novius wrote:As for "professional"... Alex does have the reputation of being quite a maverick, with some demerits to his name. So if it helps the long term goal - fostering understanding and perhaps an alliance between Loroi and Humans - he might go for a bit of less-than-professional behavior. After all, while the Scout Corps may have its rules and regulations, every human on board is trained for and required to make snap decisions when there is need 'out there'.
I think this is a misconception most people have; Yes, Alex is a known wisecrack and a prankster, sure, but he has also been consistently represented as extremely competent. The man would have been class valedictorian if not for his joker side -- he clearly knew what he was doing, and was dead set on doing it.
I think that he is painfully aware that the fate of humanity may very well be on his
now Loroi-full hands, and he will most definitely
not screw around this time. He has already shown considerable restraint of his part, in pages
35 and
63, for instance, when it was needed in order for diplomacy to proceed. I think this time will be no different.
Addendum: I do agree with you that his approach might be rather unconventional, though. He
is an inventive and cunning individual, after all -- the very traits that got him accepted into the Scout Corps.