Kijani was surprised that he had come all this way for something that could have been said from a distance. Maybe he wanted to prove his seriousness in the matter. All she could do was respond with the truth.

“It is worse than they say, Prince Eskel. The small things don’t make the vids. The constant loss of life and livelihood of the smaller rim planets, the subtle propaganda takeover of the common channels. The Empire is everywhere, and more insidious by the day. If – ” 

She shut her eyes, centering herself. “If you really want this, if you’re truly ready to wage war, you have to know that this will come first for me, always. Once my training is complete, I fully plan to head back to the seat of the Rebellion and bring the Empire down with everything we have. It has to be soon, otherwise…” There was the usual twist in her stomach. “There will be more Alderaans, and worse.”

She stared him dead in the eyes, subtly reading him. What Yoda had discovered was that she could glean surface thoughts and intentions from people if she focused on them, and had been doing that the majority of her life without training. He admitted that this was not something he could fully train her in, but gave her as much guidance has he could.

“I will ask you to search your heart and soul. If you truly mean for this union to work, you will also have to wage war. It’s not about resources, it’s not about being a figurehead. I will be asking you to do battle, in person. I will ask you to fight. I will ask you to kill.” 

“Prince Eskel, please take the evening to determine what you truly are capable of, and do not give me an answer until you have.”