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“I want to fight,” Jyn said, six months after being taken to the Partisan base on Wrea.
Saw didn’t look up from the disassembled blaster rifle he was cleaning. “I promised your parents I would keep you safe, not that I’d train you for guerilla action.”
Jyn drew herself up to her full not-very-tall height, the way her mother did when giving important instructions. “When you first—”
“My past is not yours,” Saw snapped.
“They took my parents!” Jyn scrambled onto the bench next to Saw and shook his shoulder. “If I’m living with you, I can’t do nothing.”
Saw looked at her, his dark eyes surrounded by deep lines and graying hair, expression unreadable. “I made a promise.”
“Hiding didn’t keep my parents safe.” Jyn’s fists clenched. He had to understand this. “You can’t promise this base will be safe.”
“You’re too young.” Saw closed his eyes, shook his head. “No, Jyn.”
Jyn hissed, then turned from Saw to the table. Safety was a dream the Empire had already woken her from, and she couldn’t go back to sleep. The other Partisans, who only knew she was Saw’s child, hadn’t been hiding from her. They’d already started showing her a few tricks, little things anyone with nimble fingers and a bit of patience could do.
Without another word, Jyn reached for the scattered pieces and began assembling the rifle.
When she finished, Jyn clicked the safety on and cradled the rifle in her arms. It didn’t weigh nearly as much as she thought it should, but it was still sized for Saw and not for her.
Saw studied her for a long minute. “Fine,” he said at last. “It’ll keep you out of trouble you can’t handle.”
Jyn grinned, set down the rifle, and gave him a victorious hug.