Free Alcantaran 1: Alien Abduction by Terry Compton Page A

you are.   I'll go get it and then I can show you how to get parts."
    He quickly glided down to the work station and got the hand held computer.   When he got back, he demonstrated how to use it and how to order parts.   He explained that a messenger robot would bring the part to him.   Ron decided to test the system to see how efficient it really was.   He ordered the smashed tube, a muffler bearing and double-weight head light fluid.   From his vantage point on the engine, he could see Tik at the counter.   He heard her squeal from across the hangar as she started in about muffler bearings and double-weight head light fluid.   Suddenly she looked over at him and he waved with a big grin.   He concentrated and thought 'just send any parts'.   Her loud complaining didn't stop so he didn't know if she had received the message or not.
    Shortly a messenger robot came with three parts.   Ron knew that at least some of the thought transfer worked.   He picked up the tube and replaced the smashed tube on the engine.   He had to go back to the work station to find the items he needed to make a permanent repair to the wire.   As soon as he was done, he used the hand held computer to run a diagnostic check on the engine.   He saw that everything was satisfactory but far from optimum.   He debated for a few seconds and decided to adjust it for max performance.   He was curious to see if it affected the handling of the planetary flyer.   He didn't know for sure but suspected the other engine needed to be adjusted to balance the system out.   He wondered how many other systems were in the same shape.   He knew the space ship in which he hoped to leave the mother ship would have everything adjusted to perfection.   He wanted every edge for survival he could get.   He took the two extra parts and stowed them at the work station.   He would find some use for them later or would get them back to Tik to put back into the inventory.
    Wurden was watching and as Ron slowly climbed back down, he glided over.   He haughtily asked, "Are you through?   What were you doing with the computer there at the last?"
    Ron replied, "I needed to see how the muffler bearings were doing.   I think they improved the engines performance."
    "I see and how do you know about muffler bearings?   Our civilization is far advanced compared to yours." Wurden stated officiously.
    Ron quipped right back, "You might be more advanced but we invented muffler bearings and have some of the best in the galaxy.   Do I take the ship out to test fire the engine?"
    Wurden pulled out a personal computer and made notes in it.   He was passing information to the mother ship computer.   The Bugs were always looking for little items like the best muffler bearings in the galaxy.   They would trade for them or steal the idea and make it themselves if they could.   Wurden replied in his superior voice, "You will do no such thing.   We have competent pilots who will check everything out when the rest of the repairs are made.   Come, I will show you your next task."
    Ron followed and Wurden assigned him to his next task.   Ron found out the translator really helped him to understand the manuals for the different equipment.   He could have blazed through a lot of fixes but he deliberately worked at a very slow pace.   Finally Wurden started lining everyone up to walk back to the dining hall.
    Ron quietly asked Tik, "Did you get the healer recharged?   Do you think it will work?
    Tik murmured quietly back, "I got it charged.   We'll have to take a look tonight back in the cell."
    Ron rushed through with his meal -- mostly because he wanted to get back to the cell but also because if he ate fast, he didn't taste as much of the meal.   After what seemed like an eternity, the group lined up to head to their cells.   As soon as the door closed, Tik had to try it.   It was locked as usual so she went to her bunk.
    Tik pulled the healer unit out of her bag and