"It would take days," replied Commander Janus, "and we're lucky to be away from there as it is!"
"But—"
"Haven't you had enough action this trip?" Janus snapped.
"Look," Ross said suddenly, pointing down at the tiny satellite they had just left. Blasting out into space from that planet was a sleek, black space-ship.
Janus exclaimed: "That's Perrin—I'd recognize his ship anywhere! That must have been his rocket-plane we saw fighting with the Brain! And we came out here to get that pirate!"
He leaped to the radio, clicked it on. "Attention Perrin! Perrin, in the Princess! Commander Janus of Earth Patrol ship Wasp speaking. We now have our long-range blast trained upon you, and you cannot outrun a Patrol ship. You will please go into a drift while we come over to board you."
A voice replied almost immediately, calm and a little amused: "Very well, Commander, do not get excited. I was just coming over to you, but if you wish, come to me instead." The rockets of the Princess immediately ceased blasting, and the pirate ship drifted just a few hundred miles away.
The Wasp drew near and made contact. Janus spoke again: "Our lock is ready. I should prefer that you came across, Perrin. No tricks!"
A minute later Perrin stepped through their lock with his hands held high, mockingly. He was tall, darkly handsome, with a straightforwardness that put Commander Janus ill at ease. Perrin smiled and looked down at his belt. "My pistol, Commander? That is customary I believe."
Janus stepped forward and took it. Perrin lowered his hands and said, "That is better. I was going to come over anyway, and see who it was I saved down there. I thought you were Earthmen, but I wasn't sure."