Amelia was in the beakhead, resting her back against one of the vertical beams supporting the bowsprit, which ran past her head and out in front of the ship like a great fallen tree. She had a clipboard on her knee and her head was bent over a couple of open books when Jane found her.

"Good evening, Amelia," she said. "I hope I'm not intruding?"

Amelia looked up and smiled. "Not at all, Jane. It's good to see you." The beakhead, tucked below the forecastle was as private a place as could be found on the Resolute, so she didn't hesitate to use her name.

"You look rather busy," Jane sat beside her and glanced at the clipboard, which held a sheet of paper covered in densely-packed writing, numbers and diagrams.

"Just a training exercise," said Amelia. "Not sure until morning, so there's plenty of time."

"Training exercise?"

"My promotion to lieutenant on conclusion of this voyage is predicated on my maintaining a sufficiently high standard that Captain Forsythe supports making the brevet promotion permanent," Amelia shrugged. "In the meantime, I'm expected to keep up with the usual parts of a midshipman's duty, which, alas, includes these exercises."

"I thought you were all fully trained," said Jane. "It seems a bit odd to send you out here otherwise."

"Oh, we're trained. The Interstellar Academy is very thorough. But there's nothing like some practical exercises. It's traditional, and Captain Forsythe is nothing if not traditional."

"So what are you working on now?" Jane tried to understand the figures.

"Engine tolerances with different sail loads in various luminescence grades," Amelia grinned. "I wish I could explain it better but engineering was never my speciality."

"I wouldn't understand any of what you said even if it had been," Jane grinned back. "Engineering isn't my strong suit either."

"No, but you're currently this ship's leading expert on orcas galacticus," Amelia nudged her.

Jane sobered up. "Yes...I know."

Amelia watched her face for a moment before taking her hand. "Sorry...I didn't mean to put that on you. I know you're doing the best you can. So does the Captain. And everyone else."

"That's just it." Jane sighed. "And it may not be enough."

Amelia smiled wryly. "I think you have an overly-high estimation of the Navy's standards," she said. "You'd be amazed at how often things go wrong around here. Mr Buckley's eyebrows during the gun drill were only the start."

"Oh, yes?" Jane looked up.

"Just after I joined," said Amelia, "and strictly in confidence, Lieutenant Spicer had to knock Commander Chad into a sack of purps to avoid him being killed by a brace of water barrels that was swung too low across the deck."

Jane laughed. "Poor Mr Chad. I can just imagine his face."

"It was about the same colour as the Captain's turned when he came out of his cabin to see what the commotion was all about," Amelia chuckled. "And once the crew were playing cricket on the main deck and the ball ended up taking off Petty Officer Bryce's best hat. We were in port at the time and he made the batsman go back onto the dock to retrieve it."

"You mentioned an officer named Spicer before?" Jane tilted her head curiously. "I don't know them...perhaps they moved to another ship?"

"She was...before your time." Amelia looked down. "She died. I'm acting in her place. Well, actually Mr Forrest is, because she was third and he was fourth, so I'm technically in his role now. But yes, she died."

"I see." Jane bit her lip. "I remember, back on Naztar, you mentioned that the third lieutenant had been lost...I didn't know her name, though."

"I suppose I rather owe it to her memory to make it count," Amelia tapped her paper thoughtfully.

"Oh." Jane looked down again. Amelia mentally kicked herself.

"I'm sorry. That probably wasn't the most appropriate example of levity to describe to you."

"It's all right," Jane met her eyes again. "I suppose...if you told me too many more of those stories I might end up losing faith in the Royal Navy."

"I certainly wouldn't want that," said Amelia softly. Glancing up to the rail of the forecastle to ensure that they weren't being seen, she leaned across and kissed Jane's cheek softly. Jane's face coloured warmly and she smiled.

"I could never lose my faith in you, at least."

"I hope I never give you a reason to." Amelia squeezed her hand.

"I can't imagine it ever happening." Jane kissed her back. They sat together and turned their heads to look ahead of the ship. The stars were beginning to dim already.

"I wonder what else is out there," Jane murmured. "What else we could still meet."

"We'll be making the rendezvous with Admiral Benson's fleet in the next two or three days," said Amelia. She looked down at her clipboard. "At least, if my calculations are correct."

"That's something to look forward to," said Jane.

Amelia looked at her in surprise. "And there was I thinking that whales were your interest."

"Well, yes. I do hope we see Sunny again, of course," Jane nodded. "But after today...perhaps it would be best to avoid whales for a little while."

"We'll just keep doing our duty, whales or not." said Amelia. "It's all we can do."

"Your duty." Jane smiled and shook her head. "My very valorous Amelia."

"Blame my family," Amelia grinned. "You can probably thank my father for it."

"Your family does sound awfully exciting," said Jane. "So many heroes. It must be quite something to be a part of. To live up to."

"It's certainly something to live up to," said Amelia quietly, and for a moment Jane felt that she was seeing a side of her that even she hadn't been allowed to see before. But then she straightened her back, set her shoulders square and the moment passed from view. "Anyway, Jane. Have you had dinner yet? I hear that the cook is doing egg and bacon pies tonight."

"I was wondering what I could smell when I went past the kitchen. I mean, the galley," Jane smiled.

"I'll take that as a recommendation." Amelia marked her pages, closed her books and gathered them under her arm. "Would you like to accompany me?"

Jane smiled and took Amelia's books for her. "With pleasure, ma'am."

Sitting at a table in the wardroom, Jane glanced sideways at Amelia and admired her profile for a moment.

"I didn't know you Midshipmen still had so much study to do," she said. Buckley laughed, despite a mouthful of pie.

Amelia smiled. "Take it up with the Captain if you object."

Jane chuckled. "Oh, not at all. In fact, seeing you sitting there reminded me of my studies. All the hours I spent at vet school sitting under a tree in the university square..."

"I'm sure you were very studious," Amelia brushed her hand against Jane's knee below the table.

Jane grinned. "Well...I'd tried so hard to qualify for the class. I wouldn't have wanted to let my father down."

"So you know what family expectations are like, then," said Amelia.

I'm sure your father must be proud of you," Lieutenant Costell said.

"He is." Jane smiled. "At my graduation he kept going around and introducing me to everyone as 'his daughter the doctor'. There were twenty other doctors graduating that night but you couldn't have told him that."

Amelia laughed. "I can just see your father doing that."

Jane smiled and shook her head. "Well, I'm sure your father did the same at your graduation."

"We call it 'passing out' at the Academy," Amelia looked down. "And my father wasn't there. He was away on deployment."

"Ah." Jane looked down as well. "I should have known. I suppose that's how it is in a Navy family."

"It was always rather difficult arranging reunions," Amelia nodded. "The only ones who could make it were either too young to be away or so old that they'd retired."

"You're lucky," said Buckley, grinning. "I actually joined the Navy to avoid family reunions."

"You mentioned that you knew the missing scientist, Miss Porter," Commander Chad looked up from his meal. "That professor?"

"Avaria Periskova? Yes, she was the head of the biology department." Jane put her knife and fork down. "I took a class of hers in first-year. She was very inspiring. I tried to take some of her other classes later but since I wasn't studying in her department I didn't get the chance. I still went to some of her evening lectures, though. She used to give public lectures on astrozoology." Jane smiled fondly. "Of course, you had to get there early or there wouldn't be any seats left. I think there were so many students there that none of the public could get it. Everyone looked up to her."

"Some teachers are like that," said Amelia.

"Remember old Commodore Mainwaring at the Academy?" said Buckley. "Everyone wanted to get into his class to hear his war stories."

"That's because he only ever told those stories and never taught anything," Amelia grinned. "Do you know, I'm still not sure what the class was actually about."

"I remember Mainwaring from my days at the Academy," said Lieutenant Harburn. "It sounds like he hasn't changed at all."

"Perhaps we should have gone to vet school," Buckley suggested. "It sounds like they had better teachers there if Professor Periskova had such a reputation."

"Improper attitude, Mr Buckley," chided Costell.

"Oh, yes, but I never had another like her," said Jane. "It's so sad to think that she came to such an end out here."

"I'm sure she'd be happy knowing she had such a student as you, though," said Amelia

"You'd probably be able to teach even her a thing or two after you helped that whale," opined Buckley.

Jane laughed. "I appreciate the compliment, Mr Buckley, but I'm sure she's seen even more than I have."

"Can I get anyone some dessert?" Harburn got up from the table, collecting his plate. "Vanilla rice tonight."

"I'm afraid I'd better get back to work," said Amelia, gathering her books. "I take my leave, gentlemen."

"Does that mean I can have your dessert?" grinned Buckley.

Amelia laughed and nodded.

"You can have mine as well, if you like," said Jane, getting up. "I should be going as well."

"Make sure you don't distract our acting lieutenant from her studies," Chad warned jokingly.

"I can assure you that my attentions will be well-focused, Mr Chad," Amelia winked at Jane, who bit her lip and tried not to blush in front of the officers.

"So there's another dessert going begging?" Buckley sat back.

"Not if I have anything to do with it," said Whiting, who had just come into the room. "Good evening, all. I hope I'm not too late?"

"Not at all, Mr Whiting." Harburn passed him a bowl. Amelia stepped aside to let him take her place, touched her hat to the assembled company, and headed out of the room.

Jane awoke the next morning to an empty bed, which was not unusual, but the muffled cheering she could hear from deck was a novelty. She blinked the sleep from her eyes and sat up, yawning and stretching. Lowering her arms, she reached for her vest and pulled it on over her head. She dressed quickly and hurried up on deck, wondering what was going on. She emerged from the stairs and was momentarily puzzled. The main deck, normally busy with movement, was totally vacant. Then another cheer rose and she turned to head to find the explanation. The crew was lined up along the starboard side of the ship, packed several ranks deep against the railing, waving and cheering. Jane looked aft to the bridge and saw that the officers were also gathered there. She went up to join her father.

"What's going on?" she said above the noise.

Archimedes clapped his hands. "Over there, Janey!"

She straightened up and tried to see. Amelia saw her looking and took her arm, guiding her to a vacant spot along the side. Jane looked again and immediately saw it. A frigate was less than half a kilometre away, turning gracefully in the solar winds to sail parallel to the Resolute. The ivory, blue and gold colours marked it out immediately as a ship of the Royal Navy and Jane immediately thought of the ill-fated Chancer. The ship she now saw let her see what she would have looked like in life – sleek, swift and beautiful, but beautiful like an aquatic predator. Her lines and her motions were far more graceful than the blunt, forceful shapes of a ship-of-the-line like the Resolute and Jane watched with interest as she came alongside, bright pennants flying in the stellar breeze.

"It's the Sunjammer," said Amelia. "From the 21st Scout Flotilla, just like the Chancer. She's attached to Admiral Benson's fleet."

"I thought we weren't going to meet them for a couple of days?" Jane looked at Amelia.

"We weren't," Amelia shrugged. "She must have come looking for us."

"She's signalling, sir!" called Forrest.

Forsythe stepped forward. "You have your signal book, Ms Dunn?"

Dunn produced a thick tome. "Ready, sir."

"No need to translate this one, sir," said Chad, peering through his telescope. "They're sending text in the clear. Message reads...'Sunjammer to Resolute: what took you so long?'"

Forsythe chuckled. Archimedes and Jane looked at him in some surprise.

"Send our response, Mr Chad. Response reads: we were waiting for you to catch up."

Jane glanced over at Amelia. "That was almost a joke, wasn't it?"

Amelia grinned and rolled her eyes. "There's a long tradition of creative signalling in the Navy."

"She's replying, sir," said Chad. "Message reads: 'Admiral sends his compliments and requests your presence.'"

"Signal our assent," said Forsythe. "And request coordinates for rendezvous."

"Aye, sir."

Amelia turned to Jane and smiled. "Well, it looks like we'll be making that meeting after all."

"How exciting," said Archimedes. "I must say, it's jolly nice to see a friendly ship at last."

"It certainly is, sir," said Amelia. She looked over her shoulder at the frigate and smiled. "And we'll soon be seeing a lot more of them."

The frigate was a little way ahead of the Resolute, sails glowing in the light. From her vantage point halfway up the foremast, Amelia watched it appreciatively.

"Not a bad view, is it?" said Dunn, behind her.

"I can see why you riggers spend so much time up here," Amelia agreed.

The other feline grinned. "It has advantages. How are we looking?"

Amelia turned back to the task at hand. She was overseeing Dunn's division as it replaced the footropes on the main spar. The old footropes were still in place and the new ones were being run alongside, looping through the same hoops. Handling the heavy ropes was hard enough on the deck, but perched far above it, draped over a spar and with only the old rope between oneself and the etherium, it was a task for experts only. Dunn's division was comprised of specialist topmen, but there was a new apprentice boy working in the position nearest the mast whom she was keeping a keen eye on. The youth still hesitated for a moment before stepping out onto the spar where his comrades took the step with no more care than if they were crossing their own front doors.

"Well so far, ma'am," Dunn said. "All square, Mr Heatherrun?"

The Petty Officer second in command of the division waved from his position far out to port. "All square, ma'am. We're ready to cut the old rope loose on this side."

"Very good, Mr Heatherrun. Proceed."

Amelia watched him draw a plasma torch from his belt and test it. Calling a warning, he put the brilliant blade of energy against the old rope, which flashed into flame around the contact point. It snapped soon after and Heatherrun nodded with satisfaction.

"Cut complete, ma'am!"

"Haul the broken line inboard," Dunn nodded back.

"Quick work, Ms Dunn," said Amelia approvingly, as the crew began removing the spent rope.

Dunn laughed. "Can't let the side down," she said. "Besides, you can bet that our colleagues aboard the Sunjammer will be watching us and placing bets."

Amelia glanced over at the frigate. There were indeed figures aloft on her. "I'll take your word on that."

"Ready on the port side?" Dunn looked over to the other spar.

"Ready, ma'am!" The senior spacer waved.

"Excellent. Check your footings, everyone. You may proceed, Ms Sandis. Keep a firm grip there, Mr Deluca."

The young spacer nodded nervously. "A...aye, ma'am."

"It'll be over in a jiffy," said Sandis, firing up her cutting torch. Amelia watched her apply it to the rope to be removed. She followed it along in the loops it described below the spar. It was easily distinguished from its replacement by the colour change inflicted on it by weathering. Her keen green eyes counted off the feet of the riggers, until they reached Deluca. Eyes suddenly wide, Amelia opened her mouth to call out a warning, but Dunn had seen it too and was already moving when the rope snapped. Dunn threw herself down on the platform, reaching out to the spar and gripping Deluca's arm tight. The boy's footing had been firm, but he had been unwittingly standing on the rope which had just been cut. The slack reached him and he fell a heartstopping few inches before Dunn took his weight. Amelia was by her side an instant later.

"We've got you, spacer," Dunn grunted. Deluca floundered for a moment before he gripped them back gratefully.

"Lay a hand here!" Amelia shouted. "Quickly now!"

Heatherrun bounded over her and dropped onto the beam, threading his feet onto the new rope and reaching over to help pull the pale-faced boy back to safety.

"Sorry...ma'am...sorry...I slipped..." Deluca gasped for breath.

"No apologies," said Dunn. "Just more care next time. Do you want to get back on deck?"

Deluca swallowed and shook his head. "No, ma'am. I want to stay. Finish the job."

"Good man," Amelia patted him on the shoulder.

Dunn gave him a smile and nodded to the Petty Officer. "Carry on, Mr Heatherrun." She straightened up and looked apologetically at Amelia. "We'll do better next time, ma'am."

"I have no doubt," Amelia nodded and looked down at the deck. A yellow-clad figure was standing on the foredeck, looking up at them. Arrow was next to her, also watching. Amelia could see the expression on Jane's face even from there, and she gave her a reassuring wave.

"Any problems up there, acting lieutenant?" Commander Chad called up to them.

"No, sir! All under control!"

Chad waved and began walking aft again.

"We can finish up from here, ma'am," said Dunn.

Amelia nodded. "Very well. Report to me on the deck when the old rope is cleared away."

"Aye, ma'am." Dunn touched her hat in salute. Amelia returned the gesture and began climbing down the rigging back to the deck. She swung herself around to the inside of the shrouds and landed elegantly on the deck near Arrow and Jane.

"Quick reaction, ma'am," said Arrow.

Amelia shrugged. "Ms Dunn got there first. Anyway, no harm done."

Jane sighed. "Except to my heart, you mean. Goodness knows how anyone works up there."

"That's why I'm a deck officer," grinned Amelia.

Arrow nodded. "I've never much liked working aloft either, ma'am. But one gets used to it."

"You seemed to do well up top when you boarded the whalers, Captain," pointed out Amelia.

"Indeed, ma'am, but you would have noticed that I got back down to the deck as quickly as possible," Arrow smiled.

"And I was quite thankful for it," Amelia smiled back. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Miss Porter. Just another example to add to the ones I told you about things not always going to plan in the Navy."

"Contacts off the starboard bow!" Dunn's shout cut off Jane's reply.

Chad hastened forward again and cursed himself. "I left my blasted glass back on the bridge, of course. What do you see, Ms Dunn?"

"Multiple contacts, sir! Twenty degrees off the starboard bow!" Dunn had a telescope to her eye.

"Should we prepare for action or evasion, sir?" Arrow stepped forward.

Chad looked at the Sunjammer. "No, Mr Arrow. Not yet. Take my respects to the Captain and report the contact."

"Aye, sir." Arrow saluted and disappeared. Amelia and Jane joined Chad at the rail. There were shadowy shapes in the distance, a line of them moving in and out of view behind the veils of hot, bright gas from the Megapteran stars. Mr Whiting arrived with Chad's telescope, which he passed over. Chad took it with a nod of thanks and extended it. He focused for a moment, and then smiled.

"Well, well, well," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have some welcome company."

"Sir?"

"See for yourself, Ms Amelia." Chad passed the telescope over. The deck creaked behind them as Arrow returned with Forsythe.

"Report, commander," Forsythe growled.

"It's the fleet, sir," Chad grinned. "We found them."

Amelia dialled in the focus on the telescope and saw the ships. Eleven large shadows, at least another six small ones, resolved themselves into the familiar lines of Imperial ships of war. She passed the instrument to Jane and pointed her in the right direction.

"Signal from the Sunjammer, sir," said Arrow. "Signal reads: 'Welcome home'."

"Very good, Mr Arrow." Forsythe adjusted his hat. "Alter course towards them, Mr Chad. And prepare to render passing honours."

"Aye, sir." Chad saluted and headed aft, calling orders. "Helm, come to starboard ten degrees! Captain of Marines parade your troops! Divisional officers, muster in ranks to starboard!"

Amelia hurried to round up her spacers, assembling them swiftly and efficiently. Jane joined her, watching with interest. Spacers in blue were falling into line around them. Somewhere a marine was beating a roll on a drum and redcoated soldiers were taking up formation, laslocks held at ease before them. The senior officers gathered on the bridge, Forrest hurrying up from below, just drawing his coat around his shoulders. There were mutters of excitement among the crew as the fleet came into view, and a few cheers as the ships drew close enough to identify. Archimedes was running up and down behind the arrayed spacers and soldiers, jumping up and down to see between them, and even Jane felt a certain thrill. For here was the greatest assembly of power that she had ever seen, the embodiment of the Empire's reach and might – the awesome presence of its deep space fleet. Nearly a dozen massive capital ships, each at least the size of the Resolute herself. Around them, like minnows guarding sharks, came half a dozen small frigates, swift and sharp.

"It's been a long time since we've seen this," said Amelia. "Those three ships there in the middle are our sisters. The rest of the Fifth Battle Squadron. The Royal Light Ships Valiant, Imperious and Courageous. It isn't often we're gathered together like this."

"And what about the other ships?" Jane looked at them and pointed to the lead ship-of-the-line. "That one's flying a different flag."

Amelia followed her finger. "That'd be Admiral Benson's flagship. She's called the Fortitude. 17th Battle Squadron, along with the Monarch and Sovereign."

Jane smiled. "Do you know every ship out there?"

Amelia grinned and pointed to the four big ships at the rear of the fleet. "You mean like the 19th Battle Squadron? Defender, Regal, Audacity and of course the famous Clan MacAllister?"

"Now you're just showing off," Jane grinned back.

"Bring us alongside the flagship, Mr Chad," Forsythe ordered. "All crew, prepare to render passing honours."

Resolute was moving faster than the fleet, and was overhauling the other capital ships one by one. As they drew level with the Fortitude, flying the bright gold and white flag of the Admiral, Forsythe drew himself up to his full height.

"Crew! Salute!"

"Present arms!" called Arrow. The Marines moved like a machine, shining rifles glittering in the light. The assembled crew snapped to attention and saluted. Petty Officer Bryce and his assistants blew a long whistle on their silver pipes and the officers on the bridge tipped their hats. The gestures were replicated in turn on the deck of the other ship, whose crew lined her railings in turn.

"She's signalling, sir," said Chad. "Signal reads: Admiral's compliments and warm welcome. Resolute to take place in squadron line astern.' Signal executive immediately."

"Very good, Mr Chad. Reduce speed and bring us into position." Forsythe replaced his hat. "Crew dismissed!"

Amelia stayed by Jane as the crew broke up and returned to their duties. Jane looked over to her and smiled.

"You look happy, Amelia," she said.

Amelia shrugged. "It's nice to see the fleet again."

"I'm sure it is. But still, you look..."

"About as excited as you were to see the void whales?" Amelia grinned.

Jane laughed. "Something like that."

"And that's saying quite something," Amelia nodded and took a last look at the line of ships slipping past them as they fell back towards their place in the middle of the line. Turning her head, she admired Jane again. "Quite something indeed."

"Signal from the flagship, sir."

Whiting, holding a telescope in his one hand, was watching the frigate Corposant, which was sailing off Resolute's port side. With the capital ships in line astern, the frigates were in position alongside to act as relay stations for the visual signals being passed up and down the fleet.

"Go ahead, Mr Whiting," said Forsythe.

Whiting concentrated. "The Admiral requests your presence on board the flagship at 1730 hours, sir. Captains' conference. He also requests a full report on the fate of the Chancer."

Forsythe nodded. "Thank you, Mr Whiting. Mr Forrest, make a signal of acknowledgement and acceptance in return."

"Aye, sir." Forrest moved off towards the bridge console, where Amelia was studying a holographic map with Costell. She looked up as Forsythe called her name.

"Ms Amelia? A word, if you please."

"Aye, captain." Amelia glanced at Costell, who nodded. She pressed a key to freeze the map display and went to Forsythe, touching her hat. Forsythe acknowledged the gesture and led her to the aft corner of the bridge.

"Your friend, Miss Porter," Forsythe began.

Amelia's heart stopped for a moment. "Y...yes, sir?"

"Is she still convinced of her theory? The missing expedition, the Confederacy, the void whales and so on?"

Amelia tried not to sigh with relief. "I believe so, sir. Or as convinced as she can be in the absence of definitive evidence."

"Could she advocate the idea in public?"

"I...I believe so, sir." Amelia blinked.

"Good." Forsythe nodded. "Find her and ask if she would be willing and able to attend the conference on board the flagship. If she is, have her report to me at 1700 hours." He looked over at Amelia gravely. "I do not pretend to understand fully the scenario which she described, acting lieutenant, and I do not have her knowledge of the species. I believe that the theory could be better put and defended by her than by me."

"I'm sure your counsel would be taken seriously, sir," said Amelia.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence." Forsythe flashed a grimace that was not entirely humourless. "But Miss Porter has more awareness than I of the story behind it all. Pray inform her that I would be grateful for her assistance."

Amelia touched her hat. "Aye, aye, sir. I'll go directly."

She turned to go, but Forsythe stopped her with a raised hand. "And inform her as well...that you will be attending the conference also, acting lieutenant."

Amelia was genuinely surprised. "Me, sir? Commander Chad would be-"

"I believe that your presence would be of assistance to her," Forsythe said. "I'm sure that your friendship would assist her to overcome any hesitation. If it is correct, our theory is too important to be kept to ourselves. And we can hardly present the Admiral with a full report on the loss of the Chancer without addressing the role the Chancer's last survivor ascribes to the whales." He stepped closer to Amelia. "We need Miss Porter's cooperation. If that requires your presence, so be it."

Amelia saluted. "As you wish, sir."

Forsythe nodded. "Thank you, acting lieutenant. Carry on."

Jane was sitting in the wardroom, a cup of tea on the table beside her, bent over a sheet of paper.

"Can I bring you something, ma'am? Only I'm closing up for a bit." The steward was standing in the doorway. Jane looked up and gave him a bright smile.

"No, thank you, I'm quite all right."

The steward nodded and turned to go, bumping into someone entering behind him. "Thank you, ma'am. Oh, sorry, ma'am, I do apologise."

"Not at all, spacer. Excuse me." Amelia stepped around him and smiled a greeting to Jane. "Miss Porter. How are you?"

Jane put down her pencil and smiled warmly. "Very well, thank you. What brings you here at this time? I thought you'd still be on the bridge."

"Up until a minute ago I was," Amelia said, crossing the room. "I have a message from the Captain."

"Oh, my father's not here," Jane said. "He's somewhere on deck."

"The message isn't for him," Amelia shook her head. "The Captain has been ordered to attend a conference with the other ship captains on board the Admiral's flagship later today. He's going to tell them what happened to the Chancer, and that means telling them what we think is happening with the void whales."

Jane nodded. "Oh, good. It did seem rather important."

"Precisely. And that's why he'd like you to be there as well."

Jane sat up suddenly and stared. "Me?"

Amelia shrugged and smiled. "Well, you're the most knowledgeable person aboard, whale-wise."

"So people keep saying, yes, but I can't...I mean, a meeting like that...I wouldn't know what to do. What even happens there?"

"At a captains' conference?" Amelia took off her hat. "The captains of all the other ships will be there, including the squadron commanders. Some of their officers too, perhaps, but it depends on how big the room is. The Admiral, of course, and his staff. It's a discussion about strategy and tactics, though the Admiral has the final say. They'll want to hear what you have to say, that's all."

"All? It sounds like a lot of 'all'!" Jane toyed nervously with the pencil for a moment. "And it does sound like a very military meeting, with the admiral and all those captains and so on. I'm a civilian. I can't give military advice."

"You wouldn't be," Amelia assured her. "You'd just be saying what you know so they can take it into account."

"But still...I'm just a civilian! I can't go to a meeting like that and just..." Jane waved a hand. "...just tell them things."

"Of course you can," said Amelia. "Even the Navy knows when to listen to experts."

"I'm hardly an expert!" Jane protested.

"You're more of an expert than the Captain," Amelia smiled. "And that's why he asked for you. I'll be there too."

Jane bit her lip. "You will be?"

"He's asked for us both," said Amelia. She moved and sat next to Jane, resting a comforting hand on her leg below the table. "You'll be all right. You've got a bit of time to prepare. Just explain it to the others the way you explained it to us. Captain Forsythe and I both agree with you so we'll back you up. And we have the testimony of Mr Sius. That's bound to invite some questions and you're the best person to answer them."

"Well...if you're sure..."

Amelia patted her. "I don't doubt you, Jane."

Jane looked over to her shyly. "That...that'll mean a lot."

"We're to report to the Captain at 1700 hours. That's 5 o'clock. Does that give you enough time?" Amelia moved to stand up.

Jane glanced at the wardroom clock and nodded. "Yes, it should. I'll be there."

"Thank you." Amelia squeezed her hand. "I'll be there too."

Jane smiled. "Lucky for me."

Amelia laughed softly and turned to go, but she paused and looked back at the paper Jane was working on.

"Is that..."

Jane blushed and looked down. "It's a nothing, really...just of Sunny...a quick sketch..."

"Just a sketch." Amelia looked at the whale Jane had drawn, the shading and lines so lifelike on the rough, yellowed paper. "Your underestimated your talents, if this is what you meant before about your art."

Jane blushed a bit deeper. "Well...thank you."

"Any time." Amelia touched her shoulder. "I may have to ask you to draw my portrait one day if that's your standard of work."

"I'd...I'd be glad to, Amelia." Jane glanced up, her cheeks still pink. Amelia met her eyes for a moment and coughed.

"Well...I'd better report back to the bridge. 5 o'clock."

"1700 hours," Jane smiled. "I'll see you then."

She watched Amelia go. Then she glanced back at her sketch, tapped her pencil once or twice, and turned over to the other side of the paper where a few swift pencil strokes had already outlined the shape of a young, uniformed feline officer standing proudly on the deck of a ship. Jane smiled to herself. Then she rolled up the paper, tucked it into her satchel, finished her tea, and left the room.

Amelia took out a handkerchief and polished the gold button on her white collar tab while she waited outside the captain's day cabin.

"All dressed to meet the Admiral?" said Buckley.

"I hope so." Amelia looked down at herself. "This is my best uniform."

"Good, good." Buckley nodded with mock severity. "Because it's a pretty high-pressure situation."

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Meeting an Admiral for the first time..."

"Yes, indeed."

"Not to mention all those captains..."

"Quite so."

"All taking notice of everything you do..." Buckley grinned.

Amelia rolled her eyes. "You've forgotten who you're talking to, Mr Buckley. You know who my family are. The sight of brass doesn't frighten me."

"Ah. Yes, fair point."

"On the other hand," Amelia leaned closer to Buckley and lowered her voice conspiratorially, "if you joke like that around Miss Porter, I'll make sure you flinch at the sight of brass for the rest of your life. Do I make myself clear?"

Buckley swallowed, saluted and nodded. "Crystal, ma'am."

"Good man." Amelia stood back.

"I'd better see to...er, see to...something else." Buckley stepped away.

"Carry on, Midshipman," Amelia folded her hands behind her back.

The door to the captain's cabin opened and Chad returned to the bridge.

"The captain will be done momentarily," he said. "You have everything you need?"

"Yes, sir," Amelia nodded. "All set."

"Very good. And you, Miss Porter?"

Chad glanced up as Jane joined them. Amelia looked at her and smiled. She was wearing her yellow dress, and despite various repairs and shipboard markings it still looked stunning on her. Her hair was bound back neatly behind her head and her purple tie was pressed and shiny.

"Good afternoon, commander. I'm fine, thank you." Jane smiled. "Hello, Amelia."

"Miss Porter," Amelia smiled back.

"You won't have to wait long," said Chad. "I'll see to the longboat. Mr Harburn, the captain's party will be leaving by the port side."

Harburn nodded. "Aye, sir. I'll put my division on the crane."

Amelia looked back to Jane. "All prepared, then?"

"I think so." Jane patted her satchel.

"I know so." Amelia smiled encouragingly. Jane laughed shyly.

"Ma'am?" The marine guard on the door touched his hat respectfully. "The Captain will see you now."

"Thank you, private." Amelia removed her hat and stepped into the cabin as he opened the door for them. Jane followed close behind. Forsythe's steward was holding up a mirror for the Captain, who was tying a black silk cravat around his neck. The old human was wearing an immaculate dress uniform, the rich blue unfaded by the sun, the gold sparkling and the white facings still pristine. A yellow sash was tied around his waist, the knot on his right counterbalancing the sword on his left. A silver star glittered on his chest as he turned to see them. Amelia stood to attention, hat under her arm, and saluted.

"Reporting as ordered, sir."

"Ah, Ms Amelia. And Dr Porter. Thank you." Forsythe took his hat from his steward. "I'm afraid we don't have much time for the formalities."

"Longboat standing by, captain," Chad poked his head around the door.

"Thank you, commander. We'll be there momentarily." Forsythe adjusted his sash and looked at Jane. "Are you ready for this, doctor?"

Jane smiled and glanced at Amelia. "I've got everything I need, captain, yes."

"Excellent." Forsythe gave a nod of thanks to his steward and led them out of the door. The officers were assembled on the bridge to see them off, and Jane couldn't help smiling to see her father at the end of the line, beaming with pride. Forsythe touched his hat.

"You have the bridge, Commander."

Chad returned the salute. "Aye, sir. Good luck."

Forsythe began descending the stairs to the main deck, where Harburn was waiting with his spacers. A longboat had been swung over the side and was drifting gently just below the railings.

"Good luck to you as well, Janey," Archimedes shook his daughter's hand. "I'm really very proud of you."

Jane smiled. "I won't forget it father."

"And you look after her, won't you, Amelia?" Archimedes looked up. Amelia gave a small bow.

"I most certainly will, sir."

The longboat bobbed as they clambered into it. Forsythe had taken up his seat, and Jane and Amelia sat together towards the bows. He turned and signalled once they were ready. Harburn shouted an order and the boat was released. The coxswain took up the controls and drew slowly away from the Resolute, taking the little boat out to one side of the line of giants. A couple of other longboats were visible, moving up through the fleet carrying the other delegations. Amelia watched the array of ships appreciatively as they went past.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to travelling in a boat this small," said Jane.

Amelia looked at her in surprise. "I didn't know you got spacesick?"

"Oh, no, I don't. Not at all." Jane waved a hand. "It's just an odd feeling to go from being on such a big ship to being on such a small one."

"We're perfectly safe," said Amelia. "Just hang on if you feel you need to."

"I'll find something to hang on to, I'm sure," Jane smiled as Amelia returned to the fleet. She angled her head and admired the way Amelia's auburn hair played in the slipstream, individual strands shining gold in the bright starlight. Amelia turned again and caught her eye, a playful glance sparking between them before she pointed ahead of them.

"There's the flagship. Almost there."

Jane followed the finger and watched as they caught up with the Admiral's vessel. The closer they came, the more impressed she was. The Resolute had been by far the largest ship Jane had ever seen or been on, but even it seemed to pale by comparison to the great flagship. Where Resolute had two guns decks, the Fortitude had three, it's flanks like great wooden cliffs chequered with closed gunports. The towering stern galleries loomed above them, resplendent in blue and gold. The coxswain's mate in the prow waved a signal flag, and received a reply from a crew member on the flagship's deck. Jane gripped the seat as the longboat turned and began heading towards the Fortitude, straightening up parallel while still ten metres away and drifting in towards the railing. It bumped alongside softly and hands reached out to grip it tight, holding it to the side. A number of crew had been assembled to greet them.

"Ready, sir," said the coxswain, after adjusting the throttle precisely.

Forsythe stood. "Thank you. Return to the ship once we've disembarked and await our call."

"Aye, sir."

Forsythe stepped over the side with practised ease, going first onto the rail and then down onto the deck. As his foot touched the timber, an officer called the greeting party to attention. A sharp note was played on a silver whistle and a squad of Marines snapped to alert. Forsythe saluted.

"Permission to come aboard," he said.

The officer returned the gesture. "Permission granted, sir, with the Admiral's compliments. Lieutenant-Commander Rosen at your service."

Forsythe nodded thanks and moved to allow Amelia to disembark. She turned and assisted Jane to follow her, taking her hand and guiding her safely to the deck. Rosen looked at her in surprise, but decided not to ask.

"If...if you'd follow me, sir? The Admiral is expecting you."