[That sends his mind spinning out into tactics and over what information he's been able to get his hands on. ...and what allies he's made. Shiro's brows come down. Those jokes are terrible, by the way.]

At least a few years, [He pulls himself out of deep thought and nods once.] Just in case.

If we get to return sooner than that we'll have prepared for the worst. And having some long term goals will help us stay oriented no matter what happens while we're here.

[Boy does he need some kind of goal that's far off to ground him. Or his mind will race off grabbing all the scenarios it can run through of what's going on back home and where the lions are. He crushes the worries before they can do more than be shapeless ideas with a sigh.]

We could think of it as a bit of rest break. New world and new ideas. [At that he relaxes completely with a tired laugh and a grin of his own. Actual cities to settle into. Day to day life. All things he has almost forgot how to do.]

Still...a normal job. I haven't had one of those in a long time. [Being a Garrison Pilot was far from normal.] This is going to take a lot of getting used to.