Before we go to the shout outs I'd like to apologize for the long wait. Writer's block in a combination with work really sucks.

Shout outs...

The Crazy Authoresses CAT and AMS: Well don't expect mushrooms anytime soon. And I'll try to live up to your not quite menacing request.

Maxmagnus20019: Course I rock! I just don't know how to roll yet. Yeah, that was a bad joke.

Firebane5: It'll happen soon enough, just wait.

Dragon Chyld: I assure you no Wookies have been harmed in any of my fics. Mainly because one is hovering over my shoulder right now. And he has bad breath... Seriously though, just read and you'll find out.

Xlizx: Auron Equals Pwnership. Quite simple.

Space is big. Really big. Obnoxiously big. It's so big the escape pod I was in barley qualified as a grain of sand on a beach, or all the beaches in the world. Space is hugely big.

Hugely, really, obnoxiously, immensely, unimaginably, freaking, supremely, incredibly, amazingly, bigly BIG!

And all that doesn't even give a glimpse as to the scope of how big space is.

So... why all this talk about how big space is? Simple really.

There's a lot of space and not much in it. I mean, it's empty space right? Finding your way around space without all the gadgets and what not is like taking a guy from Japan when they still had Samurai and slapping him into the middle of New York City. He'd never figure out where home is, or how to get there.

Strange... Seems to be the exact same thing that happened to me...

"Distress signal operational." The pod's computer said as James squirmed in his seat.

"Good." James said as he tried to stretch his legs in the limited space.

"Searching for life supporting planets... Planet found."

Time to roll the dice, I thought to myself at the time. Come on Vanguard!

"Don't leave me hanging."

"Vanguard III, located approximately 0.5 light years from present location."

Jackpot.

"Axial tilt of 35 degrees results in extreme seasonal weather. Existence of humanoid life forms confirmed. The Federation has classified Vanguard III as an Underdeveloped Planet. Civilization level: approximately equivalent to 16th century Earth.

"Would you like to review the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact?"

"May as well."

"The Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact was established in order to protect planets with developing civilizations. Contact with civilizations that have not reached a certain level of development is prohibited by Federation law. This is due to the fact that contact with advanced civilizations has a high probability of greatly influencing the course of history on a less devolved planet. All individuals and organizations belonging to the Pangalatic Federation are required to adhere to the tenets of this Pact, unless facing a clear danger to life and limb. This Pact is one of the most important components of Pangalatic Federation law. It also serves as a guideline for civilian conduct in emergency situations. Violators will be tried by the Pangalatic Council."

"Which I bet is made up of a few dozen old guys who toss oxygen bottles around, telling each other to take a hit and pass it on."

"The average age of members of the Pangalatic Council is currently 64."

"...Thank you... How long till we get there?"

"At our present speed of warp 6, arrival is estimated at 144 hours."

"In days?"

"6 days."

"Joy..." James said as he decided to see if he could place his sword someplace. After a moment he found a button on the seat that pulled it back and turned it by 180 degrees...

The pod was a little larger than I had thought it was in the game. The seat could turn around to a small area where the supplies were and a toilet, but it was little more than a glorified closet that a cat would feel claustrophobic in. Just a few shelves with the necessities, food, water and a first aid kit, a replicator which had a very limited menu of items and foods, all of which tasted bland, and some tools in case you needed to make repairs.

All of it a very friendly, and I mean this sarcastically, grey. Joy...

"OK then." James said after setting his sword away, sitting back down and turning his seat back to it's original position. "Can you tell me if there are any other pods or vessels nearby?"

"Searching... One escape pod found, 2451-098 EP Helre, 1 kilometre away, baring 256, mark 060."

"Can we contact it?"

"Hailing." James leaned forward a bit until Fayt's face greeted him on the main screen.

"Hey there, nice to see a friendly face out in the middle of nowhere!" James said feeling a little relieved at this turn of events.

"No kidding. Did you scan around, are there any other pods with us?"

"If your thinking Sophia's around, don't. I only got one contact, and that's you."

"Damn it... I hope she's okay..."

"Hey, when she's not acting all ditzy she's a bright girl, she'll get by."

The truth was I knew she WASN'T going to be okay... She would be taken hostage by the Vendeeni along with Dr. Leingod and held prisoner until those sharks try to make the exchange... Thankfully, unlike in the game, Dr. Leingod would be fine. But...

The game never touched on what happened to those two during the game... I doubt it was fun...

"Anyway, we can't worry about her at the moment. You going to Vanguard III as well?"

"Yeah."

"That's what we need to worry about."

"Yeah..." Fayt said, crossing his arms. "It's an underdeveloped planet though, it's not like it'll be a vacation or anything."

"Sure it will!" James said, trying to cross his legs, but quickly giving up. "It'll be like a camping trip! We just have to keep in mind that the fact that we don't mention we come from another planet, that's all!"

"You make it sound so simple..."

"Hakuna Matata."

"What?"

"Hakuna Matata, no worries. Because..." James let it hang as Fayt picked up on the message.

"'Worrying does nothing but make the problem seem bigger than it is', yeah I remember."

"Good. She'd be happy you care enough to be so worried, but right now focus on the next thing."

"And that is?"

"For me... a nap. G'night."

"Figures... Night."

Six days. Six... long... boring... days... Escape pods should come equipped with Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex DVDs, a DVD player, and pack of cards. The last one on that list was taken care of via replicator.

My DVD spree was killed off before it started, seems everyone forgot about Ghost in the Shell after 700 years... And I really wanted to see all the ones I haven't seen yet.

Which is about 75 of the episodes... I suck.

With my Anime fix broken my time was spent between chatting with Fayt, listening to music, sleeping, eating and sending my feces into space when I flush. That kinda grosses me out when I really think about it, knowing crap is bombarding planets from deep space.

And here I was worried about the Vendeeni!

Of course all boring things come to an end. I never thought once during this whole thing I'd be excited to move on to the next part in the game. But if you spent six days in this freaking pod you'd share my sentiments.

A short clicking sound was heard inside the pod, waking James from his nap as the pod's computer spoke. "Entering Vanguard III's gravitational field. Prepare for entry turbulence."

Soon after that I looked up and saw Vanguard ahead of me. Before my pod hit the planet's atmosphere I saw a red and orange flash ahead of me, Fayt's pod most likely. Then it was my turn to enter and spiral down to Earth.

Or Vanguard I should say. I had to remember than Earth wasn't the only place humans lived these days.

Heading towards the ground felt like a rickety roller coaster with jets. The landing was softer than I expected so I guess I can forgive the ride in. I turned my seat about and grabbed my sword before opening the pod and leaping out.

Landing on the ground James took a moment to attach his sword's sheath to his waist. A snap was heard nearby and James quickly drew his blade, during to face whatever would dare challenge him.

A grey deer-like creature greeted him, chewing on something as it looked at him, two horns extending from it's forehead then curving down, away from it's face so they were pointed to the ground. Dismissing the creature as a harmless herbivore James checked his belongings ensuring his communicator and quad scanner were on him before looking about. Pulling his scanner out James scanned about for human life signs.

"One life-sign, just half a click out. Not too shabby if I do say so myself..."

Using my sword like a weed-wacker probably wasn't the best use for it, but I had landed away from any paths or clearing so I had little choice in the matter. The forest was thick with branches and vines that had to be cut out of the way. I felt like Indiana Jones making his way to a lost temple.

Cutting his way to a clearing James pulled his scanner out again, doing his best to decipher the readings. Seeing the same life sign was nearby he made his way over towards it. After a moment more he saw Fayt walking down the path towards him. Smiling James waved at him, halting where he was. "Hey, you know the way to San Jose?"

Looking down the path Fayt shook his head and starting to jog down to his friend. Once there he stopped and gave James a high five. "San Jose?"

"Old joke. Anyway, where you off to?"

Opening his quad scanner up Fayt pushed a few buttons and turned to face his friend. "I found a small collection of humanoids, about... 38 clicks out, I think it's a village. I know it's a UP3 infringement, but..."

"You think it'll be safer in a village than out in the middle of nowhere. I got ya." James patted his friend's shoulder. "Well, we don't have to tell them we visited, you know the old camping slogan..."

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, right."

"You know it. Lead the way Fayt."

So there we were two guys, one from 20th Century Earth and one from present day Earth hiking towards a backwater village on a backwater planet. The local monsters, Slimes, were easily dispatched between the two of us. When we landed I had figured it was noon or just afternoon for this part of the planet. By the time the village was in sight the sun was descending into the horizon and the moon rising to take it's place it the sky.

The two weary humans stumbled along the path, the village in sight. James took his hat off and brushed away some sweat before replacing his head dress. Fayt, sword in hand, and no sheath to speak of fell to his knees. "Made it... Finally."

"No kiddin'..." James replied, placing his hands on his thighs, taking in gulps of air as he fought off a wave of dizziness. "Shoulda packed a lunch, that was a long hike!"

Thinking back we should have at least stopped to rest once or twice, but Fayt said we had to march on and get there before sundown. Why did I listen to him again?

Oh well, we made it, right?

"Whew, that was farther than I thought..." Fayt said as his companion looked about. "Looked so close... on the scanner..."

"Told ya we should have stopped to take a breather." James said before hearing the clatter of metal hitting the ground. "Fayt?" James looked over to his friend, laying face down in the dirt. He took a shaking step closer to him. "Come on man, this is a bad time... for a nap..." He shook his head once and fell backwards on to his butt, then simply flopped onto his back. "Ah, who am I kiddin'... I'm exhausted..."

After his eyes closed James swore he could hear a voice before falling unconscious. "What's wrong Mister? You got a bellyache? ... Oh no! Niklas! Niklaaas!""

Somewhere in my mind I knew what was next, Norton. But at the time all I could think of was my body's need to rest...

I dreamed again, that same scent filling the air of me dream and what looked to be a flash or crimson...

Again, sorry for the long wait for this update. I will try to get the next chapter out a bit faster for you all.