General Questions

1. The Thumb is an electronic Sub-Etha Auto-Hitching Device. If used properly, it will allow you to hitch rides aboard passing spaceships.
2. You should read the Guide entry on the Thumb.
3. You can examine the Thumb to determine whether a spaceship is within range. (If the lights are flashing, a ship is nearby.)
4. If a ship is within range, you can transport yourself to the ship (via a matter transference beam) by pushing the green button.
5. If you press the green button when there is no ship around, you'll break the Thumb.
6. Also, the Thumb will break down on its own over the course of the game.
7. If the Thumb is broken, you will not be transported when you press the green button, even if a ship is nearby.
8. A broken Thumb can be mended.
9. To do so, push the red button to summon a repair robot. See the following question for further details on repairing the Thumb.
10. There are three points in the game when you can use the Thumb.
11. The first time is near the very beginning of the game, when you use it to get to the Vogon ship.
12. The second time is when you're in the Airlock of the Vogon ship. It isn't necessary to use the Thumb here, because simply waiting a few turns has the same result.