The small vessel cut its engines and came alongside where Caledonia’s crew was ready with hook and lash. Soon, the boat was lifted from the water and Sledge and Pine vaulted over the rail.

“Welcome aboard,” Caledonia said, the smallest bit of relief bringing a smile to her face at the sight of them.

“Ready when you are, Captain,” Sledge said in his solemn way.

Pine only nodded once in agreement, but his expression was locked down as tight as Oran’s. Tassos made all three of them nervous in a way Caledonia had never seen before, and it was starting to make her anxious.

“Let’s move!” she called to her crew.

The Luminous Wake sailed forward alone. No one made a sound as the protection of their fleet slipped into their wake, but their eyes widened as they moved within reach of Fiveson Tassos.

Caledonia spied Gloriana on the forward deck of the Firebird, arms crossed and stance wide. As they passed, Caledonia gave her people a stern nod, projecting steely confidence she only barely felt.

Directly ahead, the towering ships of the Net obliterated the horizon. They were Assault Ships, but each was larger than those Caledonia was used to confronting. They rose out of the water like hulking beasts, each tethered to the next by sturdy planks, turning them from a series of individual ships into a massive road. Where other Bullet ships ringed their decks in deadly spikes, these ships wore similar spikes pointed toward the water, ready to puncture the hull of any ship attempting to sail past. Between them, rows of razor wire and sharpened hooks hung low. It was exactly as terrible as Caledonia had always expected it to be. And so much worse.

She had only a second to take them in, then there was nothing between the Luminous Wake and the ten waiting Bullet ships. One sailed out to meet them.

“Prepare for port-to-port!” Pisces’s call rang out.

The Bullet ship nosed alongside them, the spiked crown ringing its deck only inches away. Though each pike was clear of bodies, brown blood dripped down the hull as though the metal were stained with it.

As both ships engaged their thrusters and closed the distance, the Bullets let their griphooks fall into place with a vicious squeal and an angry slap. Pisces shouted an order and the Luminous Wake dropped her own griphooks to latch the railing of the Bullet ship. With six hooks between them, the two ships were securely locked together.

Two crews stood on opposite decks, their bodies rigid and ready. The desire and instinct to fight a nearly audible hum. But neither side moved. Guns remained in holsters, knives in sheaths, and shouts in throats.