“There is no need for detail.” Syrenii glanced at the supervisor. Tilenyii mumbled something back in the soft A'jeii language before the captain returned her attention to the visitors. “Just accept that it is dangerous. You shall continue onward with us, sharing in whatever gain we may acquire.”

Moments ago, Gavin Reed had shown beyond a doubt that he’d had enough. Now it was Dev’s turn. “No, we will not continue onward with you! We are going home. And I do not think we need your approval to do so.” Intent on his insistence, he was unaware that he was waving the Kaijank rifle around a bit wildly. So he did not notice how the small cluster of A'jeii as well as Vantolos and the two Kaijank shied or ducked away from its muzzle. He turned to the Zimmers.

“Jakob, if we’re somehow now in control of this ship, just tell it to take us home! Back to the world it just came from.” Getting control of himself, he lowered his voice as he stared hard at the A'jeii. “But first ask it if returning is somehow ‘dangerous.’”

A grinning Katou-Zimmer was nodding approvingly. “Well considered, Dev. A bit abrupt, but well considered. Sometimes we become so lost in the moment we overlook the obvious.” Duplicating her husband’s stance, she turned to the no longer threatening mechanical. “Ship. Is there any inherent reason why you should not return myself and my companions to our homeworld? To the most recent one you have visited?”

Contorting on its flexible stalk, the head inclined toward her. Unblinking eyes peered down as the mechanical replied. “No. There is no inherent reason I cannot return to the world most recently visited.”

“Then,” she took a deep breath, “I and my companions order that you do so.”

A collective sigh rose from the assembled A'jeii. Turning, Vantolos let out a long hiss-like moan and ambled away, his attitude (insofar as Dev could tell from the alien’s posture and gestures) that of one just shy of contemplating suicide. Chattering softly among themselves, the A'jeii scattered: some returning to their stations forward, others wandering down the other access corridor. A still-shaken Tilenyii went with them.

That left only the captain, Syrenii, to continue to confront the euphoric humans. “I tell you one more time that this is not a good idea.”

Dev looked down at her. “We are still waiting for you to tell us why it is not.”

Syrenii met his gaze evenly for a moment, then dropped her eyes and replied softly, “I cannot do that.”

“Can you tell us why we were able to supersede your command and that of the A'jeii for this vessel?” a curious Katou-Zimmer wanted to know.

The A'jeii captain looked up, meeting each of their stares in turn. “I cannot tell you anything. But I can ask you a question. What do you intend to do once you have been returned to your homeworld?”