The White Spot

<p>The planet did not look promising but they had no choice. When a ship's drive blows between star systems it has to be fixed. If metal parts must be recast and machined and burned-out wiring has to be pieced together and insulated by hand the job takes literally months. And if then getting home is a matter of more months of journeying with a drive that still limps while coughing and cutting off for seconds or until it is tinkered with — why the traveler has to find some way to renew his food supply. Even on an alien planet. Even on an alien planet with intelligent life...</p>