Thorn recognized Brun Abo, the scarred-faced Jovian pirate captain, and Kinnel King, the handsome Earthman. They, and all the mass of hundreds of Companions, uttered shouts of joy as they recognized Lana.
"You're back, Lana! We thought you dead for sure!” shouted Brun Abo joyfully. Then the Jovian's face stiffened and his hand darted to his pistol as he recognized Thorn and Sual Av and Gunner. “The Planeteers!"
"The Planeteers and Stilicho were the ones who rescued me!” Lana's silver voice rang out.
She faced the joyfully shouting mob of pirates gathered in the pale sunshine on the field. Her white face was determined, as she spoke to them in quick, ringing words.
"Companions, you know of the attack the League is making upon the Alliance,” she began.
"Aye!” roared a pirate in the throng. “We've heard on the audio. The latest word is that the League fleet has pushed the Alliance navies inside Mercury's orbit, and are trying to trap them and bring them to battle!"
"We can save the Alliance from defeat, Companions!” Lana cried, her blue eyes flashing. “On Earth's moon is a great weapon that can defeat the League, if it could be used. But Haskell Trask and a strong force hold the moon. That weapon can't be used unless we pirates storm the moon, and recapture it!"
There was a dead silence. The pirates looked at each other. Then a tall Martian broke the silence.
"Why should we do that, Lana?” he demanded. “Whether the League or the Alliance wins means nothing to us. Now, while this war is going on, is our chance to raid all commerce."
"Does it mean nothing to you that the world of your birth is about to be conquered and enslaved by a tyrant?” Lana asked passionately. “You, Kinnel — you are an Earthman, will you let Earth be ground under Trask's heel? Both of you were born on the inner worlds. You may be outlaws and pirates now, but surely you have some patriotism left?