Oooh   --  Heh heh  .  He is actually a battlefield-TV asset    ;  works for  Cosmo News or something . He gets a company logo when I finally decide on one

That's what the big optics pod is for  -  he's essentially a war photographer .  he only carries enough ammo to get himself out of jams .

Combatants aren't allowed to intentionally fire on him  . Interplanetary treaties and what not  ....