[ That there were people before them who aren't here now implies an end to these experiments, and he would be a fool to believe they'll be sent back home with a cheerful wave and ample compensation for their time. So they had a deadline now, an unknowable one, looming in the distance. That he was brought here today means they still have time, but the thought doesn't comfort him any.

The simulation theory could easily explain why no one was reported missing, if he takes that thought to it's logical conclusion, but—he's not sure he really wants to think about that means for him. The him that's stuck in here, because there's another him, out there, still by Nahida's side, none the wiser to any of this.

(He can't even bear to think he might be truly forgotten by Nahida, and isn't that a hoot, after what he tried to do?

He doesn't think about it.) ]

Then we ought to look for the source of this simulation.

[ But he knows if it were as easy as that, none of them would be here right now. ]

Anything you need someone particularly... durable to look into?