"All right," said the pirate. "The rest of you can return to your fellows. Baldy! Hey, Baldy!"
A second Earth man strolled across the deck. He was short, older than most of the freebooters.
"Take these men aboard the Rocket," the first renegade directed. "You know what to do with them."
Baldy grinned, saluted. "Come along, you buccaneers," he commanded.
Norman caught Jennifer's eyes. She was staring at him in astonishment. He waved, trying to convey reassurance across the space that separated them. Slowly a flush burned up from the girl's throat. With a look of scorn, Jennifer deliberately turned her back.
Norman gaped after her in consternation. He had expected her to realize that he was joining the pirates in order to help her. He certainly had no ambition to go gallivanting through space capturing space ships.
"Hey you," said Baldy, "move along there."
Norman jumped, trailed after the new recruits. He would help the girl in spite of herself. He visualized himself standing off a dozen black clad figures while Jennifer boarded a small space craft. Then he tumbled in beside her, wrenched the controls wide open: "You're wounded," Jennifer cried. "Norman, I didn't understand. Can you forgive me?"
"Hey," growled the man in front. "For God's sake, quit tramping on my heels."