It had grown late into the day. The sun was setting and Robot had yet to return to the Jupiter 2 campsite. The men searched the area with their space flashlights searching for Robot high and low. The more that they didn't find Robot, the more that John's comment about knowing where he could be seemed more likely to be true. And the more that John didn't like being right regarding the mall's possible threat status. It felt so long ago that he had walked into a mall on Earth. A distant grainy and colorful memory.

The men had their laser pistols inside of the belts making their way down toward the familiar path that he had gone only hours ago. It wasn't the most intense day his family had been through in their adventures staying on random planets for a time and traveling through space. The most intense day would be when his son was being held for ransom, if possible with the doctor, while a chain of dialogue was attempted to be set up to the best of their power. Robot being in danger was on the lowest of the totem pole but high enough to matter regarding his absence.

Instead of automatic doors, there was the familiar way of entering a strange space building. It was in the form of revolving doors outlined in gold with the secondary theme of orange. Don turned back toward the doors feeling a little unsettled. The doors had changed modification over a few hours not days, weeks, or months later. It was very odd. John was in the lead with one hand on the hand rest of the laser pistol looking around uneasy. Except Don was holding a laser pistol in one hand feeling very uneasy. There were not that many spot lights lined down the halls.

In fact, there were fewer than there had been before holding shapes belonging to merchandise highlighted by the setting sun's orange light. Don noticed that most of the walls which had made it previously pitch black had been moved around revealing their glass exterior. It reminded him of a well kept ancient glass house being open for show. Even some that were used as greenhouses. Colorful figures were over Don and John's figures from the afternoon light pouring down on it.

"Fancy seeing you in this mall,"

Don turned in the direction of the voice.

"You!"

"Hold on, Don," John stopped him. "We are not here to kill."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Cackler tsked. "You came here to retrieve a product."

Cackler stepped forward into the light with a smile.

"We came here to retrieve a very necessary component of the Jupiter," John said.

"By any means necessary," Don said.

Don stepped forward toward Cackler taking out the laser pistol.

"Try that and you'll be killed by the second step," Cackler said. "After my encounter with this young man, I got the newest defense weapons set up and running. All waiting in the factory to be used." there was the sound of heavy footsteps from the dark. "Turns out that time came around later than I thought."

Tall gray but slender and highly advanced beings resembling humanoids came from the dark standing beside Cackler. They had a slit on the center of their heads that allowed red light to pour out of the helmet. There were other holes within the creatures armor that radiated the same color from the forehead. Don stepped back to John's side. John held one hand on the laser pistol feeling uneasy.

"We can resolve this diplomatically," John said.

"Yes, we can . . . . You can get the Robot back," Cackler said. "For five pieces of silver."

"We don't have that money," John said. "We are broke as it is. Spent the last of it at Smyth's bar."

"Then we can't make a deal," Cackler said.

"Mr Zumdish of the celestial department store had a better business practice than this," John said. "This isn't a fair practice."

"I am familiar to that department," Cackler said. "Most relied on but a very old business. Out with the old and in with the new."

"When are you going to leave?"

"Soon," Cackler said. "There are still some potential customers on this planet I like to aim."

"Let's leave, Don," John said, his eyes icy staring at Cackler. "Count my family as off limits."

"Yes, yes," Cackler said. "Already done."

Don and John returned the same way that they came through a wide gap that was made by the series of machines that looked alike watching them go. It was unnerving to be watched walking out in sheer defeat. Don turned from the revolving door then shifted toward Cackler who was standing beside the inactive Robot hunched over on a platform and he was shaking the energy pack with a menacing but victorious laugh. He wanted to wipe that smile off Cackler's face. Don shook his head, disgruntled, then turned in the direction of the door and went out of the mall.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"Smith,"

Smith jumped from where he stood landing behind a rock with a yelp.

"Don't hurt me!"

That much hadn't changed about his character. And that was painful.

"It's me,"

Smith raised himself up from the rock.

"Major. . . What brings you here?"

Don had a dark look.

"How did you find me?" Smith shook his head, baffled. "This is the furthest place I found ideally hard enough to figure someone to hide in. Unlikely even."

"I want you to kill him,"

Smith tilted his head staring back at Don quite alarmed but sincerely confused.

"This is a request that the professor should be making," Smith said. "Not you."

Don stepped forward.

"He can't make that kind of request and you know that," Smith took a step back at Don's dark demeanor. "He would have as much blood on his hands as you."

"So the blood falls on your hands," Smith was in the gap between the crevice and the boulder. "Is that right?"

"Being a officer in the space corps comes with this risk,"

"You are no better than West making that kind of request. No one has to die just because they stole a machine," Smith had his eyes resting on the man as he walked around the large boulder wedged between two spaces but had one gap at the left. "Or did something that was nearly fatal to someone you loved."

"Are you telling me to forgive him?" Don asked, incredulously.

Smith held his hand up, cupping his elbow, briefly closing his eyes.

"It was my error that resulted in Judy's injuries," Smith said. "He is not the responsible party for it."

"But, Cackler was." Don said. "He told me."

"Told you what?" Smith's remaining brow raised up at once.

"That he set it off." Don replied. "Intentionally."

"Do you have proof of that?" Smith stepped forward, darkly, sliding his hand down the side of the boulder. "Any recording? Evidence? Before I make a rash decision that could backfire spectacular in everyone's faces without further research regarding the manager, there must be proof. I made the worst decision of my life without doing research regarding global sedition's hired agents. I was driven by greed then. Not rage."

"I didn't record him," Don said.

"That's quite unfortunate," Smith said. "Even if there was something that could be done about it, there is little I can help you with that."

"Why do you need proof when half of the time you do things without having it?"

"It's the gut feeling," Smith said. "I don't have the gut feeling that he is that evil."

"Then what does your gut say?" Don narrowed his eyes toward the major.

"'He is on the wrong path in business," Smith shook his head, leaning his lower half against the boulder very carefully, then shrugged. "A little nudge is all that is needed to put him on the right path."

"I like the sounds of that," Don grew a radiant smile. "Give him that nudge."

Don turned away then strolled down the very same path that lead to the narrow passageway. Smith looked off toward the right in the direction of the rocky terrain deep in thought clasping his hands in his lap.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Cackler stared at the crowd of technicians gathered in front of the mall.

They held tool cases dressed in black clothing and unique decorations that made it hard to see their facial features. At first glance there was a strange fabric wrapped around their faces to the point that holes had to be made and modified with goggles left behind. Cackler cackled, it wasn't the oddest bunch that had came into his path but wasn't everything?

Cackler stepped aside.

"You're hired," Cackler said. "Be careful around the taller ones. They are very fragile and easily breakable."

The repair workers groaned passing by Cackler going through the automatic doors.

"I wonder where those doors are coming from . . ." Cackler tilted his head looking up. "Hm." Cackler shrugged. "No matter."

Cackler followed them in to the mall.

From the distance, Will and Penny were peeking out from behind a tree then exchanged a glance.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The customers came and went with the technicians slowly leaving the mall all except for one who had been working the hardest using a strange machine that was completely new to the man. Cackler put in the change into the galactic bank of currency system. It was beyond the technology that was normally used. It was advanced. Too advanced for his taste and breakable within the next few months. Something that had difficulty being cleaned and had to be replaced all together. It was too new.

Soon as the last of the customers had walked out of the building, Cackler turned on the security system just as the technician arrived to the doorway.

"The Earth man sent you,"

The technician held their hands up.

"Turn around and face me,"

The technician turned around facing him.

"What kind of technicians are they?" Cackler approached the supposed technician with a glare. "They let you in and didn't bother to tell me." he stopped in his tracks. "Seems to me they are undercover cops."

"Cops over complicate matters, Mr Cackler," Came the muffled voice. "That is what they call you. Am I right?"

"Yes," Cackler said. "It's a moniker of mine. Take it off."

The equipment fell to the ground.

"My moniker is Zachary," Smith said.

Recognizition flickered on Cackler's face.

"Zachary isn't a moniker, Doctor Smith," Cackler said. "I heard that Earthlings have more creative words as monikers."

"Those words are undignified for someone such as I," Smith lowered his hands then linked them behind his back then strolled over toward one of the frozen in place machines. "I admire your taste in body guards."

"They are the best off the line,"

"Is this really what they look like?" Smith asked, incredulously.

Cackler eyed at Smith, hesitating, before replying.

"Yes,"

Smith turned toward the machine tapping on his chin.

"So if I touched them then they really would not change?"

Smith shifted toward Cackler very curious.

"They would not," Cackler said.

Smith leaned against the machine then turned his attention toward Cackler.

"So if I were to say that I were from another universe and anything I touch becomes extremely dangerous," Smith said. "Mechanical." he pointed around the room as the brightness from the machine faded into dark gray and the slits on the machines face changed in shape and size as it grew taller. "It doesn't apply to organic beings."

"What were you doing to my merchandise?"

"Their will," Smith replied.

"Machines don't have a will," Cackler watched Smith shake his head.

"This one did," Smith said. "This one. . . This one machine you had to threaten to get what you want."

"I don't recall having threatened anyone," Cackler said. "Even if I did. You can't prove that."

"They have gone without proper cleaning for so long," he stepped forward glaring at Cackler very harshly. "They get only a cleaning once every month if they are lucky," he looked off toward Robot. "Is that what you intend to do to my colleague? Leave him to rust as people pass him and ignore him? No, you are worse than that. You will hide him, let him fall apart, rust away, and lose what makes him so appealing when people do not start laying offers on him. The first week," he stepped forward. "The very first week."

"No, I wouldn't,"

Smith glared at Cackler then pointed toward Robot.

"Does he look like a machine you would purchase and keep around the house?"

Cackler paused, looking toward Robot, then slowly turned his attention toward Smith.

". . . Yes?"

"He looks like a fallen museum piece and you know it!" Smith snapped. "Valueless!"

"N--n-nn--No!" Cackler shouted. "he doesn't."

"He will be so unappealing to purchase without his power pack on him," Smith said. "But you won't risk putting it on him."

"Like you know me," Cackler grunted, rolling his eyes, as Smith folded his arms.

"Thousands of ways that you could lose everything," Smith strolled over toward Robot's side looking toward him sympathetically then shifted his attention off toward Cackler. "I am someone who sells and purchases. A consumer. A business man."

Smith clapped his hands together turning completely toward Cackler.

"I know you want to make it big," Smith came in front of Cackler making him stagger back into the arms of thick and giant machines. "You want to be the greatest seller."

Smith took a step forward as the machines grabbed Cackler by the arms.

"It's time I made you what you want to be," Smith said. "What you have always wanted to be."

"Let me go!" Cackler struggled in the strong grip of the strong machines. "I order you to let me go! Let me go! I order you!"

"They don't listen to you, anymore." Smith said, watching the machines drag Cackler down the hall. "They listen to me."

"Don't! Don't!"

"Don't what?" Smith followed close behind the man. "Don't make you great?"

"You will pay for this!"

"I won't. It's you who is paying for your dark desires not just I. Getting exactly what you deserve."

"Which is what?"

"Your future earnings!" Smith said, as the machines shoved Cackler down to a chair. The braces automatically slapped on his wrist and ankles. "You are supposed to be cackling at this, Mr Cackler."

"Don't kill me!" Cackler said. "It is bad for my business!"

Smith had a sinister laugh, shaking, pinching the bridge of his nose then lowered his hand down unnervingly amused to Cackler.

"I am not going to kill you," Smith said. "I am going to do something much worse than that."

Smith pressed a button then listened to the man's horrified screams echo throughout the building. Smith manned the console as the robotic beings stood still where they remained in place. There was a screech coming from the machines all of a sudden but it was mechanical and off putting. He typed in a code then the screeching ceased to be.

Smith hummed to himself putting in a command and tapping on a list of orders. One by one, the machines vanished before his eyes until only Robot was the only tall and very much sapient machine standing tall.

"Time to go home, Robot," Smith said.

Smith went over toward the empty shell then retrieved the energy pack and returned toward Robot's side but slipped it into unzipped pocket.

"But first things first," Smith said. "I have a accident to set up."

///////////////////////////////////////

Smith rubbed black ink on Robot's figure forming in the shapes of what could easily be mistaken as explosive burns. The trap had been set. All he needed was to perform one single act and he was good for the taking. It was dark out on the planet. The only thing that had provided light were the stars from above. He slid Robot out of the mall after placing the sign on the revolving door that read 'CLOSED'. He waited until there were alien visitors who stopped by, using a pair of binoculars, from afar. The crowd was large enough to make the set up complete.

Smith slid forward a leveler on the machine placed beside him then leaned forward with his hands on the binoculars. The mall exploded with a giant and alarming cry that sent the nearby potential customers fleeing from the mall. Smith watched the mall fly in all directions crashing to the ground with a thud.

The flames were eating up the material but most importantly the remains. It grew light and lighter until the smoke had dissipated. Smith returned to the sight then took out the power pack. Smith went into the still burning scene then picked up handfuls of dirt then rubbed it on to Robot's figure leaving a good imprint of explosive burns.

He put on the power pack then left Robot be awakening to the sudden shift to the environment. There was equipment that ranged from a tanning bed that had lost the top but still retained the silky, soft purple bedding that outlined the shape of a human figure. There were computer consoles around the area with science equipment that were covered in laser burns.

Even a large adult Earth man sized incubator that retained the glass container with light fixtures installed. There was even several computers that kept their dark screens, bulky buttons, and a power outlet.

Solar panel equipment were laid neatly inside transparent boxes.

There was smoke drifting in the air from the burning and tattered remains of fabric.

Smith was observing some of the equipment when the Robot strolled over.

"Browsing for something that is not make up?" Smith didn't reply. "This is something I am very familiar with."

Smith shot the Robot a glare.

"I am sure you are," Smith said. "This will be very useful."

"For what?" Robot asked.

"I just need it," Smith said. "I have the perfect place to put it."

"Is this something I am going to regret helping you with?" Robot asked.

"No," Smith said.

"How sure are you of that?" The Robot said.

"Very sure," Smith said. "You're going to thank me later. Pardon me, I have to make my personal sun room. Off you go!"

Smith waved Robot off with his fingers sending him fleeing from the scene. Smith turned in the direction of the mess that laid ahead of him as he rubbed his chin contemplating how to best move them. The Robot turned around to observe the standing still man with a hand placed under his elbow in the middle of the disaster. A disaster the Robot and the Robinsons had been responsible for. Robot was in a state of being unsure what to do.

He was obligated to make sure that Doctor Smith did not run into trouble or die because of the trouble including the Robinsons. Smith walked off into the distance carrying the tan bed without any problems. Robot's glass head bobbed up watching Smith lift heavy objects and leave with them. Robot came over to a console panel stopping the man in his tracks.

"Let me help," Robot said.

Smith looked at the Robot, long and hard, then nodded.

"You'll do," Smith said. "Don't ask."

"I will not." Robot said, then slid his claw underneath the bottom half of the console.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

They lifted the console into a well lit cave with light fixtures decorating it. It appeared to have been set up quite some time ago in the way that it was set up. One half of the lab was a laboratory and the other half was living quarters holding a makeshift bed with a sleeping bag that hung upside down attached to a pole installed into the wall, a transparent box holding clothes dangling from the pole, there was a mirror in the wall from above a small pond that had lifeforms swimming in it according to Robot's sensors.

The console was lifted down to the floor. There were cables and stations that were being flipped on that highlighted the laboratory and the long thread with pink beads stood out sparkling in the light dividing the quarters into two parts. It was a ordinary lab used by ordinary aliens the Jupiter 2 crew crossed paths with. Smith wiped off his hands with a delighted sigh. He placed his hands on to the sides of his hips looking around the room.

"What are you making?" Robot's head bobbed up in alarm.

Smith scowled turning his attention toward Robot.

"You just said you wouldn't ask," Smith said.

"That wasn't a order," Robot said.

"I am making a parting gift for the Robinsons," Smith said, looking over the console feeling over the buttons then glanced over toward the Robot. "It won't try to harm them."

Robot's head bobbed down then wheeled himself toward the table that had a collection of items strayed out the surface. Smith was rubbing his ring when he looked down toward it. He approached a alien bed ever so slowly. On the bed laid a white onesie with blue lines laid out in the shape of a figure and a night cap.

He slipped off his ring, slid the glass door up, put the ring on the other side of the table then closed the door to the machine. Robot scanned each one equipment separately as his circuits started to feel disturbed. Smith picked up the comb from the table drawing the Robot's attention. Pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together in a very disturbing way.

"That is Doctor Smith's comb," The Robot replied.

"Do go on," Smith said, placing the comb into the glass case.

"This is a DNA scanner," Robot said.

"I am a very guilty man," Smith said.

"Since becoming aware. . ." The Robot said. "I have been introduced to many colorful phrases . . . Such as this one: Let dead men lie."

"Let's review," Smith cupped his hands together facing Robot. "I am going to die sometime this year. Not in the next ten to fifteen years. Not in the next twenty years. When I go, the younger members of the group won't have said goodbye properly. It will break their hearts in ways you can't put back together again with your programming." he lowered his hands together. "Dare I say. . ." he looked down with a sigh as his shoulders lowered then turned his gaze up. "their morale would be considerably down."

"So you are giving them a choice," Robot said, as Smith gestured toward the console.

"To ease the pain," Smith said. "to say goodbye. To move on."

"That is selfish," Robot acknowledged.

"This is going to be the adult's choices if they want him back for those selfish reasons," Smith replied. "We're all selfish, even you."

"Am not," Robot said.

"Are too," Smith said.

"Am not," Robot said.

"Then why did you buy me?" Smith asked.

There was no reply from Robot.

"I plan for this button to kill," Smith continued, gesturing toward the red button. "It will be painless. The body will turn to dust so they won't have to bury him a second time should they not want him back," He had a short pause. "and this button to awake should they want him to stay." He pointed toward the green button.

"This will not be a easy choice," The Robot said. "Professor Robinson would not be able to make it."

Smith nodded.

"I realize that," Smith said. "That is why you'll make the choice to tell them. After I am gone."

"I did not realize you hated me that much," Robot said.

"It's a hobby of mine to inflict pain on others," Smith said, clapping his hands together then added darkly glaring toward Robot. "Now you know how I feel every day mutating."

"This computes," Robot said.

"Now, return to the Robinsons," Smith said.

Robot turned away then went toward the exit of the cave.

"If you and Will search for me tomorrow morning," Smith had his hands on the edge of the console. Robot turned toward Smith. "You will fail."

"I accept your challenge, Doctor Smith!" Robot turned from Smith then wheeled away.

Smith placed a hand on his face then lowered his head with a annoyed sigh.

"Don't bring him here!" Smith shouted as he turned away from the B-9 with his back to him.