The Silver Skies took another few minutes to arrive; Elletra called Keanan over and put the wounded onto makeshift stretchers. Further off, the dying Edwards called out once and was still, succumbing to a multitude of wounds. Both the midshipman and the girl were still for a moment, heads bowed.

Life vanishes so quickly, she thought. Is it all worth it?

Gladstone and Jerem were first across, solemn and silent at the loss of crewmen. The doctor and his two orderlies, practically exhausted, carefully took the wounded and the dead away.

Hawkeye came back, presently; he nodded at Jerem and Elletra before indicating that they should go belowdecks.

“The crates in the cargo hold are full of heavy capsules, clearly for some alchemical purpose. We are about to drop one from the ship to try and divine their purpose.”