When Pete reached the auxiliary bridge, Janet was still standing at its entrance. She looked up at him, lips parted. There were tears in her eyes.

She looked so forlorn, out of her depth. The sight hurt him. He reached out to hold her. "Where is he?"

She took a step back and gestured towards the stairway at the end of the corridor. "He has left. I don't know where he went."

"He will regret this." On his way here, Pete had pondered ways to put an end to Ralph's antics. This had to stop. His brother's tinkering with the old machines and meddling with Sophia was a danger to Hope and her passengers. He'd get him arrested.

Or expelled.

"He's your brother, don't forget that." Jane knitted her brows, her eyes beseeching him. "He just does what he thinks is right."

Her words struck Pete like the blow of a hammer. The woman he loved was taking his enemy's side.

"Relieving me of my command? Do you think that's right?"

"No, of course not. I'm just trying to see the whole situation from his point of view." She took hold of his hand. "But it's only temporary. You will regain your position when we have landed."

Pete took a deep breath. He had to calm down—he did not want to frighten Janet. She was the most precious thing he had. And first of all, he wanted her safe.

"Come," he said, pulling her gently down the corridor. "I will get you to your cot."

He'd place her there safely before continuing his search for Ralph.

At this moment, a tremor ran through Hope, followed by a deep, rumbling sound.