Alcantaran 1: Alien Abduction Read Online Free Page B

to escape.   He decided to comply for now and bide his time.   He really didn't want to be zapped with that ray again.   He slowly walked up the ramp and grabbed a bag.   He carried it to the grav-sled and threw it down.   He turned and slowly walked back into the flying machine and repeated the process.   When all of the sacks were unloaded, Sabah took Gus to a grav-sled and told him to start loading the boxes in another flying machine.   He showed him where to store the boxes and told him to make sure that the stacks were tight and neat.   Gus got all of the boxes in the flying machine and then Sabah showed him how to put a net over them and secure them.   Another grav-sled arrived and Sabah told Gus to start loading these items next to the boxes he had just secured.   Gus noticed that Sabah was supervising about 20 other large alien creatures.   Gus didn't see any other Sandghosts but some of the other creatures were as big as he was; however, they didn't seem to think on their own.   They acted more like the robots Gus saw occasionally.
    Gus didn't know how long he continued to work because there was no way to tell time.   There were no clocks and the lights never varied.   Finally, Sabah collected all of the creatures in his control and they started walking single file back to the elevator that Gus had come down earlier.   Sabah indicated that Gus should fall in at the tail of the line while the robed Challekan brought up the rear on its' disk.   The line entered the elevator and Sabah touched the elevator controls to make it move upward.   When it came to a stop, the line moved down the passageway to a large hall where the other creatures picked up trays that contained food.   When it came Gus' turn, he found a tray with food that he recognized but of such poor quality that ordinarily he wouldn't have eaten it.   Now he knew that he had to have nourishment to keep up his strength.   Gus looked around and saw several hundred assorted creatures eating in the hall.   He noticed that there was very little conversation between the different species.   If there were two of a kind sitting together, they might be talking but there was no conversation between different species.
    As soon as the group was through eating, Sabah indicated that Gus should fall back in at the rear of the line.   The line left the dining hall and headed down the passage-way.   They walked for a little way and Sabah indicated that Gus and three other creatures should enter a room to the side.   Gus saw a room just like the one he had awakened in.   The other creatures headed to the bunks and lay down.   As soon as Gus was in the door, it shut behind him.   He turned and tried to open it but found it was locked.   Gus paced for awhile but the hard day of work and getting zapped was taking its toll.   He approached the open bunk and laid down.   One of the creatures got up and walked over to the depression in the floor.   Gus saw that the depression was the equivalent of a bathroom.   The creature touched a spot on the wall and a water nozzle came out.   The creature drank from it and returned to its bunk.   Shortly the lights dimmed and Gus drifted off to sleep.
    A bell chimed and the lights brightened.   Gus awoke with a start and looked quickly around.   The other creatures were getting out of their bunks and shuffling toward the door.   Gus lay there for a little longer and suddenly the door opened.   The other creatures shuffled out and in just a few seconds, Sabah stepped into the door.
    "When the bell chimes, you are to line up to go to work.   We don't have time to waste and this will be your only warning," Sabah said.
    Gus jumped lightly down from the bunk and quickly strode through the door.   The line of creatures wasn't far so he hurriedly caught up.   They went to the same dining hall as last night and had the same quality of food.   Gus ate but he didn't like it.   The creatures finished eating,