"An academic? A far fairer profession than soldiering." There's warmth coloring his tone there that's more genuine than his habitual flirtatiousness, a partiality that is entirely impractical. However, that mention of military service is far more relevant to their current circumstances.

"As for myself, I'm a pilot of the independent persuasion, picking up whatever might catch my fancy--most often the sort of work that keeps a man sharp." It is perhaps an easier sell than 'sky pirate' when trying to make allies in a foreign world.