Lonney could pilot the ship for a time, but despite his advanced nature, he was still AI. He had been limited by the strict Imperial Artificial Intelligence laws and could not make a jump himself, or give tactical decisions beyond basic maneuvers. Neil needed rest and some time in one of their small medical chambers. One of the courtesans had kissed him on the cheek and a few hailed him as a hero, along with Junebug and Taya. If he'd been awake he would have capitalized on such attention, but it took a few hours for him to regain consciousness and once he did, he had his head bandaged and he stuck to the cockpit until they hit the closest R.I.P. tide. 

As Neil set up the proper functions to keep the ship steady and safe within the R.I.P., Prince Alden had taken the time to personally thank Junebug and Taya for the rescue, inviting them along with his senior officer and his closest councilmen and advisor to sit and speak, finally having some time to talk. 

"I feel as if we owe you the kingdom as well as our lives," the Councilman said, who introduced himself as Ranald Antioch, former soldier and now aged advisor. He was bald, with a sharp nose and an even sharper beard of grey, though his eyes had not lost any of their luster (and if they had, he would have been quite the fiery youth!). If Junebug recalled, he had been firing into the mass of Xenos as well, at least at the end. "Prince Aiden would not admit it, but he is the only heir to the throne that has any worth." 

"Ranald," Amalric scoffed, almost embarrassed to be praised as such in front of Sayeeda. He cleared his throat, and turned to Junebug and Taya, his eyes grateful and his smile informally fetching. "I would hate to admit it, but we were caught with our trousers dropped and you showed up as if sent by Gideon himself. Thank you. Both. We're sorry we're keeping you from your busy schedule of...?" 

"We're simple traders~" Taya said breathlessly, her lower half shifting nearly in a wiggle and her eyes large and awestruck as she spoke to the Prince. They were so wide one could see the ship's overhead lights within them, ironically giving them the faux appearance of stars. She had just gotten done helping the last of what she had suspected were refugees until she noticed their uniforms and professions, and once she found out they were entertaining a prince she seemed a tad less mature, though still holding herself together. 

"I see," Alden said. "Where to?" 

"Headin' to Alpha Centuri, yer Lordship." Lonney pipped in. The senior officer gazed upwards and around as the others did, but he gave a disbelieving laugh. "By the Gods." He uttered, extremely amused at the AI not only advanced enough to answer with a personality, but also with such a rough accent. 

"I see there's another tale to learn. You've quite the ship and crew here, Captain Cykali." The Prince commented, obviously impressed.

[@Penny]