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“What do you think of the Empire?” she asked, as he began checking the heavy case he’d lugged into the room. She caught a glimpse of his famous helmet.

“I believe that the Empire, though morally corrupt in some ways, is the lawful government. I obey its laws.”

“Morally corrupt?” she asked, cocking her head, “how so?”

“Several ways.”

“Name one.”

He gave her a glance, and she wondered if he’d tell her to shut up, but after a moment, answered, “Slavery. It is a morally corrupt institution, degrading to all parties.”

“Really!” she exclaimed. “Then we have something in common. I don’t like slavery much either.”

“I know.”

“I was a slave,” she said. “It was horrible.”

“I know.”

“You know a lot about me, I guess.”

“Yes.”

Bria wet her lips. “You know that Teroenza and whoever is running Besadii these days are planning to kill me in some protracted, hideous fashion, right?”

“Yes. Unfortunate for you, profitable for me.”

Bria nodded, and fixed him with an appealing gaze. “Since you know so much about me, you know that I have a father, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then maybe … I know this seems unusual, but under the circumstances … perhaps you wouldn’t mind …” Bria trailed off, fighting for control. It was really sinking in now that she was done for, that she wasn’t going to be able to get out of this.

“What?”

She took a deep breath. “I haven’t seen my dad in years. We were always close. My mom and brother aren’t worth much, but my dad …” Bria shrugged. “You get the idea. When I started in with the Resistance, I knew it was too dangerous to see him any more. Too dangerous for both of us. But I’ve found ways—safe ways—to let him know I’m alive. A couple of times a year, he gets a message through very roundabout channels. Just, ‘Bria’s okay.’ Like that.”

“Go on.” The bounty hunter’s voice was absolutely expressionless.

“Anyway … I don’t want him to wait and wait for a message from me. Could you … let him know I’m dead? He means a lot to me. He’s a good man, a decent man. Pays his Imperial taxes, honorable citizen, all that. So … if I gave you his name and location, could you just send a message? ‘Bria’s dead.’ That’s all.”

To Bria’s surprise, Boba Fett nodded. “I will do so. What is—”

The bounty hunter broke off as the door chime sounded. Bria jumped, and Boba Fett rose to his feet in one seamless motion, like a hunting animal.

The chime sounded again. Dimly, from outside the cabin, muffled by the sound sponge, Bria heard, “Bria? Hey, it’s me, Lando!”

“Calrissian,” Boba Fett said quietly. Quickly the bounty hunter turned the sound sponge all the way back up. Going over to the portal, he keyed it open, standing back behind it.

“Lando, no!” Bria shouted. “Go away!” The sound sponge soaked up the noise, absorbing it. Instead of filling the room, her shout was no louder than a whisper.

Clutching his flowers and the bottle of fine wine, Lando stepped eagerly through the door to Bria Lavval’s stateroom. “Sorry I’m a few minutes late,” he was saying. “The florist was closed, and I had to—”

Calrissian broke off in confusion, his eyes widening as he took in Bria, sitting on the floor by the armchair, her arms bound behind her, and the sheet-covered mound in the corner. He backed up, realizing he’d just made a very bad mistake.

Behind the gambler, the portal shut. “What’s going on?” Lando demanded, only to hear his voice emerge in muffled, subdued tones. Seeing the direction of Bria’s gaze, the gambler turned and found an Anomid regarding him.

“Nice to see you again, Calrissian,” the Anomid said. “You are fortunate that I never mix business and pleasure.”

“What—” Lando started, then he caught a glimpse of the big case, lying open on the floor. His dark eyes widened. “Fett …” he said.

“Yes,” the bounty hunter said. “That had better be the last word I hear out of you, Calrissian. I am not here for you. Cooperate, and I may let you live. You might come in handy.”

Lando knew better than to argue. Meekly, he put down the wine and flowers. Moments later, he found himself sitting several meters away from Bria, just