"Just an artifact I had. Nothing we'll miss," is his first reply, because it's true: he never did tell Jim about his dealings with Nocturnal. Never drew any attention to the silver-grey hood rolled up among his things, let alone explained its origin. And now? It's a long story, and one that might not make a lot of sense to Jim. What matters is that Felix reassures him.

And, well. Felix really doesn't talk much about his conjuration. Not to his friends, not his family. Not to the people of his world, who will judge, nor to those of the Nexus, who won't understand. And not to Jim.

"I'm sorry," he says, wary of the look on Jim's face but perhaps misinterpreting the captain's anger. "I told you, I had to hide my plan from you or it would never have worked."