and precise. "For the time being we will allow you to settle here. We will help arrange more permanent dwellings," he paused and looked back at his fellow councillors then back at Conway, "And when the time comes we will assist you with the repairs to your ship."

For a moment there was silence but then a cheer rose from the crowd and a thunderous clapping surrounded them all. For the time being, the Crew of the Orion, the ship that had found the Robinsons, had found a home.

***

Oh joy! How simply wonderful!

Thomas McGinty excused himself politely from the party and made his way back to the shuttle. Although outwardly he was enjoying himself, McGinty hated parties and people in general. He hated the Orion and this mission and everything that came with it. Thomas McGinty loved only one thing and that was Thomas McGinty. When the Umbra had approached him and offered him a commission to watch over some of their underlings McGinty had agreed too because of the power it gave him. The underlings were half witted cretins he despised and the thought that his word to them was law pampered to his already enormous ego. The Umbra paid handsomely for his services. McGinty boarded the shuttle and sat down in a window seat. As the ship lifted from the ground he felt his heart drop. He was stranded here due to the incompetence of an Umbra operative! He cursed the Umbra for their little tricks and stunts. They had wanted Smith removed because they believed him to still be a threat. Smith, the threat, no longer existed.

The Umbra paid handsomely for his services. Unfortunately they paid in Earth currency and only on Earth. Stuck here the money was wasted.. Like Smith the Umbra had left McGinty stranded with no way home. He thought, how dare they!? So as the Shuttle cleared the atmosphere McGinty set his mind to a most important mission, a most personal and private goal. He did not care about the others. They could all rot away on that small planet! He would sell each of their lives to obtain his goal. Somehow, someway, he was going to get back to Earth, dear Earth, dear sweet Earth! And it did not matter to McGinty how he achieved that goal.

He had a score to settle with the Umbra!

But for the moment he had all the time in the world to plot and plan.

* * *

The End.