"Yeah, I know," said Carlos with a shrug. "It's kind of surreal, knowing that whatever happened to your version of Earth didn't occur that long after when I was alive on mine."

It was interesting to think about. And frightening, in a distant, chilling sort of way.

"Well, I found what I came here to see. We can go wherever you want now, Cecil. My scientific obligations are fulfilled." I'm yours for the rest of the day, was what that shrug and that smile meant.