 Why does the crew get off the ship with Moran?
The plans were thrashed out very painstakingly, in formal conference on the space-yacht Nadine , with Moran present and allowed to take part in the discussion. Without rigid control of space-travel, any criminal anywhere could escape the consequences of any crime simply by buying a ticket to another world. Wherever the yacht landed, such a disparity between its documents and its crew would spark an investigation. Moran, at least, would be picked out as a fugitive from Coryus Three. In effect, with six people on board instead of five, the Nadine could not land anywhere for supplies. But his present companions got the drive dismantled two days later and once the yacht was out of overdrive they efficiently gave him his choice of surrendering or else.
 The crew needs to gather information to compare against the Galactic Directory. Then they can figure out where they are, so they can get where they are going.
 The ship's supplies are low. They are hunting for edible creatures.  The crew needs to gather information to compare against the Galactic Directory. Then they can figure out where they are, so they can get where they are going.  The ship's supplies are low. They are going to raid the ship that sent the distress call.  They want to hand off Moran to the crew of the ship that sent the distress call.