I guess not. [It’s just that exercise makes it sound like someone’s going out of their way to teach them a lesson. Alan’s not sure he’d give the captains that much credit.

He gives a self-deprecating smile of his own at Prometheus’s retort. He’d used the word “friendly” because “suspicious” was a little too on the nose. It still is.] You’ve just seemed very involved in what I’m doing. And in my connection to Rinzler. [What makes it more perplexing is that Alan still doesn’t fully understand what opinion Prometheus even holds about the program. For all his apparent interest in Alan’s actions, he hasn’t advocated for any approach -- at least, not conclusively. It gives Alan the impression that he’s looking for information rather than influence.]

You spoke like you knew him long before I arrived. [A question, though not stated as such.]