Right, well, they're getting into the part where Topher either has to lie, or come clean about the whole dream thing. Considering the man's obvious mistrust, he doesn't feel like it's a great idea to keep the charade going. It might give him an extremely interesting insight into this particular ship and its history, but seeing as this situation isn't actually real, it's not like he'll be doing any good. Wouldn't really give him brownie points. And given the man's apparently intelligence and knowledge, Topher would be interested in remaining more or less on his good side. If the guy has one.

"Well, I, sorta wasn't here before," he answers, bending over and tilting his head to see what Rush is trying to do. Then he reaches over and pulls the plating off with a metallic snap, in a way that probably shouldn't be possible, certainly not that easily.