The air was still thick with awe and curiosity, thrumming and alive as Fulcrum, exposed to the Ghost's crew now as Ahsoka Tano, explained the purpose of their past objectives, revealing the importance, once and for all, of the work they had been doing. The morale boost was palpable, and she paused for a moment to allow the weight of her explanation to sink in.
"To avoid any suspicion as unrest builds – and it will – when word spreads about this incident, we are going to avoid a direct escort back to Lothal," Ahsoka explained. "Our first jump will clear us of the Atravis System and will allow us to rendezvous with another runner for backup and additional supplies," she glanced meaningfully at Kanan, who frowned under the brief scrutiny, "…before setting course for multiple calculated jumps over the next cycle and regrouping near Sullust. Our first drop won't be too long from now, we should debrief you all."
Kanan felt Ezra shift beside him, the teen suddenly looking a tad uncertain. "What is it?" he murmured under his breath to his apprentice.
Ezra's wide blue eyes blinked in surprise as he glanced from Ahsoka to Kanan, an underlying expression of concern in them. "N-nothing. Just…now?"
A small hint of a knowing smile lifted the corners of Ahsoka's mouth and Kanan felt distinctly uncomfortable when she shifted her gaze once more to study him. After a beat, she dipped her chin once as if in acknowledgement, and her words were for Ezra, "Key word: brief. The more detailed questions can truly wait until you've taken respite, but it has been our experience that rehashing the worst of it straight away is both critical and cathartic."
"In other words," Kanan muttered, not bothering to mask the subtle acrimony in his rough voice. "Don't unstrap yourself yet. It's not over."
"But, Kanan – " Ezra spluttered.
"Look, maybe we really oughtta do this later – " that was Zeb, now, shifting uncomfortably behind them.
Kanan felt Sabine bristle as Chopper began to honk his own protest, but he cut them off with a curt wave of his hand. He stepped forward and looked hard at their newly revealed ally, willing the trembling in his limbs to subside. He understood the predicament. The ramifications of being in the Empire's hands for so long…well, he knew it didn't look good.
"C'mon, kid. Let's get this over with," he offered in weak invitation, before finally turning towards his crew. Hoping his resignation didn't bleed through his cracking mask, he offered with a smirk he did not feel, "It's a few questions. How hard can it be?"