I sent some word, [he points out, the defensiveness actually creeping in this time.]

You're right, though. My hands were tied. I didn't have staff this time, and the automation would've meant a bunch of people stirred inside of my lab without anyone to fill them in.

[But there's more.]

And ... I didn't say more because I made a mistake. Do you really think I'm satisfied with what I've done? I didn't succeed. And I screwed you all over. Without my hand being forced, I'd've stayed up here without more. By now, I guess ... I figured that if Johann was stirring, you already knew what my role was in it and didn't want to bother with me.