‘I won’t say it ain’t been tried, Fura. But robots aren’t always smart, and for the most part people are cheaper. That’s why ships are run the way they’re run.’

‘I know, but we’re not exactly dealing with a conventional ship, are we? Or a conventional crew. And Paladin’s at least as clever and resourceful as any person I’ve ever known.’

‘But that head ain’t said a word to you since you tried it. You told me.’

‘That’s true. But Paladin was dead once, and he came back to me. There’s no reason he can’t come back a second time, is there?’

‘You’re asking the wrong cove.’

‘No, I’m asking exactly the right one. You know robots better than most, Surt, and you’re not about to give up on this ship. If I gave you his head, and trusted you to connect him up to the Nightjammer, as best you could . . .’

‘I suppose a robot could find his way around blockages, if it had to. They’re sly at that sort of thing.’

‘Or at least help you repair the damage, by tracing what works and what doesn’t. You may as well try it, Surt: we’ve little left to lose.’

‘I’ll wire ’im up. But don’t raise your hopes.’

‘I won’t,’ I said. ‘But I’ve got confidence in you. This is our ship now, Surt, and we’ll make her fly.’

‘Mm.’ She gave me a doubtful look. ‘The question is, what do we do with it? I suppose now you’ve got your sister back, you’ll want to be returning to Mazarile.’