"Maximum speed back to the ship is recommended, Rainbow" says Hover.
The sniper looks back to the pilot who isn't piloting. Her face is not one of extreme joy. The Mechtank is a slow vehicle as it is and the storm is not helping.
It take a great while to reach the Cirrus. They are pulled over once despite Hover's suggestion not to stop. Rainbow does not break laws so they stop to speak with the guardpony. Therefore they reach the ship when time dictates enough of it has passed to make sense.