Amelia was sitting cross-legged on the bed, a roll of canvas open in front of her on which she was carefully stripping down a laslock pistol. The gleaming components were laid out in meticulous order and she was humming to herself as she worked. Jane was pacing up and down the cabin behind her.

"You're like a caged tiger there, Jane," Amelia commented, smiling ironically.

Jane tried to laugh. "Well, I...I suppose you'd know about that, Amelia."

"Somewhat." Amelia tapped the pistol until a polished brass cylinder fell out of it, enabling her to see straight down the barrel. She put the object onto the canvas roll and peered through the weapon with one eye closed.

"It's just that everyone has something to do," Jane wrung her hands. "I mean, look at you working away there. And then there's me, with no idea about how to help!"

"I can take care of this," said Amelia, indicating the disassembled laslock. "But that...isn't what you meant, is it?"

Jane shook her head. Amelia sighed.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to do," said Jane. "I'm no good in a fight."

"You won't need to be," said Amelia. "You can leave that to me. All you need to do is get onto that pirate vessel and examine whatever this weapon of theirs is. We may not have much time if we're forced to destroy it and we need to learn as much about it as we can while we have the opportunity. You're the most familiar person aboard with the Periskova expedition and her work."

"I suppose..."

"So you've got the best chance of understanding how the thing works," said Amelia. "You know the kind of thing that Professor Periskova was working on before she disappeared."

"Maybe, yes..." Jane bit her lip.

"That's why the Captain asked you to come along," Amelia smiled encouragingly. "Not for the fighting, but for the discovery. Learning about her work."

Jane sat down beside her. "I don't know that much about it, though...I never took her advanced classes...I'm a vet, not a scientist."

"You're closer than anyone else," Amelia nudged her.

"I'll try to remember that. And if there is any fighting, I'll just do my best to stay out of your way," Jane smiled.

"You'll do no such thing," said Amelia. "I need you to stay where I can see you. The Captain might have ordered you to accompany us but he ordered me to protect you."

Jane smiled again and put her hand on Amelia's. "And I know you will."

"I hope you do." Amelia put the laslock aside and held Jane's hand. "Because I will. I promise you."

"Oh, Amelia," Jane looked down shyly. "You never have to convince me that you'd protect me. That's all you've ever done, ever since we met."

"People keep giving me orders to do it," Amelia grinned. "Which helps."

"Of course. You and your sense of duty," Jane looked up into her eyes.

Amelia shook her head. "It's not that. You think I wouldn't protect you even without orders?"

"No, I...that's not what I meant, I'm sorry..." Jane looked down again. Amelia cupped her chin and turned her face back around.

"I will protect you, Jane. I swear it. I'll protect you with my life if I have to."

"Oh, don't say that." Jane squeezed her hand, her blue eyes wavering. "Don't. Don't make me think about that. I know you would. I know you would."

"Just so long as you know why," Amelia murmured. "And it's not just because of duty."

"I do know why," Jane assured her. "You don't have to tell me that, either."

"I'll say it anyway," smiled Amelia, moving close enough to rub her nose against Jane's. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Amelia." Jane touched noses in return. "And I'll feel so much better knowing you're going to be there with me."

"Right beside you," Amelia promised. "I'll be looking out for you."

"Thank you." Jane smiled and glanced down at the array of parts on the canvas roll. "I suppose I'd better let you get back to that. You might be needing it."

"I appreciate it," said Amelia. "Oh, but on the subject...here's one that, as they say, I finished earlier."

She reached behind her and withdrew a second pistol, which she held out to Jane.

"Oh, er...I'm really not sure I should have that," Jane hesitated. "I mean, it might be dangerous."

"That's precisely why I want you to carry it," said Amelia.

"No, I mean that my carrying it would be dangerous," Jane sighed. "I appreciate the thought, truly, but I just wouldn't know how to use it."

"You aim the pointy end at someone and pull the trigger," Amelia joked. "There's less science to it than people think."

She scanned Jane's face, noting the expression and the shadows in her eyes. "But you don't have to take it if you don't want to. Of course, if all goes to plan you won't need to have it at all."

Jane looked up and met Amelia's eyes for a long moment. She saw the concern there, felt the depth of her care, knew the risks that the feline would be running on her behalf and remembered her words earlier. Amelia always did so much for her. Jane knew she could never match that in the same way, but neither did she want to be a burden. The thought of making Amelia's dangerous job even more difficult was too much for her and she reached out a nervous hand, taking the laslock by the butt.

"That switch there will arm it," said Amelia, pointing. "The power cell should be charged and ready. Would you like me to show you how to hold it?"

Jane nodded. "That would be a good idea. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself."

"We'd better stand up, then." Amelia got to her feet and held out a hand to help Jane. They moved around to an open area of the room and Jane smiled anxiously.

"We can probably do without this for now, too," said Amelia, ejecting the power cell. "Just in case."

"I feel better knowing I can't shoot a hole in the side of the ship," said Jane.

Amelia laughed. "Let's start with the basics. Both hands around the handle, like this. Keep your trigger finger off the trigger and place it on the side of the weapon until you're ready."

Jane watched, trying to follow the movements. "I see."

"Good. Now, firing stance. Both hands still on the weapon. Keep your arm straight, like this, and lean slightly forwards into the weapon. You should be looking right along the top of the barrel." Amelia took up the position, aiming the pistol across the room.

"All right."

"Control your breathing," said Amelia. "Because that helps with keeping the gun steady. When you feel ready, you put your finger lightly on the trigger. Just rest it there. When you have your target, you just apply a gentle pressure. And I do mean gentle. If you pull too hard, the pressure will move the gun and you'll lose your aim."

"Gentle pressure. I see." Jane craned her head to see how Amelia's hands were wrapped around the pistol. Amelia glanced sideways, saw her looking, and smiled. "Your turn now."

She straightened up and handed the weapon over. Jane took it and fumbled with it for a moment before taking a solid grip on it.

"Both hands," she murmured to herself. "Finger off the trigger."

"That's right. Good." Amelia checked her grip. "Now. The firing stance."

"Yes. Firing. Right." Jane raised it and pointed it at the wall. Amelia walked around her, one eyebrow raised critically.

"Remember to keep your arm straight," she said. "That's not a priceless work of art you're holding."

"Arms straight. Got it." Jane complied.

"And leaning slightly into the weapon so that your eye is on the same level," said Amelia.

Jane lowered her head briefly and squinted. Amelia chuckled.

"Not quite, Jane. Head up, and lean with your body. Here."

She stepped behind Jane and put her arms alongside hers. Jane blushed briefly as Amelia's hands closed around hers, holding the laslock steady. Jane closed her eyes at the feeling of Amelia's body against hers, warm and somehow firm and soft at the same time. Amelia smiled at the colour in her face and rested her head against her shoulder, cheek to cheek.

"Leaning forwards slowly, just like this," she said, encouraging Jane into the position. "Hands still steady."

Jane tried not to focus on the soft fur against her skin, the breath against her ear, and attempted to concentrate on the lesson. "Leaning forwards. Yes, I think I have it."

"And you're looking along the top of the pistol?" said Amelia. "Good. Now, that little brass fixture there are the sights. You line that up with your target."

"Right." Jane gripped the handle tighter. Amelia nodded approvingly and stepped back, leaving Jane perfectly poised to fire.

"Now, when you're ready, put your finger back on the trigger."

Jane swallowed and did so. "And...gentle pressure to fire?"

"Gentle pressure, that's right."

Jane pulled the trigger and gave a small jump of surprise as it passed the friction point and snapped back with a harsh metallic click.

"And that," said Amelia, "is really all there is to it."

Jane smiled shyly. "Well...that wasn't so hard."

"Glad to hear it," Amelia smiled. "Although hopefully you won't have to remember any of it. For now, on the other hand...shall we try it again?"

"We might have to, yes," said Jane. She grinned. "I may not be very good at this. But I wouldn't mind you showing me that pose again..."

The clash of wood on wood echoed across the deck. Amelia twirled the length of timber that she held and sprang forwards on her opponent, who brought their own stick up defensively, warding off the flurry of blows she unleashed as they retreated backward. Near the rail they suddenly stepped aside, letting one of her blows sail unimpeded through the air, leaving her open and giving them a chance to turn the tide. Now it was Amelia stepping backwards, fighting just to stay in the fight. She felt the wood of the rail press into the small of her back and grinned as an idea formed in her mind. Bracing herself, she ducked under one of her opponent's swings and, gathering her strength like a spring, vaulted up onto the rail and, from the position of height, somersaulted over the enemy's head and landed neatly on the deck behind him, her club pressing into the middle of his back triumphantly.

"I believe that round goes to me," she said.

Mr Arrow smiled and turned around, lowering his weapon. "I believe it does, ma'am. Although as your great-uncle would tell you if he was here..."

He moved faster than his size would suggest was possible, dropping and knocking one of Amelia's legs out from under her. She went down with a shout of surprise and looked up to see Arrow levelling his club at her, a faint smile still on his face.

"...never give a bastard a break," he concluded. "Although, of course, he was not the most honourable of fighters."

"I'll remember that," Amelia grinned. "Now, if you don't mind..."

Arrow reached down and helped her to her feet. Amelia dusted herself off and straightened up. Forsythe had allowed the boarding party to use the foredeck and castle for training, and that area of the ship was filled with moving figures as Harburn put them through their paces. Jane was sitting under the foremast, a book open on her knees, and watching the practice with a certain alarm as she held Amelia's hat for her. Amelia gave her a confident grin and looked around. Harburn was duelling with Petty Officer Bryce a short way off. The spacers were practising with lengths of wood cut to the same length as their standard-issue cutlasses while the marines had longer staffs to mimic their laslock rifles. Sergeant Ko had Corporal Bock on the ground and was kneeling on his back with her staff against his neck. Bock struggled for a moment and then went limp and tapped his hand on the deck. Ko nodded in satisfaction and stood up.

"Not bad, corporal, not bad. But you're going to have to do a bit better than that if it comes to close quarters. Get up, recover your weapon, and we'll start again."

"Yes, sarge." Bock pulled himself up again. Arrow gave him a sympathetic look.

"I hope you're not damaging the corporal, sergeant," he said.

"No, sir," said Ko. "Certainly not any more than the enemy will try to."

"Just make sure you don't do their job for them," Arrow cautioned her. "There'll be plenty of them to go around as it is."

"Yes, sir. I prefer a target-rich environment, sir."

Amelia chuckled to herself and went to join Jane under the mast, ducking under the rope that had been strung across the deck to separate the training area.

"Is everything going all right?" Jane asked.

Amelia nodded. "As well as it can. Your Mr Bock is a fast learner. So are the rest of them. But there's nothing like an opportunity to sharpen one's skills."

"I suppose it's like cramming for an examination," said Jane. "Except obviously with different incentives."

"You could say that," said Amelia. "Although even at the Academy, you don't get shot for failing to make the grade. Mind you, I'm sure some of the lecturers would have considered it."

Jane gave a small laugh. "I suppose so."

"As it was, being made to clean the latrines with a toothbrush usually sufficed," Amelia said.

"I'm sure you never had to do that," said Jane, looking up in surprise.

"Once," Amelia admitted. "I was a member of the Starhawks, you know. The Academy's aerial display team? I was quite the solar surfer back then. One day, though, one of the other flyers misjudged a hard landing and rather demolished most of the hangar next to ours."

"Oh, dear. I hope nobody was hurt."

"Nobody and nothing, except for some pride," Amelia smiled. "And, of course, the Vice Commandant's antique solar carriage which we had been told to look after."

"It was parked in the hangar that your friend landed on?" said Jane.

"My friend was flying it," said Amelia.

Jane laughed. "Well. I suppose that makes more sense."

"Not the Starhawks' finest hour," Amelia agreed. "Are you all right here?"

"I'm fine, Amelia," Jane nodded and smiled back. "You're all working very hard. I wouldn't want to get in the way."

"You could join in, if you like," said Amelia. "I promise I won't make Sergeant Ko your sparring partner."

"No, thank you. It's all right." Jane patted her satchel. "I have the gun you gave me."

"I could always give you some private lessons later," Amelia offered.

Jane blushed. Amelia coughed. They looked away from each other for a moment until Harburn called from the forecastle.

"Ms Amelia! Report, if you please!"

"Yes, sir!" Amelia stood up and looked apologetically at Jane. "I'm sorry. I'd better get back to it."

"Of course." Jane smiled. "Good luck."

Amelia grinned and jumped back over the rope, weaving through the temporary battlefield. She mounted the steps to the forecastle and glanced back to the mast from the top. Jane looked up from her book and smiled bravely. Amelia smiled back, and went up onto the forecastle.

"Whales! Whales!" A lookout shouted down from the fighting tops. All movement on the deck froze.

"Where away?" shouted Chad from the bridge.

The lookout pointed a finger. "Two points off the port bow, sir! Distant contact!"

Harburn broke off his conversation with Amelia and the two of them hurried to the rail, Arrow close behind. A frigate, the Captain Strickland, was manoeuvring to position itself between the fleet and the distant shapes of the whales. The echoes of the ship's klaxon could be heard across the etherium as her crew went to action stations. There were at least a dozen whales that Amelia could count without a telescope to help, swimming serenely towards the bright disc of a young star. She could hear the soldiers and spacers of the boarding party gathering behind them, and there were murmurs of conversation breaking out. Knowledge of the enemy's secret weapon was not officially widespread within the fleet, but keeping any kind of secret aboard a warship was exceptionally difficult. No doubt some of the medical staff had overhead Sius telling his story, and they'd spoken to their friends in the mess and the story had been passed on from there. Such rumours could help to keep a crew sharp, but they could also breed fear and Amelia listened to the tone of the murmurs with raised ears.

"There must be a whole pod out there," said Harburn quietly. "Are they moving parallel with us? Closing?"

"I think they're on a diverging course, sir," said Arrow.

"Just so long as they stay that way," Harburn said.

The frigate was now in position, sailing protectively along the fleet's flank. Amelia looked at it and remembered what had happened to the last frigate which had tangled with a maddened void whale.

"All hands! Back to your posts!" Forsythe's bellow from the bridge cut through the atmosphere of tension which had settled over the deck. "Return to your duties!"

Harburn swallowed, set his face and turned back to the assembled boarding party. "You heard the captain, everyone. Carry on."

There was a desultory movement back from the rail but there was no hurry in it. Amelia stepped forward and raised her voice.

"You all heard the first lieutenant as well! Return to your drills!" She glanced at Ko and nodded.

"Come on, lads!" shouted Ko. "Choose new sparring partners, new weapons. Move yourselves!"

Jane had been watching from the main deck. She looked up as the pod of whales passed across the face of the nearby star, casting flickering shadows across the fleet. Though the day was warm and bright, she shivered as the shadows passed by and flinched at the first clatter of wood from the duelling figures on the forecastle.

The lower gun deck of the Resolute was essentially identical to the upper one where Jane had watched the drill in the asteroid belt, but there was less space as it was on the lower deck that the ship-of-the-line carried its heaviest weapons, a battery of gunmetal grey giants that sat sullenly in their mountings as if only reluctantly muzzled and cowled. The big guns gleamed dully in the lamplight. Tables hung from the ceiling between them, and spacers sat around each one. Ordinarily it would be a lively scene, with shouts, laughs and conversation everywhere and someone, because there was always one, playing a musical instrument of some kind. But as Amelia moved along the deck on a tour of inspection, the atmosphere was subdued. Spacers sat playing games or reading or writing. Only the occasional soft clatter from rolling dice broke the contemplation. Jane followed Amelia, looking around as curiously as Amelia was looking around critically. A young spacer carrying two buckets stood aside respectfully as they passed.

"Good evening, ma'am," he said, trying to salute. Amelia touched her hat in return.

"As you were, spacer. Is that the last of the sand?"

"Yes, ma'am. That's it for this deck.'

"Excellent. Be sure to inform the Master Gunner."

"Yes, ma'am."

Amelia nodded and walked on. Jane watched the spacer walk past, peering into the buckets. She was mildly surprised to see that they contained no liquid, but a rough sand.

"Everyone's so quiet," said Jane as they left the long room. "Have you noticed?"

"Everyone knows that the fleet is going into action tomorrow," said Amelia. "That always focuses the mind."

"I saw a lot of them writing letters," said Jane. "I suppose that...that would be why."

Amelia nodded. "Yes...letters."

"And what was that young man doing with those buckets?" Jane ducked under a low beam. "I saw that they were full of sand. Is that for firefighting?"

"It's for the deck, actually," said Amelia. "We spread it across the floor. It'll be the same on the upper gun deck, and on the main deck itself."

"Whatever for?" Jane asked. "I mean, you always see someone scrubbing the decks during the day. It seems a waste to dump sand all over that."

"It's to give people's feet more grip," said Amelia. "In case...in case anything gets spilled on the deck during the fighting."

"You mean like oil?" Jane said. "I suppose that could happen on the gun decks, but there's no oil on the main deck."

"Oil, yes...but mainly it's to absorb any..." Amelia hesitated, unsure whether to tell the distasteful truth. But Jane saved her from the dilemma by reaching the right conclusion herself.

"Oh...yes, I see. Any blood." Jane sighed and looked down. "Of course."

"Try not to dwell on it," said Amelia, as they went down the corridor towards their cabin. "It's just a precaution."

Lieutenant Forrest stepped out of his cabin and passed them, trading nods with Amelia and touching his hat to Jane.

"Going on watch, sir?" said Jane politely.

"I'm afraid so." Forrest put his hat on. "All set on the lower deck, Ms Amelia?"

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

"Including the sand," murmured Jane.

"Very good," Forrest nodded. "Carry on, then. And good evening to you both."

"Thank you, sir." Amelia saluted and let him pass before going to the door to their cabin, which she opened. Jane followed her inside and closed the door behind them. Amelia sighed with relief and took off her hat, hanging it on its hook. She began undoing the buttons of her blue coat as Jane crossed to the window and stood there looking out. The warm golden glow of evening had cooled to a brass shade and the Captain Strickland was silhouetted blackly against the etherium. Jane watched the scene and gave a sigh of her own.

"Is there something on your mind, my Jane?" Amelia shrugged off her coat.

"What isn't on my mind," Jane smiled sadly. "Whales and warships and goodness knows what else."

"Those whales we saw earlier aren't anywhere near us," Amelia assured her. "They were heading away from us."

"Oh, yes, I know," said Jane. "I mean just whales in general. It's strange...I was so excited when we first saw them, but now..."

"Well, a lot has changed since then," Amelia noted.

"And not for the better," Jane sighed again.

"You made a difference to at least one," said Amelia. "I'm sure Sunny won't have forgotten that."

"Sunny. Oh, yes." Jane smiled and shook her head. "I just hope he's nowhere near any of this. The thought of him getting tangled up in something like this is awful."

"He's probably gone in some other direction since he was following us," said Amelia, hanging her blue coat on the wall and starting to unbuckle her shoes. "He could be halfway across the Megapterans by now."

"Yes, he could be...I don't know why, though, but I can't help thinking that he was still following us." Jane shook out her hair. "I know he disappeared, but still...I can't help thinking that he's out there somewhere. Perhaps somewhere close by."

"No doubt he is," Amelia said. "And wherever he is, he's better for having had your help."

Jane blushed. "Well...I am a vet, after all."

Amelia looked up. "Oh, Jane. You're so much more than that."

Jane blushed again and looked back out the porthole. "Do you remember the last time we were waiting for a battle?" she said. "It was in the evening, just like this. Watching the sun set."

Amelia smiled as she began working on the buttons of her waistcoat. "On Naztar? In the attic of the town hall?"

"The night before the Procyons stormed the barricades," Jane smiled back. "Yes. That night."

"I don't think I'll ever forget it," said Amelia, looking down for a moment. "There was a lot to remember about that night."

"Oh, Amelia." Jane blushed. "There really was."

"More than I'd ever imagined, to be truthful," said Amelia. She padded across the cabin and put her hands on Jane's shoulder. "But it's not quite the same. Back then, we didn't know whether we'd see another night."

"We don't know that now, either," whispered Jane.

Amelia nodded. "I know...but I feel better with three battle squadrons between me and the enemy."

Jane laughed. "And I should, too. Although I've never seen ships fight before."

"I understand why you're nervous," Amelia said softly.

"Was it the same way for you?" Jane turned her head.

Amelia smiled. "I had the luxury of my first space action coming as a surprise. But there are disadvantages to that, as well."

"I think I prefer it this way," said Jane. "I'm not much good when I'm surprised."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Amelia patted her shoulders. "Don't forget that you've seen more combat than more than a few of the crew of this ship."

"I don't think I could ever get used to it, though," Jane reached up to her shoulder and rested a hand on Amelia's.

"I don't expect you to. Or want you to have to." Amelia kissed Jane's fingers softly. "But I'll be right beside you tomorrow, no matter what happens. I don't make promises I don't intend to keep, and I promised to defend you, at any cos-"

Jane turned in her arms and touched a soft finger to the feline's lips. "Hush, Amelia. I know. And I know why you promised that. And there is nothing that would make me doubt it."

"I'll make sure there never is," Amelia murmured.

"And I believe that, too," Jane held her close. "With all my heart."

Amelia lifted her chin with a finger and looked into her eyes, seeing the shadows the lay behind the blue and determined to drive them away.

"But whatever happens tomorrow," she whispered. "Whatever fate has in store for us then...we still have tonight."

The fleet was sailing towards a star on the outer corner of a small stellar cluster. They were young, bright stars, so close together that they were sharing incandescent streamers of gas. A frigate had been sent ahead to scout the group and Admiral Benson had ordered the fleet out of line astern. The three battle squadrons were formed up together, Resolute and the rest of the 5th taking the central position. The Fortitude was running slightly ahead of her squadron to allow the fleet to see her flag signals. The crew of the Resolute was mostly on deck. Although nominally not on the alert yet, the tension was palpable and even those crew who were not on duty were tending to stay on top where they could see what was going on. The officers were standing patiently on the bridge – all except for Forsythe, who was pacing from side to side again as was his wont.

"Your boarding party is ready, Mr Harburn?" he said, as he passed by where Harburn was standing with Amelia and Arrow.

"Yes, sir." Harburn nodded. "And Captain Arrow's troops are standing by."

"I will accompany them myself, sir," affirmed Arrow.

"Good." Forsythe turned. "But you will join Ms Amelia's reserve party. Acting Sergeant Ko can lead the marine contingent in Mr Harburn's vanguard."

"As you wish, sir," Arrow touched his hat.

"Should misfortune befall the vanguard, your experience and expertise may well be required," Forsythe went on. "Carry on, Mr Arrow."

He crossed the bridge again, pausing only to seek an answer to some sort of question from Lieutenant Costell at the console. Amelia put her telescope to her eye and scanned ahead of them, looking for the lone scoutship.

"Do you see anything, ma'am?" asked Arrow.

Amelia shook her head. "Only stars, Mr Arrow."

"No whales?"

"None that I can see," Amelia folded up the telescope. "Odd, isn't it. You'd think they'd be attracted to a star cluster like this."

"I'm not complaining," said Midshipman Buckley, who was nearby.

"I don't think anyone is," said Harburn.

"Any signal from the flagship, Commander?" said Forsythe.

Chad shook his head. "No, sir. And no sight of the frigate either. The glare from the star is whiting out our telescopes. We can't see a thing on the monitors."

"Then get some extra eyes aloft to watch for that frigate's return," Forsythe nodded to him. "But be sure not to miss anything from the flagship."

"Aye, aye, sir." Chad touched his hat and turned to Dunn. "Get yourself aloft with a glass, Midshipman, and keep your eyes sharp."

"Aye, sir!" Dunn saluted and left the bridge gratefully, climbing aloft and heading for the mainmast's lookout post, glad to be free of the tense atmosphere on the deck. Archimedes brushed past her on the bridge stairs and made his way up them, waving cheerfully.

"What ho, Captain! Nice day for it!"

Forsythe forced himself to nod politely. "Good morning, your excellency."

"Everyone's turned out, I see," Archimedes continued. "And you...all seem to be looking in the same direction. Has something happened?"

The little man strained up onto his toes and squinted to try to see what was going on. Forsythe sighed and looked at Amelia, who took pity on him.

"Nothing yet, sir. We're waiting on a signal from the flagship."

"Ah. Of course." Archimedes relaxed. "I suppose it's a bit like waiting for the referee to blow his whistle, right?"

"Not really, sir."

"Capital, capital." Archimedes rubbed his elbow, evidently in a state of some distraction even by his own standards. "And, er...I suppose there are some rules involved?"

"Yes, sir. In theory," said Amelia diplomatically.

"It's just that...well, since my Janey is going with you..." Archimedes wrung his hands and looked down at the deck. Amelia gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

"We'll take care of her, sir," she said.

"Ms Amelia is right, sir," said Harburn. "She's a vital part of the plan. We need her. Isn't that right, acting lieutenant?"

"It most certainly is, sir," Amelia nodded. "I won't let you down."

"I know you wouldn't." Archimedes patted her hand. "And please don't tell Janey about this. She doesn't like it when I worry so."

"We won't, sir," said Amelia. "You have my-"

"Shh!" Archimedes waved a hand. "She's here!"

Amelia looked up as Jane stepped onto the bridge. She was wearing her battered old pith helmet and had her satchel slung around her shoulders. Her hair was drawn back and tied in a businesslike fashion out of the way. She looked up and caught Amelia's gaze in time to give her a bright, nervous smile.

"Hello there, everyone," she said. "I hope I'm not too late?"

"Not at all, ma'am," Harburn touched his hat to her.

"We were all just talking about...about...um..." Archimedes scratched his head. "About...um...something else."

"Something else?" Jane looked puzzled.

"Yes! Something else, that's different." Archimedes nodded happily.

"Different...from what?" Jane's puzzlement only deepened. Her father blinked once or twice.

"Er..."

"We're awaiting the Admiral's signal, Jane," said Amelia, taking pity on him.

"Oh. That's all right, then." Jane smiled and went to join her. "Just so long as everything is all right."

"I don't think any detail has escaped the Captain's notice," said Harburn, nodding towards Forsythe who was back at the console and pointing at one of the displays with an irritated look. Lieutenant Forrest saluted and left the bridge to attend to whatever had attracted his attention.

"Contact sighted!" shouted Dunn. "Single contact bearing zero two zero!"

"Can you identify it?" Forsythe shouted back.

Dunn was a moment in replying, fixing her telescope on the sighting. "It's the frigate, sir!"

"Is she signalling?" called Chad.

"Not yet, sir! Still too far away!"

Amelia looked over to the flagship as the frigate approached. The smaller ship was running under full sail, her engines at maximum thrust producing a brilliant blue-white wake that stretched out behind the ship for a distance as long as the ship itself. She turned across the front of the advancing fleet, a string of bright flags unfurling from her mainmast and a lantern on her forecastle flashing a series of dots and dashes. Amelia tried to concentrate on it.

"What's it saying?" asked Jane, going to her side.

"Can you make it out, Ms Dunn?" shouted Forsythe.

Dunn turned and waved. "Enemy sighted, sir! Enemy sighted!"

Amelia felt the familiar thrill run through her and she looked over to Jane to check on her reaction.

"What happens now?" Jane bit her lip uncertainly.

"We still wait for the Admiral," said Amelia. "But he won't take long now. Look, the flagship already has the communications flag out."

She pointed to the Fortitude, which had a long, plain pennant fluttering from the top of her mainmast, the signal to the fleet to be ready to receive orders. The frigate which had brought the tidings turned sharply, keeling over to an extreme angle as she approached the flagship, her signal lantern still flashing. A tense few moments passed before Dunn called out again.

"Signal from the flagship, sir!"

"Mr Whiting?" Forsythe nodded to Whiting, who touched his hat and went to the rail, raising his telescope. A long message was being sent from the flagship and it took another few long moments before he was able to turn and give his report.

"The fleet is to enter battle formation, sir. Squadrons to spread out to two kilometres separation. The Admiral is committing us to engage."

"I concur, sir," said Costell, who had been watching the message as well.

"Courageous is signalling, sir," said Chad, pointing to the squadron flagship. "Commodore Lee acknowledges."

"Order is executable, sir," said Costell, noting that the signal from the Fortitude had been hauled down, the gesture to carry out the order.

"Keep watch on the Courageous for the Commodore's orders, Mr Costell," said Forsythe. He folded his hands behind his back and nodded across to Chad. "Mr Chad. We will clear for action."

Chad nodded decisively and stepped forward, cupping his hands about his mouth as he raised his voice. "Aye, aye, sir. Clear for action! Clear for action! All hands, clear for action! Beat to quarters!"

The ship's klaxon began sounding, and spacers who were previously standing around listlessly began moving with purpose, springing to life. Forsythe nodded his approval and turned to the officers.

"Mr Whiting, take yourself forward and assume command of the bowchasers. Mr Buckley, you will find Mr Forrest in the engine room. Take my compliments to him and then the two of you will take your stations on the gun decks. Petty Officer York? You will join Mr Forrest on the lower gun deck. Master Gunner? Report to Mr Buckley at the upper battery."

"Aye, sir!"

Forsythe continued as he paced back across the deck. "Mr Harburn, assemble your boarding party on the main deck. Mr Arrow, you will see that your troops are in position and then join Ms Amelia."

Arrow saluted. "I have issued orders to my Lieutenant of Marines to oversee the deployment, sir."

"Very good." Forsythe nodded. "Proceed to join the boarding party, then."

"Yes, sir!" Arrow touched his hat and followed Harburn onto the main deck. A drummer had appeared at the base of the bridge stairs and was playing a brisk solo as if to accompany the flurry of footfalls on the timbers. By the mainmast, Ko was lining up the marine contingent of the boarding party for inspection, her eyes alert to every detail of their equipment and Harburn was shouting for the spacers to arm themselves and assemble.

"Signal from Commodore Lee, sir," said Costell. "Squadron to maintain formation and bear fifteen degrees to starboard. Accelerate to combat speed. Order executable immediately."

"Signal our acknowledgement," Forsythe folded his hands behind his back. "Helm, bear fifteen degrees to starboard, take us to combat speed and maintain heading."

"Aye, aye, sir. Bearing fifteen starboard, combat speed." The spacer at the helm span the big polished wheel while his mate worked the engine room telegraph.

Amelia turned to Jane and smiled as she adjusted the ride of her weapons belt around her hips.

"Well, Miss Porter. Shall we proceed?"

Jane nodded and smiled back, taking confidence from the display of brisk military efficiency happening around them as well as the sight of Amelia's hand resting casually yet confidently on the hilt of her sword. "Yes, Ms Amelia. We shall."

She followed her onto the deck to join the assembling boarding party. On the way, she tried not to pay too much attention to the buckets of sand lined up along the side rail as the warships accelerated towards the still-unseen enemy.