He stuffed the already half-crumpled pack into his pocket and then paused for a moment to consider her question. "That's... complicated."
He chuckled to himself and then let out a small sigh, "Whether or not I'm a pilot depends on how desperate for fly boys the Colonial Fleet becomes. At the moment my flight status has been suspended, pending an investigation and review."
As he spoke his voice took on an odd mixture of bitterness and humor, marked by a touch of sadness. "To be honest, Rose - do you mind if I call you Rose? To be honest, I think unless we're suddenly invaded by Cylons or horrible beasts from a galaxy beyond our own I'll probably never see a Viper from the inside again. At least if the brass has it there way."
His eyes were cast downward by the time he finished speaking and is was evident that despite his casual demeanor that life on the ground was going to kill him. He recovered from slumped shoulders and a downward gaze after a moment and his smile returned. He stuck a hand out, "Cole West, Lieutenant Junior Grade."
His voice dropped ever so slightly as he spoke, "They used to call me 'Hero'."