What was once left of the Dragonship crewmembers were scattered about the surface of Priplanus and some where fighting against the waves of the hungry sea to make to arctic dominated section of the planet. From the hot, steaming desert area with a view out of the sky it could be seen the survivors were gathering into large groups with large tents set up that had carpeting below them that was cooler than the sand itself.

It was a massive tent that provided shade to the survivors. From inside of the light brown tent, there were piles of rations that were set up on the table being organized neatly by members of the royal cooks. They made a fort around the tent using their downed life boats and were slowly beginning to make a roof to their shelter from inside using tools from the engineering lifeboats that could be had. They expected their stay to last for a few month at most. Bahosky stared at the sky from under the entrance to the tent.

To most humanoids, being underneath the hot beating sun would be very uncomfortable an making feel exhausted from standing there for hours. Fortunately for Bahosky, they had shed their winter coat so they felt they were ideally warm. Their paws, however, easily got hot from the sand so most of the survivors were wearing improvised shoes if they stood outside. The cosmic wind beat against Bahosky's fur bringing a gentle breeze against their face. With all things considered it was a perfect enlightening day contrasting the dark, dreary mood from inside the tent.

What was left of the army had fallen down.

The survivors of the one sided battle had fallen five hours ago.

The cries from the air waves of mercy being asked coming from the bridge.

And being answered by furious blasts that did not relent in intensity.

Bahosky's fury at the human was incomprehensible clenching tightly onto the improvised staff in their claws. They were waiting to be picked up and taken off the planet. By whom was the better question. Their mobile intergalactic distress beacon was up and running above Priplanus. It was a matter of time before before they came off the planet. There were five hundred survivors in total. There were injured among their ranks being tended to by what was left of the nurse force. The physicians were gone.

Incinerated by one of the blasts that had tore through the ship by the space drill including any other injured who had any chances of survival. Only a few survived that with barely any fur remaining, coated in heavy burns, and screeching in pain from the other side of the tent. A strange bus came over the sand dune from above being piloted by two pink skinned individuals that were humanoid in nature. Ah, humans. Bahosky's eyes widened. HUMANS. Bahosky turned in the direction of the opening to the tent.

"HUMANS!" Bahosky screamed.

Five crewmembers came toward the opening of the tent putting on their shoes and took their improvised energy spears. They formed a line in the doorway glaring in the direction of the oncoming silver and red craft that seemed to be bound to the sand. They shared puzzled glances with each other watching the Chariot roll down the sand dune leaving a trail behind. The chariot came to a stop approximately five feet away from the tent.

A human with dark curly hair came out as did a strange machine coated in scars and metal that shined in the crew's eyes. They had to squint just to get a good look while shielding their eyes. A woman with red hair came behind him and a unique outfit that seemed unlike the one commonly seen from humans.

The taller human shook his hand and began with, "We come in peace."

Bahosky became enraged.

"YOU COME IN PEACE?" Bahosky asked, then spat to the ground. "You disturbed our peace!"

The humans appeared to be confused from the sputtering, screeching creature then looked toward the Robot.

"They insist you have disturbed their peace," the Robot translated.

"Now, that is not true," Maureen said.

"We just got here," John agreed.

"WE WERE GOING TO HAVE IT ALL!" Bahosky started. "But nooo! That ship overseer Za'car went in the way and distracted Dragos! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID! YOU TOOK VICTORY FROM THE HANDS OF THE EMPEROR. DESTROYED A SHIP BY DRILLING THROUGH IT! AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR US BEING VEGETARIANS, I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN EATING YOU AS ONE OF YOUR KIND TRICKED HIM."

"They are outraged," the Robot translated. "Insists you sent a ship overseer to distract the emperor," The Robinsons grew confused expressions then slowly shook their heads. "They are also outraged that you used a space drill to destroy their ship."

"That was Major West," John said. "It was the only way to stop Dragos from launching another fatal attack."

"Another fatal attack," Bahosky said, in disgust. "We didn't kill that many."

"They claim they didn't kill that many," The Robot repeated.

"I left Major West at the Jupiter 2 to prevent a altercation," John said. "I know that someone would have died had I not and I don't want that. I was planet-side with my wife, Maureen," John gestured toward her. "and family bracing for the impacts of your downed ships."

Bahosky and the others stared in confusion then exchanged glances.

"Jupiter 2?" Bahosky said.

"But. . " the others gathered in a circle facing Bahosky away from the Robinsons. "That's at Alpha Centauri."

"And they are dead," Bahosky said.

"Wouldn't that mean. . ." came the third.

"If we are speaking to Professor Robinson. . ." Came the second.

There was silence.

"That we're in the past?" Bahosky finished.

There were slow nods from the others.

"We can only hope the others went through the void back," Bahosky said. "And there are chances that we are destined to be our own ancestors."

The group shuddered at once.

"What is this about ship overseer?" Maureen repeated, raising a brow drawing the attention of the crewmembers.

"There is no such thing as a ship overseer," Bahosky said. "It was a lie."

"A smokescreen," the Robot replied. "A cover to get aboard the dragonship."

"The liar got off but he never got back on his feet after being stuck in a sinking escape pod," Bahosky added. "So," Bahosky aimed the spear toward the two and the others followed. "Go back where you belong before we get violent."

The Robot's glass head bobbed up then wheeled his way in front of the Robinsons.

"Elaborate," the Robot said. "What you said does not compute."

"That human died in a sand pit!" Bahosky said.

"I can still hear his screams for help," the fourth said. "Dying in the distance."

"Got what he deserved," Bahosky said.

John and Maureen carefully stepped back at the anger radiating off the Robot.

"I will ask you politely," The Robot's voice raised out of anger then released a charge that sent Bahosky falling back to the floor and the electrical spears broke apart. Contrary to the normally calm robotic voice that John and Maureen had become familiar to. The crew members looked at the Robot rather terrified. "Take that back."

Bahosky stood up as the crew members ran in.

"Everyone I know is dead or dying," Bahosky said. "I don't have to."

"What if it were you?" The Robot slid forward. "What if you had his fate? I wouldn't wish that not even upon Debbie Robinson." Bahosky paused. "Now take it back."

Bahosky glared back.

"Never!" Bahosky said.

Sachun bolted out out of the tent as the Robot's claws began to charge up.

"HE'S SORRY!" Sachun waved their claws back and forth. "HE TAKES IT BACK! He takes it back! He takes it back!"

The Robot's claws depowered as the other crewmembers dragged Bahosky away.

"You almost got yourself killed, idiot!" Sachun screamed into the inside of the tent then turned toward the Robinsons. "We are very sorry for your loss," then grew confused. "What brings you to our dwelling?"

"They want to know why you are here," The Robot replied.

"You must need help with the injured," Maureen said. "We offer our services."

"Do you have a doctor to spare?" Sachun asked.

"They want to know if you have a doctor," The Robot said.

"No," John said.

"Tell them to leave and don't bother coming back," Sachun said. "They are not welcome here. We do not need the pity of colonists."

"Affirmative," the Robot said. "You cannot help them. Any help from you will be refused or returned."

Sachun nodded in agreement.

"Sure about that?" John asked.

Sachun folded their arms with a nod.

"Very certain," the Robot translated.

The Robot turned away then moved in the direction of the chariot.

"Robot, what did the other say about Doctor Smith?" John asked.

"It will only make Major West feel a lot worse," The Robot said.

A bad feeling fell into their stomachs.

"But it won't for us," John said. "We didn't have a part in it."

John and Maureen exchanged a glance.

"A hint would do," Maureen said, as they turned their attention toward the Robot.

"Sand. Trapped. Never ending. Swallow." The Robot said.

The Robot ascended into the Chariot.

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

"You can stay behind, commander," Chris said. "If it's too spooky for you."

"Chris," Laura said. "He is not scared."

Gampu stared at the long, thick starship.

"I find that preferable," Gampu said. "It doesn't feel right."

Chris looked at the starships.

"Feels all right by me," Chris said, his hands on his hips.

Gampu looked away from the view screen toward the two.

"Take a medical kit with you," Gampu advised. "It's your first mission after all under my charge. I must step back and see how you can improve on rescue missions."

Laura was by the doorway.

"Sure," Laura said, brightly as Chris joined her with the kit.

"And turn on the collinears, cadets," Gampu said. "Provide me with up-to-date information."

"Oraco," Chris said, with a smile then walked on into the ship.

Gampu closed the door then piloted the seeker back aside then sat down into the pilot's chair cupping his hands together into his lap appearing to be rather relaxed despite his danger sense being on high alert. The academy was exploring a recently discovered anomaly and had quietly passed by the ship. It was quite alarming that it didn't move so they had to change course missing the starship. It was a ship that had to be checked upon.

Gampu looked on toward the vastness of space rather fondly, his face softened, looking back. His eyes slowly opened and closed. His senses screamed danger so loudly that it stopped him from taking a nap. But not enough to disturb being relaxed surrounded by comfort and warmth. A protective outer shell equipped with laser beams, hand lasers, and the seeker itself. Gampu was certain they were going to come out of it alive. The collinear buzzed in his belt then he took it out and whipped it out of the compartment.

"Gampu here," Gampu said.

"Commander, we. . . we. . ." Chris didn't sound that well. "We have found a really bad crime scene. And lots of destroyed robots."

"Good heavens!" Gampu exclaimed, leaning forward appearing to be concerned yet confused at the same time slightly tilting his head and clenched onto the arm rest holding on to the collinear. "A crime scene?"

Gampu leaned forward then checked the systems.

"Yes, sir," Chris said. Gampu's eyes grew big then he moved toward the space monitor to spot that a unique space mine had hooked it self on. "Is that the proper use of the word crime scene?"

"Affirmative," Gampu said. "Cadets, please wait at the hatch. I will be on my way momentarily."

Gampu turned it off with a click feeling familiar panic and dark thoughts. Was he too late? Was it going to go off in the next few seconds? Leaving Laura and Chris alone on a ghost ship. Quiet, Zachary, Gampu thought, you have removed a space mine. . . once, hundreds of years ago. Space mines looked very different nowadays. He moved toward the front then hailed the space academy.

"Seeker to Academy control," Gampu said. "Come in."

"Academy Control here," Tee Gar appeared.

"Please bring over the specs for a space mine," Gampu requested.

"Century?" Tee Gar asked.

"24th century," Gampu said. "I need it immediately."

"Oraco," Tee Gar said, moving out of the way.

Gampu relaxed, relieved, looking up toward the view screen listening to the sound of ticking.

It could have been a hell lot worse, Gampu thought, a lot.

"I got it!" Tee Gar placed the specs on the screen.

Gampu studied the screen.

"Thank you, Tee Gar," Gampu said, then moved out of the front seat taking out a life support badge from his utility belt.

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

Telling Don was one thing that Maureen and John agreed on wasn't the kind of news that could be told lightly.

Wrestling with this piece of knowledge was difficult.

Let everyone believe that Smith had died in space after being hit by a laser blast or tell them that he suffered a fate far worse than that.

Completely abandoned by survivors similar to himself left Smith behind to die. A fitting poetic justice but the way the justice was handled seemed unjustified and beyond humane. Don had to be told what had happened but it wouldn't do so good on his moral. John and Maureen decided together that it was clearly obvious not to tell the major. It wasn't so difficult after all when it came to their children and to someone they cared about. To let them think that Smith without pain. Horrifying to bear the knowledge that Don was responsible for Smith's rather cruel, slow paced demise not Dragos.

There was a loud sound that jerked the Robinsons awake that night.

It was prominent and pointed enough to leave a echo that lingered on.

Maureen could hear her heart beat loudly in her ears observing the Robot and the men looking out for what had made the crash sound. Will leaned against the front chair with his arms on the head rests struggling to stay awake. Penny was holding on to the figure of the drowsy monkey holding on to the fabric of her nightwear. Maureen was holding on to her fingers looking on toward the window. The men came close and closer to the large rounded machine that flickered on and off with white square light out pouring from the machine. They came to a stop with their flash lights landing on the large rounded shape that had a antenna from above the circular dish. The machine was white with blue and red markings on the side.

John and Don lifted the heavy machine into the Robot's arms then returned to the Jupiter 2 campsite.

The machine was gently lifted down in front of the platform that lead up into the Jupiter 2.

"What kind of ship is this?" John said.

"Negative," The Robot said, drawing the men's attention. "This is not a ship."

"What is it, Robot?" Will asked, as he joined Don's side.

"A beacon," The Robot replied. "There is another just like it from around the academy."

On the white screen appeared a familiar face that had genuinely aged.

"This is Commander Gampu of Space Academy," Gampu started.

"They are right about the uncanny resemblance," Don noted.

"Sapient residents of this planet should be forewarned of authorized visitors who pose no harm or share any ill will to you," Gampu said. "Any hostilities will be defused diplomatically but if the conflict requires it then violence will be necessary. Do not be alarmed of the rather unusual crew members that you may see. They are from the USS Steve Irwin who are here to study the wild life and plant life. As you are aware of due to the earthquakes during the winter and the unusual orbit it has, this planet will not be around in the next 30 years. End of transmission."

The screen became black.

"Robot, can we remove the message and return it through the new void?" John asked.

"Affirmative," The Robot replied.

"John, what kind of idea are you getting?" Don asked.

"The kind that prevents the last week from happening," John said.

"Another way to make sure the battle occurred in more familiar territory," Don said, in realization.

"Exactly," John said, as the Robot opened the control panel from the back. "Don, you can record the message and we will figure out how to sent it back up there in the morning."

"So we can expect Doctor Smith still at his campsite in the morning," Penny said.

"The chances of that are high," the Robot replied. "Or being a thorn in a new comers side."

"That is a good plan," Don said.

"Alive and well," Will said.

"Yes," John said. "But. . ." he held his index finger. "we have to act as though nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Don't arouse his suspicion."

"That will be easy!" Penny said, chipper.

"Just tell Doctor Smith that you are checking up on him," he had a brief pause. "But if he isn't . . ." He scanned the faces of his family one by one considering the thought of it. "then we may be living out the timeline that can't be fixed."

"If it can't be fixed," Will said. "It'll be for the best," Maureen looked down toward Will. "I like the idea of him going out trying to help people rather than dying from the trouble that he got into."

"Me too," Penny said.

"Me three," Judy said.

"So do I," Maureen said.

"I can live with that," Don agreed.

Debbie gave a thumbs up.

"We all agree on it," John said, in-between the laughter that illuminated from the family. "Now, off to bed," John gestured toward the Jupiter 2. "Tomorrow is a new day."

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

KaraQ stared at the nice collection of humanoids that had been gathered during the battle.

KaraQ came to a stop at the last humanoid, the old man, more importantly, the one pretending to have been Commander Gampu.

The old man had a lot more guts that KaraQ had anticipated.

A feature that was admired. Acting, period, that he was someone else and playing them like a fiddle. KaraQ moved toward the console across from the ill gained specimens to future experiments. The old man had a gash on his head. His hands still coated in blood. His hair disheveled, his sleeves stained more than his fingers, and his outfit was still covered in some of the quick sand that had clung on to the outfit. The old man was stuck in the position that he had been transported in unlike how the others had their eyes closed and hands to their side, Smith's eyes were open. Clearly full of terror, his fingers out stretched, and bend in a unusual position.

Someone so admirable deserved to go first.

Kara typed in a code into the console.

The human reappeared into a booth.

In the next moment, he grew animated.

KaraQ watched him fall back landing to the corner of the object looking in both ways.

Sweat was dripping down his skin, with arms out stretched grasping on to the wall paneling. The old man screamed looking on to see the strange individual with antennas that were long but thin coated in dark fur and had unusual carved features into his face that seemed human yet alien at best. The old man fell back to the ground, shielding himself, slowly becoming incoherent and fell apart pleading for his life with a tremble.

KaraQ stared at the old man then played with the machinery watching the hysterical human.

"Ah," KaraQ said. "So helpless," KaraQ grew a smile despite the developing headache. "Right where I want you."

It reminded KaraQ why exactly the hysterical human was deemed a subject that would be a annoyance and tossed aside. The Robinsons couldn't replace the old man, it became apparent to them, but nothing could replace blending in for the human. KaraQ set in the lines of the experiment then watched the man hurl forward screaming in pain falling to his knees then to the floor. For KaraQ, everything was occurring in black and white. The human was glowing while laid on the floor appearing to be overwhelmed.

The human's uniform became torn at places, new sets of arms appeared underneath his arms, his figure lengthened, his dark hair became wild even thinner becoming longer than before, his ears grew larger but pointed, and his hands grew sharper even longer yet remaining the same size, the fat around his ring vanished leaving thin sinister fingers, and his face was undergoing a more painful transformation. KaraQ observed how the human kept hanging on despite the radical changes going on internally and externally.

The shoes broke apart revealing long feet with long toenails.

The life signs indicated the human kept holding on.

"How interesting," KaraQ observed. "Seems humans can stand the pain the more."

KaraQ pressed on the buttons then watched as the mutated human stopped glowing. His outfit was in tatters laying around him then slowly got up covering his body with his new found arms appearing to be vulnerable with a hunched demeanor. His body decorated in what seemed to be large gold pieces embedded into the skin. KaraQ observed the lack of the genitalia then grew even the more pleased and walked around to see the two rounded bulbs into the mutated ones back. The old man's legs were bent like the hind quarters of a dog.

"Wonderful," KaraQ said. "Wonderful."

The newly changed features of the naked, but cold old man showed pain then in the next moment, the old man was returned into the pod perfectly still and eyes were closed.

"You're going back to show what you really are," KaraQ said.

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

Smith reappeared on the surface of Priplanus out of thin air unsettling the sand beneath him. His legs gave out, aching, from beneath him. His head ached the most. Smith was on his back feeling his intestines were swollen. His entire body was aching. He reached his hands out to see duplicates of them in his vision. More than one vision, anyhow. His hand froze while processing the information. His numerous eyes blinked in unison turning the darkened blue sky to black without any sign of stars then reopened them again to spot his ring on one hand in each eye. Long, fine strands of hair went down his face. His body was covered in bruises from being thrown in the last few hours. Thrown against what? He had no idea while shivering.

There were dozens of them as he moved his hands from side to side. He bolted up placing a hand on his stomach then leaned forward feeling the urge to puke coming up his throat---and it came out like a speeding torpedo. Smith got up to his feet moving away from the scene then walked past a bush. He walked backwards observing the height. A memory flickered in his mind. He was giant once from eating something that he shouldn't have.

Wait, was he a giant . . . again? This time, permanently? Not a sneeze could help him out of his one. Was what Smith had felt. He felt along the small tree branches with his fingers that belonged to his two lower arms. Smith stopped, the cold temperature brushing against his skin, observing how different his arms looked. There were bumps that didn't belong that had stood out in terms of shape and size. They were never like that. Pink and full of life! Smooth but squishy. Smith reached his hands forward on to his face feeling the differences stand out and the shape of his hands became even more obvious to his eyes when sliding his fingers up his face.

Smith let out a loud cry of despair falling against the tree branches.

From the Jupiter 2, as Don was going up, he turned in the direction of the cry appearing to be caught off guard at the familiar noise.

"Just the wind," Don said, then walked into the Jupiter 2.

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

It was morning when the giant cyclops were foraging for food on the surface. One cyclops spotted one of the beings from the sky waving at them then slowly crept after her, she looked over her shoulder with a smile and laughed leading the cyclops astray. She vanished from among the rocks before the cyclops eyes. The cyclops stopped then glared down upon the white item in front of them. The cyclops didn't observe the Robinsons hiding behind a large rock who crossed their fingers hoping against chance with the Chariot in the background behind them. They watched the cyclops pick up the white item then climb up a mountain.

With a screech, the cyclops tossed the item into the sky where it soared through the atmosphere hurling in the direction of a small void that showed the two moons of Priplanus from across the planet then vanished into the void breaking through it. A pair of seekers came out then clasped on to the object and towed it into the docking bay. Yellow team 1 surrounded the beacon observing the damage into the metal that had been put into it. Gampu entered the room with hands linked behind his back rubbing his wrist appearing to be in one of his usual moods. He came to a stop in between.

"You are dismissed, yellow team 1," Gampu said. "Your instant response was appreciated."

"Oraco," came the reply then they split off from the commander.

Gampu approached the monitor that glowed a bright yellow then he squinted at the screen.

"This is Major West, pilot of the Alpha Centauri Jupiter 2 mission," Don's voice came over and stepped into the camera's view, drawing emotion from Gampu.

Don unexpectedly just stared at it as though contemplating what to say next very carefully.

"Major?" Gampu said, surprised. "How is this possible? You are not supposed to be on Priplanus the week after. . . " his voice dripped in melancholy while lowering taking in appreciatively the sight of a old frenemy growing a fond but sad smile. "Oh dear, I forgot how young you were."

"We lost someone yesterday who tried to help Blue Team 1 acting as Commander Gampu to make it past a threat back into present day," Gampu stroked the screen with his eyes growing emotional listening attentively to every word coming from the long dead figure. "Here is what will happen if you don't ask for protection from Fleet Command or Planetary Command, whichever it is, during Blue Team 1's graduation. . ."