BRISBY ROBINSON
Well, the atmosphere here can sustain human life. And I've
located 500
rads of radioactive material 5 miles west.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
That's at least what we'd need to get the core functioning
again. <He
stared out at the dark, unfamiliar night terrain for a minute.
There
wasn't much point in debating what they needed to do
next>

He turned to Sergant West, who was sitting in the pilot's
chair
monitoring the ship's functions.

JUSTIN ROBINSON
We'll set off at daybreak. It'll be safer. Those are my orders,
Sarge.

BRUTUS WEST
Fine. I agree with your recommendation, Professor.

BRISBY ROBINSON
I'm glad you two could come to an agreement.

Justin knew his wife was referring to their argument earlier
in
the day. Maybe he and Brutus didn't always see eye to eye. But
one
thing was clear: they needed that radioactive material if they
ever
wanted to see humanity again.

Down in sickbay, Jenny pressed her stethoscope to Gurgi's
chest.
Martin stroked the creature's head.

MARTIN ROBINSON
It's going to be okay friend.

GURGI
I believe you master, Gurgi like Martin. Martin good friend to
Gurgi.

Jenny examined the alien's ears and eyes, which were
practically
the same size. Then, once she'd finished the old-fashioned exam,
she
ran a few quick computer checks by scanning the alien's
skin.

MARTIN ROBINSON
What's the diagnosis, Doc? Is it a boy or a girl?

JENNY ROBINSON
Right now he's a male. But I think from a self-replicating
species.
<She tapped the creature's knees, checking for reflexes>
At different
stages of life, he might be male or female.

GURGI
What? Gurgi a female? No way, hahahahahahohohohoho! <He
giggled>

MARTIN ROBINSON
Wild. He sure is an interesting specimen, huh Doc?

JENNY ROBINSON
Fascinating. The retinal aperature alone...

MARTIN ROBINSON <Interupts>
Can I keep him?

JENNY ROBINSON
Seems linked to the digital extension...

MARTIN ROBINSON
Jenny?

JENNY ROBINSON
What?

MARTIN ROBINSON
Can I keep him?

JENNY ROBINSON
Martin, he's not just a fad you can pick up for 15 minutes and
then
throw away.

MARTIN ROBINSON <Panics>
I would never do that! Please.

GURGI <Also begs>
Please, please let Martin keep me. He can be my master,
guardian. I
will be his loyal servant.

MARTIN ROBINSON
It's not like he's a hairstyle. He's all alone up here. He needs
me.
I promise I'll look after him, guard him with my life.

JENNY ROBINSON
Hmmm. The moment you neglect him, or forget to feed him.

MARTIN ROBINSON
So I can keep him, yah! <Throws victory salute>

GURGI
Yah! <Mimics gesture> Gurgi's happy day!

JENNY ROBINSON
Don't smile at me like that. I mean it. You've got to stick with
him
if you keep him.

MARTIN ROBINSON
Thanks Doc.

JENNY ROBINSON
I have to get up to the bridge and check with Mom and Dad. You
going to
hang out here?

MARTIN ROBINSON
For a minute. <He sat down in a chair and put the creature in
his lap>
We're both a long way from home, aren't we?

GURGI
Me lonely too. Gurgi has no friends, lives alone. <Just then
he noticed
the ribbons on Martin's wrist> Hey, nice thingies. Can I have
one?

MARTIN ROBINSON
Sure, take your pick, any color. <Gurgi chose the red one>
You can have
it for free my servant. <He put it around his neck>

GURGI
Thank you master. Gurgi like nice gift. <He touched the
fabric>

MARTIN ROBINSON
You're such a nice boy. Pretty boy, nice. <Stroked his
face>

Gurgi reached up and touched Martin's cheek, imitating him.

Sergant Brutus walked into Ninjara's cell that night. The
vixen
Sith Lord was sitting on the edge of the bunk looking miserable.
Brutus
tossed a ration pack of food and water at the vixen and dropped
a
blanket onto the end of his bed. That was all she deserved. If
she
deserved anything, which was doubtful.

NINJARA SMITH
Ah, Sarge. I see you've found a calling that suits your talents.
Don't
forget to turn down the bed before you leave.

Brutus glared down at her. She really was a pathetic excuse
for
a mutant.

BRUTUS WEST
I gave you my word of honor I'd let you live. I never said for
how
long.

NINJARA SMITH
Family hour is over, Sergant. It's time to face facts. We're
dying
here. Robinson is out of his league. Look at his eyes. Tell me
you
can't see his fear.

Brutus wasn't sticking around to hear any more. If Ninjara
thought she could talk him into hijacking the ship, she was dead
wrong.
He turned to leave when suddenly Ninjara levitated off the bed
using
the Darkside powers and landed in front of him, blocking his
way.

NINJARA SMITH
Robinson needs our help, Sarge. With mimimal force, we could
take this
ship and put this mission under your command.

BRUTUS WEST <Slaps forehead>
My gosh, Ninjara, you're right. You're so right! How could I
have been
so blind? I'll just run and get you a gun so that we can hijack
the
ship and take everybody hostage. Okay?

NINJARA SMITH <Frowns>
Sarcasm is the recourse of a weak mind, Sergant.

BRUTUS WEST <Grins>
Ouch. I'm hiding the pain. Really. <He walked out, locking
the door>

As soon as he was gone, Ninjara pulled a control bolt she'd
stolen from the probe ship out of the sleeve of her field suit.
She
would work on the control bolt until it was fully operational.
It
shouldn't take too long.

NINJARA SMITH
Your pain, Sergant West, is just beginning. <She sneered
evilly>

As she pried a metal bolt off the end of the bedframe, she
felt
the shoulder of her field suit rip. Probably started when that
furry
creature jumped on her back and scratched her. She reached up to
assess
the injury. Her skin felt scaly.

NINJARA SMITH
Now what on earth? Why does it itch like crazy?! Ack, Argh,
Oooh!
<Scratches at it> Ouch, damn it! Must be the dry air up
here.

Right now that was the least of her problems. She had to
figure
out how to take over the ship!