The first mate stood by as they clambered out of the unit.
"We sure do thank you," said Jake to the ship's officer. "Another hour and it would have been too late."
"Say," said Matt, "has your ship picked up any of the others?"
"No," said the mate. "How many more were there?"
"Seven, I think. We had a ship about your size. How many are in your crew?"
"Eight altogether," said the mate. "Perhaps you had better tell the captain about your accident."
He led them to the bridge. It was a darkened compartment, with green luminescent control panel, and a great steel-glass turret overlooking the universe. Dominating the scene was a huge, dramatic closeup of Saturn, girdled by its thin, tilted rings.
"You are the captain?" said Jake to the grave elderly man at the controls.