Under alien control.

A small spacecraft, the size of a clamshell, hovered over the dark, snow-covered fields of Nebraska. Kooli, a pixie-looking character no bigger than a flea, made notes. He spoke to his pilot, "One more specimen and we'll head home."

"All right!" exclaimed Odem. He maneuvered the spacecraft between snowflakes and headed for a farmhouse where a porch light glowed. He steered through a partially open dormer and parked five inches above a sleeping boy's chest.

"Fourteen Earth years old ... male ...," chanted the computer. "Pulse: 64 ... brain waves: 2 nanowatts and erratic." Kooli was puzzled by the readings.

"Life-form is dreaming ...," the computer added.

The boy's eyes opened, but the visitors didn't see them. His hand headed for their craft. "Life-form is awake ..." wamed the computer.

"Full power, reverse!" Kooli yelled.

Odem reached for the throttle. Too late. The spacecraft shook as a hand closed over them. Kooli picked himself up and rubbed a few bruises.

"Should've fastened your seat belt," said Odem.

"Odem, get us out of here!"

"Can't. System's weak and the boy's holding on."

"Use emergency drives," commanded Kooli.

"We can only use them once."

"Then use them." The space ship vibrated and then popped from the boy's hands.

"Head for the window."

"Controls are erratic," cried Odem.

"Left thruster damaged ..." declared the computer.

The craft shattered a window-pane, lost power and spiraled to the edge of the roof. Odem cleared his head and surveyed the instruments. "Lots of repairs before we're going home."

Kooli wasn't listening. He was watching the boy climb out of the window and work his way along the roof. "Go back," he cried. "You're putting yourself in danger."

The pair cringed as the boy reached for their spacecraft, lost his footing and grabbed for nearby power lines. Sparks flew. The boy was hurled from the roof but cushioned by a snow bank below.

"We were not supposed to interfere," muttered Kooli. He watched the boy's face turn pale as snowflakes formed a thin blanket. He hadn't wanted to hurt anyone. "Any power at all, Odem?"

"Just a little."

"Use it. We can't leave tonight anyway."

The spacecraft lifted weakly and fluttered down to the boy.

Kooli pushed some buttons. "Computer?"

"Central processor damaged ... Heart rate: zero ... Brain waves: zero." The computer sounded melancholy.

"Can he be repaired?"

"Must be repaired within four minutes ...."

"We've never lost a specimen before," said Odem.

Kooli had data on how these creatures worked. "Want to try to save him, Odem?"

"If he were mine, I'd want it," Odem replied.

The two put on life-support systems, and then loaded up tools, batteries, and computer. Odem pushed a red button and a door opened. The pair jumped and landed on the boy's wrist. Odem parted the skin with an electronic knife and they climbed in. The opening closed.

"This way," said Kooli. He headed up one tunnel, and then another, always talking to the computer.

The tunnels were big. Sugars drifted about like snowflakes. "Just like home," remarked Odem. After three minutes, the two emerged into a large control room.

Odem whistled. "The whole center's burned out. Are you sure we can fix it?"

Kooli shrugged. He gave directions while Odem stripped out old circuits and linked in their electronics. Kooli pressed a button, hoping for automatic response.

Nothing.

"We only have a few seconds left," Odem urged.

Kooli was worried. The boy was taking everything they needed to repair their spacecraft.

Odem read Kooli's thoughts. "He'd die someday, anyway."

"Yes, but we had no right to shorten his life," Kooli replied. "If we repair him, we may never get home. Can you live with that?"

Odem thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Hook in our computer," Kooli commanded.

"Aye, aye, sir!" Odem connected it in a flash.

Kooli pounded some buttons and an ominous drumming shook the room.

They smiled. It was a heartbeat.

Kooli hooked up a video monitor. "See if you can open his eyes."

A bare tree and snowflakes came on the screen.

"We did it" Odem clapped his hands.

"Now let's get him to bed."

Kooli gave the commands. Odem worked the controls. Nerves activated, muscles moved. The boy first staggered, then headed smoothly upstairs.

"Maybe we'll like it here," said Odem.

"We'd better. We can't survive otherwise."

"All systems like new," said the computer.

"This kid's gonna be smart," said Kooli.

"Perhaps he can signal our rescue fleet."

"Perhaps."