A cruel kind of agony (Lost in Space 1998/Lost in Space 1965)

A hopeful outlook

Smith looked over toward Will's bruised hands then came over to the cabinet. The children were leaving in a organized line except for Will. The gravity bed was deactivated so Will was allowed to be sitting on the edge of it when Smith returned with a clipping and a roll of gauze. Smith wrapped a white fabric around Will's hands. Will kept his hands still letting him do the wrapping and pinning the metal between the wrapping when he came to a stop. Will curiously looked up in the direction of Smith.

"Why do I need my hands bandaged up?" Will asked. "My hands are not hurt."

"Play along, child," Smith said, patting on Will's shoulder. "If I can help it, you won't be working."

"Won't that be a red flag for Shar'bog?" Will pointed out.

"He won't know you're not hurt," Smith said, coming to a thin like device on the table. "I intend to keep it that way."

"I don't know how I am going to eat with this," Will said.

"As I said, schedule is moving up," Smith said. "You won't have to eat miner food, again."

And it sounded like a promise coming from Smith.

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General Goddard and this Major West shared a uncanny resemblance except they were split apart by decades and a entire alternate universe. Smith recalled Daniels death, a very well performance that didn't have as much blood spilled in the room. Smith recalled Daniels's excitement of joining the Jupiter 2 crew to bring them to Alpha Prime and have the second hyper gate built. Smith recalled pouring the contents of the poison into Daniels's glass then twirling it with a spoon.

The fateful act that ensured Major West being assigned as pilot to the Jupiter 2. It turned out that Daniels was never the original pilot assigned to the Jupiter 2 in this universe and it was always Major West in the pilot seat. General Goddard visited Smith often in the lab during the construction of the Robot. There were some characteristics that didn't change between the universes. What little he had seen of this Major West was like a mirror of the General only younger, optimistic, and perhaps still as wary. And maybe, more hopeful. Perhaps, if he read the man right, the Major might share the same intense dislike of him.

Per the Batman punch to the face.

Smith expected that to happen, eventually, after he came across the Major.

Asides to differences, this Will didn't resort to attempt getting his father's attention. He didn't strive to become the very best scientist or inventor. He had no reason at all, according to Professor Robinson. This universe was kinder to the Robinsons. So kind that they forgave likely easier than their counterparts. Don and John had radiated in hope. They were more like glowing in it when he first encountered them just like Will did. Everyone was glowing in this universe as though a chat filter was on for everyone. Will had a short statue that was slightly taller compared to the other version of him that his spider version had manipulated for decades. Smith hoped it wouldn't repeat. Befriending the child and manipulating him to do as he willed.

Smith watched the colorful, glowing children come out of the medical room while leaning against the doorway.