"They're just not answering our hail, for whatever reason."
For some reason, probably because they know I'm an escaped slave, they are willing to answer my hail.
"Now they're answering our hail and coming to a full stop."
"Do you know now who in fact answered the frigate's hail?"
But when he turned to answer her hail, she stopped.
Brian's expression was a combination of concern and irritation when he answered her hail.
Even if they didn't answer our hail, they must have gotten it.
We have no idea as yet how they got there, but they've answered the captain's hail.
In either case, it would be against the guest law not to answer her hail.
We've got to answer their hail and get them to dock.