Blood rushed in Caledonia’s veins and her body moved on instinct. She gave herself to this fight, letting all her other senses collect around a single point of focus. She was never so clear-headed as in moments like these, and as she dodged another of Heron’s punishing blows and spun perfectly to deliver a swift knee to his kidney, she found that she’d missed the simplicity of fighting with her own fists instead of a fleet.

It wasn’t until Caledonia’s fist glanced off Heron’s chin that the gathered Bullets crowed their approval.

“Slowing down, old man!” a voice cried.

“Lucky shot, Bale Blossom!” another shouted.

Heron landed a sharp blow to her jaw and Caledonia tasted blood. The bright flavor sent a fresh wave of energy through her, and she grinned viciously, knowing blood coated her teeth and lips.

Laughing, Heron blew her a kiss.

Before Caledonia could retaliate, a sudden commotion spilled onto the deck. Both Caledonia and Heron turned toward the clump forming up by the railing and rushed to find the cause.

Sledge appeared at her side, shoving through the crowd and making room for her to reach the center. What she saw made her cold.

Nettle was on her knees. A Bullet stood behind her, hand fisted in her hair and holding her head firmly back. Blood streamed from her nose and a bruise was already darkening beneath one eye.

“I caught this one prowling around the Fiveson’s quarters!” the Bullet announced. He threw a bag on the ground, spilling ammunition and a slender bottle of amber-colored liquor. “Stealing!”

Caledonia understood that once Nettle knew she’d been discovered she had grabbed the first things of value she could find. Anything to make them think she was stealing and not spying for her captain.

The knowledge twisted in Caledonia’s heart.

“See that orange band? Hands off the girl, Fray.” This came from Cepheus. She and Pisces appeared on the opposite side of the circle, positioning themselves on the rail so they stood above everyone.

“Tassos brings them in and they steal from us?” Fray made his voice loud. “They want Bullet help they should abide by Bullet rules. And punishments.”

He punctuated this last with a tug of Nettle’s hair that made her cry out.

Sledge was there in a flash. His fist driving into Fray’s chest with so much force the Bullet was thrown back in the air. Caledonia saw Sledge pull Nettle into his arms just as a fight broke out in earnest.

From the rail, Cepheus and Pisces waved their arms and shouted for everyone to stop. But it was no good. The fight had an energy of its own as several Bullets turned on Sledge, and Heron did his best to pull his Bullets away. In an instant, it was a chaotic swirl of fists, elbows, and knees and no one seemed to care who they struck or why.