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[ralltiir]

[ The network ID attached to this one says "Commander Jeroen Akobi," advertising his military rank even though he forewent the Imperial uniform just about as soon as he was set loose upon this planet. Instead, there appears a handsome man in his forties in smart casual attire, haircut just the long side of regulation, facial hair game on point. He's got an affable smile on his face, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. ]

These jobs they assign you when you arrive are a joke, right? I mean, I'm no specialist, but I've got more marketable skills than "mustache model." Are there any procedures in place for putting in a request for a new position? Because posing for pictures might be a good way to make some side money, but I'd prefer something that actually requires some thought and effort.

Comments

[onlydoubts]

[ He doesn't say anything during the brief exchange, and even after Akobi tears his hand away. Bodhi knows what he saw, what he felt. The shadow of those very same feelings and images still linger after he shoves the memory down.

Sand whipping past him - he takes a drink of his coffee to wash the taste of it in his mouth before replying.

Of course he knew that might get picked up upon - but Bodhi squares his shoulders nonetheless. Him being a defector isn't unknown. Most everyone from their galaxy here is aware, from them knowing of him, or he's told them. It's just difficult not to worry, despite Akobi saying he's not interested in the fight, there aren't many things an Imperial hates more than a traitor.

And he's already had someone take it out on him..

Yet, it's already out in the open. ]

I did, yes. I was a cargo pilot. When I found out about the weapon, I couldn't -- I chose to leave. A man by the name of Galen Erso wanted me to deliver a message, to give to the Rebellion, to warn them of it.

[ For all the good it did... too late for Jedha. ]

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi picks up his coffee cup to take a sip, trying to steady his still shaking hands. The hot liquid burns his tongue, but the immediate pain feels better than the lingering memory of fear from the vision. It's grounding, in its own way.

He's quiet for a long moment after Bodhi's explanation, before he makes a decision to share his own story in return. It's only fair. ]

You're a far braver man than I. I... knew about the weapon. What it was designed to do. I knew about the atrocities the Empire committed-- that I helped commit. And the way the Empire covered them up. And still, I did nothing. Until it was too late.

[onlydoubts]

[ It's... not the reaction that Bodhi had envisioned he'd get. His hands are wrapped tight around his cup, and he stares down at the table for a long moment before replying.

It would be easy for him, to blow that off. Words too late, no action behind them. Hadn't changed anything for Jedha or Alderaan, but... the things that Bodhi had witnessed and stood by, keeping his head down for so long.

For an officer, much more indoctrinated in those beliefs than him... ]

The fact that you can admit as much, or kept an open enough mind to meet with me, and see it for yourself... it's more than many others would have done.

[ Given that Akobi didn't immediately launch himself across the table at him in finding out he was a defector, was telling - he's no Hux. ]

Not everyone I've met here has been so forgiving about what I did.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi has his own opinions on Hux, but not knowing that's who Bodhi is referring to, he doesn't volunteer them. ]

No, I can imagine not. Desertion is a treasonous offense. But... [ He sighs, twisting his cup on the table just to have something to focus on besides the man sitting across from him. ] If I had lived, beyond this place...? I... still don't know if I would have done it, but the thought had certainly crossed my mind.

[onlydoubts]

I can tell you one thing. [ He says after another drink of his coffee and leans forward in his seat, a little ] I didn't think I'd ever have - I'd thought about it. Maybe it's different for me. I was only a cargo pilot and I wasn't particularly loyal, it was just... a means to an end for me.

[ "Can you say that you had no part in this?" ]

But not until Galen told me what they were building did I know for certain that I had to.

And after Alderaan, many more defected, I'm told.

[ralltiir]

[ Akobi can't hide the sadness in his slow nod. Maybe it's disappointment? But whether he's disappointed in the people who defected after seeing what the DS-1 was built to do, or disappointed in the direction the Empire's war machine chose to take... Even he can't say. ]

That makes sense. A planet killer is certainly a... divisive weapon.

[ What does it say about him that he knew about the DS-1's capabilities and did nothing? He doesn't want to think about that. ]

At least it was destroyed, or so I hear. If I had lived another day, I would have died in the ensuing explosion.