[i]2 months later...[/i] 

Neil lounged against the pilot's chair, Lonney taking up the duties of traversing the R.I.P. while the crew was fast asleep. Even with an AI as sophisticated as the Highlander's, someone still needed to be up most of the time to keep an eye on things. Lonney couldn't exactly warn the crew of a malfunction or an impending disaster if no one was awake. Neil also had to be doubly aware, as their last stop on Langor VII had brought them face to face with the bounty hunter's guild, and Saxon had been brought back into the fold, given a major hunt that would last for some months. Neil had come to appreciate the big Xeno's presence, but he was still sort of glad the brute was gone. 

Even so, that meant one of the human crew had to remain awake, and Neil had drawn the short straw this time. He felt his eyes sinking, though they halted halfway there. Back in high school on Fortus he had learned a technique that let him rest his eyes while keeping them merely lidded, and it had tricked more than one teacher into thinking he was at least paying some attention. 

He let his mind wander a bit, comfortable in the heated cockpit. He had jerry-rigged the chairs to lean backwards like a recliner, and he lay snuggled on the central one, feet kicked up on the dashboard. Junebug wasn't a fan of him doing that, but she didn't openly forbid it either. He had taken the liberty and his thoughts drifted to their next job. The crew had heard a planetary governer in Gliese 876 was hiring on mercenaries for an expedition into conquered space. One of those high risk/high reward jobs in retaking old systems that had gone dark in the Imperium's past. There might even be a few neo-crusaders, if the governer knew what he was doing and played his cards right. Hopefully they played nice. Supposed to be a big payday.

While Neil thought of the coming campaign, there was a sudden, flashing red indicator above him. It was small, but he noticed it nonetheless. Neil cocked an eyebrow, understanding it was the stability alarm. Sometimes the R.I.P. could be unpredictable, but as long as Taya had refilled the coaxium in the R.I.P. drive they should be fine unless there was a void beast of some kind or some rare celestial event. Neil stretched and yawned and snuggled back down into his chair again. 

The next thing he knew, Neil was yanked out of his seat from the centrifugal force, and suddenly alarms did not just idly flash, but they blared in his ears. Neil raised his hands and caught himself before his head smashed against the dashboard, and Lonney's voice came over the intercomms. 

"Emergency! Emergency! R.I.P. tide unstable! 87% chance of losing the integrity of the shields, and 99.847% chance of losing the integrity of the vessel once that occurs. Maneuvering is required, first mate!" 

Neil was already on it, punching in the swift algorithm for manual override and taking the wheel, flipping three levers on the right. He blinked, trying to get his thoughts together as sweat began to bead on his forehead. "Lonney, prepare the ship for an emergency R.I.P. detachment! All auxiliary power to the shields, and keep us in line until I can get us out of here!" 

"As you say, first mate!" Lonney replied. Already he heard the Highlanders hatches and hydraulic systems doing their work, and the shield's power increased to 142% on the display monitor. The vessel began to shudder incessantly, an endless drumming that had his teeth clattering. He saw lights on a spectrum on the display monitor, flashing to showcase how close they were getting to an exit portal in R.I.P. space. It was far too sudden to predict, but the very next second a green light flashed and Neil banked the Highlander hard, powering down the drive and sending the Highlander flying into realspace. 

Neil felt his stomach twist and a wave of intense nausea flooded into him, a sensation of his very soul being yanked overcoming him for a brief few moments. It was agonizing, but as he regained control of his faculties, he realized not only had he not soiled himself, but the ship was very much intact. The alarms were now silent, and one by one save for a few minor systems, they were shut off.

"Thank you Gideon sweet merciful lord," he breathed, and then he began to laugh. First softly, and then hard. Neil had a big appreciation for life, especially with how chaotic it often was. He ended the chortle in a giggle, before he turned back to the display. "Lonney, ship status. And where are we?" 

"Power is low, but ship is stable. Unable to return to R.I.P. In need of power cells and 4 gallons of coaxium. We are currently in the Hydronikas system." The AI responded. Neil pursed his lips, stroking his chin. 

"Isn't that the system where Sayeeda is from?" He asked himself. Lonney answered regardless.

"Correct."