Amelia was still smiling to herself as she left the attic. She went quietly through the corridor until she found the town hall's back door, then set her face impassively and folded her hands behind her back before moving outside and walking around the wall of the hall. Most of the troops were already at the barricade, eating breakfast or passing hot cups of tea and coffee between them. Amelia's command group, such as it was, had gathered next to the chimney block. Ko and Bock were in discussion with the newly-promoted Acting Petty Officer Clasp. Arrow looked around as Amelia approach and gave a meaningful cough that brought the group to formal attention.

"Good morning, ma'am," he said.

Amelia acknowledged him and touched her hat to the others. "Good morning, captain. And to you others. Thank you for meeting me here."

"As you order, ma'am," said Ko.

"And there was me thinking it was because you liked me." Amelia grinned. "Never mind. Have you all breakfasted?"

"Not yet," said Bock.

"See that you do," said Amelia. "I'm going to be counting on you, lady and gentlemen. I can't be everywhere in the defences at once, so you will be my eyes and ears today. Are your people ready?"

"Ready and waiting, ma'am," said Arrow.

"And Mr Clasp? We can't see the bluejackets letting the side down, can we?"

"No, ma'am. Our spacers are prepared." Clasp saluted twice for good measure.

"And we'll not be giving up now," said Bock.

"Very good." Amelia cast her eyes out over the forest. "And are we clear on the lines of command? With due respect, Mr Clasp, but as your promotion is only breveted, Mr Arrow will serve as my second."

"Understood, ma'am." Clasp nodded.

"And I would have the Acting Sergeant succeed him." Amelia glanced at Ko. "Now, I intend us to hold the perimeter for as long as possible. We have no reserves because we haven't enough troops to guard the line at the same time. Instead I will expect the leaders on the spot to deploy the forces available to them responsively."

"And if the battle turns against us, lieutenant?" said Bock.

"If we are unable to hold the perimeter, we fall back to the town hall and continue to defend." Amelia watched their faces. "I am aware of the peril in which this will place our wounded comrades, but all of us here will be sharing the same fate one way or another. We have jobs to do. We've done them so far. I expect that to continue. Understood?"

There was a chorus of assent.

"Thank you. Go to your posts. Keep a sharp lookout and advise of anything suspicious or hostile. We're in this together."

"Aye, ma'am." Arrow saluted. Amelia returned the gesture crisply.

"And good hunting to you all," she said.

"Thank you, ma'am." The little group broke up. Arrow stayed behind and gave Amelia a smile of approval.

"Well. I suppose the game is on now, Mr Arrow." Amelia returned a small smile.

"Indeed, ma'am. In the very best traditions of the Navy," said Arrow. "We always do enjoy a bit of sport. I was reckoned an excellent rugby player in my time."

"Imagine my absolute stupefaction," Amelia grinned at the big man.

Arrow shrugged modestly. "Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

He smiled. "It's been an honour to serve with you."

"You're not done yet, Mr Arrow," said Amelia. "We're still here."

"Of course, ma'am. And long may we remain so."

"Long enough, I hope," Amelia said. "Last night, Miss Porter remarked that she had sighted…"

"Yes, ma'am?" Arrow said, after Amelia had trailed off. She shook her head.

"Never mind. I spoke in haste. To your post, Mr Arrow."

He touched his hat. "Aye, ma'am. And if you will indulge me a moment longer…you must have slept well last night. You look remarkably refreshed this morning."

Amelia smiled and rocked on her heels cheerfully. "Anticipation of action, Mr Arrow, no more. Carry on."

She watched him go and turned back to the front of the town hall. Jane emerged from the doorway, fully dressed and smiled when she saw her.

"Miss Porter," Amelia's formal greeting covered the wink she accompanied it with. "I trust you and Mr Flower are prepared?"

"Perfectly, lieutenant," Jane tried not to grin too much. "And I thought you would like some breakfast?"

Amelia took the warm mug that Jane offered her and looked at the contents. "Very kind of you. Er…"

"Mashed jamleaf," said Jane helpfully. "It's actually quite sweet when it's done like that in its own juices."

"Who would have thought that a leaf could be so versatile," Amelia tasted it. "And I do concur."

"I'm glad you like it." Jane smiled for a moment and looked around the barricade. "Is…is anything happening out here?"

"Not yet." Amelia stepped through the door and took an Imperial rifle from the stack just inside. "But we'll be ready when it does."

Jane watched her adjust the sling of the weapon as she put it around her shoulders. "Do you think that…what I saw last night. The star. Do you think it should give us hope?"

Amelia looked into Jane's eyes for a moment and shrugged sadly. "I wish I could say, Jane. I don't wish to give anyone false hope."

"Of course, naturally. But…"

"Is it possible? Yes, I suppose it is." Amelia shrugged again. "I don't want to promise that which is beyond my powers to ensure."

"I know you never would," said Jane. Amelia gazed at her for a moment and sighed at the look on her face.

"Oh, Jane," she said, softly enough for only her to hear, wishing that they had the privacy to touch the way she wanted to. "Keep your chin up. No matter what."

"No matter what." Jane looked up and smiled bravely. "Good luck out there, Amelia."

"Here's hoping we won't need it." Amelia smiled back. "But…good luck to you, too. Be careful."

"I will. I promise."

Jane crossed her arms as Amelia turned and closed the door behind her. A small smile still played on her lips as she went to make ready her satchel.

Amelia headed towards an unmanned section of the barricade overlooking the northeast. Archimedes was moving along the line, his gold chain of office around his shoulders, pausing to talk to any of the militia he encountered. The strict demarcations which had existed after the Imperial arrival no longer existed. Militiaman, spacer and marine now mingled together according to comradeships that had been formed under fire and if any particular part of line had more of one group than the others it was largely coincidental. Amelia took up position behind a heavy table set on its side, the legs pointing outwards and sharpened to spikes by some industrious defender. Archimedes saw her and ambled over. Amelia couldn't help but smile. While she, like most of the others, had to kneel to stay out of sight, Archimedes was wandering along quite happily, his bushy eyebrows probably the only part of him visible to any enemies paying attention.

"What ho, lieutenant," he said. "Nice day for it?"

"Nice day for what, sir?" Amelia touched her hat to him.

Archimedes blinked. "Why…whatever it is that has to happen today, I suppose."

Amelia looked up at the sky. "I think we can manage, sir, yes."

"Capital, capital." Archimedes adjusted the ride of the chain of office. "One nice thing about this new position is that it takes one hardly any time at all to see it."

"Yes…I suppose that's an advantage." Amelia tried to keep her face straight.

"I just thought I should go around and have a word with the chaps," he went on. "I suppose I should let you get on with it."

"Thank you, sir."

"I'll be inside if I'm needed." Archimedes pointed to the hall. "I think I'll roll up my sleeves and give my daughter a helping hand."

"I'm sure she'd appreciate it, sir. We may need all the help we can get."

"Of course. Of course." He stood on tiptoe to see over the table. "Well. Off I go, then."

Amelia nodded to him and took out her telescope. Archimedes paused as he walked away and turned back.

"Oh…and lieutenant?"

"Sir?"

"Be careful, won't you all? And give the bastards hell when they come."

Amelia looked at him and saw that his normally cheery countenance had turned serious. Twinkling eyes focused on her like rangefinders. She gave him a formal salute.

"Yes, your excellency. We will."

She saw him leave and raised herself up to look over the barricade. The forest was quiet. A haze of smoke still hung over the shattered township from craters and piles of debris where it was still smouldering. She unfolded the telescope and put it to her eye, panning it across the outer wall and watching carefully for any movement in the breaches. A shadow fell across her as Arrow ducked into cover at her side, folding himself almost double to stay out of sight.

"No movement on my section, ma'am. The acting sergeant and petty officer report nothing, as well."

"I suppose I should be glad of that," said Amelia. "But I've become accustomed to thinking that it's best to have the Procyons where we can see them."

"They will have to reveal themselves sooner or later," said Arrow. "Although our vision from here is impeded by the outer wall, we at least can monitor the breaches more easily."

"Quite so. And if they try scaling the walls they will be in the open." Amelia looked towards the ruined gatehouse. "Our position could easily be worse."

"Aye, ma'am. A blind man would be glad to see a position such as this."

Amelia looked up and then around, an eyebrow raised. "Was that a joke, Mr Arrow?"

He shrugged and grinned. "Or an observation, ma'am. Whichever would be more useful at this stage."

Amelia laughed and shook her head. There was a scuffling sound behind them and a marine arrived, carrying his round hat underarm. He jammed it back on hastily and touched the brim.

"With your pardon, ma'am. Sir. Mr Bock has sighted movement to the south and east."

Amelia folded the telescope. "I will be there momentarily. Mr Arrow will remain here."

She followed the soldier around the arc of the barricades in a crouch, trying to remain out of sight. Bock was kneeling behind a salvaged door and staring intently over it. He beckoned Amelia over as he saw her approaching.

"What do you see, Mr Bock?"

He pointed towards a gap in the outer wall. Intervening buildings prevented a clear view, but Amelia put the telescope to it anyway, eyes alert for anything out of place.

"It was just a flicker," Bock said. "The sort of thing you see out of the corner of your eye. I wouldn't have paid attention to it if it hadn't happened again. Like something moving through the gap and into the lee of those houses there."

Amelia keyed in the telescope's thermal filters, which revealed nothing other than a small fire burning in one of the structures. She switched back to standard optics just in time to catch the sight of a grey-cloaked figure darting through the gap and disappearing behind the wall of the nearest house. Bock heard her sharp hiss of breath.

"So you saw it, too?"

"I did indeed." Amelia watched closely. "There couldn't be many of them. Perhaps an observer team or forward scouts."

She snapped the telescope shut again. Bock looked down the hill nervously. "Do you think they'll have a go at us?"

"Eventually. Perhaps not now, though. In the meantime, keep a close eye on them. And watch the walltops as well." Amelia narrowed her eyes. "If you-"

"Ma'am! Ma'am!"

Clasp was waving to her from the other side of the perimeter. Amelia sighed, guessed with a certain inevitability what was happening and got up to go.

"If they present a target, take the shot," she said, in parting. "No sense in letting an opportunity go to waste."

"I agree." Bock loaded his laslock and charged it. Amelia scrambled over to Clasp's section of the line. Ko was there as well, sitting with her back to the barricade and observing the scene below with a piece of broken mirror wedged between the barrel and bayonet of her rifle.

"Let me guess," she said. "Enemy sighted, but no clear sight of them. Small numbers, staying well hidden just inside the outer wall. Yes?"

Clasp gaped. "How did you know that, ma'am?"

"Because that's exactly what's happening where she just came from," said Ko grimly.

"Quite so," Amelia peered through the telescope again. "They're putting the noose around our necks, but they're not ready to draw it tight."

"It's the sudden drop that bothers me," said Clasp, fidgeting with his cutlass hilt.

"The sudden drop isn't your problem," grinned Ko. "It's the sudden stop at the bottom."

"Thank you, acting sergeant," Amelia glanced sideways at her. "Your insight is most valuable."

"Not too much gallows humour, ma'am?" Ko grinned again but sobered at another stern glance from Amelia. Gunfire sounded back from the direction of Amelia's original position, making her look up sharply.

"Hold your ground here," she hissed to Clasp and Ko. "Don't give them anything to shoot at."

She began moving along the line again. A second series of gunshots rang out, truncated by Arrow bellowing an order to cease fire. Amelia reached him just as he was berating an unfortunate spacer.

"Don't fire until you see a target! All you will do is give away your position! You will hold your ground and you will hold your fire, until you are told otherwise! Am I clear?"

"Y-yes, sir!"

"Situation, Mr Arrow?" said Amelia.

Arrow gave the spacer a last glare. "Movement by the gate, ma'am. Procyon skirmishers taking up position."

"It's the same on the other sides," said Amelia. "Damn them. They'll force us to spread out to cover all angles and then pin us down. It'll be that blasted sniping business all over again. And while we're distracted…"

"They'll bring in the shock troops," said Arrow. "I concur, ma'am."

Amelia cursed under her breath. "I suppose there aren't that many of them…what if we divide our attention? Odds and evens. Every second man will watch for the skirmishers. The rest stay out of sight and keep their eyes on the wall and on the breaches for the main attack."

Arrow smiled. "An excellent plan, ma'am."

Amelia smiled back. "I'm glad you approve, my friend. Pass the word around."

"Aye, ma'am." Arrow began passing the order. Amelia poked her head above the heavy table again and looked down to the gatehouse. Occasional flickers of movement could be seen as grey figures darted forwards into the town, moving too quickly for anyone to take proper aim. She guessed that the spacer who had incurred Arrow's wrath had attempted to engage them. She looked over at him, sitting behind a line of barrels and looking distinctly nervous.

"Courage, man," she said, putting on a confident grin. "No point in wasting your fire at this range. Let them get a bit closer."

The spacer nodded. "Aye aye, ma'am. A bit closer it is."

"What's your name, spacer? It's Dorran, yes?"

He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Spacer Second Class."

"We'll see about that last part when we get out of here, Dorran. Now stand to your post."

Dorran nodded again and sat up, preparing his rifle. Amelia looked back over the table as the first of the Procyons reached the ruined camp, taking cover behind the wreck of Whiting's longboat. She unslung her rifle and checked the magazine. The enemy skirmishers were picking their way between shell holes and debris piles, moving forward slowly but inexorably. Soon they would run out of cover, reaching the line of burnt-out houses that lined the unofficial path from the hall to the square. The path was open and offered little cover aside from the odd errant crater. She armed her laslock and look up a firing position.

"Show yourselves, you devils," she muttered.

Shots came from Bock's section of the line, red tracer flashing overhead and meeting blue coming back the other way. Almost simultaneously, Ko and Clasp came under fire. There was the sound of shattering glass and Ko gave an exasperated shout.

"That was my bloody mirror!"

Their troops began returning fire. Amelia had turned to see how heavily they were engaged when shots began hitting the table, scorching holes in the thick wood.

"Odds, stay down! Evens, return fire!" She sighted down the barrel of her rifle, picked out a target in one of the wrecked houses, and opened fire. Half of the defenders were now shooting back. A red pulse flickered overhead and chattered the dormer window Amelia had stood in with Jane just the night before. The thought made her grit her teeth and take renewed care of where she was placing her shots. Dorran yelped and fell to the ground, clutching at his neck.

"Medic! Medic over here!"

Amelia scrambled over to check on him. He was lying on the ground, a hand clasped to the side of his throat, blood oozing between his fingers. She tore off her cravat and knelt to try to staunch the bleeding. Running footsteps made her look up as Flower arrived, Jane and her satchel close behind.

"Jane! I mean, Miss Porter, what are you doing out here?"

"The best I can!" Jane replied briskly.

"We need a gauze pad," said Flower. "Now listen here, spacer. I'm going to have to ask you to move your hand."

Amelia looked away and took up her rifle again, firing down the hill. She could hear Flower talking behind her as he worked with a pair of long silver tweezers.

"You've been lucky there. The splinter missed an artery by about half a centimetre. No, don't get up. Stay still."

She glanced down and watched Flower using her cravat to bind a gauze pad to the spacer's neck. It struck her as the best use that part of her uniform had ever been put to. Procyon fire was now hitting the barricade hard, and another defender further along the line went down with a scream. Flower swore and glanced to Jane.

"Can you handle this?"

Jane nodded and took over, taking the strip of rough black silk in her hands with far less grace than she had done the night before. Flower picked up his pack and made his way towards the latest casualty in a half-crouch.

"You're going to be all right," said Jane. "Trust me. Now, breath out.

Dorran did so. Jane pulled the cravat sharply tight and tied it off. The spacer gasped for a moment and swallowed, turning his head experimentally as if worried that it would fall off.

"Well, spacer? How about it?" Amelia grinned.

Dorran nodded. "Could be worse, ma'am." He reached out a bloodied hand, picked up his rifle again and returned to the barricade.

"Good man," Amelia nodded approvingly. "And you'd best get out of here, Miss Porter."

Jane gathered up her satchel and hesitated. "I…I don't know whether I can."

Amelia turned and saw why. The Procyon fire had intensified and most of the shots that went over- or through- the barricades went on to hit the stone of the town hall or to pockmark the open hillside around it. It would be a matter of luck whether anyone could make it to the safety of the doorway. She cursed again.

"Damn! Well, stay close to me, then. And stay out of sight."

"I think I will, yes!" Jane took cover beneath the barricades, trying not to flinch when Amelia and the wounded spacer fired their laslocks on either side of her.

"Reloading!" Amelia put up her rifle for a moment to eject a spent magazine and insert a new one. As the weapon whined into life once again she looked down into the town. More grey figures were starting to advance through the breaches in the outer wall, moving slowly and with deliberation. She put the laslock aside for a moment and opened her telescope to confirm her suspicions. Procyon shock troops in full battle armour were starting to take up positions behind the thin line of skirmishers. The sunlight glinted off angular helmets, breastplates and long, serrated sword bayonets. A few of the larger Procyons were carrying broad tower shields which they set up in front of their marshalling points to ward off any errant shots from the defenders.

"Well. At least we can see them now."

"See who?" Jane looked up. Amelia handed her the telescope.

"You can see for yourself, Miss Porter. But be careful."

Jane crept to the edge of the table and peered through the telescope in between a crack in the barricade. Her breath caught.

"There's…rather a lot of them, isn't there?" she managed.

"There'll be a lot fewer by the time they get up this hill," said Amelia determinedly. She picked up her rifle again and fired a volley towards a group of shock troops who had not taken sufficient cover, sending them scattering. That earned her the attention of a cluster of skirmishers and she was forced to duck into cover next to Jane as a hail of red bolts chewed chunks out of the oak table. Charred wood fell around them and she looked over at Jane, who was sitting with her arms around her knees, staring almost straight up into the sky as if watching a high-flying bird.

"Are you all right?"

Jane blinked and nodded to Amelia. "Oh, yes. Yes, I'm fine, thank you."

"Keep your head down," Amelia reached out and touched her hand briefly. Jane smiled, and as Amelia withdrew her hand she took hold of it and squeezed it fondly.

"I'm just fine, Amelia. I promise."

Amelia smiled and stood up again. A shot hit one of the sharpened table legs, blowing it off. Amelia ducked as pieces of it flew overhead and looked around the town below. Procyon soldiers were beginning to form up tightly in columns behind the shieldbearers. The groups were still widely separated, but a quick mental calculation suggested that, as they converged on the hilltop defences, they would be able to present an unbroken shieldwall. They were running out of time. She raised her voice.

"Odds will stand and engage enemy line infantry! Fire at will!"

The half of the defenders who had still been in cover, stood up, levelled their rifles and began shooting. The sudden doubling of the volume of fire from the barricades seemed to take the Procyons by surprise as their own shots were briefly confused. A few grey-clad shock troopers who had thought themselves safe from the attention of the Imperials were proven very wrong and there were cheers from the defenders whose rifles found their targets. The Procyons, however, quickly recovered their composure and began laying down a serious fusillade. A half-circle was blown in the edge of the table and Amelia was forced into cover beneath it. A marine further along the line was hit and staggered to the ground, Ko calling for a medic. Amelia saw Flower on the far side of the barricade, already tending to a casualty.

"Can you get there, Jane?" she said.

Jane, who had been staring up into the sky again, gathered up her satchel and nodded briskly. "Yes. I'll be right there."

"Stay low," warned Amelia. "It's getting rather spirited out there."

Jane smiled at the understatement. "I'll try."

"Good luck." Amelia touched her shoulder and smiled. She watched Jane leave, moving at a crouch behind the higher parts of the barricade and going on all fours for the low sections. She stood up, propped her rifle in the crevice blown out of the table and fired a couple of shots at the Procyon troops massing at the base of the path up to the town hall. Both scintillating blue bolts hit one of the armoured tower shields, leaving scorch marks but achieving little else. She hissed between her teeth and tried to find a better target, picking out a skirmisher firing from the corner of a broken window. She fired and watched in satisfaction as the figure disappeared out of sight.

"Ma'am?" Dorran was looking nervous at the sight of the force forming up in front of them.

"Hold your ground, spacer," Amelia said. "We're not done yet."

A roar went up from the Procyons and the shock troopers began to advance, moving methodically, never breaking formation, the shieldbearers in the lead. As they came forward they obscured the view for their own skirmishers and there was a moment of respite from the unrelenting enemy fire as the skirmishers began leaving their cover, forming loose groups in between the rigid shield formations. They hugged the ground and moved evasively, but a number of them didn't move low or fast enough and were cut down. The rest began returning fire as best they could while trying to keep up with the main attack. The defenders were well behind cover, but their barricade was not sturdy and every now and then a Procyon shot found a target, thinning the Imperial ranks still further.

"All hands to target the assault parties!" called Amelia. "Aim carefully now! Make every shot count!"

She looked behind as her order was passed around. The windows of the infirmary were now occupied and Amelia smiled as she saw Whiting, his captured pistol in his one remaining hand, directing the preparations. Amelia was sure that she even saw Archimedes taking up a position in a window, an antique hunting rifle in his hands. Broken windows were swept clear with rifle stocks and the main door was opened, ready for the defenders at the barricade to fall back to. Amelia turned again to the front and braced her rifle.

"Fire!"

A hail of shots hit the shieldbearers, most achieving nothing. Enemy fire lanced back and a couple of the defenders fell. Amelia thought for a moment.

"Spacer! Give me a hand with one of these barrels?"

Dorren stared. "What? I mean, what, ma'am?"

Amelia grinned and beckoned to a marine nearby. "We're going bowling. Come along, Private, lend a hand also!"

The three of them lifted one of the barrels laboriously, resting it atop the others. A shot flashed past Amelia's head and she tried to ignore the tang of ozone from the burnt air, as well as her singed hair. She nodded to the others.

"Ready? One, two, three!"

The barrel was launched downhill and they snatched up their rifles as it skittered from rock to rock along the path, building up speed. It hit square in the middle of the base of one of the shields, forcing the carrier to stumble. The Procyon tripped over the barrel and went sprawling on the ground.

"Fire!"

Amelia, Dorran and the marine blazed away at the gap, their rifle fire slicing into the densely packed shock troops behind it. Other defenders took the opportunity to do likewise. Amelia grinned. But she knew it was a temporary success, and they only had so many barrels.

"All hands, fix bayonets!" she shouted, triggering and locking hers as well as checking that her cutlass was close at hand.

"Lieutenant! Lieutenant!"

She turned to see Whiting standing in the doorway of the town hall, waving.

"Not yet, Mr Whiting!" she shouted. While they could not possibly fight off the combined assault groups in hand to hand, she did not intend to fall back just yet. But as she looked again she saw that he was actually pointing. Pointing up. She remembered that Jane had been staring at something above them as well, and finally she raised her head to see what the fuss was all about. When she saw, she gave a wild, exuberant laugh.

"What's so funny, ma'am?" Dorran gave her a confused look. Amelia flashed a grin and pointed up.

"It's the Resolute, Mr Dorran! She's back!"

Still high above them, small but growing, a comet was descending vertically towards them. Wreathed in a cone of vapour and the blaze of its ventral thrusters, sails billowing madly and glowing with energy, the warship was an impressive and very welcome sight. There was a faint sound like tearing fabric in the air as the big ship's engines strained to arrest the downward momentum, but the sound was getting louder by the second. Amelia turned back to the advancing enemy, feeling a renewed hope. She brought her rifle to her shoulder and fired on the shieldwall marching up the pathway. As the Procyons approached they again began cutting off the field of view of their skirmishers, who were squeezed between the phalanxes and were forced to give up and fall in behind them. Amelia glanced up at the shape of the Resolute, trying to estimate whether she would be in range in time. The ship passed over the sun, throwing a brief shadow across the hill. Confused defenders and attackers alike looked up, and reacted with a mix of emotions. There were cheers from some of the defenders, but the Procyon advance wavered. Amelia could hear the shouts of their officers but couldn't make out what the orders being given were

"All hands, hold your positions!" she called. The last thing they needed now was anyone panicking or getting over-excited.

Jane scrambled back over and took cover next to her.

"What are they doing?" she asked.

"It's called an orbital drop," Amelia said, ducking down for a moment. "They're flying the ship down from space. Old Captain Forsythe must be in a hurry!"

Jane stared. "Can they do that?"

"Theoretically, yes," Amelia shrugged. "We practised it a couple of times in the Academy. Never seen it done, though."

"Will it work?"

"Hopefully!" Amelia grinned and stood up again. The Procyon line was starting to buckle in places as more and more of them saw the warship above. The roar of the Resolute's engines was growing louder now and Amelia could make out the colour of the hull, visible in between the billowing clouds of steam and pressurised air and the bright flames of the thrust exhausts. She was decelerating perceptibly now, although the drama of her approach was no less. The Procyons held their ground for a few moments more, rifle and pistol fire still splashing off their shields or occasionally finding a gap in the wall, but then they began retreating back down the hill. Amelia had to double check to be sure, but inch by inch they were now withdrawing. There were more cheers from the defenders, although their words were starting to be lost in the din of the ship's arrival. The blast of the thrusters was starting to kick up dust Amelia had to straighten her hat as it was blown askew.

"Maintain fire!" she ordered. "Secure the barricades!"

Jane looked up at the ship. It seemed absurd that something that size could fly, but fly it most certainly was. As it braked to a hover the clouds that masked it dissipated and she was able to see the ivory hull in all its glory, albeit blackened in places by thruster backwash, trimmed in blue and gold, starboard side facing her. Two longboats appeared over the deck railing, swung outboard on long winches. Below them, black squares opened up in the bright timber as gunports opened. The barrels of the ship's broadside batteries were run out and angled down. The wind created by the thrusters rose as the ship lowered itself into a stationary position some twenty metres above the town hall. Slates from the hall roof, dislodged by the wash, crashed to the ground. Jane hunkered down and tried to protect her face, not wanting to take her eyes off the magificent ship but not wanting to risk the hurricane of dust being whipped up. Every blade of grass remaining on the hilltop was lying flat, rippling in the pressure waves. It was like facing into a storm and she had to put her handkerchief over her nose and mouth simply to breathe properly. Amelia knelt next to her, shouting to be heard.

"Are you all right?"

Jane nodded. "I think so!"

"Well, I'd block your ears if I were you. I think they're going to-"

The end of the sentence was lost as the first of the Resolute's guns opened fire. An answering explosion erupted on the hillside, well clear of the barricades but close enough that Jane felt the shockwave like a physical blow. A second gun fired, then a third, then a fourth, and Jane could tell from the sound that the port guns were firing as well, getting the range. She shuddered at the fury of the fire and was about to say something to Amelia when there was a thunder like the end of the world as the ship-of-the-line fired both broadsides at once.

Jane screamed and fell into Amelia's arms as the air was pummelled around them by concussion. Amelia held her tight, held her head against her shoulder, rested her head against hers. Jane could hear that she was whispering comforts to her but nothing could be heard over the din that filled the universe. Not even the height of the Procyon bombardment could equal the violent intensity of what was now being unleashed. Dirt pattered down around them as the hillside was torn apart by the barrage. Amelia looked up as the smoke cleared to see the two longboats detach from the ship and begin heading down to land, packed with figures. Glancing briefly behind her she saw a scene of chaos as stunned Procyons fled the devastated hillside, harried on their way by small arms fire from the defenders. The roar of thrusters and the force of the wash died away as the Resolute shut off her engines and hovered on the power of her grav-turbines, now turning on the spot, firing her reloaded guns one by one, picking off targets of opportunity. The flashes of the discharges and the thunder of the impacts were almost simultaneous. The longboats glided down to land and their crew began piling off immediately, spacers and marines fresh to the fight. Amelia recognised Commander Chad directing them into position, and Midshipman Dunn was one of the first to the line. Midshipman Buckley led a party of armed spacers towards Amelia, lining them up along the barricade as fire from the ship's heavy guns whistled overhead.

"Hold fast to the line there, and secure the position! Keep your heads down!"

Amelia grinned at him. "You certainly know how to make an entrance, Mr Buckley."

He grinned back and tipped his hat to her. "We like to make an impression, ma'am. I'm glad to see you safe."

"Not as glad as I am," Amelia said, returning the salute.

A gun boomed out overhead. Jane looked up from Amelia's arms.

"Is it…are we…are we safe now?"

Amelia smiled. "Yes, Jane. Safe at last."

Jane smiled in return, flinching slightly as the Resolute fired again. She squeezed Amelia's hand secretly. "At last…"

Amelia stood up and watched Procyon retreat become a rout as they tried to flee the vengeful warship that was now hovering above them. The last of the grey-clad figures disappeared into the ruins of the town and slipped through a breach in the battered outer wall, vanishing back into the jungle. All around, her spacers and marines were shaking hands and hugging their newly-arrived comrades, cheering, clapping and whooping in celebration. Bock wandered over to the front of the town hall and sat down, tears lining his face as he looked up at the ship overhead. Archimedes darted out of the hall and surprised Chad by shaking his hand so hard that it knocked the commander's hat off. Amelia laughed at the sight as Chad prised himself free and watched in puzzlement as the little old man danced a jig. Arrow loomed behind her, a smile on his craggy face.

"It would appear that we are delivered, ma'am," he said.

"So it would seem, Mr Arrow," Amelia smiled. "And not before time, too."

Chad detached himself from Archimedes and joined them, straightening his hat again. Amelia stood up and saluted him formally.

"Good morning, commander."

"And good morning to you, acting lieutenant," Chad acknowledged her. "Report?"

"I believe the position is secure, sir," Amelia said. "But I regret to report the loss of a number of the ship's company attached to my party. Lance Corporal Flower will be able to provide exact numbers. I'm afraid that Mr Whiting has been injured, and I have promoted Mr Clasp to Acting Petty Officer for the duration."

Chad nodded. "Understood. And the casualties are expected. Once we found out what that Procyon troopship was carrying, we weren't even sure that there'd be anything left here to come back to."

"Troopship, sir? Was that the unidentified vessel you pursued out of orbit?"

"Indeed it was," said Chad. "Slippery devil. Nearly evaded us in the termination shock. But we caught them before they could leave the system and then made our way back as quickly as we could. I'm just glad we didn't arrive too late."

"Your timing was impeccable, sir," said Amelia.

"Excellent, excellent." Chad folded his hands behind his back. "And who is this?"

Amelia realised that he was looking in Jane's direction. "Sorry, sir. This is Miss Jane Porter. Daughter of the colonial governor."

"Ah. I just met your father, Miss Porter," Chad wrung his hand ruefully. "He's…quite something."

"He's quite something, sir, yes," Jane smiled.

"Miss Porter has been invaluable to us, sir," Amelia went on. "I believe that there are many of us who owe her their lives. She has been running the infirmary with Mr Flower, and doing a rather good job of it, too, if I can say so."

Jane blushed.

"In that case I'm doubly pleased to meet you, Miss Porter," said Chad. "Captain Forsythe will no doubt also wish to express his thanks."

"I…look forward to it, commander." Jane glanced sideways at Amelia and smiled. Amelia smiled back. Chad turned to Arrow.

"And your report, Captain of marines?"

Arrow drew himself up and saluted. "I have nothing in particular to add to the lieutenant…I mean, the acting lieutenant's report, sir. However, I regret to advise of the death in action of Sergeant Sackett. Corporal Ko has been acting as my second in his absence."

"So noted," Chad smiled as he looked back to the infirmary and saw Whiting emerging, his arm around Midshipman Dunn's shoulders. "And I see Mr Whiting is still with us."

"His service has been exemplary, sir," said Amelia. She saw him smile, and blush slightly when he overheard her words. She chuckled to herself and shook her head. Chad looked around in satisfaction.

"Very good. I look forward to reading your final report, Ms Amelia. You and Mr Arrow can withdraw your troops from the line. The ship's surgeon is awaiting any casualties, and the longboats are at your disposal." He nodded to her. "And, with compliments, the Captain requires your presence on board at your earliest convenience."

"Thank you, sir." Amelia turned to Arrow. "Fall in your marines, Mr Arrow. And send my compliments to Mr Clasp. He will bring our spacers to the longboats and prepare to embark the wounded."

Arrow saluted. "Aye, ma'am."

"I'll take over here, ma'am," said Buckley. "You go and get ready."

"I thought you never volunteered, Mr Buckley," Amelia joked.

He shrugged and pointed to the looming warship overhead. "I'm prepared to make an exception. Besides, I'm not about to be derelict in my duty when the Captain is hovering above me with a loaded broadside."

Amelia laughed. "A good safety tip if ever there was one. Thank you, Mr Buckley. Miss Porter, would you like to accompany me?"

Jane smiled, relief bright in her eyes. "I would, lieutenant. Very much so."

The midday sun was high overhead, but the air still bore an orange tinge from the smoke of the battle. Amelia closed the door of the Captain's day room behind her and stepped out onto the quarterdeck. The timbers of the Resolute felt good under her feet, homely and familiar. Though it had been weeks since she had trod them, it seemed as if she could remember every detail. Every coil of rope, every knot, spoke of home to her. She walked across the boards, listening to the sound of the ship as it hovered in the sun, sails glowing, watching how the battle ensigns fluttered from the tops of the masts. Turning her head, she saw a lone figure leaning on the railings, propped on its elbows and gazing away to the northeast. It was wearing yellow. Amelia made her way over silently, taking up position alongside Jane at what might at a casual glance have seemed like a discreet distance.

"Jane," she said.

Jane shook herself and looked around, the expression on her face changing to a welcoming smile. "Amelia...I'm sorry, I didn't hear you coming."

"I walk quietly," Amelia smiled back. "Am I disturbing you?"

"No, not at all." Jane stood up and smoothed down her sleeves. "You've just come from seeing the Captain?"

"Yes...he told me what he told you and your father before, when you came aboard to see him. About having to evacuate." Amelia stepped closer and lowered her voice softly. "Are you all right?"

Jane nodded. "Oh, yes. I mean, I'm here, which is more than I thought I would be a few weeks ago. And he said that the ship the rest of our people left on made it safely into port, which came as a great relief."

"I'm pleased to hear it," said Amelia, and meant it.

"And of course I understand the reasons," Jane went on. "You can't very well leave a handful of helpless civilians alone on this world again when there's a war raging across half the nebula."

"Something like that," said Amelia quietly.

Jane gave a small, sad smile. "But still...it's hard to let it go."

She looked back out over the little colony. Amelia did, too. There was a stark contrast between the regimented, spotless decking beneath her feet, the sense of restrained power the big warship always wore, and the devastation of Naztarville below. The Resolute's guns had saved the town's defenders, but had done more damage to the town itself in a few short moments than the Procyon siege mortars had achieved with all their bombardment. The hall was the only building still intact. Craters lined the ground. Houses, storage huts and water tanks lay ruptured and blackened all the way to the breached outer wall, which in some places was more a memory than a reality.

"I'm sorry," said Amelia, taking it in. "I really am."

Jane shrugged and smiled her sad smile again. "It's not your fault. And we wouldn't be here to have this conversation without you. It's just that...we tried so hard to make it work. To make our homes there. And now we have to leave it behind...and we're leaving so many people behind, too."

Amelia moved closer still. "You gave it your best, Jane. And it's not because of you that this has to happen. When the war is over, you'll be able to come back again."

"Yes. Yes, of course." Jane fumbled with her handkerchief.

"How is your father taking it?"

"Oh, he's all right," said Jane. "Your Mr Buckley is taking him on a tour of the ship."

"I'm sure he'll enjoy that," grinned Amelia.

Jane managed a laugh. "Do you mean my father or Mr Buckley?"

"I wouldn't dare to comment," Amelia put her head on one side. It was good to see Jane smiling again, properly.

"And if I may, Jane...it's not totally regrettable that you're stuck on this ship now."

Jane reached out a hand, brushing Amelia's before she remembered where they were. They both coughed and Amelia put her hands behind her back in the formal style, looking apologetic.

"No. Not totally regrettable." Jane's blue eyes were shining again.

"Although I feel I should say sorry for Captain Forsythe's reluctance to abort our patrol to take you to a safe port," Amelia continued. "You're stuck here for at least another month, I'm afraid, until we return to the Fleet's reserve echelon."

"That's not totally regrettable either," smiled Jane.

A creak of timber made them look around. Commander Chad had come down from the bridge. Forsythe was now at the console, working with Lieutenant Costell. Chad tipped his hat to the two by the rail.

"Good afternoon, Miss Porter. Acting Lieutenant."

"Good afternoon, sir," said Amelia, touching her hat in return.

"I'm probably not telling you anything you don't know, but the Captain is keen to depart as soon as possible," Chad said. "Miss Porter, is there anything else you'll need from the colony?"

"No, commander, thank you," said Jane. "I believe we've recovered enough."

"Good, good." Chad turned to go. "Incidentally, Ms Amelia...I believe there is a lieutenant's birth vacant in the second deck stern?"

"Yes, sir. It's been cleared and made ready."

"I think it's about time someone occupied it, don't you?" Chad smiled. "Make preparations to move your kit in there, Ms Amelia."

"Sir? But I'm only Acting...I won't be confirmed until the end of the patrol, and even then only on the Captain's recommendation."

"I don't think you need to doubt it," Chad winked. "Now, Miss Porter, as for you. Your father will be occupying the Captain's study for the duration. I'm afraid I was planning to have you move into the Acting Lieutenant's quarters with the Midshipmen, but the ship's surgeon has recommended that the room be temporarily used by Lance Corporal Geranium - I'm sorry, Lance Corporal Flower - so he can keep a closer eye on Mr Whiting's recuperation."

"That's quite all right, commander," said Jane. "He needs it more than I."

"And in view of Mr Bock and his colleagues also coming on board, along with the salvage from the town, we're rather pressed for space," Chad shrugged and took on the rueful look of a person asking for something he doesn't really expect to get, his eyes glancing over to Amelia. "In light of that...perhaps Ms Amelia would be willing to share her new cabin with you? Even cut in half, a lieutenant's cabin is rather more comfortable than the midshipman's berth you're used to."

Amelia tried not to let the sudden skipping of her heart interfere with her professional countenance. "I'd be...ahem, I'd be glad to, sir. I can make arrangements for her belongings to be moved in there. With her consent, of course."

"Excellent. That's settled, then. You'll be taking your meals in the officers' wardroom as well, Miss Porter. I'm sure Ms Amelia will show you where that is." Chad nodded. "I'll have the sailmaker send a roll of fabric to your new quarters, Acting Lieutenant, so you can put up a partition for dividing the cabin between yourself and Miss Porter. A second bed can be arranged as well. I do apologise to both of you for the imposition, particularly to you, Miss Porter...it's not the welcome Her Imperial Majesty's Navy would choose to extend to a valued guest. It must be rather inconvenient for you. I assure you that the ship's courtesy is at your disposal. Just not in the matter of accommodations at this point in time," he finished ruefully.

"Oh, no, not at all, goodness, I certainly don't mind, in fact-" Jane's words tumbled out in an excited rush until she caught a glimpse of Amelia's amused expression and sobered up. "I mean, I quite understand the situation, commander. Needs must."

"Precisely." Chad smiled and bowed slightly. "Your consideration is appreciated, ma'am."

"All hands to departure stations!" Forsythe's voice roared from the bridge. Chad turned to go as the deck sprang alive with running spacers.

"Well, back to work," he said. "You're to consider yourself relieved of duty for the remainder of the day, Acting Lieutenant, so if you'd like to take your guest to your lodgings and introduce her to the wardroom? Unless of course you'd prefer to stay and observe the launch, Miss Porter?"

"I'd like that very much," said Jane.

"As you wish," Chad touched his hat. "If you'll excuse me, then. Ms Amelia, you know where the bridge is."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Amelia saluted, but Chad was already moving across the deck, calling out orders. She turned to Jane, and stopped even trying to hide the smile on her face. Jane had already given up. Her blue eyes were singing, and they met Amelia's green ones and saw the sentiment reflected there.

"Well," she said.

"Well," Amelia repeated. They stood smiling at each other for a moment until Jane was jostled by a hasty spacer. Amelia took her arm and guided her away, leading her up onto the bridge. Forsythe glanced at her, smiled grimly and touched his hat. Amelia saluted and led Jane behind the line of officers at the railing from where she could see everything that was going on. Arrow, sporting a spotless new uniform, nodded to them respectfully as he took his place at the end of the line.

"All stations report ready, captain," said Lieutenant Costell.

"Very good." Forsythe stepped forward. "Commander? Take us up."

"Aye, sir." Chad cupped his hands around his mouth to shout. "Hands forward to loose the headsails! Hands aloft, loose topsails!"

He was answered by a bustle of activity. Amelia looked up to see Dunn leading the division in the mizzenmast. Chad looked down to the main deck.

"Increase power to the grav-turbine, Mr Bryce!"

"Aye, sir!"

The sails blazed with energy as they were unfurled. Jane watched the indicators light up down the tall masts and felt a whirring beneath her feet increase. The ship shuddered for a moment as it began shaking off the bounds of gravity.

"Increase pitch zero five degrees," Chad called to the helmsman.

"Zero five degrees, aye, sir!"

"Altitude one hundred feet, sir," said Costell.

Jane looked over the railing. The ship was rising slowly as the bow pitched up towards the sky. She looked at the small town that had been her home and the focus of her every effort for so long. It already seemed a long way below them.

"Power to the engines," said Chad. "Take us up! All ahead one quarter! Rig ship for high orbit! Mr Costell, plot a low-consumption egress route to take us out of the system."

"Aye, sir!"

Amelia moved next to Jane as they looked down over the stern. The ship seemed to surge as the main engines engaged, lifting it higher and faster. The town shrank beneath them as the ship rose. Jane's hair began blowing around her in the slipstream. The ship passed through a cloudbank, temporarily obscuring them in white mist. When it emerged into the sunshine again, Naztarville could no longer be seen at all. Jane took a deep breath and bowed her head. Amelia's hand slipped around hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Jane?" Amelia watched her face, an expression of concern on her own.

Jane looked over to her and smiled.

"I'm all right, Amelia. Truly."

The ship was already so high that the curvature of the world could be seen. Jane looked again at the receding clouds and took another deep breath, but this time her shoulders set rather than sagged. Naztarville was now in the past. The future now lay before her and she was determined to face it. It was a strange kind of freedom, she realised. An uncertain freedom, but freedom nonetheless. She looked down at Amelia's hand around hers and squeezed it back.

"Thank you," she whispered. Her words were lost in the slipstream and the subdued thunder of the engines.

"I'm sorry?" Amelia leaned closer to hear. Jane smiled and shook her head.

"Never mind. Nothing important."

Amelia nodded and turned back to face the bows, her hands behind her back again. Jane looked with her and she breathed out again as the blue of the atmosphere began darkening into space. Stars winked into visibility. Jane gazed at them in admiration, her heart beginning to feel as if it was lifting along with the ship. Amelia enjoyed the look on her face as she took in the sight for a long minute, her eyes glowing with wonder as they took in the majesty of space again.

"So...can I show you to your cabin?" Amelia smiled to her eventually. "Or rather...our cabin?"

The cabin was small and bare, the walls whitewashed and unadorned. The two beds lay on opposite sides of the room, but there was only a couple of feet at most between them. A roll of old sailcloth lay in the corner, along with a hammer and a box of nails. Amelia held the door open for Jane and then put her duffel bag down on one of the beds. She opened it and began sorting through her belongings, until she looked up again. Jane was standing at the round porthole window, gazing out into space. The Resolute was leaving Naztar far behind, but the angle of departure coincidentally put the world between the ship and the system's sun. An eclipse was formed, a brilliant corona blossoming around the darkened world. Jane watched it in silent awe, the light playing across her face, blotting out the eerie glow of the Lagoon Nebula all around them. Amelia stepped by her side and took her hand again, watching the cosmic display. She turned her head to look at Jane, admiring how the light played across the skin of her face and neck, picking out every smooth, perfect detail.

"I said I'd show you the etherium one day," she whispered. "Do you remember?"

Jane sighed and smiled as she felt Amelia's hand wrap around hers again and hold it gently.

"You did. I do. And I believed you. So this is another promise you've made good on."

She turned and put her arms around Amelia, head resting on her shoulder, still staring out into space. Amelia held her and smiled.

"I'm glad that I could. There's going to be so much to show you."

"I'm looking forward to it already." Jane looked up and smiled at her. Their lips met as the ship turned, breaking the eclipse effect and bringing bright sunlight flooding back through the window. Amelia finished the kiss and nuzzled Jane's forehead, holding her lightly. Jane tilted her head back to rub her nose against Amelia's, making her laugh.

"Now then, Miss Porter," she smiled, stroking Jane's hair. "I believe I'm to give you a tour of the ship."

Jane smiled back. "There does seem to be quite a lot to see."

Amelia put her hat on. "It's a good thing that I have the rest of the day off, then. Shall we get started?"

Jane grinned. "Lead the way, lieutenant."