If it was only Zechs, he wouldn't have hesitated. Stay out for as long as possible to do as much damage to the enemy as possible. He knew he could pilot a wounded craft well enough to compensate for it.

But Eight was an unknown, even with as well as she'd done so far. And it was a different thing, making a calculated choice to place someone else's life at risk, than an arbitrary decision. Staying out now would serve no larger purpose.

"Head in," Zechs told her. "Other members of our team will need to pick up the slack."