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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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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."

"That's why they pay me the most credits."

Okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration.

"Which is about ten more than your share is, for the record."

"Being your pretend leader doesn't get me a raise?"

Not that he really needs it. Kanan never got accustomed to the idea of 'worldly possessions.'

Hera's mouth quirks wryly.

"Only in gray hairs."

At least it will make him look distinguished!

"There's some optimism."

... okay, that one he does regret a little.

Hera just gives him a look.

"The only reason I don't is that my people don't have hair."

"There's no Twi'lek equivalent?"

Hera twitches her lekku in his general direction.

"More wrinkles, maybe? But humans do that, too."