Amelia’s world was reduced to two things: pain and weight. Pain lanced through her body, everywhere and nowhere specific. Weight pressed down on her, constricted her, trapped her. She couldn’t see or hear anything, or even guess what was happening. There was just the pain. And the weight.
Panic welled up, but she fought against it. For a moment she thought she was back on Passagia, just a kid who’d fallen into a pond. Nightmare images of being pulled down into the murky waters by the bulk of her basket flooded her mind. She tried to move her limbs, to swim and kick her way upward. She shook her shoulders to help the basket slip away, knowing that if she took even the tiniest breath her lungs would fill with water and she’d die. She shifted again, trying to lose the weight even as she swam upward.
Breathe.
It was all she wanted to do, but she knew she mustn’t. A faint glow appeared ahead of her – the surface! She steered toward it, forcing sluggish limbs into motion. Her legs were leaden, her arms thrashing desperately. A distant roar grew in her ears, the rush of water around her, pressing on her.
Breathe.
Her lungs were on fire, but she dared not use them. Not until she reached the light. Her arms flailed, her legs useless as they trailed behind her.
“Come on, darling, breathe.”
The woman’s voice was faint, almost otherworldly. Amelia’s limbs were exhausted, but she had to get to the light. She fought upward through the water, the way she had when was just a little girl. Who loaded little girls with heavy baskets so close to ponds, anyway?
“Please, Amelia, breathe.”
And since when did people on Passagia speak in noble accents?
She gasped for breath, feeling the cool, blessed relief of air in her lungs. The weight constructing her suddenly lifted, and her ears filled with the sounds of voices and machinery.
She opened her eyes, blinking against the harsh lights. A mask lifted off her face and the shadow of a person moved into view. She couldn’t see the face, but the light from behind made the blonde hair glow like an aurora.
“That’s it, darling,” Dr. Ava Templegrey said with relief, “just breathe. You’re safe, back on the ship.”
Amelia realized she was lying on a bed in sickbay. Templegrey hovered close, her professional expression melting into a friendly smile. One bed over Chief Sky was on her back, mostly covered in a sheet as Master Rating Song applied dressing to her exposed leg. The assaulter was conscious, but pale as she stared upward blankly at the deckhead. The rest of the small medical team busied themselves around the room.
“Where’s Liam?” Amelia asked, surprised at the effort to do so.
“He’s briefing the captain,” Templegrey replied, giving her hand a little squeeze. “He’s fine.”
“Sam and Bella? Mason?”
“Bella’s with the XO. Sam is still on the surface. Lieutenant Swift is returning in the boat as we speak.” Amelia felt the squeeze of her hand again. “Everyone is okay, Amelia. Just relax.”
She looked around again, gripping Templegrey’s hand to test her own extremities. She could wiggle her toes, but her legs didn’t want to move.
“My legs…”
“Are still there,” Templegrey said, “but I’ve immobilized them because the slash wounds need to knit and if you start moving around they’ll just start bleeding again.”
Lifting her head, Amelia confirmed that her body was intact. Bandages wrapped around most of her legs and much of her torso. Even the slightest pressure stung, adding to the overall ache from her shoulders to her ankles. She lifted her free hand to touch the cloth over her breasts.
“You’re going to have some impressive scars,” Templegrey said with a touch of amusement, “but yes, they’re both still in one piece.”
“I guess my new outfit is ruined…”
The doctor nodded toward a bucket of bloody rags. “I’ll get you something nice when we’re next at Emperor’s Reach.”
“No big loss – they were starting to chafe, anyway.” She looked down again. She was covered in so many bandages they were practically a full set of clothes. “Theropods aren’t precision killers, are they?”
Templegrey sat down on the edge of the bed, professional gaze scanning the damage. “I think your attacker panicked, and just started slashing at whatever he could reach. You have about two dozen slice wounds, but most of the upper ones are superficial – lots of surface blood so they look nasty, but nothing I’m worried about. The brute’s hind claws did carve a few deep trenches in your legs… But we got you back in time. I’ve been giving you new blood for an hour, now.”
“Don’t take it all,” Sky suddenly growled from the next bed. “I might need some.”
“Chief Sky,” Templegrey added, raising her voice slightly, “took a tailsword to the leg. It thankfully didn’t cut deep, but rather scraped along her thigh.”
“Bastard carved off a steak,” Sky quipped. “I doubt I taste good.”
“You’re both going to be staying here for a while,” the doctor said firmly. “No more adventures until you can each walk without a limp.”
“I’ll be up by the dog watch,” Sky said.
Templegrey rolled her eyes and turned back to Amelia. “You, too, darling. Just relax and let your body heal.”
Amelia nodded, in no mood to fight the doctor’s orders. As her mind cleared, though, she started replaying the events on the surface. How had they misjudged the scene so badly?
*
“You’re generally very good at this,” Captain Riverton said, leaning forward in her chair. “So explain to me why this mission failed so completely.”
Liam kept his expression neutral, fighting down the old anger. Riverton might be good at diplomatic engagements, but she clearly didn’t understand the chaos inherent in street-level negotiations. They stared at each other for a moment across the table in the captain’s cabin.
“We misread the Theropods,” he said finally. “We thought their actions were just posturing, but then one of them attacked Petty Officer Virtue.”
Riverton’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Amelia’s name. She turned her gaze to the Theropod crouching at Liam’s side.
“Bella, your thoughts?”
Bella’s head pivoted between the two Humans, her alien eyes unreadable. She blinked several times, then cocked her head as she turned to Riverton.
“My people are always unpredictable. I thought negotiations were going well, but then suddenly everything changed.”
“Why?” Riverton asked.
The question hung in the cabin for a long time. Liam was still sorting through the sequence of events and Bella had offered little commentary since their return.
The silence was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. At Riverton’s call, the door opened and Swift stepped inside, covered in grime and dust.
“Captain,” he greeted, saluting. “We’ve found the main hideout.”
“Where is Sam?” Bella asked.
“He’s stayed on the surface to observe. He has the boat radio.”
“Do you know if Shordar is at the hideout?” Riverton asked.
Swift took a slow breath. “We don’t know for sure, ma’am, but there’s a fast sloop moored outside. Common thugs don’t usually have that sort of ride just hanging around.”
“And he may not stick around after this incident,” Riverton added. “We have to move quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Liam said, mind already racing. “I recommend we take Freedom and the entire boarding party as backup.”
“His Majesty’s Navy,” she retorted, “does not simply sail down to a free city and start shooting at private citizens. We need to know that Shordar is there.”
“As you said, ma’am, there’s no time. We’ll go in force but leave the bulk of the team in reserve. We can try negotiations one more time, and in so doing discover whether Shordar is there in person or not.”
“Bella,” Riverton said, switching her gaze, “will negotiations have any chance of success after the last encounter?”
“Yes. My people are always looking to make money. And grudges are rarely held.”
“And do Humans hold grudges, Commander Blackwood?”
He was surprised at the question, and at her sudden icy stare. “No, ma’am. It’s all about the mission.”
Riverton nodded. “Then assemble your team and proceed.”
Liam rose, following Swift and Bella out of the captain’s cabin.
Once in the corridor, Bella suddenly swirled around, her head rising to stare up at Liam.
“I like you, Lee-arm,” she said, “so I did not speak in front of your captain. Those negotiations failed because you drew your pistols. That crossed a line and said that we were treacherous.”
“Why? They had a tailsword in motion.”
“It was not. And you used a faraway weapon. Shows of dominance always – always – used close-in weapons. You were stupid.”
Before Liam could reply, Bella spun around and stalked off.
Liam stared at Swift, who stood in grim silence. The anger on his face was clear. The two of them had done countless shore operations over the years and had seen many of them go less than according to plan. They’d endured injuries, loss and even capture. But never, ever, had they turned on each other. But something in Swift’s expression said that today was different.
Liam opened his own cabin door and gestured for Swift to enter. The propulsor stepped through and Liam shut the door behind him.
“Speak your mind, Mason.”
Swift pursed his lips, clearing considering his words as he took a long, tight breath.
“Bella’s right,” he said finally. “When two groups are posturing with each other, it’s all just a show… until real weapons are drawn.”
“That brute attacked Amelia,” Liam retorted hotly. “They crossed the line first.”
“It was the Theropod equivalent of a slap in the face,” Swift snapped. “It wasn’t a real attack.”
Liam considered his reply, but before he could speak Swift suddenly shouted in his face.
“And you know that!”
Liam was stunned into silence. For all his grumpiness, Swift had never lost his temper in Liam’s presence.
A long silence held in the cabin, broken only by Swift’s eventual sigh.
“Sir, I’ve seen you talk your way past Humans, Theropods, Sectoids and even Aquans. You know the ways of our enemies… But as soon as Amelia is threatened, you lose all restraint.”
The accusation hit Liam like a slap. “How dare you…”
Swift glared at him, not backing down.
“Mason,” Liam said carefully, “I care for all of my sailors, and I take their safety seriously.”
“But you also recognize that there’s risk whenever we go into a situation. You accept that risk for yourself, and for each one of us. Except Amelia. And that makes you a liability.”
“I think you overstate your case.”
“The situation today was still under control,” Swift pressed on, “and would likely have worked its way to us being taken to Shordar. But then you drew your pistols as soon as Amelia was threatened, and all hell broke loose. And now-”
Liam held up his hand, his own anger growing. “Okay, I get it…”
“And now,” Swift snapped, swatting Liam’s hand away, “we have to start all over, and two of our best sailors are lying in sickbay with serious wounds.”
Liam’s hand stung, and he wanted to punch Swift in the face. But through his frustration he glimpsed the truth in his friend’s words. He looked away, clasping his hands behind him.
“Sam took off in pursuit of the gang members,” Swift pressed, “and Bella didn’t drop everything to chase after him. She knew that her place was with us, fighting the brutes still in front of us. Her mate ran off alone into danger and she let him – because it was the right thing for the mission.”
Swift stepped back in the small cabin, fighting down his anger.
“And Bella is just a civilian who chooses to work with a people not even her own,” he concluded. “You are a professional Naval officer.”
Liam clenched his fists at his side. “What are you saying, Lieutenant Swift?”
“Sir,” he said finally, “you’re the best there is at surface missions. But your protectiveness of Amelia is a danger to us all.”
Liam replayed those critical moments in his mind, reliving the sudden fury he’d felt as Amelia cried out in pain. In that instant he’d truly believed that they were all in danger, but as he reconsidered he realized that no other Theropod had attacked. Indeed, no-one had moved until his pistols were up and pointed.
“I made a mistake,” he admitted.
“I often tell the crew that you’re always right,” Swift said quietly. “But you aren’t.”
The simple words cut deep. But Liam couldn’t deny them.
“So,” Liam said finally, “I should just remove Amelia from our landing team? She’s invaluable.”
“I don’t know, sir. That’s something you need to think about. And maybe discuss with the captain.”
Admitting weakness to Riverton was still anathema to Liam, and this topic in particular was fraught with peril. The captain knew about his relationship with Amelia and had quietly turned a blind eye all this time. But she tolerated it only because it hadn’t created any complications.
Complications. They were the death knell for military discipline, and it seemed he was the only officer on board unable to avoid them.
“Thank you, Mason. I’ll consider your words.”
“Yes, sir.”
Liam opened the cabin door. “Gather the boarding party and get replacements for Sky and Virtue. I’ll prep Freedom for departure.”
Swift slipped past him and through the door. “Yes, sir. Anyone in particular you want as replacements?”
His thoughts were still in chaos, and he shook his head.
“Bella suggested we bring the biggest people we have,” Swift offered, “to help with intimidation.”
“The coxn, then, if we want to intimidate. And perhaps that new sailing artificer of yours.”
Swift nodded curtly.
Liam shut the door. He stood alone for a moment, then leaned against the soft wooden surface as his body finally let go of the tension. He had a lot to consider.
But now wasn’t the time. First, he had a mission to complete. Allowing himself a deep breath, he straightened, assumed the stern expression of the executive officer of HMSS Daring, and opened the door.
*
Amelia could hear the quiet hum of sickbay around her, but kept her eyes closed as she tried to doze off. Templegrey had given her a dose of poppied rum to ease the pain, and now that her body merely ached she knew the best thing to do was just sleep it off and wake up when she was healed. But amid the quiet voices and shuffling movements, she heard a distinct set of sharp footsteps that abruptly stopped. And she felt a distinct presence.
Opening her eyes, she saw Julia Sungate staring at her. The young noble’s gaze moved up and down her form, and she blinked as she realized Amelia was staring back at her.
“Oh, Petty Officer Virtue,” she whispered, stepping closer. “I’m so sorry.”
Amelia doubted the sincerity of any words uttered by a noble she didn’t know, but in the moment she appreciated them nonetheless. She tried to nod but it was little more than a dip of the eyelids.
Sungate clasped her hands together in a show of concern. “Lady Ava – Dr. Templegrey – tells me that you’ll be fine.”
“It looks worse than it is,” Templegrey said, sidling up to Sungate. “Chief Sky is merely sleeping it off and Amelia is made of tough stuff. They’ll both be back on their feet in no time.”
“Still,” Sungate said, turning fully to Templegrey, “I hate to see such injuries in the name of recovering my family’s treasure.”
“This Shordar is a first-class rogue who has wronged many families,” Templegrey replied smoothly. “His capture is His Majesty’s priority and we are all pleased to serve.”
“I’m honored that our captain deigned to include me in the hunt. I hope to earn my place here.”
“Captain Lady Riverton is an officer of the highest order, and demands the same from all of us.”
“I’m certain you will outrank me soon enough, Lady Ava.”
Templegrey glanced at the sublieutenant symbol on her shoulders. “On this ship we are pleased merely to serve. Our reputations mean more than rank.”
“Then I’m certain your reputation is one to aspire to.”
Amelia had grown used to Ava Templegrey’s courtly manner, but to see two young aristocrats interacting was quite something. As their conversation moved smoothly away into a more general discussion of Imperial affairs, both women smiled and gestured with a sense of affable confidence clearly designed to both disarm and assert control. It was something to watch, and Amelia tried to guess when the first of them would make physical contact with the other. Liam and Ava touched each other so often Amelia had actually once thought they were an item, but had eventually learned that flirting was just part of the noble game. Knowing what she did about Ava’s romantic preferences, Amelia wondered if courtly manners allowed for…
Templegrey gave Sungate’s arm a squeeze as she laughed, her brilliant blue eyes alight. Sungate’s face melted into a warm smile, her own hand brushing over Ava’s as she turned toward the door to regard the man just now entering sickbay.
“Good afternoon, Petty Officer Narrow,” Templegrey said, dropping her hand from Sungate.
Amelia’s gaze flicked over, drinking in the sight of Ethan Narrow. His face and hands were streaked with grime and he’d clearly abandoned his uniform coat some time ago. His smudged, white shirt clung to his broad chest, muscles rippling as he hastily wiped his hands on his trousers.
“Doctor,” he greeted, nodding next to Sungate, “ma’am. I just heard that we took wounded. Is there anything I can do?”
Templegrey stepped forward, eyeing him up and down. “I had no idea you were hiding medical skills amongst your many talents. Would you care to assist me in a double amputation of Petty Officer Virtue’s legs?”
“What?” he cried.
“What?” Amelia blurted.
Templegrey’s laughter rang through sickbay and she rested a hand lightly against Narrow’s chest, turning amused eyes to Amelia.
“Oh, both your faces!” She stepped back and moved to sit on the edge of Amelia’s bed. “Fear not, dear friends; there are no body parts being removed today.”
“A bit of a cruel jape, Lady Ava,” Sungate said with a smirk.
“One develops a gallows humor in my line of work, Lady Julia,” she said, giving Amelia a wink. She then patted the bed. “Come over, Artificer – come and see that both my patients are on the road to recovery.”
Amelia felt herself blushing as Narrow’s gaze met hers. She was fully covered in a sheet over her many bandages, but even so she imagined that her figure was rather visible. Narrow kept his eyes on hers as he approached, though, clearly respecting her modesty.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Wrapped up tight and relaxed with rum,” she said as airily as she could.
He leaned his hand on the bed and lowered himself, keeping a respectful distance. “Can I get you anything, Amelia? A book, some food, or coffee?”
She considered, not really knowing what she needed.
He seemed to misinterpret her silence. “Is it all right if I call you Amelia?”
His sudden bashfulness was endearing.
“Of course, Ethan. We’re all messmates and, hopefully one day, friends.” She nodded toward the two noble officers who were chatting once again. “In the mess, her ladyship is just ‘Ava’. Although it took a while.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get there,” he said with a lopsided grin.
“I didn’t either. But you’ll figure out soon enough that the nobles are just people.”
He scoffed in a show of disbelief, but didn’t argue.
Their attention suddenly shifted as the jostle of armor filled the door to sickbay. Chief Butcher’s broad form was encased in a charcoal breastplate and from beneath his helmet he scanned the room until he spotted Narrow.
“Artificer, we’re returning to the surface in strength. You’re needed for the landing party.”
“I also wish to go,” Sungate declared.
“No, ma’am,” Butcher replied. “You’ll be staying aboard Daring.”
“This is my family’s treasure,” she insisted, glaring with new intensity at the coxn. “I will be there for its recovery.”
“That’s exactly why you’re staying put, ma’am.” Butcher’s voice was soft, but everyone in sickbay could heard the hard finality behind it. “This is tricky business, and the last thing we need is someone with a personal interest messing things up.”
His eyes flicked quickly to Amelia before snapping back to Sungate. Was he sending her a message?
“I understand,” Sungate said with obvious reluctance.
“There will be many more missions,” Templegrey offered quietly.
“Narrow,” Butcher snapped, “let’s go.”
The artificer gave Amelia once last glance, his lips curling up in a tiny grin, then he rose and followed Butcher out of sickbay. Sungate said brief farewells to Templegrey and then followed.
Amelia closed her eyes, suddenly exhausted. So the mission was continuing, even without her and Sky. It made sense, and no doubt Butcher and Narrow would do well in their places.
But what had Butcher’s glance meant?
Amelia’s ruminations faded as she drifted off to sleep.