I woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in bed. My whole body was slick with cold, clammy sweat; my breathing was sharp and rapid, my heart pounding wildly. I wiped the moisture from my face with an uncooperative hand. The cause was nothing more than a dream—one that repeated itself again and again. It wasn't even a nightmare… but I wished it had been.
In that dream, there was… Riyo. She stood just a few steps away from me, smiling. And then—darkness began to envelop her. First, its tongues crept over her legs; then, rising higher and higher, they swallowed her completely. And I couldn't do anything—I couldn't even move from my spot. The only thing I understood was that I was losing her.
I jumped out of bed and crossed to the table where the datapad lay.
"Connect me to Riyo Chuchi, Senator of Pantora," I commanded the built-in AI.
"Please wait."
I went into the refresher, grabbed a towel, and quickly dried myself off. Returning, I pulled on a sleeveless shirt and settled into a chair at the table. While the connection was being established, impatience drove me to check the news. Perhaps… there's something there.
After ten minutes of wandering the Holonet, I was already reading an article about her speech in the Senate. Wow. But all that's right—you couldn't have said it better.
Finally, the datapad chimed, signaling the connection. A small hologram of a girl shimmered into existence before me.
"Knight Vikt! What a pleasant surprise!"
Riyo… Everything seems to be fine. But… I couldn't shake the sense of danger.
"Did I wake you by accident?"
"Not at all. It's only evening on Pantora."
"That's a relief… I only recently learned about your speech in the Senate. I'm very impressed."
"I have you to thank. If we hadn't had that conversation…"
"So you're on Pantora now?"
"Yes. Just a short break. And you—by any chance—couldn't fly to Pantora?"
"Unfortunately, no. Why?"
"That's a shame. I wanted to invite you, as… my friend, to an event that's important to me. My engagement. I would be delighted if you could attend…"
Boom.
A grenade exploded in my head. Engagement? Did she really say engagement? But… how could that be?!
"Engagement?" I repeated.
"Yes. Cal Cho, an old acquaintance and friend, proposed to me, and I—"
"But you can't!.." I blurted out. "You… I… I love you!"
Under her attentive gaze, I fell silent.
"I guessed how you felt about me, and I appreciate your words," the Pantoran girl said gently, "but unfortunately, I can't return them. Besides, it's not customary for us to marry outsiders. So… I hope this… won't affect our friendship?"
"Yes. Of course. No problem…"
"Senator Chuchi, unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the event, but I congratulate you in advance," I replied automatically.
"Thank you. Then… see you soon, Knight Vikt."
***
Riyo turned off the datapad and then looked toward her mother, who was seated in an armchair at the back of the room.
"Did I do the right thing, Mom?"
Riot Chuchi rose from her chair, walked over, and wrapped her arms around her daughter's shoulders.
"Yes, my child. Between the two of you, perhaps something could have developed… something special. Men like that do attract women—I won't argue—but with him, with that Jedi, you will never have a normal family happiness. You know me: I'm used to knowing everything. I asked someone to dig up information about him.
"He… is not a man of peace. Before the war, he was almost a nobody, and only when the fighting began did he rise to prominence. And he'll cling to this war to the very end. But… Even if he doesn't die, when he comes home, he will never truly return from the war.
"I know what I'm talking about. Your uncle—my brother—Edgar Chuchi was the same. You probably don't remember him. He left his family to become a mercenary, a bounty hunter. Risk was dearer to him than the comfort and quiet of home.
"He was lucky, yes… Once he earned so much that he could have lived in wealth for the rest of his life. He came to us then, happy, on his own ship, brought piles of gifts, his pockets bursting with credits. Your father tried to persuade him to stay, but Edgar just laughed and soon flew off again. He kept risking his life because he couldn't live without danger… and in the end, he was killed.
"I cannot allow your life to turn out like that. All the more so, you are a senator, and such a misalliance could harm your career. With Cal, things will be different. I know you liked him even as a child, and only the disagreements between our families kept you apart."
The girl blushed.
"Well, Mom…"
"What? Cal is handsome—there's no denying that. And on top of everything else, you'll also get the support of his family. That's very important."
"Well, yes, his father is now the Chairman. But… that's not important to me. What do you think—will he…?"
"Will he be upset? Don't worry. I think he'll soon find comfort in the arms of some beautiful woman."