[It was ultimately an issue that was less about what Cliff could explain, but about what he simply would never bring up with anyone outside of those he knew. The harbingers that were the reason for Fayt's alterations were just a fraction of something far more complicated and unnerving. He had accepted that his life was under Federation watch a long time ago, but the idea that others knew about his life and habits just stuck in his craw.

Managing this crisis, although frustratng and worrisome, was ultimately easier than dealing with what he had recently seen in his world.]

I'm not asking you to do much. Just to not be surprised if I ever go to you asking for an idea. My experience is limited to physical fights, not all of this Symbology stuff that we're dealing with here. My girls back home would have a better idea, but here?

I know I've got a few more around, but they don't know even as much as I do.

[He lapsed there for a second as he thought, a bit more personally this time.]

Yanno, I guess this might be the reason I thought we were family last month. It does make sense. [headscratch.] And, well. I guess you called me on it months ago. I'd do the same for Maria if she were here, and then some.

[After all, he would never forget that tiny girl he and Mirage fished out of the pod that one day. 'An Earthling' girl...sure. She was no ordinary Earthling.

Perhaps that was a part of it.]