Carefully he manipulated them to grasp the inner box by its lower end-edges, and experimentally lift it an inch or so. Finding that it balanced, he slowly made the servo-mechanism lift the heavy container from its ages old resting place and up onto the "top" surface of the ship, near the stern. Making sure it was securely held there, he put on his suit, gathered up his welding outfit, and went outside and climbed onto the hull.
Going to where the box rested, he began the task of welding its bottom back-edge onto the metal hull. Then he released the grip of the handlers and, leaving them dangling in the air, welded the other three bottom edges.
Finished, he turned off his torch, rose to his feet and started back. But after a step or two he stopped and thought.
"Pop," he said into his suit-radio, "do you hear me?"
"Yes, Jon," the answer came back at once into his earphones. "What is it?"
"I was just wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to spot-weld a few places along the edges of the cover, too, so there'd be less chances of its coming open. It'd be easy to open it later."
"How's it fastened now?"
"Just a simple hasp."
"Better touch it in a few places, then, to make sure."
"Right."