"Maybe next time there'll be some chances with willin' test subjects. And more like actual testin'." He doesn't want to give up on it, even now. And at least the strange hug doesn't linger for two long.

It is nice to hear, even little words like, 'I'm glad you made it back'. Because there was that little part of him that wanted to stay out there. That wanted to send messages to Stakar and beg him to come get him. There was even a part that wanted to let go of his anchor and turn back.

But it's little moments like this that remind him that he really needs to ignore that part of himself, the one that wants to relive the past better, or give up on a decent future, instead of acknowledging that he's made use of some stuff now.

"You know what? I'll make sure ya get some food or somethin' if ya want it. When I tethered way back I ended up so hungry and so tired I ate curry out of an ice cream cone. I don't wanna condemn you to the same fate. You did good, by the way. You did real good."

That he went as far as he did says so.