[ It's a philosophical point, and one that Cassian feels ill-equipped to handle. A pang of grief reminds him that Nemik would probably have something to say about it. But if Cassian follows any kind of philosophy, it's pragmatism. ]

It's a lot of effort for anybody to go through for nothing. [ He looks around, shaking his head as if that's going to help him make heads or tales of this situation. ] And if it is some sort of bait-and-switch, it seems far too sophisticated for Imperial efforts.

[ He doesn't have anything to say about the Imperial survival rate. Just thinks of his father hanging in the town square and nods. Giving voice to it would just reopen that old wound and all the rest that goes along with it. So he just nods.

And clutches the potential change of topic like a lifeline. His thumb slides across the back of her hand as a small, shy sort of smile forms on his lips. ]

I could name another positive. At least one more, anyway.