In hindsight that was obvious. I was not even doing on purpose.

It's okay, I know you weren't. This isn't really a—situation any of us is prepared for. Pause. By the way, the Captain will probably want to hear about this.

Good call.

Is the Captain free to receive the news? She probably knows some of it, already.

She is so glad they've decided to include her. What's up?

Met alternate version of Sadde that is in an interdimensional journey. He has resources to share.

More detail, please.

Trevor gives her a more detailed account of the situation, including the fact that Sparkles' mates are versions of the Imperium.

Is that so.

Yes...?

She thinks that is a rather convenient happenstance.

Yes, they should be more suspicious, but Felix's empathy is pretty good evidence that this isn't something faked. Or at least not something faked with known resources.

...no he's missing the point, she thinks it's rather convenient for the Imperium that strong evidence they and Sadde get along splendidly showed up just like that.

Huh, indeed. It takes away the guesswork in the relationship. Also, it is interesting if the Imperium had goals, nefarious or not, that would be advanced by the already mentioned evidence.

Have Sadde trust them and lower his guard, do—something about it then. She's not clear on what, but this is more plausible than alternate universes.

Fair enough. From their perspective it is implausible that someone would be able to fool Felix's empathy... hmm.

So, the Captain is justifiably suspicious of the whole alternate universe thing, he sends both Saddes.

"Introduce her to Sparkles. Should be enough to convince her."

Well, Trevor can invite the Captain over to meet their sparkly visitor.

They'll probably arrive wherever they were going before she finds them, though.

They in fact do! The Captain can meet them over there. We are going to organize shifts so we can have one person talking to you at all times.

Fenris got a couple of elf volunteers, a dwarf, three humans and four augmented to come over. The augmented are two feather-heads, a girl with large ears and entirely black eyes and a hulking man with with dirty-blond fur.

"Cool. If you have, like, books for me to read and stuff like that, I can pay attention to lots of things at the same time, I could multitask."

And here's the Captain.

"Well. You're pretty boy's clone, then."

"I think we usually say 'alt,' and yes. You can call me Sparkles."

"...Sparkles."

"His species sparkles in the sun."

"Does it now."