Built on Hope (Cassian Andor FF)

17. New Beginnings

AN: Back into writing...This is definitely a start. Please let me know what you think. 

Minutes of silence and static reigned in the Allanar Freighter. Cassian held the communications headset to one ear, desperately waiting for someone to pick up. He tapped his fingers against the wall, falling in sync with the harsh clinking of the hail outside.

Talia sat on the side, rubbing her arms to create warmth. Why would people ever live on such a freezing planet? Kuat was so much nicer than this... Her brown eyes watched the rebel pilot carefully, attempting to deduce what he was thinking. The man had an incredible poker face. It's as if nothing in the world mattered and he was an empty shell. Talia yearned to be taught how to do such a thing. "Are you sure we can get a signal out here?"

"We should..." Cassian halted abruptly when another voice picked up in the transmission. "Captain Andor reporting in. Is anyone there?"

"Is that Captain Andor?" General Draven's voice popped up in the background before the rebel communications officer could speak. "Let me speak to him." Static and rustling erupted in the headphones, causing Cassian to flinch.

Here we go... "General," Cassian greeted, his tone low and calm. He remained as composed as he could, standing straight with his arms at his sides. The second nature stance had been engrained in Cassian's brain, even if the general couldn't see him.

"Where have you been?" The question came out rough and bitter, almost as if Draven scolded a child. "Your missions are being neglected."

"An urgent task came up, sir. A fellow agent was in danger."

"Please do not tell me it was that Ms. Revik. Her face is plastered all over want ads across the galaxy!" Draven paused, eagerly waiting for a response. When the spy failed to speak up, Draven's voice heightened with an ounce of anger, "You risked yourself, your operations, and our timetable for someone who is already dead?" He hesitated, presumably glancing around his environment before lowering his tone to nearly a whisper, "If you aren't going to give her a merciful passing, you should've left her to the wolves. The Empire will not make light of the situation."

Cassian's body straightened out into a rigid form. His brow furrowed as he contemplated what was just said. Is he...right? A ball of uncertainty curled up in his chest, causing Cassian's eyes to stay glued to the transmissions console. It took every ounce of strength to not look at Talia, who was inspecting his every move in curiosity. If she could actually read his body language, she'd confront him after this. Lies formed in the back of his mind, mostly with intentions to protect her from the harsh truth of what was said.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Cassian responded, "She's willing to pull her weight still. Pure rebel, through and through. Ms. Revik is one of our best."

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Talia smiling in both confusion and gratitude. Such high praise from Captain Andor shouldn't be taken lightly. It was an honor.

The General remained silent for a moment, pondering the next decision. Talking in the background came through the vacant mic, until Draven replied, "She will be risking her life. Don't get yourself killed trying to save her. That is an order. Now, scouts indicate that an Imperial Captain by the name of Berilyn Calway boarded a Rebel sympathizer's ship and took credible information we were waiting for. I need you to intercept her before she makes it to her commanding officer on the planet Wecacoe. One of our allies managed to plant a tracker inside of her jacket. Sending you the information now." He hesitated. Even through the mic, Cassian could feel the hard stare Draven was giving at the console. Draven sighed heavily, "Bring Revik with you. She can take this opportunity to prove herself."