DR. AGES
The mission protocols are simple. <He explained as they
walked along the
gantryway that led into the ship> Justin Robinson is in
command, unless
you run into a combat situation. In that case, you'll take
command.

How many times did Sergant Brutus have to tell them? He
wasn't
interested in the job.

SERGANT BRUTUS
I'm a fighter pilot, sir. There must be better candidates than
me.
<They reach the entry hatch> In fact, Sullivan is a much
better pilot.
He'd be perfect for this mission...<He stopped talking as the
blast
doors opened and he saw the interior>

He walked onto the bridge, checking out the setup. It was
the
most amazing spacecraft he'd ever seen. It was huge, with
state-of-the-art equipment. It looked more technologically
advanced
than anything he'd ever flown. Two pilots' chairs faced a
giant
windscreen. There were monitors everywhere. The ship looked like
it
could be programmed to lift off on its own. Dozens of
technicians were
busy running last-minute checks.

SERGANT BRUTUS
Looks like somebody sprang for the full extras package on this
baby.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
If you have to baby-sit...it's not such a bad nursery. Wouldn't
you
agree Sarge?

A female mouse in coveralls walked toward them. When it came
closer, Brutus noticed that it was a girl-mouse.

JENNY ROBINSON
I don't get it. I can't get the cryosleep systems up over
96%.

DR. AGES
But Doctor Ninjara Smith approved the specifications.

JENNY ROBINSON
Yes, but Doctor Ninjara Smith is the base physician. I'm the one
who's
responsible once this ship is in flight. These freezing tubes
will be
perfect, or this ship will not launch.

DR. AGES
Absolutely doctor.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
Jenny, I'd like you to meet Sergant Brutus. He's taking Rasco's
place
as pilot.

JENNY ROBINSON
Hmmm. He looks heavier than Rasco. We'll have to recalibrate.
<She
looked him up and down>

SERGANT BRUTUS
I'd be happy to discuss my dimensions, Doctor, anytime.

Jenny's eyes narrowed as she stared at him. She didn't
return
the friendly handshake.

JENNY ROBINSON
Brutus. I've read about you. You're a war hero, aren't you?

SERGANT BRUTUS
Well, yes. Actually, I am.

JENNY ROBINSON
Who was it who said that those who can't think, fight?
<Trying to
remember> Oh, right. That was me! <She giggles>

SERGANT BRUTUS
Boy, she's about as warm as one of those freezing tubes over
there.

JENNY ROBINSON
Oh, and dad? <Turns around> I'm not going to make it home
for dinner.

Brutus shifted nervously from one foot to the other. The
woman
he criticized was Professor Robinson's oldest daughter?

SERGANT BRUTUS
It's going to be a long flight, isn't it?

JUSTIN ROBINSON
Looks that way sucker. <Gives thumbs up sign>

When he got home, Professor Robinson paused in the doorway
of
the dining room. The long table was set with the remains of
dinner and
celebration party. He had missed his last dinner on Earth. On
the
sideboard against the wall, Justin spotted a small scale
model.
Timmothy's miniture time machine. He picked it up. A metal
gold-plated
star with the words FIRST PLACE dangled from the prototype. He
smiled,
proud of his son.

BRISBY ROBINSON
He won first prize again.

Glancing at the stairway, Justin saw his wife walking down
the
stairs, wearing her pajamas and bathrobe.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
A non-working prototype for his time machine.

BRISBY ROBINSON
You missed dinner. For that matter, so did everyone else.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
I'm sorry about dinner. The new pilot...

BRISBY ROBINSON
Justin, the family needed you here.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
This mission is about our family. You know we wouldn't be going
unless
we could bring the children. So doing our job wouldn't mean
leaving
them behind.

BRISBY ROBINSON
I know, Justin. But while you were out saving humanity, Timmothy
caused
a power shortage at school today, just to get your attention.
Martin
got dragged home by security. And now Jenny's still at Mission
Control.
She's become as much of a ghost around here as you.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
I'm sorry, Brisby. I've been so busy lately, trying to get ready
for
the launch.

BRISBY ROBINSON
And what do you think I'm doing? Throwing parties?!

JUSTIN ROBINSON
No, of course not! I know you're revising the life science
protocols, I
meant...<But Brisby interrupted him>

BRISBY ROBINSON
And I'm also trying to handle 2 kids who are leaving an entire
planet
behind. There aren't any books on how to deal with this
Justin.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
I know. And maybe it dosen't do any good to save a world of
families if
we can't save our own. Is that it, Professor?

BRISBY ROBINSON
Pretty much. <She smiled> Why did we have to make the
earth sick? <Gazes
sadly out the window at the city of Thorn Valley>

JUSTIN ROBINSON
I know you are scared honey, I'm scared too.

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. They
walked up the stairs together, pausing outside Timmothy's
bedroom. As
he peeked through the doorway and watched Timmy sleeping, Justin
picked
up the dog tags he wore on a silver chain around his neck.
His
father's. His father, who had been too busy fighting battles to
attend
his science fairs when he was a child. Some things never change,
he
thought sadly as he kissed Timmothy goodnight.

Ninjara Smith listened to the whir of the conveyer belt
moving
items into the cargo-hatch. She hated the smell of the old cargo
drum
she'd chosen to hide inside. Of course, she had chosen one
marked
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS so she had only herself to blame.

DR. NINJARA SMITH
Who cares? <Said to herself> As long as I make it onto the
ship.

She felt the cargo drum being rolled. She steeled herself
against a wave of nausea to vomit or hurl as she tumbled end
over end
like a pair of clothes in a dryer. Finally the rolling stopped.
There
was a loud clinking noise as a giant crane locked onto the top
of the
drum. Then Ninjara felt herself being lifted into the air.
Finally she
was deposited into the ship with a crash. Hours later, the ship
was
finally empty of all its preparation crews. Ninjara Smith popped
off
the top of the cargo drum and hoisted herself out. She made her
way
onto the lower deck where the TERMINATOR bay was located. She
just had
one more thing to take care of, and her mission would be
complete. And,
after that, she would be RICH!!!

She walked up to the main wall bank of computers and found
the
right spot. Then, placing a small keypad onto the panel, Dr.
Ninjara
turned on the device. She hit a switch on the panel and all the
system
indicators glowed in response. The system was up and running.
Ninjara
typed the necessary commands into the computer.

DR. NINJARA SMITH
Forgive me for waking you my mechanical friend from your deep
sleep.
But the time has come to awaken. What are your orders
Terminator?

TERMINATOR T-800
TERMINATOR IS ON-LINE. <The voice spoke through the voice
chip in the
keyboard> REVISING PRIMARY DIRECTIVES. ONE - PRESERVE THE
ROBINSON
FAMILY AT ALL COSTS. TWO - MAINTAIN THE SHIP SYSTEMS. THREE
-

DR. NINJARA SMITH <Irritated>
Spare me the chatter. <She entered more commands, silencing
the T-800's
voice> I have far more evil deeds in store for you.
<Inputs new commands
into the keyboard>

She flicked a switch to complete the reprogramming. Then she
stood back, waiting for the TERMINATOR to speak.

TERMINATOR T-800
TERMINATOR IS ONLINE. REVIEWING PRIMARY DIRECTIVES. ONE -
SIXTEEN
HOURS INTO MISSION, DESTROY ROBINSON FAMILY. TWO - DESTROY ALL
SYSTEMS.

DR. NINJARA SMITH
Now that's more like it. See you later metal man, NOT!

She pulled the reprogramming module off the main computer
and
shoved it back into the housing for it on her uniform. She
chuckled to
herself as she climbed into a chute marked WASTE DISPOSAL. This
should
lead her right outside the Discovery-2. Ninjara began crawling
down the
chute. As she did, the module on her chest began beeping. The
sound
echoed off the chute's round walls.

DR. NINJARA SMITH
What now?! <Mutters angrilly>

She pressed a button on the module's side, turning on the
communications link. A second later, the face of the
business-rat from
the desert appeared above her head.

BUSINESS-RAT
Apparently you have completed your mission on schedule. I do so
admire
a good spot of timely terrorism.

DR. NINJARA SMITH <Eyes blazing>
HOW DARE YOU! I told you never to call me here! The transmission
could
be traced. Why are you contacting me? <Seethed with
rage>

BUSINESS-RAT
I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your loyalty.
Good
work, Doctor. And goodbye. <Then he began laughing
evilly>

Ninjara stared at the 3D image. Why would anyone go to so
much
trouble to thank her? They wouldn't. They wanted something else.
They
wanted to get rid of her, take her out of the BIG PICTURE!
Suddenly the
module on her chest overheated. Ninjara ripped it off, throwing
it onto
the floor, but it was too late. The module sent an electrical
shock
through her body, causing her to scream in pain as her body
jerked and
convulsed with agony. The next thing, the evil vixen samauri
collapsed
onto the floor, her eyes rolled back and everything went
BLACK!