Petty officer Jenkins sighed as he tried to concentrate while going through the checklist on the datapad. It would have been easier if the presence of the Zeltron captain wasn't so intoxicating. Maybe he would consider a vacation to Zeltros in the future, once he was rotated out.
"So we have an illegal hyperdrive," he begun, only to be interrupted soon.
"Which I already cleared I had no idea! My old mechanic installed it. I just let her do all that stuff, you know," Apollo clarified with much flair and charisma to his words, "never get between a woman and her passion, and all that."
"Right." Jenkins nodded once, eyes glancing between Apollo and the datapad for a moment, then continuing. "There are also the expired insurance and Republic licenses, speeding fines, the illegal quantities of stimulants -" captain Apollo was about to interject but was shot down this time as Jenkins gave him a stern look, "- of unknown and most likely criminal origins."
Apollo simply pouted, eyes downcast and apologetic. The petty officer wasn't sure if he should feel sorry for the smuggler, or frustrated because he felt his own professionalism slip in his presence.
"Luckily for you," Jenkins cleared his throat, "Senator Rasm put in a good word for you to have reduced punishment to the authorities, with this community service as part of the mission to Obroa-Skai."
"Lucky me, indeed," Apollo's lips quivered into a short-lived grimace. "Should've guessed that dear Rasm would still be a bit upset with me leaving him for his wife, and yet takes pity on me." He pressed the back of his hand against his forehead in a dramatic pose, sighing deeply. "But why Obroa-Skai? What is wrong with these Mandalorians?"
"Well," Jenkins straightened his collar. Speaking of military matters felt much more within his wheelhouse. "We don't think it's so much an actual goal in itself for these savages to go after Obroa-Skai, but rather they consider it a simpler conquest before they continue on this so-called crusade of theirs. Obroa-Skai doesn't have much planetary defense compared to other worlds in the sector that can also provide them with necessary supplies to restock for their forces. Fuel, medicine, food, anything they might need, really. I think the general believes that it is vital to deny them this resource, while also striking back at them."
Apollo stared at Jenkins as he spoke, seemingly absorbing the information. "But why Obroa-Skai?"
In return, Jenkins blinked with confusion. Was the Zeltron really that daft. "I... I just told you why. I just gave you the full official rundown."
"Eh, whatever," Apollo shrugged, an action that drew attention the deep-cut of his shirt that revealed his chiseled physique. "Let's get a drink instead, corporal."
"I'm not--"
"I insist. It's on me! I have a very nice selection of Corellian whiskey, you know. Which was not confiscated by the brutes, thank the stars. Come on in." He gestured towards the ship, which had frankly seen better days, but Jenkins knew from the report that it probably looked better on the inside. Probably.
With a sigh, he gave in and accompanied the worst smuggler he had met onboard The Venus.