(no subject)

She could never say no to Leia Organa. Not during the first war, not six years ago when she'd watched the recently resigned senator's transmission while curled under the bar of a cantina on Nal Hutta. But this was the closest she'd come to it, the most she'd ever entertained the idea of leaving. She was getting too old for this sort of thing.

But Hera also knew the only reason she let herself consider an escape for so long was that it was something she'd never do. Even before what happened to Hosnian Prime, she knew she wouldn't be able to share this galaxy with the First Order, anymore than she had the Empire.

And after.

There's barely anyone left to make this decision, and she's not one of them, just as she wasn't before. But just as before, she had been listened to, her thoughts considered. Now, she has her orders.

But Hera gives herself a minute, just one, to outside the door, her arms crossed. Then once again, she lifts her hand, and knocks on it.