With another loud groan, the ship came to a shuddering stop, then slowly chugged back in the direction they’d come, with Nettle holding them steady this time.

“What do you think, Captain?” Hesperus couldn’t hide the pleasure in his question. He had good reason to be pleased with himself. These ships were unlike anything Caledonia had ever experienced.

“Impressive,” she said, climbing out of her chair to stand next to him. “But what happens when something enters your path? Reversing control took a full minute, changing directions another minute still; how do you ever avoid anything down here?”

“We designed them this way initially because of the canals—we can go backward without having to turn around. But do you feel up to a demonstration?” he asked, a spark of genuine concern flashing in his dark eyes.

“That’s why I’m here, Sly King.” Irritation welled in her chest like blood from a wound.

Grinning, Hesperus stepped forward, calling for Nettle to relinquish her seat to him. “Hop on thrusters, and Pine, propulsion if you would. Caledonia, next to me.”

“What can I do?” Oran asked.

Hesperus shrugged. “That is a question I won’t lose sleep over.”

“Hesperus.” Caledonia made her voice a warning. He might not like Oran, but he was her crew and she wouldn’t stand for the mistreatment of any of her crew.

“Apologies, Captain.” Hesperus gave her a hard look that suggested those apologies were as thin as the air in the cabin. “Everyone ready? Good. Pine, take us to maximum.”

Caledonia felt the ship rumble in response. Quickly, she settled into the station nearest to Hesperus and watched as the floor of the pool whipped by at greater and greater speeds.

Stay steely, she reminded herself, even as her breath quickened and her palms grew sweaty again.

“Nettle, when I say, I want you to burn our port thrusters at ninety degrees as hard as they’ll go. Don’t let up until I tell you. Pine, I want you to cut propulsion when I say, but be ready to bring us back in an instant.”

“Ready!” Nettle called.

“Ready,” Pine stated.

Caledonia didn’t feel ready. She felt decidedly unready.

The ship rumbled around them. Hesperus grinned, leaning forward in his seat. It was unsettling, and also strangely comforting. Whatever he was about to do, he’d done it before, and he was still alive.

Suddenly, the water ahead grew darker as though the sun had set unevenly, sipping light from the ocean in long stripes. No, it wasn’t light. It wasn’t even water. In the next second, her fears were confirmed.

Wall. There was a wall directly ahead. She wasn’t in command, yet it was on the tip of her tongue to order her crew into a hard turn.

“Now, Pine!” Hesperus shouted, gleeful even as the wall rushed at them. “Nettle, you’re up!”