"There's been a rash of violence among the crew -- that's us, you understand -- but it seems mostly confined to specific individuals. No one seems to be able to agree on whether the punishments are too harsh, not harsh enough, not enough of a deterrent, unfair in form, and so on."

He shrugs, then adds, "I have to tell you, with regard to the time vortex... it's very unlikely that this is your original universe. Possible, but unlikely. Your theory is worth pursuing, but I'm not sure I'd lock onto it, if I were you."