Cassian understood Jyn's anger, as well as the switch to fear in her expression. It must be very difficult for her to digest that not only her identity had been discovered (she undoubtedly had been hiding it zealously and painstakingly for many years, as she was a fugitive from the Empire), but also that her father might be working presumably on the worst threat that the galaxy had ever known. Who could be ready for such news?
He gladly would have rattled Kay by his shoulders, if the exasperating droid had been shorter. His tactlessness and big mouth were his most inconvenient features and would be the death of Cassian one day, he was resignedly sure. Those flaws made most people avoid Kay and were one of the main reasons why he was banned from undercover missions. He'd have blown Cassian's cover in a blink and ruined the whole operation, putting Cassian and himself at great risk in the process. Luckily, after his screw-up, Kay had been sensible enough to remain silent, though that brief respite could end quickly and things might end completely fucked up.
His droid friend had great qualities, but discretion was not one of them. No wonder Jyn had reacted like a cornered lothcat when he had let out her controversial surname.
Well, the damage was already done, and Cassian could only try to fix the outcome. "We have solid reasons to believe that this intel is not a hoax," he added as calmly as he could. "Anyway, we can't ignore it and we urgently need to confirm its veracity, because if it's true, and it most probably is, we can't stay put and wait until the Empire starts to use the weapon. By then it would be too late."
Jyn's hands were shaking slightly, despite her visible effort to control herself. She was the one not looking into his eyes this time. "It's perfectly understandable. But why are you telling me this? I haven't known from my father until this very moment, and I have no clue about where he is." And then she raised her head and stared at him, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "If you're asking me to help you find him because your Rebellion is planning to capture and execute him, you can count me out. I'd never be an accomplice in that and I'd never betray him, no matter what he's done, and if you think that I would, then you don't know me at all. What wouldn't be so strange given that we've hardly been in contact in entire years, if we've ever truly come to know each other at all," she spat, her tone sharp like a knife.
He once again raised his palms. He'd most surely think the same if he were in her shoes, and besides, she was right. They had never had much time to truly come to know each other, in a strict sense. But even so, her words hurt, although he tried to hide it. "Jyn, please. It's normal that you think so, but that's not why I'm here. I'm asking you to help us, yes, but not because the Rebellion wants to execute your father, and anyway I'd never ask such a thing of you. They're planning to extract him and take him to the Council to testify, if the reports about the weapon are proven genuine."
Jyn's stance didn't yield a milimeter. "I can't help you with any of that. I have no idea where my father is. And until a few minutes ago, I had no idea that he is alive."
"I'm aware of that. But there's one thing you can help us with. We need to contact Saw Gerrera."
She crossed her arms more tightly on her chest. "Saw Gerrera? What does he have to do with all this?"
"He's holding an Imperial pilot prisoner, a man who claims that your father sent him to Saw with the information about the weapon. He must have carried evidence with him, evidence Saw has in his possession now in all probability. We need you to help us gain access to Saw's headquarters and I'll take care of the rest."
Jyn shook her head in skepticism. "Saw ditched me seven years ago. I've known nothing of him since then. What makes you think that he'll want to see me, or any members of the Rebellion for that matter?"
Cassian was already sensing an impending headache. "He took you in for eight years. You two were like family, weren't you? I doubt he'll turn you down without at least agreeing to see you. Wouldn't he feel even a bit curious?"
Jyn snorted. "He'd think I'm planning to kill him with the aid of the Rebellion, or that the Rebellion is using me to kill him. By the time he dumped me, his level of paranoia already bordered on paroxism. I doubt that's a trait which diminishes with time," Jyn retorted, relentless. "He might decide to kill us all on the spot without a second thought for all I know."
Cassian felt worn out and desperate enough to plead. His only chance with her was bare honesty, and appealing to her goodness. That had to work, for the sake of the galaxy. "Jyn, I'm afraid that we have no choice but to try. Rebellions are built on hope, after all." He stared intensely into her conflicted eyes. "Please. I wouldn't be asking this of you if I weren't desperate. If the the situation weren't desperate for the whole galaxy. It's for the sake of billions of lives. If that weapon exists, wouldn't you do everything in your power to stop it before it wreaks havoc?"
Jyn's belligerence deflated visibly, and her shoulders sagged. "Of course I would," she admitted. "I'm a bit of an egoist, but not to such extreme. I'm sorry for a few of the things I've said and for doubting your reasons and intentions. In my heart I know that you don't deserve my distrust or my rage. But when something takes me by surprise sudenly and harshly, I tend to lash out, and that's been uncalled for. Still, and so you know, even if I trust you, and I really do, I can't say the same about your people in the Rebellion. If my father is building that thing, I'm aware that he's going to become one of the most hated and chased people in the galaxy. But as I said, if the Rebellion is covertly planning to capture and bring him to justice, I won't be part of it. None has the right to ask that of me, or to force me to take part in it. He's my father after all."
"Jyn, I understand how you feel. Both my biological and adoptive fathers died in terrible circumstances, so I also know how it is to lose them. As I said before, I would never ask you to betray yours. I trust that my people will proceed fairly. The Commander and the General themselves are the figures with the highest authority in the Rebellion, and they're orchestrating this mission. They always advocate for peaceful solutions if violence can be avoided. They're as fair as they come, and I trust them both. And on my part, I'd do everything I can to keep your father safe, if my word is worth anything to you." Cassian finished his speech and became expectantly silent, waiting for her answer and holding his breath.
Jyn nodded at last, and he felt his tension relax significantly. "Okay. I'll help with this mission on the condition that no harm will be inflicted on him by treachery. If he's tried for his crimes and found guilty, and has to serve time in prison, so be it, but if anyone as much as touches a single hair on his head, I'll do the same honors to the motherfucker. I don't care that they see themselves as the shining saviors of the galaxy. Understood? As soon as we're on your rebel base, you'll take me to the big cheeses and they'll declare in front of everyone present that my father's life will be spared and that he won't be mistreated. Otherwise, they'll have to manage without me in this mission, I'll go on my own, I'll search for other ways to fight that super weapon if it exists and I'll do whatever necessary to protect my father. And in addition, the Rebellion will have a sworn enemy in me, and I wouldn't underestimate that if I were them," Jyn warned, deadly serious. "I still have no idea how I would accomplish any of that, but with the necessary incentive, I can be very resourceful."
Well, so much for improving her trust in the Rebellion, but she was within her right to still love Galen Erso and mistrust a bunch of strangers. And at least she'd agreed to carry out the mission. Cassian's sway over the Council was limited, but he thought that Mon Monthma and Bail Organa would listen and accept Jyn's terms, and anyway, in the extreme urgency of the situation, there was no time for delays with lengthy deliberations.
"I'll protect Galen myself if necessary, like I already said before I would, I swear," Cassian offered once more, placatingly.
Then Kay chose that moment to intervene again. "You must know Jyn Erso, that Cassian has asked me insistently to protect you and Galen Erso, and I will. I told him that it is a bad idea, but he is determined to keep you both alive. I wouldn't underestimate that if I were you." Cassian almost cringed at his droid's bluntness and snark, but he felt relieved when he saw the hint of a smile on Jyn's lips and the spark of amused surprise in her pupils.
"That's good to know, Kay, and I thank you in advance," she replied with a nod and a small smile. Cassian let out his breath, silently grateful to Kay. His unpredictability often had Cassian on pins and needles, but in the end, the loyal droid never failed to make Cassian feel better. Sometimes he truly considered deactivating the exasperating droid, but then, after nearly screwing up everything, the jerk did something that made Cassian wish to hug him. It was emotionally draining, but also strangely reassuring. Kay never did things the ordinary way if he could help it.
"Okay then, I'm in," Jyn agreed, seemingly having made up her mind at once. "Now let's go. You'll spend the night at my place if you wish, and we'll depart tomorrow morning. I have to notify some people that I'm leaving, and say goodbye to some friends," she clarified with finality and the stubborn set of her jaw.
It was Cassian's turn to almost smile. "Fair enough. And thanks for everything."
"Don't make me regret any of this. Come on. It's getting late," she said in reply, turning around and leading the way to her cottage.