[That bit of context certainly casts the meteor in a different light, and he sobers up quickly.]

...I did not know.

It is a comfort, however, to know that the train will take care of us if it assesses the threat level of a mission to be beyond our ability to handle. [He pauses, and tries a smile.] And in that light, is it not a compliment that it placed us here, believing us capable of resolving the issue?

[He huffs.] Much as I would love to spend time learning the mechanics of that barrier, it seems we must instead learn the mechanics of repair drones. Are all missions so glamorous?

[It is a joke, albeit a small one. He's trying.]