ZSROTU 09 - "Non-Existence"

"Painless !?" John yelled defensively. "That's even WORSE than death. For if I cease to exist then whole families before me, my heritage, my history, it would all be changed, isn't that corrrect ?"

PRESS CTRL = (EQUALS) TO INCREASE THE PAGE SIZE AND CTRL 0 (ZERO) TO RESET THE PAGE SIZE THIS PAGE VIEWS BEST IN FIREFOX   Lost In Space       Want to read this in a different language ? Change the TO field to your own country and click the TRANSLATE button after going HERE LOST IN SPACE Zachary Smith - Ruler Of The Universe © March 2017 Written by David Wicker Please do not reprint without permission This will be my new main Tuesday writing until the story is complete. [ CHOOSE A DIFFERENT CHAPTER ] * * * These entries are Rated: EVERYONE NON-EXISTENCE Last week as you remember, the Robinsons and Dr. Smith set out in search for the group of alien visitors that came to see them regarding their missing emissary. As it was with Smith responsible, in his fit of fear from its strange form, he commanded a blast from the sky to incinerate the visiting dignitary. Little did he know this very act will hinge upon whether or not the Robinsons and himself can be rescued from the alien planet upon which they have been residing. We now return back to John Smith who has interrupted a meeting of just what the aliens or Dralastites plan to do with them. They reach an agreement of sorts. Ferron, acting judge, agrees to drop all charges against the Robinsons if and ONLY if Dr. Smith will take the witness stand and declare that the death of their emissary was entirely unpredicted and random. John knows just how weaselly Dr. Smith can be and because of Ferron's "truth" beam, he begs the council to choose another person to represent. Ferron's voice speaks above the growing and uncomfortable murmuring. "No ! We have made our decision. It is Zachary Smith who will take the stand, or we will retract our offer of rescue." John sighed, shrugged, but then added, "Well, that's fine. I mean, we've been on this planet for a long time now. If we don't get all transported back to Earth, we can live with that." Ferron shook his head, "No John Robinson. You will not. You will not 'live with that.' For we plan to sterilize this planet of all life once we have decided what to do with you. We need it for our sister planets and colonies. There is no other way." John gritted his teeth fearfully, "Can you give us a few days to think it over ?" Ferron raised his voice even louder, as if that were possible. "No, John Robinson. We offered you that earlier. You interrupted our private council in your haste for us to make an early decision. We will honor your request and decide quickly. There will be no long days of deliberation. We will have a decision for you TODAY !" With that a cheer came up from those seated around, all except for John, who hung his head low in misery. "John Robinson." Ferron said, to get him to look at him. * * * John continued to look at the ground. "John Robinson !" Ferron yelled. John still didn't look up but held a hand out in deference, "Alright. I understand. I'll bring you Smith. But - I tell you, I think it's as good as signing our own death warrants." "Nothing so grim." Ferron said. "Should you fall against our favor, you will merely cease to exist. A painless death I assure you. There will be no suffering." "Painless !?" John yelled, now on the defensive. "That's even WORSE than death. For if I cease to exist then whole families before me, my heritage, my history, it would all be changed, isn't that correct !?" Ferron nodded. "You have a good grasp of time mechanics, John. Yes, you and your entire family would cease to have existed. It would indeed place a dent in your timeline, but not one so difficult as to rupture the very structure and foundation of your planet. It will continue on without you." There was a moment of silence as Ferron bore his alien eyes straight into John's. "I wish I could say you will be missed ..." With that there was uproarious laughter bellowing from all sides of the council at the statement as clearly, if they did as they say, there would BE no one to 'miss' them. John was in no position to argue or get angry at the joke on his account. Not here. It could all end for everyone too soon if he lost his temper or patience now. He merely nodded his head in acceptance, much like a whipped puppy, and with his tail between his legs carefully slunk out of their range back to where Will, Penny, and Dr. Smith were. Smith was first to greet him. "Good news ! We are going to Earth, yes ? I can get started packing at once ! We'll land in France and I'll treat everyone to Crepes Suzette ! Your tastebuds will sing for joy !" John's head still hung in despair. "What's the matter ?" Penny asked, the first to pick up that something was not right with Dad. John spoke quietly, "They need a statement - they want to hear the words that their emissary was not done in by our doing." "Oh I can assure you of that !" Smith countered glibly. John looked at Smith and did something strange. He smiled. But it was a smile of fatigue and defeat. "That's the very thing I'm worried about. And they ARE asking for you, specifically !" "Me !? Why me !? What did you tell them !? Spit it out !" John laughed weakly. He had to. He had never felt so helpless before. "Smith, they KNOW it's you. That you're somehow responsible. I didn't have to say a word. Now we'll do what we can because we're all in this together. But isn't there something - SOMETHING you'd like to tell me to explain why their emissary was destroyed in that bolt of lightning ?" Smith already had one protective hand over the magic ring he held behind his back. Through pursed lips he crooned soothingly, "No. Nothing at all. I can't think of anything. Err, just out of curiosity, did they mention how we were going to be executed ?" "You won't like it." John said. Smith sniffed, "Death never is pleasant, but do tell." John sat down on the rock and rubbed his hands ruefully, "They said they were going to remove us so there is no trace. That means we cease to exist. It will not only remove us but all traces of us throughout all of time on Earth. Our ancestors will never know we were at all !" Steel cold shivers ran up Smith's spine, so much so, that he staggered and fell. Finally he emitted a shriek. Even Penny had to smile at how much he sounded like her despite the severity of the situation. "Wha - what !?" Smith finally babbled in total disbelief. "We will cease to exist." John raggedly repeated. The children grew silent, weighing in precisely what that would mean. Then he looked at Smith. "Want to change your story now about not knowing anything ?" Smith shook his head, confident his magical ring could work him out of any problem. "No. Not yet. That is, I mean, I will have to really give it some thought to see if there is anything I missed in recalling what happened." As they were just about to all return back to the Jupiter spaceship, one of the aliens showed up. It pointed a freakish tentacle in the air and spoke perfect English thanks to a working translator. It pointed straight to Smith. "We are ready for you now." (to be continued) Return back HOME   You are Earth Visitor #