[Whether or not it's intended, Sparks can't help but get a little defensive at the implication that his Earth would be less advanced than another.]

Well. Sounds like my timeline's a mite more, y'know, dangerous than yours, you know, got all the tech, just keep it to government vessels and all. Dangerous aliens and the like, out in space, known about 'em since the two thousands I reckon. The average settler risks getting murdermanned or manmurdered and all sorts besides.