meanwhile in a parallel timeline where Dr. Savantchez designs Strain One for the Ares Project because Dr. Cattacopper is an Ornithologist...

He's got more Cryptocanid traits in this one. He's also 6'8 (not counting ears).
Nat is the scientist on the base that takes ownership of him in order to keep him alive and safe, and she acts as the Ouroboros Division's Scientific Internal for the Crew.
Rik meets Karl through her (Agent 49), as they both serve on the same Division so he goes with her, though there are other branches of Ouroboros at this point in the Beta Timeline and Karl's already moved to an independent position as Agent 27.

The blue canary gets a giant, glowing boyfriend.