"Ezra, there's a bigger mission you're not seeing, at the moment. It can't be jeopardized for one – " she swallowed quickly, choking on her words. " – for one soldier."
"Banthashit! He's ourfriend, Hera."
The Twi'lek pilot whirled on him, and in that moment, something terrible crossed her features. Pain and emotion so conflicted, Ezra was certain Zeb could have felt it across the corridor for all his lack of Force sensitivity. Perhaps that was why her next words hurt, but not in the way she probably intended.
"One soldier," she reiterated tersely, jabbing a finger at him. "In a larger picture – his life does not outweigh what we are trying to do. You're just a kid; I don't expect you to understand. But, if you honor him at all, you'll do good to remember what he has taught you."
Even as she hurled the words at him, Ezra felt the way a piece of her shattered in torment. He managed to wrestle his teenage indignation under control as she spun and headed toward the cockpit, a greater realization dawning. This was tearing her apart. Staring at her retreating back, he called after her.
"You think that going after Kanan, saving him, in some way compromises all that you stand for? That caring for him that much means you care less for the rebellion?" He's almost pleased when she flinches, her stride faltering and bringing her to a standstill before the sealed cockpit door. "Hera, they aren't mutually exclusive. You can love Kanan and still fight the good fight. I would think they go hand in hand. The very definition of what makes us different from the Empire."
Ezra shook his head, sighing heavily. He turned to leave her in disappointment, throwing over his shoulder, "But I'm just a kid. I wouldn't know."
The sensation he felt moments later, the wave of her silent sobbing, provided no absolution for either of them.
But maybe, just maybe, it could unsheathe a new resolve.