Compared to most fan theories, Ozzel being a traitor is pretty straightforward and doesn't rely on any expanded universe material to make sense. It's just a theory based on his behavior & facial expressions that kinda fits the facts.
Another possibility: Ozzel was covering his ass. He was more afraid of the repercussions of being blamed if it turned out that the Rebels weren't on Hoth. Hence, "I want proof, not leads." By mildly objecting to Vader's insistence that the Rebels are there but still following Vader's orders to go there, he tries to have it both ways. If they are there, then he did his duty. If not, then he can say, "I told you so." (Though it's probably best to say that politely in Vader's presence.)
I'm also wondering if he was just trying to sabotage Captain Piett. Perhaps Ozzel is aware of this ambitious, up-and-coming officer and feels threatened by him so he wants to make sure that there aren't any successful operations that Piett can take credit for. We know that Imperial officers aren't immune to office politics. Rogue One showed us some pretty clear backbiting & power plays between Tarkin & Krenic.
Reminds me of the Culture novels by Iain M. Banks. In those, the ships talk about often having to sacrifice speed for stealth or vice versa. The idea is that a "crash stop" is immediately detectable by the other ships in the area and any element of surprise is gone, whereas gradually slowing down gives the advantage of the ship being undetectable but the disadvantage that it may well be too late for them to do anything by the time they get there.
(I realize that Star Wars is a completely different universe with different rules but I just can't pass up the opportunity to talk about the Culture!
)
Back to The Last Jedi, a minor point and it's become such a pervasive sci-fi cliche that it's barely worth mentioning: Apparently, even when you break a Star Destroyer in half, the artificial gravity just keeps on tickin'! Of course it does!
Another possibility: Ozzel was covering his ass. He was more afraid of the repercussions of being blamed if it turned out that the Rebels weren't on Hoth. Hence, "I want proof, not leads." By mildly objecting to Vader's insistence that the Rebels are there but still following Vader's orders to go there, he tries to have it both ways. If they are there, then he did his duty. If not, then he can say, "I told you so." (Though it's probably best to say that politely in Vader's presence.)
I'm also wondering if he was just trying to sabotage Captain Piett. Perhaps Ozzel is aware of this ambitious, up-and-coming officer and feels threatened by him so he wants to make sure that there aren't any successful operations that Piett can take credit for. We know that Imperial officers aren't immune to office politics. Rogue One showed us some pretty clear backbiting & power plays between Tarkin & Krenic.
Reminds me of the Culture novels by Iain M. Banks. In those, the ships talk about often having to sacrifice speed for stealth or vice versa. The idea is that a "crash stop" is immediately detectable by the other ships in the area and any element of surprise is gone, whereas gradually slowing down gives the advantage of the ship being undetectable but the disadvantage that it may well be too late for them to do anything by the time they get there.
(I realize that Star Wars is a completely different universe with different rules but I just can't pass up the opportunity to talk about the Culture!
)Back to The Last Jedi, a minor point and it's become such a pervasive sci-fi cliche that it's barely worth mentioning: Apparently, even when you break a Star Destroyer in half, the artificial gravity just keeps on tickin'! Of course it does!
