You know, much as I hate their guts right now, I gotta give it to the suited person, they've been a damn good pilot, though I wouldn't really know the difference between a good one and a bad one unless we crash, it's still not bad. If only they weren't ignorant as all hell to the fact I don't need any fucking help with my hangover.

I just felt sicker than a dog, and everything is just so damn bright and noisy. Didn't help the dinos were giving the closest thing to amusement I've seen them do. I think I heard one of them laugh a few minutes ago, and I've been fighting every urge to cap the fucker. The suited person's the worst though, they've been crowding around me to try and help. One thing's for sure though, and I'm not drinking anything from this place that isn't water ever again.

My head falls on the table, and just when I thought life couldn't get worse, I hear the fuckerboy. "Didn't know you were such a lightweight kid, I guess one bottle is enough to destroy a bitch's liver, eh Vincent?"

'Eat a dick Johnny, let me be miserable.' He was too loud, while everything else is too quiet. It's too bright, but having the lights off like in my room is too dark. I hate everything right now, it's all just pure annoying shit. I want to tear someone's throat out, badly. Why can't I just fucking die already?

The suited person is crowding around me, and as much as I'd like to give them the bird, I know doing so is not a good idea considering they're flying the hunk of junk. I toss them something in my pocket, can't really give a shit what it is. The suit bastard appears confused but takes whatever it was while walking away. Johnny appears to be looking rather confused about how I got the bastard to leave me the fuck alone.

"Uh, I think you jus-"

'I really don't give a shit what you have to say. Shut up.'

"I'm trying to tell you something, what's with the sudden anger?"

'Maybe it's the fact that you've never shut that goddamn mouth of yours once in your life. I just want one moment in my life in the past month where I didn't have you or the chip hovering to turn me into you for once. I'm just lucky the fucking thing's stopped. Even worse is that I'm aging too damn quick, and the more time passes the more I realize I don't have forever. I'm not a fucking spring chicken, neither of us are.'

You know, I often tell myself he's my friend but the more I say it the more I sound like I'm just plain lying. I don't know what to call him? Terrorist, friend, acquaintance, roommate, and so many more titles for the guitarist. Probably best if I don't try to call him anything in front of him though, the last thing he needs is a bigger head.

I try to straighten myself, but only cause a snapping sound from my spine to emanate. Man, I'm just getting too old for this shit. This is a young man's job, and my time in this field is probably just another decade or two. I'm only 28, yet I feel like I'm in my 40s. I got graying hair, wrinkles are beginning to form, and I was working with Arasaka by the time River's niece was born. Must've been what pa felt during his time raising me. At least I don't have to worry about going blind like him thanks to Kiroshi.

So I got a terrorist in my head with a spaceship that has an alien crew, not to mention I'm already beginning to fall apart. I grab a cigarette to calm my nerves, and I don't care if it's bad for me, I need my fucking nicotine. I need a plan, something to put my mind towards. First thing's first, I need to get back to Earth. Much as I might shit on others, I'm going to try and get the kids out of there. They don't deserve a life down in the slums. Plus, I think Jackie wouldn't mind me showing Mama Welles the galaxy. Far as I'm concerned, she earned it putting up with my skinny ass.

Though I'll need more information. Actually, scratch that, I'm gonna need to figure out how to get back home first. They definitely haven't found Earth since it would've been over the news if there was possible salvation. Who am I kidding, they'd jack up prices so that only the rich could leave and have the rest of us suffer down there.

Head still hurts like hell, so I think kicking back with a cigarette isn't helping. Digging through my pocket for my lighter, I notice something's missing. My lighter is still there, thank fuck since I needed my nicotine. But if that's there, then the only stuff that wouldn't be there is… I gave the bastard my shards, didn't I?

I walk over to them, smoke in hand. They all look to be trying to figure out what it is, and honestly, I'm too hungover to truly give any shits. It's honestly a miracle my lunch hasn't come spewing out of me. Seriously, did I drink alcohol or just pure CHOOH2 distilled into whatever the hell I just drank?

I stare right at them, trying to think about something to say. Instead, I plug into the M.A.U and stick shards into my head. I try hacking into his wrist computer, and surprisingly it's easier than opening a door. I mean seriously, do people around here even know about firewalls? I managed to force files in easy peasy, and honestly, I'm just shocked about how weak they are. Mostly just books and audio recordings so it can be translated or whatever it is they do.

The suited person definitely noticed the files being transferred, as they looked at me and gave a nod while tapping it furiously. The dinos are crowding around the poor bastard, more than likely trying to get an explanation. The more I spend with these folks, I start feeling like I'm back with Panam and the Aldecaldos.

I wasn't sure why I felt so alien here, other than me being surrounded by them, but now I do. These people actually seem like people. These people might've been slaves, or whatever the hell those squid faces were planning to do with them, but yet they're free. I don't know anyone who isn't shackled by the corporations other than them, from the nomads forced to do seasonal work for them, the street rats who had their future taken from them, to even corpos like me who made a deal with the devil. To be honest, I'm jealous.

I mean, these fuckers didn't have to claw their way to living, it was all handed to them. I've butchered hundreds just to get enough eddies for rent, and have lost good people in all of my attempts to make a living. I always make every conversation I hold with someone sound like a hostage situation, and the last time someone meant anything to me was when he died in my arms while a car drove itself. Much as I may hate even thinking it, I deserved better. We all did.

Dwelling on the past isn't gonna get me anywhere, Silverhand's existence is proof of that. You can't fight the corporations, they'll always win, no matter what. Right here, however, for the first time in my life, I have true freedom. I mean, I might not be able to understand them at all but there's definitely the closest thing an alien can have to a smile on their faces. It's genuine, not malicious or fake.

I mean, if they can hope, why can't I?

(A/N) Two things. First, this went through three goddamn rewrites so I just decided to put this out and hope for the best. Second, I know I might not respond but this is based entirely on my ego so anyone saying anything will be a huge confidence boost for me.