Cameron tried to be detached and objective. "Do they know we're here?"
"I don't think so. They'd have been upset if they had any idea."
"Seems likely," agreed the doctor. "We left as they were approaching. But we took off from the face nearest the planet and they came in from the opposite side. The asteroid acted as a screen."
"Probably," agreed Docchi with indifference. "How soon can you be ready?"
"Do we have to come up immediately?"
Docchi shrugged. "I can shove the scout out of the way. I don't know what will happen if and when the Star Victory gets here."
"It's too big to maneuver close to the surface of the planet."
"Perhaps. But it carries other scouts it can launch."
Cameron grimaced. "Two or three fast little ships would be difficult to brush away. But do we have to let them get close?"
"How can we stop them? Better come up while you can."