Sheeana followed slower into the great underwater chamber, regulating her breathing and heartrate carefully. It was a psychological, as much as a physical journey, she knew.

Her face showed pure astonishment, but not fear.

A memory came to her: twelve years old, being marched stiff legged into a pool by stern faced proctors. The other acolytes, all from water-rich worlds had giggled behind their hands.

And here again I plunge into this steel womb. She thought as she dropped past immense metal walls that dwarfed them both.