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And that was when his motor skills failed completely. The glass tumbled down to shatter on the duracrete floor, and the Chevin followed it a second later.

Wild cheering went up, although there were also plenty of dirty looks shot the female’s way as beings reached for pouches, purses, and sacks. She smiled, satisfied, and rose as the crowd began to disperse, drifting their individual ways. Her unsteadiness had markedly decreased, and the human who had stood beside her, vastly relieved, offered her a glass of pure, clear, nonalcoholic water. She drank it down eagerly. Her companion asked, sotto voce, “How the kriff did you manage that?”

“Devaronians have a second liver,” Madhi Vaandt said equally softly, grinning a little.

The human stared, then started to grin in return. “Oh, I get it. So you can’t get drunk.”

“Oh, we still can, and do. Just takes an awful lot. Find out anything?” The two retreated to a shadowed corner, ducking out of the path of a Wookiee who was lugging out the unconscious body of the Chevin. The female Chev followed closely, looking distressed. She glanced over her shoulder and met the eyes of the male who had been attending Guumak. He gave her what was meant to be a reassuring smile, then turned and approached the human and the Devaronian female. He inclined his head and cleared his throat.

“I am Shohta. It is an honor to serve you,” he said, almost mechanically.

A week ago, Madhi Vaandt and her cam operator, Tyl Krain, had just finished a segment on Tatooine. It was there that she had received her first letter, which had revealed the existence of a group called the Freedom Flight. They were a very loosely connected group, the letter told her, who had as their chief concern the extermination of slavery throughout the galaxy. They had been observing her reporting for some time now, and would continue to do so if they believed she could help them.

A second letter had come just hours ago. “We suspected your path would lead you here, to Vinsoth, where slavery has been coated with sweetness and made to appear palatable,” the letter had said. “We are watching you and are considering giving you an exclusive insight into our group. However, be warned—any public mention of the Flight prior to such contact would result in termination of any possible leads. Enjoy your stay, and observe how different, and yet how similar, slavery is on different worlds.”

Madhi had seen slavery at a distance on Tatooine. Now she was forced to truly look the institution, as personified by this single being, in the face. She regarded Shohta uncomfortably. He stood quietly, as if he was used to doing so, and simply waited.

“Um,” Madhi said, “It’s all right. You … don’t need to serve me.”

“Oh, but I do,” he insisted. “You won me in the competition. I am considered as good as credits in this establishment. You may confirm this with Brukal.” He turned and indicated the proprietor, who was busy pouring drinks. Even over the din of the place, Brukal was apparently accustomed to hearing his name. He glanced up, fixed Madhi with his small dark eyes, and nodded to her.

“He’s yours,” Brukal grunted, then returned to tending his bar.

Madhi’s stomach flip-flopped. “As good as credits in this establishment,” she repeated. She shook her head. “Not with me you’re not.”

“Miss … ?” Shohta paused and waited politely.

“Vaandt. Madhi Vaandt,” she said.

“Miss Madhi Vaandt, I belong to you. If I return to my former master, I will be severely punished and he will be penalized by Brukal for failing to honor his bet. I would ask you please to accept me as your winnings. If I disappoint you in any fashion, I assure you I am a quick learner and will not do so twice. I come from very fine stock.”

“Stock?” Madhi and her cam operator exchanged glances.

“Oh, you would wish a pedigree? I’m sure once Master Guumak is … er, has recovered from the contest, he would be happy to provide you with proper documentation.”

Krain seemed to have recovered,