(D7 EM) Special Delivery

[Cole Ormont]

Cole moved to take the data chip, "they're terrorists," he stated flatly. "Everything that's wrong with the Cartels..." Cole found himself struggling for words, perhaps it was his guilty conscience talking. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but, compared to the Crescent Shadow, the Hutts have downright redeeming qualities. Nar Shaddaa might be a shithole, but it's a shithole people call home. What have the Crescent done for the people they claim to represent?"

Apart from serve up a Hutt underboss on a plate...

[Niall Organa]

"Agreed." Niall said with a firm nod. "I don't see that it will do any good to meet with them. I'll still pass it along to my superiors, of course. There's always the option that a tracker is planted on me. On a tactical level that idea has some merit. On a personal level, I'm rather more skeptical." He smiled, chuckling softly at the black humor.

"And I suppose it's time to step up security again." Niall grimaced. "Now Republic personnel may be targeted by yet another group. And here I was thinking that we were getting low on enemies." He said, dryly sarcastic.

[Cole Ormont]

Cole ran a hand through his hair and rubbed the back of his neck. His conscience was weighing on him, though he tried to explain it away as just being tired. He took out his own datapad and inserted the data chip; when the screen sprang to life, the background image was clearly visible: Cole and Jin Vaya, arms around each other, saluting to the camera, his grin lopsided and charming.

"Has the man been identified yet?" Cole asked as he examined the chip itself.


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OOC: Due to unforeseen discrepancies in the time-space continuum, Cole does not need to add a Setback die for fatigue. The Setback from the weather still applies, however.
[D7 EM] Looking for Hidden Files / Clues / Ciphers (Computers): 1eP+3eA+3eD+1eS 1 failure

[Niall Organa]

"If he has, it hasn't yet crossed my desk." Niall said. "Although... hmmm. With this new information, perhaps SIS could be made to put some extra work into it. I'll forward it along to them." He powered on his datapad once more, firing off a quick message to SIS, including the information from the chip.

Niall craned his neck, peering curiously at Cole's screen. "Is that you and Jin Vaya?" He asked.

[Cole Ormont]

Cole flushed a little and cleared his throat. In the photo, Jin is wearing a Republic-issue cap. "Yeah, yeah, that's her all right."

[Niall Organa]

Niall's eyebrows went up, a smile playing about the corners of his lips. "I see." He said. "And this happened at the con, I imagine? My my."

"I didn't realize you were a fan of the show, Cole. Or the actress." He said, still almost-smiling. "I heard she's going to be in Galaxy Commando Eight: The Search for More Firepower."

[Cole Ormont]

"I took a shift working Huttcon first aid. It turns out that Ms. Vaya is something of a fan of the military," he answered evasively. But at least it had taken his mind off his more immediate problems.

[Niall Organa]

"Hmmm." Niall said. "She does seem to be rather happy, in that picture."

The smile grew, just a little. "Of course, so do you. You can't dodge that easily, Cole. Is Vera Hawke her favorite role of yours? Have you watched enough to have a favorite episode?"

[Cole Ormont]

Cole tried out a few deflections in his head. Fandom... scared him, the moment someone hinted they were into something you were walking on eggshells until you somehow managed to work out whether they enjoyed it, or liked it, or loved it, or were seething psychosis given form and woe betide you if you dared mention any ship other than their One True Pairing. Nope, better to just avoid the whole thing.

He shrugged, "I spend a lot of my time reading. I mean, I like Vera Hawke, but I don't watch every episode the moment it's streamed like it."

[Niall Organa]

"Hmmm." Niall seemed to accept this with a shrug. "Nor I. It was rather popular in my unit. And I think it helped encourage a spirit of cooperation with the Jedi." He smiled. "Although I know there were some who were disappointed when we met a Jedi, and she wasn't so... well, you know." Niall didn't quite blush, but the pinch of his lips showed that he probably came close.

"Besides, we didn't get to see it on Tatooine. As far as hardships went, that... wasn't one." Niall chuckled. "If I had to choose between watching Vera Hawke and not having to pour a full kilo of sand out of each boot every day, well, I'd take the latter, thank you."

[Cole Ormont]

"There is a reason why soldiers resent the Medical Corps and our soft lives on the Frigates," he deadpanned.

[Niall Organa]

Niall's lips twisted. "The capital ship crews, maybe. But believe me, they don't resent the people who are saving their lives, and the lives of their friends."

He hesitated a moment, his lips pressing together. "That almost sounds like you're going to continue on in that life, then?"

[Cole Ormont]

"Force of habit, sir." He thought on it for a moment, "truthfully, I haven't made up my mind yet."

[Niall Organa]

"I see." Niall said.

After a moment he nodded, smiling. "Well... we'd hate to lose you. You're a skilled docter." He sighed. "And more importantly, you're a good person. We need that." His lips twist. "Of course, I suppose you'll be that wherever you end up."

[Cole Ormont]

Carefully, "I had some unfinished business to deal with when I put in my resignation. That's been," Cole hesitated, "resolved, I suppose. Captain Glascock has offered me until the end of the talks to decide what I intend to do."