They saw the distant ship coast the edge of the vast meteor swarm for some minutes and then come to a halt in space, with a prolonged flash of its bow rocket-tubes halting it.
A moment later a cracked, shrill voice sounded from the little audiospeakers inside their helmets.
"Ahoy, Planeteers! Are any of you alive in that wreck?"
Thorn answered instantly. “We're all alive — John Thorn speaking."
"I figgered it'd take more than, a meteor-swarm to finish you three,” retorted the cracked voice, chuckling.
"Who's speaking? What ship is that?” Thorn demanded.
"Cautious, ain't ye?” said the shrill voice, with a cackle of mirth. “I don't blame you’ seeing how you boys was chased. But you needn't worry-this ain't no naval cruiser. We're Companions of Space. Want to come aboard?"
"Companions of Space? Pirates, eh?” Thorn said. “Yes, we'll come aboard."
"Figgered you would,” cackled the other. “We'll stand by, and you can come across with your impellers."
Thorn switched off his suit-audio and spoke to his two companions, clutching their arms to conduct his voice to them.