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[It’s been a tense week of disguises, stealth, and unsuccessful network hacking attempts, but as the days continue to pass without incident, Zam is beginning to think all of this was a false alarm. Yes, the Jedi from Coruscant are on the ship, possibly along with the senator, but for whatever reason, the Ingress seems to have forgotten about Jango. Neither his name nor his face have appeared on the directory, which means he either isn’t here or he never got his MID. Never hurts to double-check though, and since he won’t be checking the network in either of those situations...]

Just so we’re clear, no one’s seen a human male in blue and silver armor among the newcomers, have they? If you do, you should let me know. Immediately.

Also, to the two or three people now on the ship who are acquainted with me from back home: we’re all in the same situation here -- I don’t want to be here, you don’t want to be here, and I also don’t want you to be here. Let’s not make a bad situation worse by digging up past disputes.

Speaking of which, has anybody figured out how to change your display name on this kriffing thing?

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Yeah. Good news is, I seem to be pretty low on the Jedi list of priorities.

[She smiles wryly.] Here’s to hoping the Ingress decides it’s already filled its bounty hunter quota for this lifetime. [For both of their sakes.]

[Well he can't disagree with a sentiment like that.]

Does it usually bring people in groups?

The Ingress doesn’t do “usually.” I was the only one from our entire karking galaxy when I arrived. Then Maya showed up a couple of months later, and then -- this batch came through.

[There's a hesitation, and then her tone grows pensive, almost confiding.] You know, one of the Jedi said it had been three years since our first run-in, even though it’s only been a few weeks. And that Maya woman said she’s from a time where the Republic doesn’t even exist anymore. I mean, she was on something when she said it, but... [Actually, they’d both on some things, but Zam doesn’t mention that.] At least it doesn't sound like something a Jedi would lie about, does it?

The Republic?

[This shouldn't really surprise him, since Han has already had a temporal mismatch with one of the people he does know-- and never mind the Jedi-- but he hadn't had any inkling based on their first conversation. Wow.]

I'm with Maya on that one. It's been more than twenty years.

[There’s a long pause, eventually followed by a sigh.] I was afraid you were going to say something like that.

[Maya had been telling the truth then. Zam wishes she had paid more attention now.] So, uh… How are things? Jabba’s clearly still alive...

I'm guessing that fat sack of rot and greed has always been as charming as he is now.

[Under the circumstances he's really not a fan.]

I dunno what to tell you. I was a kid when the Emperor came to power.

Yeah, I guess some things never change.

[That’s right. Maya had said something about an “Empire,” hadn’t she?]

How does that work? Is he just one guy trying to rule the entire galaxy? [Sounds like a headache to Zam. Most people have trouble ruling even one planet.]

After two decades I don't think you can call it trying anymore.

[Though lately it's maybe a little more of a struggle.

Han feels quietly good about his part in that.]

With an entire galaxy, I don’t think it could ever not be called “trying.” [There are just too many people and factions for one person to successfully control. For all its flaws, not even the Republic sounds so… unsustainable.]

So what’s this “Empire” like? Sounds even more pompous than the Republic...

I guess pompous is about right. They're big on rules, and on getting rid of anyone who doesn't agree. Anything they want, they use up.

Hm. Sounds like I dodged a bullet by dying when I did. [It’s said mostly in jest -- dying isn’t really the best cure for poor politics.]

[That's just not the kind of thing you get used to hearing. Han hasn't entirely decided whether he believes the technology here can bring back the dead, but he'll at least believe that she believes it.]

Everything has a bright side.

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