This story follows on from the events of A Cry for Help and uses the same characters, namely Disney's Jane and Archimedes Porter as well as Amelia and Arrow from Treasure Planet. Thanks in advance to any readers for their time and any reviews they choose to leave.

Acting Lieutenant Amelia leaned on the rail of the bridge and gazed over the desk. The Royal Light Ship Resolute was a fine sight in the early morning. The daylight glow suffusing the etherium was beginning to colour the ivory white hull of the ship. Her blue trimmings were highlighted and the golden edgings were shining. The big ship's bluff bow was ploughing through a bank of vapour condensate, breaking it up and streaming in white ribbons over the deck, threading between the masts and rigging.
"It's time, ma'am." Petty Officer Bryce touched his hat respectfully. "Zero eight hundred it is."
Amelia straightened up. "Very good, Mr Bryce. Ring the change of watch."
Bryce turned to a young spacer standing under the break of the bridge by a small pedestal on which a brass bell was mounted.
"Change of watch, spacer. You heard the officer."
The boy saluted and struck the bell eight times, the clear, piercing note ringing out through the vapour. After a few moments, crew members began emerging from below decks, taking the place of comrades who were already scrambling down the rigging or leaving their stations around the deck.
"Thank you, Mr Bryce." Amelia nodded to him. "Get below for some breakfast while it's still hot."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am." Bryce touched his hat again and left the bridge, passing Midshipman Dunn on the stairs. Amelia smiled a greeting to her fellow feline as she arrived.
"Good morning, Ms Dunn."
"And good morning to you, Ms Amelia." Dunn saluted. "Lieutenant Costell's compliments. He will be here momentarily to assume the watch."
"Understood." Amelia crossed to the bridge console and ran her eye over the displays. "In the meantime, though...we are steady on heading zero-two-five mark zero, speed eight-five. No sightings to report."
"Zero-two-five mark zero, aye," said Dunn, looking over her shoulder. "Speed confirmed. No sightings, though?"
"None at all." Amelia sighed. "These morning watches are interminable in a lot of ways."
"Ah, well," Dunn shrugged. "The surgeon says that Whiting should be up and about in a few days so we won't have to cover his shifts."
"A blessing on two counts, then," Amelia smiled and cast a sideways grin at Dunn. "And a third one for you, too, of course, hmm?"
Dunn grinned conspiratorially. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean, ma'am."
"I mean that under certain conditions you may not mind Whiting being confined to bed," Amelia winked jokingly. Dunn laughed.
"Hah! Well, at least I'm not the one having to share my birth with a civilian. Much as a brevet promotion would be welcome I'm rather happier having a room of my own."
"I could make some comment about that, too." Amelia shrugged. "It all depends on the company."
Dunn opened her mouth to reply but glanced past Amelia to the starboard bridge stairs and stood to attention.
"Captain on the bridge!"
Amelia turned and snapped to herself. Captain Forsythe had appeared. He was wearing his white breeches and shirt under a bone-coloured waistcoat, but without his embroidered blue coat he had almost managed to set foot on the bridge before being noticed. His ornate hat, which Amelia could never remember seeing him without, was the only clue that he was the master of all that he surveyed. She saluted.
"Good morning, Captain."
"Thank you, acting lieutenant." Forsythe touched a finger to the brim of his hat in acknowledgement. "Another quiet night?"
"I'm afraid so, sir."
"I imagine we'll have the opposite to complain about soon enough." Forsythe's gaze swept the bridge. "We have new orders from the Admiralty."
"Are we changing course, sir?"
"No, no. But we have a ship to find." Forsythe grimaced. "RLS Chancer. Ever heard of her?"
Amelia racked her brain, trying to recall the order of battle of the Royal Navy fleet that was sweeping the pirate confederacy out of the Lagoon Nebula. "A scout frigate, sir? Part of the advance force?"
"Precisely. Deployed to reconnoitre the Megapteran Group. She should have reported back eight days ago but she's gone silent. Admiral Benson is assembling the task force to locate her, and it looks like we'll be the first ship on station."
"Is enemy action suspected, sir?" asked Dunn.
"That, Ms Dunn, is for us to find out," said Forsythe. "It is most certainly a possibility. Or perhaps it's just an unfortunate accident. The Admiral wants to find out."
"We'll find her, sir," said Dunn.
"So we may hope," Forsythe began pacing back and forth.
Lieutenant Costell arrived, just jamming his hat on before saluting Amelia.
"Forenoon watch arrived, ma'am."
"You are late, Mr Costell," Forsythe pointing out.
"Yes, sir. My apologies, sir." Costell remained standing straight. "There was a flaw in the primary telescope. I was seeing to its repair."
"I commend you for your initiative," Forsythe resumed his pacing. "However, for future reference, I expect incoming officers of the watch to arrive punctually. I will not have tardiness in this ship's routine, am I clear?"
"Perfectly, Captain."
"But the telescope is operational?"
"Yes, Captain. Full resolution. We'll have a clear view when we approach the Megapteran Group."
"Very good." Forsythe nodded. "At this time of year we might need it, never mind having to search for the Chancer. Well, Ms Amelia. Your replacement is here. Proceed."
"Aye, sir." Amelia returned Costell's salute. "Morning watch is standing down, sir. Handover confirmed at 0808 hours. Midshipman Dunn has the navigational particulars."
"Confirmed, sir," said Dunn.
"You stand relieved, acting lieutenant."
"Thank you, sir." Amelia stepped back to allow Costell to take the place behind the console. "With your permission, Captain?"
Forsythe nodded. "Yes, yes, of course you may go. I'm here as an observer." He grimaced. "Our esteemed guest the former governor of Naztar is taking a bath in my private quarters."
Amelia tried not to smile, knowing Governor Archimedes' habit of singing in the bath. "Yes, sir."
"A ship of war is not an embassy nor a hotel," Forsythe muttered. "But protocol makes certain demands and we did rescue them after all. Speaking of which, Ms Amelia, your arrangement with the governor's daughter is presenting no problems?"
"Arrangement, sir?" Amelia's heart stopped for a moment.
"You are sharing your new quarters with her, are you not?" Forsythe snapped. Amelia relaxed.
"Oh, yes. Yes, sir. But half a lieutenant's berth is about the size of a midshipman's anyway, so I'm feeling quite at home."
"Well, take my compliments to her when you see her," said Forsythe. "And inform her that her father wishes to see her at her convenience this morning."
"Yes, sir."
"And you might as well tell her about the telescope as well. I'm sure she'll be interested to see that when we pass the Megapterans."
"I will, sir. Thank you, sir." Amelia touched her hat to the Captain and left the bridge, puzzling at what significance the Megapterans had. They were a small group of stars at the heart of the Lagoon Nebula, young and bright but of little strategic significance or scientific interest. Once below decks, she removed her hat and headed for the corridor junction between the lieutenant's quarters and the ship's galley. The narrow doorway was momentarily filled with a large red-coated figure, blocking her path. Amelia stood back as Arrow squeezed his way through and nodded a greeting to her.
"Good morning to you, ma'am."
"Likewise, Mr Arrow." Amelia smiled at her old friend. "Just on my way to breakfast."
"Then I'd hurry, if I were you," Arrow smiled. "They're down to the last of the coffee. The last of the liquid, anyway. I believe the ship's carpenter has a claim on the remainder for caulking the decks."
Amelia laughed. "Perhaps I'll stick with tea, Mr Arrow, thank you for the warning."
"As you wish, ma'am." Arrow stood aside to let her pass before continuing on his way up on deck. Amelia waited until he was out of sight before turning away from the galley and heading, a small smile on her face, back towards her quarters.

Jane Porter awoke slowly. The room was glowing around her as the morning illumination shone into the small cabin and onto the whitewashed walls and decking. She rolled over onto her front and propped her chin up on her folded hands as she looked out of the porthole. The wooden walls of the ship creaked slightly around her as they warmed up in the light. Her yellow dress was hanging from a hook on the wall. A hook next to it was empty, however, and Jane smiled at the sight of it. She heard another creak of timbers and yawned, stretching her arms before sighing happily and gazing out of the port again.
"Still in bed at the forenoon watch, Ms Porter?" said a familiar voice behind her. "If you actually were in the Navy, we might have you keelhauled for such slackness."
Jane smiled and moved to turn over. "Lucky for me that I'm not, then, Amelia."
Amelia knelt over her, straddling her body and pinning her to the mattress playfully. "And I suppose it isn't all bad for me either."
Jane closed her eyes and sighed as she felt Amelia's hands rest on and start gently rubbing her bare shoulders. She relaxed and shivered gratefully.
"Nor me, if I can keep waking up like this..."
"I'd have woken you differently if I wasn't on the morning watch," Amelia grinned. "Although if Dunn is to be believed, Mr Whiting will be resuming his duties soon so I might get to sleep in a bit longer."
"I'm not sure what sleeping has to do with it," Jane smiled.
Amelia chuckled and ran her fingers up the back of Jane's neck. "Good point, that smart young woman."
Jane finally managed to turn over and look up at Amelia, who was smiling down at her, eyes bright in the early sun. "I'm not just a pretty face, you know."
"Oh, I know," Amelia's smile broadened. "I know that very well indeed."
Jane giggled and blushed slightly. "It's good to see you again, Amelia."
"And you, too." Amelia leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly. "Just in time for breakfast in the wardroom."
"Already?" Jane sat up and Amelia moved back down her. The sheet slipped down Jane's body, baring her breasts for a moment until she scooped it back up modestly. Amelia put her arms around her neck and kissed her again. "There's no rush, though. Aside from some kind of coffee crisis, anyway, but that isn't so important."
Jane smiled. "So...we could stay here...?"
"Hmm. Don't tempt me." Amelia smiled and held the hand that Jane was keeping the sheet up with. "But the Captain has said that your father wants to see you soon."
"Ah, well." Jane shrugged. "Another morning, perhaps."
"As many as possible," Amelia patted her hand and stood back to let Jane get up. She leaned on the door, watching fondly as Jane held the sheet around herself as she collected her garments and began dressing. Her clever green eyes appreciatively followed the movements of Jane's smooth limbs as they appeared and disappeared from behind the linen.
"Do you know what my father wants to see me about?"
"I'm afraid not," said Amelia. "Oh, and the Captain also suggested that I inform you that the ship's telescope is back in order. He seemed to think that was important."
"Did he say why?"
"Well, our course will take us close to the Megapteran Group of stars in a few days," Amelia said.
"Really? The Megapterans?" Jane pulled her dress on and looked up with interest. "How close will we be?"
"We should pass within a few hundred miles," said Amelia. "Certainly close enough for the scope to get a good picture."
"How wonderful!" Jane almost clapped her hands, and probably would have done had she not been tying on her purple ribbon. "Do you know, I've always wanted to see that."
"See what?" Amelia put her head to one side. "They're a modest cluster of young M-class stars. They're a penny a dozen out here. This is a nebula, after all."
"Yes, of course, but..." Jane drew back her hair and smiled. "Do you know what happens at this time of year?"
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Could you save me the trouble and just tell me?"
"And ruin the fun of knowing something about space that you don't for the first time?" Jane grinned at her. "Hardly. But I imagine that it's what my father will want to tell me about. Would you like to come along?"
"If you don't mind." Amelia smiled. "Perhaps he'll be more cooperative than you."
"Well, I could always be wrong," said Jane.
"I have ways of making you talk," Amelia joked.
Jane took her hand. "You seem to have ways of making me a lot of things, Amelia. Now...what was that about breakfast?"

Amelia picked up her tray and turned away from the galley window to find herself a seat in the wardroom. It was almost empty, although the ship's first officer, Commander Chad, was sitting in the corner finishing a cup of purp juice and reading a book. Amelia gave him a respectful nod of greeting- the wardroom was an informal space in which junior officers were allowed to mingle with and learn from more experienced superiors, but she had been brought up to acknowledge seniority. A table was unoccupied and she took a place on the upholstered bench seat which ran along the wall. Amelia shifted to avoid sitting on her own coat tails and looked up at Jane, who smiled thanks to the steward in the galley and made her way to join her, steam rising from the tray in front of her and partly hiding the look of puzzled curiosity on her face as she regarded her breakfast.
"Thinking of something, Jane?"
"Just trying to identify this, as a matter of fact," Jane sat down opposite Amelia, picked up her fork and began teasing a pile of irregularly-shaped golden-brown pieces on her plate.
Amelia sniffed. "Well, it smells good, at least."
"It smells like concentrated carbohydrates," Jane smiled.
"Good traditional Navy fare, then," grinned Amelia.
Jane laughed and tasted it. "It may once have been potato. Perhaps it's a good thing I never joined the Navy, then. I'm sure I've put on some weight since coming aboard."
"Oh, I hardly think so," Amelia looked up playfully. "I'm sure I would have noticed. But if you're really worried, feel free to spend the day climbing the rigging."
"Am I allowed a second thought?" Jane laughed.
Amelia chuckled. "That reminds me of my old instructor in the Academy. His favourite routine was to make us cadets run the length of the ship, stem to stern, and if we didn't do it fast enough he'd get us to race up the fighting tops instead."
"How charming," said Jane, smiling. "I can see why you're so fond of him."
"I wouldn't go that far," said Amelia. "Perhaps I should have gone to vet school like you did."
"And spend your days up to your elbows in books or anatomical specimens?" Jane grinned ruefully and shook her head. "It's funny, really, you become a veterinarian to help live animals but you seem to spend an awful lot of time in the company of dead ones."
"I suppose there's no danger of you making them any worse," said Amelia, taking a mouthful of potato.
"Oh, I'm sure some of us could have found a way," Jane said. "You haven't seen a roomful of teenagers with scalpels go to work. On the other hand you've probably seen people doing that with cutlasses, right?"
"Something like that," Amelia grinned. "But you seem to have done all right."
"Well, I'm glad you think so," Jane smiled.
"In more ways than one," Amelia winked. "So, Jane, do tell me...the Megapterans...what's so special about them?"
"What ho, you chaps! And chapesses, I see!"
The two women looked around. Archimedes, wearing a faded yellow dressing gown and matching sleeping cap, had entered the wardroom, a pair of old sandals flapping on his feet.
"Good morning, father," said Jane, trying not to laugh. Amelia had to do the same after she glanced over and caught the look on Commander Chad's face.
"Good morning indeed, Janey!" Archimedes' moustache curled up into a smile at the sight of his daughter. "I say, that smells smashing. Potato, is it?"
"Once upon a time," Jane smiled.
"You can never go wrong with a potato, I say," Archimedes poured himself a cup of purp juice. "Isn't that right, Commander?"
"Hm? I'm sorry, sir?" Chad stopped trying to hide behind his book.
"Potatoes, Commander, potatoes! You can't go wrong with 'em."
"Oh, um...no. Indeed not." Chad folded the pages and stood up, ramming his hat onto his head. "If you'll forgive me, sir, I'm afraid I must take my leave..."
"Oh, naturally, naturally." Archimedes waved a hand. "No doubt you have something astronautical to do, eh? You spacers are always busy!"
"Um, indeed, sir. Thank you. And if you'll excuse me, Miss Porter?"
"Of course, Commander."
He nodded gratefully and nodded again to Amelia. "And you, acting lieutenant. Good day to you."
"And to you, sir." Amelia watched him beat a hasty retreat as Archimedes sat next to Jane and extracted a slice of potato from her plate.
"I trust you slept well, sir?" said Amelia politely.
"How many times, young lady, it's Archie," he smiled. "But yes, I rather did, you know. Although I have to say that your Captain is an awfully early riser even by my standards."
"He is that, sir."
"And he's not much of a morning person either, so I've noticed," Archimedes went on, swallowing the slice and licking his fingers cheerfully. "In fact, Amelia, between you and me and my daughter, he can be a bit short. Brusque, really."
"Really, sir?"
"Almost rude, even. But I am a guest on his ship and one should not disrespect one's host, eh?"
"I'm sure he means no offence, father," said Jane.
"Oh, yes, yes. He must be a busy fellow. And how about you two? Are the two of you all right at night?"
There was a pause as Jane and Amelia's eyes met over the table. Jane blushed. Amelia coughed.
"Um...how so, sir?"
"Well, you're sharing that little cabin together, aren't you? There can't be much space with the two of you there." Archimedes drank a mouthful of his juice.
Amelia almost sighed with relief. "Oh, yes...but it's really not so bad. Even split in half, it's larger than the berth I had as a midshipman."
"And it's all right for me, too, father," said Jane reassuringly. "After all, I don't have much luggage any more."
"Jolly good," said Archimedes. "You still must get on awfully well, though, the pair of you, to be in that small space together. Why, you'd be one on top of each other half the night!"
Jane didn't dare look up and concentrated on her breakfast. Even Amelia was momentarily speechless and threatened with a blush.
"The...um, the captain said you wanted to see me, father," said Jane, eventually.
Archimedes brightened. "Indeed I did!"
"And he asked me to inform you that the ship's telescopes are fully operational," said Amelia. "I was hoping that you'd be able to tell me why that mattered." She glanced across playfully at Jane, who grinned.
"Well, it's like this," Archimedes turned to her. "Tell me, lieutenant, do you know where we are?"
"Five days' sail galactic south-south-east of the Megapteran cluster," said Amelia promptly. "At current speed. We should pass within three hundred kilometres of them on our present course."
"Precisely! And do you know why that's important this time of year?"
"Actually, sir, I was hoping to prevail upon your daughter for that information," Amelia raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
"Janey, you mean to say you've not told her?"
"Told me...what?" Amelia asked.
"Oh, just the fulfilment of a childhood dream, what!" Archimedes almost bounced in his seat as he clapped his hands. "You see, lieutenant, what do you know about the orcas galacticus?"
"Void whales, sir? Not much, other than where to find them and how to avoid them. They're a navigational hazard, to say nothing of dangerous if provoked."
"Dear me, is that all?" Archimedes shook his head sadly. "You'd better tell her, Jane."
Jane looked up and smiled at Amelia's inquisitive gaze.
"It's the light from the Megapteran stars...nobody knows why. But at this time of year it seems to attract void whales from all over this part of the galaxy."
"No wonder we needed the telescopes," said Amelia. "We wouldn't want to run into one, after all. What do they do here?"
"Well, to be honest, nobody knows that either." Jane shrugged. "They just swim together, small pods forming into vast ones...and they sing to each other. Nobody knows why. The Lagoon Nebula is so far out that there's never been a successful voyage to research it."
"Until now," Archimedes grinned. "Us."
"I've always wanted to see it," said Jane, leaning her chin on her hands and her eyes gazing into the middle distance. "It sounds magical."
"My Janey has always been one for loving animals," said Archimedes. "It's why she became a vet, of course."
"Yes, father. But sadly we didn't do much study of void whales in vet school," Jane glanced at Amelia ruefully. "Not many people keep them as pets or cattle, you see."
Amelia laughed. "I can imagine."
"I asked the Captain if we could use one of the telescopes when we get a bit closer," said Archimedes. "We could take notes. And Jane could draw pictures. She's quite an artist, you know."
"I didn't, in fact," said Amelia. She smiled at Jane. "You're full of surprises, Miss Porter."
Jane blushed. "Well, I'm not very good..."
"Far too modest, is what you are," said Archimedes. "If she hadn't become a vet, lieutenant, I think she'd have become an artist."
"I'll have to remember to ask to see some of your work," said Amelia. "If that's all right."
"Of course, Amelia." Jane smiled shyly. "I'd...rather like that. Although I confess that I lost a lot of it back on Naztar."
"Oh, yes...of course. Sorry." Amelia looked down.
"It's all right." Jane shrugged and smiled her ever-optimistic smile. "It was only paper. Was that what you wanted to see me about, father?"
"Quite so," Archimedes finished his drink. "An exciting opportunity, eh? If you'll excuse me, though, I think I'd better get dressed."
He stood up and tried to straighten his nightcap as he wandered out, leaving Jane and Amelia alone in the wardroom. Jane met Amelia's eyes and tried to keep a straight face.
"Well," said Amelia. "Now I know. Void whales, eh?"
Jane shrugged. "Just a fancy."
"But a nice one." Amelia took her hand and smiled. "I hope it can happen for you."
"Yes, well." Jane straightened her purple tie. "While we're here."
Amelia finished her breakfast and watched as Jane swallowed the last of hers. "Precisely."
"So," Jane pushed her plate away. "What do naval officers do when they're off-duty?"
"I know what I might like to do," Amelia winked. "But how about we pay Mr Whiting a visit? Dunn is on duty and Buckley is probably working in the forward hold with the quartermaster."
"Good idea," said Jane. "Should we take him something? There was still a bit of food left."
"Any fried slices?" asked Amelia.
"I think it was all fried, wasn't it?" said Jane.
Amelia laughed and went to the galley window. "I suppose it is a bit difficult to tell it apart. Ah, we're in luck."
She dropped a couple of pieces into a napkin and wrapped them up as Jane put their plates back on the shelf.
"All set?"
"All set," Amelia nodded and picked up her hat. "Let's go and see the patient."

Jane followed Amelia through the passageways of the ship, occasionally stepping aside to allow someone past and always marvelling at the bulk of the woodwork which formed the core of the Resolute. As tradition dictated, the Midshipmen's Quarters were in the middle of the ship, supposedly to ensure that the young officers who resided there were as close as possible to every part of the vessel which they had to learn. It was rather different from the Lieutenant's Quarters which Jane had come to know so well, which were on the outer stern of the ship and at least had the benefit of portholes. Amelia led them around a corner and into a narrow corridor lined with wood panelled doors, blank except for a brass number. Jane could easily have mistaken them for storage cupboards. Amelia spotted a familiar figure emerging from a door just ahead of them, carrying a tray.
"Ah, good morning, Mr Clover. I mean, Flower."
The lance-corporal of marines sighed. "And good morning to you, ma'am. Here to see the patient?"
"If we may," said Jane, trying not to smile.
Flower nodded. "Be my guest."
"I hear from Midshipman Dunn that he'll be returning to duty soon," said Amelia.
"More or less," Flower said. "Partial duties, though. He's all but back to normal, but we can't replace his hand out here."
"Of course." Amelia nodded. "Thank you, lance-corporal. Carry on."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am." Flower headed off towards the main galley. Amelia knocked on the door he had just closed.
"Are you decent, Mr Whiting?"
"As if I'm ever not!" came the reply. Amelia chuckled and pushed the door open. The young canine was sitting up in bed, holding a book open with his right hand and propping it against his legs. His left arm finished in a bandaged stump just below the elbow and another linen bandage was drawn around his head to cover what remained of his left ear, but he greeted them with a cheerful grin.
"Miss Porter! It's good to see you. And you, too, of course, acting lieutenant."
"How are you feeling, Mr Whiting?" Jane tried to find somewhere to sit in the tiny room.
"I'm going out of my mind with cabin fever," said Whiting. "And that took some doing, mind you, because I'm the only one here. Flower only brings me my meals now that I'm better."
"You certainly look it," said Amelia. "You'll be back on the watch roster before you know it."
"It'll be a welcome change after this," said Whiting, marking his page and closing the book. "These four walls aren't the most inspiring. I'm not totally isolated, though, of course. Dunn keeps me well up to speed with the latest gossip." He grinned at Jane. "Apparently your father has made quite the impression on our beloved captain."
Jane laughed. "So I hear. And Captain Forsythe has certainly made an impression upon him."
"Hopefully not with a blunt instrument," Whiting joked.
"Not quite yet, no," Jane chuckled.
"I hope that the acting lieutenant is a friendly host?"
"Naturally," said Amelia. "One can't let the Navy down, after all. Oh, and we thought you might appreciate a bit of extra breakfast?"
She passed over the folded napkin. Whiting took it and unwrapped it on his lap, grinning.
"It's much appreciated. Thanks to both of you. It's funny, but I find that I'm eating just as much as ever even with less body to keep going."
"Well, you've had a lot of blood loss to make up for," said Jane.
"That's as good an excuse as any," said Whiting, biting into one of the fried slices. "But don't tell Flower, will you? I think he's measuring my calorie count or something."
"My lips are sealed," Amelia smiled. "It'll be good to see you back on deck, though."
"I suppose you're getting a bit tired of that four-to-eight watch routine?" said Whiting.
Amelia laughed. "Well, perhaps a little."
"I'm looking forward to taking that job back, then," Whiting smiled. "You'll be able to sleep in a bit, at least."
"Knowing my luck, the Captain would probably just stick me onto the twelve-to-four middle watch and I'll have to be up at midnight," grinned Amelia.
"Oh, dear, I hope not," said Jane. "That doesn't sound much fun."
"You get used to it," said Amelia reassuringly. "Eventually, anyway."
"I remember standing the middle watch for a week once," said Whiting. "And then being put on the afternoon watch the next week. I was jolly lucky not to be caught asleep on duty!"
"I'm sure the captain won't do that to you again," said Amelia.
"One can always hope," Whiting finished the other slice. "Can I prevail upon you to take the napkin back? I wouldn't be able to explain how I came by it if Flower notices."
"Of course." Jane took it from him and tucked it in her pocket. Whiting smiled his thanks.
"I suppose we'd better be off," said Amelia.
"Thanks awfully for dropping by," said Whiting. "And for the snack, of course."
"It's quite all right." Amelia smiled. "It's good to see you on the mend, Mr Whiting. I look forward to seeing you on the quarterdeck again soon."
Whiting grinned and saluted. "Yes, ma'am."

Jane gazed over the railing into the vastness of the etherium, watching the occasional cloud drift past and counting the stars as they came out. It was still early afternoon but the brighter points of light were already making their presence felt against the soft daylight glow of space. Behind her, Amelia was inspecting one of the ship's longboats, clipboard in hand, when the call came from above.
"Contact ahead!"
Captain Forsythe stopped his characteristic pacing of the bridge deck and looked up at the lookout post on the tall mainmast.
"Where away?" he called.
The lookout waved down. "One point off the port bow, plus fifteen degrees! Single contact"
"Commander?" Forsythe looked across to Chad, who already had a telescope to his eye. He shook his head.
"Nothing, sir. Must be at long range. It couldn't be the Chancer, could it?"
"This far from her patrol route?" Forsythe shrugged. "Maybe so, but I would think it unlikely."
"Two contacts!" the lookout called. "Two contacts, sir!"
"Well, that puts paid to that theory. And I can't see a damned thing," Forsythe grunted. "Acting lieutenant?"
"Sir?" Amelia looked up.
"Get a reading from the ship's observatory. Let's put those telescopes to good use."
"Aye, sir!" Amelia tucked the clipboard inside the longboat again and dropped lightly to the deck.
"Can I come too?" asked Jane, straightening up with interest.
"Of course. But you'd better come fast," Amelia smiled. "That was an order, after all."
"Thank you," Jane hurried after Amelia as she headed back along the desk and stepped through a polished door under the break of the bridge. The ship's observatory was a small space situated next to the navigator's map room, and so packed with machinery that it made even a midshipman's cabin look spacious. The situation was not helped by the bulky red-coated figure already peering into the omniscopic screen.
"Mr Arrow? I wasn't expecting to find you here."
Arrow turned around at the interruption, but smiled when he saw Amelia.
"Ah, Ms Amelia. And Miss Porter. I trust you are well?"
"Quite well, Mr Arrow, but on assignment at the moment." Amelia stepped into the room. "We have a two contact sighting and can't make it out from the deck. One point off the port bow, fifteen degrees of elevation, if you please. Unless you're already looking for it?"
"Alas, no, ma'am. Merely stargazing. One point off the port bow, fifteen degrees of elevation it is, ma'am." Arrow's huge fingers delicately worked the polished brass controls. Jane, standing on tiptoes to see past the big Cragorian's shoulder, watch the view in the screen pan around, rippling slightly as if it were a bubble held in a frame. Amelia moved closer to the screen, frowning in concentration.
"I still can't see anything."
"Was it a ship, ma'am?" asked Arrow.
"Unknown," said Amelia.
"Because, this close to the Megapterans...it could always be..."
"A void whale?" Jane finished Arrow's sentence. "Oh, Mr Arrow, do you think so?"
"It's certainly a possibility," said Amelia. "I can't make out any engine traces. Mr Arrow, switch to spectral analysis."
Arrow keyed a control and the screen shimmered as it produced a picture that seemed to Jane to be comprised mainly of rainbows. Amelia's quick green eyes scanned it for a moment and she sighed.
"Still nothing. Return to optical. And magnify the central segment, please."
"As you wish, ma'am." Arrow touched the controls again. A small star in the middle of the screen grew until the glow filled most of it. Jane squinted.
"There!" she said. "Did you see it? A trace of movement."
"Whereabouts?" Amelia followed Jane's pointing finger, and then she saw it too.
"I see nothing," said Arrow.
"If I may?" Amelia moved to pass him. He stood back obligingly and Amelia took his place at the controls. She manipulated them, drawing a veil over the image to dampen the glare of the star. She cut in a series of filters until Jane's intake of breath told her that she'd got it right.
"Whales, Amelia! Two of them!"
Amelia looked at the picture. There were indeed two small shadows making their way across the brightness, moving slowly but gracefully.
"Can you get a better view?" asked Jane.
"Not from this range." Amelia reached out and tapped a speaking tube set against the wall. "Bridge, observatory."
"Observatory, bridge," came the reply. "Report contacts."
"Void whales, sir. Two of them. Probably on a parallel or converging course, but still quite distant."
"They could be a mating pair," said Jane softly, spellbound by the indistinct shapes. "Or even a mother and child. Or cow and calf, I should say, to be precise."
"Are you certain?"
"Positive, sir," said Amelia. "If we maintain visual contact we should be able to track their course. Make sure we give them a wide berth."
"Proceed, acting lieutenant," Forsythe's voice came down the tube. "Make your observations and report to the navigator in one hour when you come back on watch."
"Aye, sir. One hour." Amelia closed the tube. "Well, Mr Arrow. Jane. Who fancies a bit of whale-watching?"
"Sadly, I cannot stay to join you," Arrow said. "The acting sergeant will be conducting a drill with new squad on the foredeck and I must be there to oversee it."
"Very good, captain. Proceed."
Arrow saluted. "Thank you, ma'am."
Amelia returned the salute. Jane pressed herself against the wall to allow enough space for Arrow to make his way out of the room, mumbling an apology as he passed her. She closed the door behind him and then went to join Amelia as she produced a small stool from under a table, located a notepad and began writing on it.
"It's probably awfully silly to be this excited about a couple of whales," Jane remarked.
"On the contrary," Amelia grinned. "It's rather wonderful to see."
"It is, isn't it?" Jane sighed happily. "So beautiful. So graceful."
"Quite so."
"I think it is a mother and child," said Jane. "Look, see how the top one is much bigger than the other one?"
"Oh, you meant the whales?" Amelia's grin widened. "I was talking about you."
Jane blushed and looked down. "Oh, dear...you shouldn't say such things, you know."
"What if I want to?" Amelia kissed her cheek.
"Well...I suppose I can hardly prevent you." Jane kissed her back. "And I suppose it rather tickles me to hear it."
"I didn't know your tastes ran that way," Amelia put her head on one side. Jane blushed again.
"No, I meant..."
"I know what you meant, my dear Jane," Amelia patted her hand. "But it's hard to resist a chance to make you blush so."
Jane laughed shyly. "You're not helping, you know."
"My sincere apologies." Amelia kissed her again and smiled. "Though I probably should stop to take these measurements down."
"Of course. Go on." Jane settled down, her chin in her hands, gazing contentedly at the screen. Amelia watched her face, smiling to herself, and turned back to the display, taking up her notebook once more.