‘If we are not cautious, we do not have to be reckless,’ added Praxa­medes. ‘There is hopefully some middle ground to be found between our needs and your concerns, Navis Majoris.’

The Navigator took a shuddering breath, hands trembling as she slowly closed them into fists. Her gaze looked to the ceiling for several heartbeats before she could turn her eyes back to the others in the room.

‘The longer we remain in the othersea, the less certain we can be of our position and destination. The faster the current we follow, the greater the risk that we will be swept away or miss our translation point. Every manoeuvre is fraught with peril among these roiling ebbs and flows. If we should lose contact with the Beacon of Terra at the wrong juncture it would be disastrous. You ask us to thread a needle in the darkness while tossed and turned by a whirlwind. I cannot warn against it too strongly.’

‘But there are faster currents to use?’ said Nem­etus. ‘It is possible to travel further with each jump?’

Kosa said nothing.

‘All of us must strive to give our utmost to the crusade,’ said Aeschelus. ‘None are excused the labour. I am ordering you to make swifter progress, Navigator.’

‘An order?’ Kosa smoothed the folds of her robe. ‘What would you command, captain? How can you stand in judgement of our decisions when you are not capable of seeing what we see? Would you debate the nature of plasma drives with your chief enginseer?’

‘I would if I thought there was a deficiency in their operation,’ Aeschelus replied calmly. He laid his broad hands on the tabletop, flattening the palms against the metal. ‘Your house gains renown and reward for its part in this endeavour. I imagine a censure from the lord commander would dampen the spirits of your kin. To be removed from position would be a grave matter. Perhaps your reputation would never recover.’

‘Threats, captain?’

‘Your reluctance forces me to say what is normally unspoken. The bonds between your house and the Chapter go back generations, but they are worthless if they do not provide what I need. I do not doubt your loyalty, Navigator, but your desire to stay safe is too much.’

‘It is all of our lives we risk,’ snapped Kosa. ‘Not just those of the Navigators.’

‘This is a warship. It exists to push along the boundary between risk and reward. My warriors cannot do our duty unless your Navigators do better. If that cannot be done, I will find a civilian vessel for you at our next dock.’