He explained the working of the _Space Queen_, enjoying the chore, and they worked their way slowly backward. Amidship, Doree said, "I think I'll look in on father." She went below and almost immediately, Nicko appeared at the after end of the companionway. "We've got company, Mike." "What do you mean, company?" "Ship winging to." Mike scowled. "Out here? The radio hasn't spoken. Maybe they're in trouble and can't sound out." He ran aft, Nicko stumping along behind. He looked out the stern port. A ship all right. A slim cruiser of the D class, the light of faraway suns reflecting against its hull, giving it the ghostly appearance of all craft in space. "Ever see that ship before?" Mike asked. "Not me. I'll bet my right top arm it never moored at Outer Port. If it had we'd know the boat." "Lots of ships never moored at Outer Port. Go forward and see if you can speak to them. Maybe they can sound in." Nicko left and Mike watched the ship arc closer. Mike admired the skill of the pilot, then realized the ship was on complete automatic, taking its impulses from radar bounced against the hull of the _Space Queen_. No human pilot could hold a ship that steady. She appeared intent on locking to the _Space Queen_'s after hatch. Mike wished her all the luck in the universe and hoped he had what she was looking for. In case of illness his stock of medicines was only standard and would not cover any extraordinary cases. * * * * * Then he stiffened. There was movement next to the antenna prow on the ship's nose. A small hatch was opening. Mike cursed himself for stupidity. Yet at the same time, he could think of nothing that should have made him suspicious. These were peaceful areas. It would have been ridiculous for bandits to work this area. Raiding here made as much sense as operating in the heart of the Gobi Desert back on Terra. Even as he whirled to try and reach the control cabin in time, a steel arm shot out from the pit uncovered by the raised hatch. Mike didn't see the fine-wired grid at the end of the arm but he knew it was there and he knew its purpose. * * * * * As he ran, he sensed the magnetic wires groping toward the hull of the _Space Queen_. If they made contact-- Contact was made while he ran up the companionway. The electroparalysis bolt hit him while he was still twenty feet from the control cabin. It caught him on his right toe with his left foot extended. It froze him in that position, held him in the grotesque running pose while fire poured through his veins. It held not only Mike and every other living thing aboard, but froze the ship itself into immobility; everything stopped except the raging movement of flaming gases in the jet tubes and these too died out as their source of supply was speedily choked. Mike blacked out.