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Another job done, cargo offloaded, information passed, and credits taken in. Not enough for all the repairs and equipment they could use, but definitely enough for food, fuel, and maybe one or two upgrades.

It'll do.

But before getting to that, Hera takes a moment to enjoy some caf, feet up and head aching from incipient stress only the tiniest bit. They're going to need another job, and soon, and that means she and Kanan need to talk about a couple of matters.

Seeing as this partnership of theirs looks like it's going to work out in the long run.

But first, caf. Seriously.

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"All right."

He didn't bring this up to pick a fight, and if Hera says this is safer, for now, he's willing to listen.

"And the other part?"

"I'd have to clear it with . . . other people. And usually that only happens when one cell is breaking up into two."

Hera takes a breath, watching Kanan with clear eyes.

"Is that what you want?"

Kanan sighs.

"I trust you, Hera. If you say it needs to work like this, that's good enough for me."

Should it be, though? Really? They're partners in this, and that means something.

Or it should.

"I could try to tell you a little more, maybe, answer the questions you have that I can answer? I just worry. The more they think you know, the more they're going to target you. We're not that well known yet, but I think it's going to happen, the more work we do. We're good, and we're going to get better. It's just a matter of time."

He sets his caf down on the dejarik board, and takes the seat next to it, leaning forward with his hands on his knees.

"Maybe them targeting me wouldn't be such a bad thing."

Hera flinches, maybe because she was thinking it, too. Hearing Kanan semi-volunteer doesn't actually make it feel any better, though.

"I hate that I know that that's the pragmatic choice, if you're willing to do it."

She swallows, though she doesn't look away from him.

"I hate it."

Which is to say, yes, maybe them targeting Kanan wouldn't be such a bad thing at all. It would keep the Rebellion safer, most certainly. It just -- wouldn't do much for Kanan. And with his other secret --

"I'm not that happy about it, either."

He closes his eyes for a moment, and takes a deep breath.

"But if it would keep that target off you..."

Kanan can tell himself this is in the interest of this greater case that Hera's working for, that they're now both working for. He can tell himself this, and it's true - or at least, it's true enough.

Edited 2017-05-14 17:31 (UTC)

Hera exhales, and does not throw her cup against the wall.

"It would, unfortunately. So now we get to discuss exactly how we're going to do this. And when."

They're going to have to live this deception until they decide to stop. When that will be is anyone's guess. It could be until one of them dies.

It could be. Kanan still carries his lightsaber in pieces, remembering what it had brought down on him before. But now, he straightens up, lifting himself as though bracing for it.

"It would be better for the Empire to think I was leading this."

Kanan looks to her.

"And for us to give them a reason to think that."

"The simplest place to start is code names. Imperials like hierarchies, so if we give them one they'll make all sorts of assumptions. We can use that."

She takes another breath, meeting Kanan's eyes.

"We're going to have to practice our doublespeak, too. So that I can relay information to you without looking like I'm giving our marching orders."

Kanan doesn't want to be the one to say it, but it probably won't take too much for the Imps to make this assumption, given how he knows they act toward Twi'leks.

Instead, he asks, "Got any ideas for code names?"

They're both thinking it, both aware of it, and this conversation is hard enough already. But it will be -- less painful, later, to think about how the Empire's prejudices can be used against them. Hera will take it.

"Well, my ship's the Ghost, so -- how about Spectre? I'd say you can be Spectre Leader, but that's too much of a mouthful."

His mind flickers, to clone troopers calling out orders, to the ones who didn't have names yet.

"Numbers might work better," he says, softly. "One and two?"

Hera musters up a smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

Then she offers Kanan a tiny salute.

"Spectre-2, reporting for duty."

"... yeah, this is never gonna work."

But he grins at her.

She grins back, a little more real now (that Kanan seems okay).

"We'll know in our hearts that Spectre-1 means my clumsy subordinate."

That will have to be enough.

He'd argue with that, but, well.

"So does that make Chop Spectre-3?"

Hera reaches out to pat Kanan's elbow.

"This one last time, I'll be the one that breaks the news to him."

Enjoy it, Kanan.

"Hey, he's less likely to try and shove you off the ship."

Not that Chopper needs a reason.

"We've spent a long time developing our working relationship."

Just put in the man-hours, Kanan!

"Yeah, you have my sympathy."

He might regret that later but.

Definitely not now.

"Hey, that's my droid you're talking about!"

Don't make her fight you, Kanan.

"You know, I never have been sure when he's listening over comms and when he isn't."

"No, you're not getting me with the 'Chopper can hear you when he's not in the room' thing again."

Not that Chopper being in the room really stops Kanan that often. It usually just means he'll regret it faster.

Hera snickers. Loudly.

"Hah, I finally got you to admit it worked once!"

Victory is hers. Forever.

Kanan puts his hands behind his head, leaning back in the seat.

"You are both impossible."