Chronos had a nod toward the assistant. Gampu turned away from the machine then slowly strolled away observing the lab taking the golden case with him. The assistant came toward a strange machine that had a large hula hoop shifted sideways with gadgets hooked into it including large water coolers that were blowing off steam and the thick hula hoop was rattling. The assistant typed pressed a few colorful buttons. Gampu slowly approached the machine with worry seen on his face ad slightly afraid. He slid the photograph into his utility belt then made sure to close it. There was heat radiating from the machine.

Clouds formed from the center taking on different tunes and forms. He walked up the small set of stairs. He could see the inside of the residential deck. His heart leaped. It had been three hundred years since he had last seen the interior. It was dark and cozy just the way that he lied it. Gampu observed Will's cabin door was open revealing that he was staring at the cieling with his hands on the top of the blanket playing with his thumbs in his orange pajamas. He walked through the hula hoop then turned to see that it had vanished behind him. The doors to the other members of the Robinsons cabins were closed except for the major's quarters.

To Gampu all the color was gone only leaving it in monotone.

No wonder directors chose to have techicolored films turn to black and white when time traveling to the early 20th century.

He found that his uniform had too changed color.

The change of color had to be because of the time travel.

Gampu slowly made his way into Will's room observing that he had a head comforter underneath his head then sat down into the chair left out beside the cot.

"You are thinking too much," Gampu said, softly in a whisper.

Will shook his head.

"Not too much,"

"Your concern is unnecessary, my boy, as I will be perfectly fine,"

Will looked over with widened eyes.

"Do---!" Will started to say but Gampu covered the boy's mouth with a glare then took his hand off the boy's mouth. Will leaned up from the bed with his hand on the edge. "Why are you still in that uniform?" Will asked. "You should be in the clothes mom gave to Sakaar."

"William. . ." Gampu said. "This is who I am," he gestured toward himself then pointed toward the uniform. "This is what I swore my loyalty to." he gestured toward his uniform. "This is what I devoted a good portion of my life to protecting, upholding, and abiding."

"Why?" Will asked, hurt. "Why couldn't you have came down with the space academy?"

Gampu had a nod.

"That is a fair question," Gampu asked. "And you deserve to know."

"First, answer this," Will said. "Do you come back?"

"He will," Gampu said, nodding his head earning a head tilt from Will.

"Are you okay?" Will asked.

"I am," Gampu said.

"Really okay?" Will asked, concerned.

Gampu leaned forward then placed a hand on Will's shoulder.

"I am okay," Gampu said. "And always will be." he looked at the boy, fondly. "William, if I left emergency control bay then I would have doomed everyone. I have to be there," there was hurt on the boy's face. "or else Dragos wins." Will turned his head away looking down toward his knees. "Leaving everyone around me in pain is a acceptable price to make sure that battle goes the way it should."

"You haven't gone through it yet," Will said.

Gampu nodded his head taking his hand off Will's shoulder.

"I have made my sacrifice for the family," Gampu said. "A big sacrifice."

"How big of a sacrifice?" Will asked.

"I get to spend the rest of my life knowing that I won't live for the 25th century," Gampu said. "Death by old age."

Will handed the head comforter to the older man.

"You need this more than I do, Commander Gampu," Will said. "But you're always going to be my friend," Gampu placed the head comforter into his head. "No matter what happens."

"Speaking of that," Gampu said. "There is events that are bound to happen, he may look dead but he is not and I really would like you not to leave until he wakes up."

"I can do that," Will said, nodding his head.

"I know I will happen because if it didn't," Gampu grimaced. "I don't want to think about it."

"People die," Will said.

"Yes," Gampu said, grimly. "a lot of people."

"So you're pretty important," Will said.

Gampu shook his head.

"No, William, my family is more important than anything in the universe," Gampu said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder leaning forward. "If you weren't, I would have let the battle occur but would not have been there to see it happen. Space battles are nasty and so is a star war," he reached his hand back looking on admiringly with his clasped hands. "It's just a unexpected good thing that we happened to defeat the army."

"So," Will said. "How did you get off the Space Academy and back here?"

"I haven't experienced that," Gampu said. "But I have seen it."

"What happened?" Will asked.

"I am not at liberty to tell you," Gampu said.

"You can tell me," Will said.

"I forgot," Gampu said.

"Now, you gotta tell me," Will said.

"Forgive and forget," Gampu said.

Will's face faltered.

"You were up there," Will said.

"Forget about it," Gampu said. "Just like you did with his mistakes. Do realize, he is young and a fool who wasn't trained for space like you were."

"I do," Will said, then eyed the commander. "You know what happens next."

"You get off this planet this month," Gampu said.

Will looked at the man in skepticism.

"Without you?" Will shook his head. "No."

"Silly boy," Gampu said, light heartedly placing a hand on the boy's forearm. "No need to fear, Smith is here to stay."

"Really leave this planet?" Will asked, his eyes growing big earning a nod from the commander.

"And never come back," Gampu said. "We don't take the space pod but the Jupiter 2."

"With our family?" Will asked.

"With them, too," Gampu said, then got up taking the head support with him. "I have to go now, you have a really big month ahead of you."

Gampu headed toward the doorway.

"Hey," Will said. "You think you are going to leave without a hug this time?"

Gampu stopped in his tracks in between the two sections of the corridor. I want to stay, his entire being screamed but the other half of him was demanding that he leave. Time was extremely precious being spent. It was his life that was being used. It was also Will's time. What did he want to leave on the boy's tape? Good moments that didn't fade away.

"Alright," Gampu said, turning toward the boy. Then held up his index finger. "Just one."

"Just one is all I need, Commander Gampu," Will said.

Gampu knelt down to the young boy and allowed him into a hug so the commander lowered his shields.

I miss you so much, Doctor Smith.

A tsunami of love sent Gampu off guard as he grasped onto the boy. It was difficult to let go of the boy. Difficult to pry himself away from the boy. Slowly, but surely, he raised his shields up making sure to record the feelings. The feeling of being hugged by a young boy. He opened his eyes looking at the monotone boy who was grinning from ear to ear looking back up toward him. The respect, admiration, and the feelings of family was still written on the boy's face. His mind was aching all over from the unexpected wave right now putting itself together. He was going to have a bad migraine over it.

"Good night, William," Gampu said. "And sleep tight."

"I will," Will said, as Gampu picked up the head support pillow. "See you in the morning."

Gampu turned toward him.

"What makes you think you'll see me in the morning?" Gampu asked, playfully raising a brow. "You might see me after disobeying your father again going out at night."

"Are you?" Will asked, cupping the side of his face.

Gampu closed the door on Will then carefully looked around placing his back against. The end of the conversation with Will had went better then he thought it would be. He got to say goodbye in his own way that was under his terms. Words intending for another meet up that was going to happen and had happened. Will moved on to the side of the bed, adjusting himself, then closed his eyes and fell asleep in a better mood with a smile on his face. He climbed up the ladder coming to face the scene of the bridge. Smith moved toward the empty chair beside Don then sat down and moved the comforter behind his head.

He saw the cosmos revealing themselves being bright and large that stood out than how the stars did flying through space. A beautiful sight that was more of a light show being shown off by the universe itself. Sights like these made Gampu appreciate night the most away from big cities. Even the mysteries out there that made being out in space more worth while. To be in shock and awe at what space had to show. Marveling at the beauty that still lurked around the galaxy. Gampu looked toward the rather young pilot. Don had been so young.

We all had been young back then, Gampu had to remind himself, and full of hope.

He could tell from the man's features that something was bothering him.

"You shouldn't let your guilt eat you up, Major," Gampu said, earning a snort from Don.

"Says the person who acts like he doesn't have any," Don said.

Gampu chuckled, bemused.

"Coming from the man thinking he is hearing someone who isn't there," Gampu said, teasingly. "I am baffled how you can reply to that."

Don shook his head looking away from the undoubtedly a hallucination.

"I don't get you," Don said. "You could have gone to the caves or came back." he looked toward Gampu. "Why didn't you?"

"Fear, terror, self preservation took over and I believed I could fight it," Gampu replied. "Tired of being seen as the weak link," I would have done it if it were the only option available to me, Gampu thought to himself, Going out with a fight. "I had to prove myself to you that I could survive alone."

"You were trapped in a corner," Don said.

"Everyone has to make a sacrifice," Gampu said. "I don't expect you to understand mine."

"I can understand sacrifices but fighting a werewolf?" Don shook his head. "That is not a sacrifice. There was no sacrifice to be made."

"I respect you as a colleague and nemesis," Gampu said. "I thought it was worth a shot. Sacrifice a chance at getting out instead of letting fear control me. I thought you would approve of that."

"Yeah, but you lost that battle," Don said, bitterly.

Gampu was taken back looking toward the major in concern.

"Who says I ever lost the fight to live?" Gampu asked.

Don looked Gampu.

"Why are you like that?" Don asked.

It was quiet between them while Gampu stared at him, his face unchanging, blinking.

"Like what?" Gampu asked, slowly raising a brow.

"In that uniform," Don twirled his finger at him.

Gampu had a nod then grew a smile.

"It is the way you remember me, Major," Gampu said. "Whole and well," Just like the new memory that he was making of the major. "The last sight that you had seen me as before it happened to me." Don looked off nodding, to himself, as though thinking 'Of course!'. "You are speaking to yourself after all."

Don looked toward the night sky with wonder in his eyes.

"I don't like talking to myself," Don said.

"Neither do I," Gampu said. "It's bad form of company. Talking to yourself. Going mad."

"Which you are," Don said.

"Major. . ." Gampu softly started then his voice turned sharp. "What happened to me wasn't your fault."

"That is bullshit and you know it," Don said, looking toward the older man feeling hurt.

"You wagered, yes, you did," Gampu said, his voice softening. "And like everyone among the crew wanted to see me actively learn from my mistake but what happened afterwards was entirely my mistake and mine alone," Gampu looked up back toward the stars that reflected in his eyes from behind the window. "Yet, you blame yourself for something that was not in your control. You still feel responsible because you were suppose to make sure everyone under your charge made it to Alpha Centauri. Stowaway, rescue, or a hitchhiker it doesn't matter to you. Don't blame yourself. The professor is experiencing that self-blame on a great level than you can possibly imagine. . . Like I said," Gampu had his index finger rubbing against the edge of his eyebrow. "You don't want that eating you up."

Don briefly closed his eyes then opened them.

"How do you know?" Don asked.

"Because Major, it is my job to know these sort of things," Gampu said.

"You are not actively being a doctor," Don said.

"I never stopped being a psychologist," Gampu said.

"You don't normally show that," Don said.

"I may not be in control of myself but I do know where there is damage in my mind and how it can be healed," Gampu replied. "Right now, I am merely positive energy lurking about the realm of darkness hooking on to anything keeping a part of myself alive under a delusion that everything is alright." he had a pause clearing his throat gazing toward the night sky tapping his fingers together in his lap. "There are many things I am guilty of, ashamed, and regretful of. But what I regret the most about this situation is bringing you into pain than necessary. And I hoped I stopped the worst of it with my sacrifice. You and the Robinsons alive and well is the best deal I have ever made. I would gladly trade a extended life span for the chance that you get to Alpha Centauri."

Don closed his eyes.

"How can you be so content about this?" Don asked, looking toward the silent older man. "Because I am not."

"Am I happy about it?" There was a pause. "Yes."

Gampu had a bittersweet smile looking off toward the major.

"I have no regrets about what I have done but not for the emotional aftermath," Gampu said. "I did not intend for you to be the executor of my fate."

And he wanted to give the young man a hug for what was going to happen next. For everything that was going to happen next. For what was going to happen in the next ten years. Stranded in space acting as the leader of the crew. The tear that was starting to form was forced away. It occurred to Gampu that a squeeze on the shoulder would suffice.

"Yeah, well, we are not all psychics, Smith," Don said, Gampu got up from the chair then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Except you could have seen it coming a mile away. So confident that nothing was going to go wrong. You didn't consider something like a space werewolf happening."

Gampu squeezed Don's shoulder, apologetically.

"I am truly sorry for the pain that I have given you," Gampu apologized. "I wish it didn't have to be this way to save you. I look forward to seeing the children grow up, this time, and you having your happily ever after with the eldest daughter," Don felt the hand on his shoulder go slack. "Even if I make these situations occur where we are separated from Earth for a long period of time to have that kind of happiness."

Gampu took his hand off Don's shoulder.

"Apology not accepted," Don said.

Gampu came to a stop.

"Dear old friend, what ever you did to me or told me . . ." Gampu turned away from the portal then began to fondly reply. "I always forgave you for that. And always will."

Gampu turned away from Don then walked through the portal into Chronos's lab. The hula hoop closed and Gampu closed his eyes feeling a sense of closure coming over him then felt light for the first time in three centuries and his hands relaxed linking them behind his back. He walked down the stairs to observe no one was there. It was time for him to go so he went back in the direction that he came noticing the smoke was gathering and the clocks were vanishing but not the sound of ticking. He heard his name called then looked off.

"There's one more thing you have to see," Chronos said, catching up. "You should know how Dragos keeps finding the academy."

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

Today was the most exciting day of Gina's life.

It could also be the best day of her life leaving the academy.

Her first assignment was to be on the patrol ship USS Tufeld.

She had read from the report that she was going to be one of the helmsmen.

But she had to finish up a part of her piloting hours that hadn't been logged by her flight instructor. She was searching for one of the senior staff that was usually scattered about the campus and couldn't be spotted on a given day when on a very important rush by one person but by a crowd effort they were usually found. Her eyes were aimed on the floor searching for the figure of the manu-droid. She passed by the storage containers and random cadets changing classes until she found the small machine away from Loki who was walking past her playing his lyrotron.

"Peepo!" Gina caught up with the small machine.

"Yes, Gina?" Peepo said, turning toward her.

"Could you be my flight instructor?" Gina asked.

"Have you asked Commander Gampu?" Peepo asked.

"Tried," Gina said. "He didn't answer."

"I would be willing to," Peepo said.

"Come on, Peepo," Gina said.

"Coming," Peepo said, turning around then followed the young woman.

They walked down the corridor including making their way to the docking bay. Gina opened the door by sliding the bar aside then watched it open with a smile. Peepo floated in after the young woman moving his way toward the navigation chair. Peepo floated up into the chair before the young woman's eyes then she pressed the button making the door close from behind. She went into the pilot's chair then the seeker lifted up in the air. From academy control stood a ensign who had been alerted to the short departure a few moments ago. A voice came over the console.

"Permission to leave for flight training," Gina's voice came over.

"Granted," came the cadet's reply.

The view dived into the seeker as Gina looked over with a bright smile.

"How exciting is this?" Peepo asked.

"Very exciting," Gina said. "I can feel it in my bones."

"At least you have bones!" Peepo replied, earning her laughter in return.

The docking bay door opened before the seeker allowing it out and the docking ramp slid off the seeker allowing it out.

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

"Professor Cocupine!" Gampu called.

Cocupine stopped in her tracks then turned in the direction of the commander.

"Yes, commander?" Cocupine said, turning toward the short old man.

"I would like to have a discussion with you in private," Gampu said.

"Oraco, commander," Cocupine said, then waved her hand and walked into a empty room. "What is this about?"

The door closed behind Gampu.

"It is about your relationship with Emperor Dragos," Gampu said. "I know everything."

Cocupine turned around.

"Commander," Cocupine started. "what are you talking about?"

"I was once you, a long time ago," Gampu said. "Selling out everyone for fame and fortune . . ." He looked up sadly toward her. "I am about to do something that is worse than what you have done to the academy. Breaking my trust with you, breaking everyone's trust with you, so I will keep my mouth shut about it because this last transmission is vital to what happens today." he came to a stop in front of her. "I expect you to keep your mouth shut."

Cocupine stared at Gampu.

"What,"

"You are a good teacher and serve the academy well,"

"What,"

"I know you don't expect this but it is the kind thing to do,"

"What?"

"Let's keep this under the rug,"

He looked toward the sea of chairs.

"Under the rug?" Cocupine repeated, confused.

A sight that he may never get to see after this meeting.

"A ancient phrase," Gampu said, turning away from the scene toward Cocupine. "It means to ignore or conceal from the public."

"I can keep secrets," Cocupine said, earning a dark look from Gampu.

"Do not say that you categorically deny everything," Gampu said. "Do not say anything when it comes to the press."

"Oraco," Cocupine said.

"They will be so distracted with my betrayal that they won't bother digging into Dragos's method of finding the academy even if one of his allies mention it and the press investigates," Gampu said. "I remember when you were a young captain," he had a fond look looking off. "You were . ." he stopped, ashamed, walking away from her as he was shaking his head with his tone showing how his heart had been broken. "Promising."

It was then that it hit her hearing the disappointment in his voice did it occur how she had screwed up.

"You are throwing your career away not telling Jason that he is coming," Cocupine said.

"I can't put it into words what this transmission means," Gampu said, slowly shifting toward her halfway from the door and halfway toward her. "Because this won't be handled easily."

"It always is," Cocupine said. "You can't protect me from my mistakes."

"I am not doing it for you," Gampu said, holding his hand up. "It is for them." He lowered his hand. "Your cooperation with Dragos will immediately end no matter what the outcome of this conflict is." His stare turned into a sharp glare. "That is the only way you can make up for what you done and the only way you can serve this academy any further."

Cocupine lowered her head, briefly closing her eyes, the sting having made its mark then raised her head up.

"I will resign after the graduation," Cocupine said.

"I expect that much," Gampu said. "Among other people."

"I am not the only one?" Cocupine asked.

"Professor Allen is considering of retiring," Gampu said. "I expect that to be your reason."

"It is," Cocupine said, Gampu waved his hand in front of the console.

"Ladies first," Gampu said, gesturing toward the threshold.

"Why are you letting it happen?" Cocupine asked, coming to his side.

"I have a very precious secret to reveal anyway after this conflict," Gampu said. "I beamed over my resignation hours ago."

Cocupine walked out the doorway then Gampu looked toward the place where the cadets will set up their headquarters.

"Adieu," Gampu said, with a small wave. "Adieu." Then lowered his hand with his back to the classroom and walked out.