[ he snorts. part bitter, part covering up that uncomfortable pang of sadness that's resonated a bit stronger than it used to in the wake of why his dad died. there's a piece of him that hates george for singling him out like that with such a move and another that hates spock - the one from the 24th century - for failing to save romulus and provoking nero. he gets that's all irrational, but such are the feelings of a human. ]

Not important until he died. Lieutenant on a minor research vessel. On the day of my birth, the Kelvin was attacked by a Romulan ship. Most of the ship's crew evacuated. He rammed what was left of the ship into the Romulans' to buy us some time. I was born on one of those shuttles.

[ and because he needs the light to counter the dark: ] Think being born lightyears away from Earth makes me an honorary alien?

[ he stops the laugh that follows that short. ] That-- I'm sorry. Did you, uh, know him at all?