Zucabr awoke to find that he had been robbed. He wasn't really attached to anything in this shack, besides what was in the black cabinet, and he doubted that anyone could get past the series of complex puzzles and locks to discover what it really held. Machine parts could be replaced- besides, being robbed saved him the trouble of having to clean up. He decided that this thief deserved a reward for saving him from his most despised chore. The next night before he went to sleep he left out some food and drink for the thief, as well as a thank you note, saying that the thief was welcome to visit any time, day or night, and asking what kind of tea the thief preferred. He noticed that the thief had taken Dividend and laughed to himself: "That cursed thing is not my problem anymore, I feel sorry for that thief if he tries to use it!"
After a day of more tedious work, he listened to the radio then went to bed. What he heard was concerning, but once again not his problem. Tomorrow the ships would land and the invasion of Ecana would begin.