"It was,” said the big Mercurian loyally. “Even though we didn't quite make it."
"We've got to get out of here somehow to Turkoon, that pirate asteroid,” Thorn said. “We can't just cling to this wreck until the oxygen in our suit tanks gives out."
He examined the audio and other instruments. All wrecked by the shock. “I suppose we're lucky to escape with our lives. But we've merely postponed death if we can't get away from here."
Sual Av peered out through the cracked window, into the black abyss in which they were floating. The Venusian stiffened as he glimpsed something beyond the jagged, spinning planetoid about which their wreck was revolving.
"John, a ship is running up along the edge of the swarm!” he exclaimed. “I can see its lights!"
Thorn and the Mercurian leaped to the window. They stared at the little blob of light, coming slowly closer.
"If it's one of those cruisers that pursued us, we're done for,” said Gunner Welk tautly.
"It's not!” cried Thorn suddenly. “It's a pirate ship!"