[ Something about what he says makes that lump in his throat burst, sending red hot emotion all throughout him. His internal warning for his blood pressure blips for barely a second as he clenches his fists. ] Out of anyone, Commander—

[ He swallows and has to look away for a moment, look up to the sky. There's a natural buzzing in his ears that has nothing to do with his mechanical parts. ] You know I would have understood. I had to be put back together and you assume I would not have understood?!

[ He swallows again, closing his eyes tightly, corners of them prickling. ] Do not act as if I have no idea what it is like to be lose everything, even a sense of yourself.

[ There's an undercurrent to his words: I hate that you did not tell me. Why didn't you find me? ]