"I appreciate the praise, but I hope I never have to do anything like this again," she said sincerely. Though she had ancestors that had military training and experience- certain members of her lineage were diplomats during times of war on more distant systems- it was truthfully not a skill set she wished to add to her repertoire. Solae greatly preferred to be able to converse and negotiate without strategically planning an imperial strike if her adversary did not make necessary concessions. More than one of the empress's predecessors, including her father, had been a vocal advocate for ambassadors carrying a treatise in one hand and a weapon in the other. Some of the marquise's contemporaries theorized this harsh methodology had done significant damage to political relationships. It was this strain, this agitation and fear, that may have been the catalyst for the likes of Duke Alexis Tan.

"I can alter his records," she suggested slowly as she mentally chewed over her plan as she spoke. "It would be relatively easy to show a sale of fuel to us, in our real names, that will paint him as complicit to the authorities. I don't know if he's reported your capture yet but if he has it will result him in getting his comeuppance, and if he hasn't reported it yet it will give him plenty of incentive to keep his mouth shut."

Tychon groaned as he started to regain consciousness. This had been a rough day for him even taking into account the typhoon that had landed only a few days earlier. He had spent the morning digging through the ruins of his neighbor's homes with Rene, albeit with great success considering, and then had been stunned by Vitger not once but twice. If she had been a doctor Solae would have prescribed him a week of bed's rest and pampering as his reward for enduring through the turmoil. Somehow the aristocrat doubted Tychon was the sort that would stay off his feet unless both legs and arms were broken. There was a streak of determination that ran through him a mile wide; it was no surprise that he got along with Rene so well.

"I'm sorry I didn't arrive earlier," Solae apologized.

"What the hell happened?" Tychon asked. He was confused not just because Vitger was no longer looming over him threateningly but also because Solae had appeared in what seemed like a blink of an eye. He was still staring at her after he had gotten to his feet. Undoubtedly he was trying to reconcile the fact that the 'princess' with the golden hair has somehow single-handedly become their savior from an individual twice her size.

"Rene can give you a play by play. We need to move quickly before anyone else that saw the original bounty and who thinks like Vitger finds us here. Rene, I need you and Tychon to figure out how much fuel we'll need to get to the nearest planet with a PEA. The more hops we make before we find somewhere with a PEA, the more worlds we put in danger, and the more traction Duke Tan's coup will build. I'll log a transaction in his system showing it... as a gift, I think, for saving his nephew was it? We'll take the credit we were going to give to Tychon, or reclaim it is in that container with him, and donate it to the citizens of San Roayo for their rebuilding efforts."

"Lady Solae," Tychon interrupted, feeling compelled to use the honorific because of the generosity she was showing. He had only glimpsed the currency but he knew what they had been willing to pay Vitger would go a long way in helping restore a community as poor as theirs. Like any other hero he did not see that he nor anyone else had done anything exceptional to deserve such a monetary reward. What he failed to take into account was that the marquise was bull-headed enough to force it upon him no matter how many objections he might raise.

"With all due respect Tychon, I won't let you refuse the offer. To make this work we'll need everyone to conveniently forget seeing us here. If one of the gentleman you and Rene worked with today lets it slip we were all around town and were not apprehended it will invite Duke Tan's wrath. I can promise you from what I have seen his crusade is ruthless. Do you think you could convince them?" she asked a little anxiously. It was not a small favor to request but she hoped it was possible. The noblewoman had faith in the Syshin and they had in turn been loyal, kind, and understanding with her.

"Yeah, sure," Tychon nodded. Clearly it was easier to agree with Solae's leadership than attempt to debate. Her proposal was sound and her voice intonation was rich with the authority of someone who was less open to suggestions than her words might imply.

"I'm going to his storefront, then, to log into his system. Contact me over the transmitter when you can tell me how much fuel we'll be moving, Rene," she declared, turned on her heal, and departed with a hurried pace.