Niles relaxed back in his seat, letting Gabe take over. He continued to slowly sip at his drink, watching his friend with half lidded eyes. A faint smile passed over his lips in return to Gabe's smile. That bright expression always worked like magic on him.

He actually managed something close to a laugh at the comment. "Standard issue," he remarked. "What's that say about the Republic?" He threw back the last of his drink before he could think on the rest of the comment too long. There were certainly a few votans he'd like to stomp.