Rolling his eyes at the rant about the supposed pricelessness of the Valkyrie, though it was more just to tease and mock the pilot than it was a lack of understanding. He felt very much the same about his own ship, the Royale, named after Alexia's father for his part in the attempt to save the blond's home world. From a financial stand point Sky would likely get a lot more for his ship than Ruce would, but there were far more expensive ships out there and he wouldn't trade it for anything. The basic outline of the starship he'd taken from the designs of an ancient aircraft from Earth, it was even the same size at a mere 23.74 meters in length. Outside of its cockpit was a hallway that led to the huge engines that consumed most of the mass and volume of the ship. It was defenseless outside of its shields and cloaking devices, with minimal shielding and no weapons to speak of. This was done to favor stealth and speed over the ability to participate in combat, Sky preferred to handle that on his own on a more personal level. Might not be the best there was, but he prized it more than anything second only to Alexia and Ruce. 

[color=skyblue]"Uh huh, soon as it breaks the record make sure to sign a copy of the book for me,"[/color] Sky ordered, then glanced to him again. He was right on the money with his prediction, heh he knew the mercenary far too well. The blond then nodded at the next comment, taking another sip of his drink. Didn't matter where in the line you were, the one ordering receiving or committing the job, everyone was involved in the business of death one way or another. Even ordinary citizens were, targets of the oppressors and guarded by the protectors. Unfortunately the galaxy was far from perfect, and the only power that it would take to make it so would ultimately corrupt those involved and lead to the cycle starting all over again. Life was selfish, there was no getting around that. Everything done by anyone was to benefit themselves in some way, hell even so called heroes only followed through with their work because it made them feel good to do it. Pessimistic a view of things that this was, it was the truth.

The blond's daze was broken by Ruce's complaining, snapping him out of his thoughts and back into reality. Apparently Tes was ragging on him through their communicator for taking so long, no doubt he was here instead of shopping for what they needed like he usually was. The two of them acted like an old married couple, constantly getting onto one another about things. Come to think of it, he had the same relationship with the captain, and the thought made him chuckle while shaking his head. In a way Sky was thankful not to have that kind of relationship with his wife, sure they teased each other a lot and she got what she wanted but he was happy to give it to her. Neither of them truly ordered the other around, they were equals through and through and from his experience that kind of thing was rare.

[color=skyblue]"Not really, she calls the shots most times but usually it's for things she wants specifically from me. You know her, has to do everything herself,"[/color] he admitted, smirking back at Ruce with a cocked eyebrow. [color=skyblue]"Why don't you ask her yourself? The longer you take to speak to her again the more bruises you're gonna have when you finally do see her."[/color]

It was only a half truth, they both knew how busy Ruce was and understood the gaps in communication were necessary in order for him to make a living. Not everyone was as lucky as the two of them after all. Truth was though she'd give him an earful it'd be all in good fun like their conversation here, though she'd make sure to hug him tighter than he did her while spinning in a circle to further humiliate his masculinity. Not maliciously of course, but still you really had to have confidence in yourself while dealing with a dominant woman like her. Speaking of which, she was going to beat him once she figured out what he was really here for. Alexia wanted a piece of the emperor too, and there was no doubt in his mind that no matter the outcome of the altercation he wasn't going to come out of it unscathed. Still, he'd rather put himself in danger than let her anywhere near it. Sky was a protector at heart after all, and just as self reliant as she was. If he could handle something alone he'd do it over the safer route of working on a team, if only to make sure that they wouldn't endure the suffering he'd put himself through to get it done.

Again it took the captain to snap Sky out of his thoughts. He really needed to stop getting lost in them, it was just letting the emperor get in his head instead of taking charge of the situation himself. It took a few seconds for him to register just what it was that Ruce had said, then he scratched the back of his head. The marriage was kind of sudden come to think of it, but he knew he loved her so why would he delay it if it's what she wanted? It wasn't like he had eyes out for anyone else, he wasn't exactly the flirtatious type when it came to people he didn't know or care about. He probably wouldn't have been looking for someone at all even if she didn't come into his life, it was her forwardness and their working together in training that drew them closer. Sky still didn't know what she ever saw in him, he wasn't the best in class or the brightest. Hell he was surprised that things even panned out and he'd gotten into that school, much less completed it, his track record for things going right hadn't exactly been the best. Whatever it was didn't matter though, so long as she loved him and he loved her the whys didn't exactly matter so long as the feelings were true.

[color=skyblue]"You don't exactly say no to someone like her,"[/color] Sky answered, taking note of the frown that came from his friend. What was wrong, did he worry about something? Sure the blond was a mercenary, but due to his situation he could cherry pick which jobs he took or left behind. Truth was, if anyone put a price on Ruce or Alexia's head they'd be the one whose skull he'd claim free of charge. No one could ever offer enough, to him the two of them were what were truly priceless in the universe. Even if it cost him his ship to protect them, so be it he could always get another one built. It was a material thing, but them... Once a life was lost, it was gone forever. Besides having something to do and trying to do what was right to make a small difference, his main goal was to become strong enough to kill that damn emperor. Anyway it was best not to bring it up, didn't want to bring up any unnecessary questions or seem like he was trying to cover anything up. When Ruce laughed, Sky finished his shot then set down the glass to shudder then cock an eyebrow at him.

[color=skyblue]"You're the one that asked. Alexia's just a guard but... Yeah, you're right. One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. We live in a galaxy of gray, very rarely are things black and white,"[/color]