Light years away on Tatooine, in Jabba the Hutt's filthy palace . . .
A young girl, dressed in white and holding a water pitcher, hovered by a dark corner of the audience chamber. She peered out of the darkness wearing a grim expression. Jabba was tormenting a dancer on the floor and everyone in the chamber knew one thing: The dancer wouldn't last long today. She was entertaining the Hutt far too well, and the air was electric.
Finally, the one she was waiting for appeared. "Looks like rancor be fed today," said the little Gamorrean thickly. Lethia ignored his remark. She already knew the dancer's fate and didn't want to dwell on it. "Do you have any news?"
The Gamorrean grunted, "I have."
"So, let's have it."
"Pay first. Talk after," he replied. Lethia narrowed her eyes and hissed, "I already did."
"Den no talk," he said, smiling. Anger flashed in the girl's eyes. Despite her size, she was older than people thought and hardly as innocent as she looked. Her vibroblade was already edged into his side, next to his heart. "Scum, tell me what's happened to Greta."
The Gamorrean shuffled uncomfortably on his feet, then began quietly. "Shipyard mates. Dey say she was took. . ." his voice trailed off. Lethia gave him an impatient look and he bent closer in with a whisper. ". . . dey say was Boba Fett. He tooks her, like she was hard merchandise."
Lethia stared incredulously. "Boba Fett? You sure?"
"Dat wat Zengling and Fink says. Saw Fett hold blaster to her. Greta with cuffs - into Slave I."
Lethia shook her head. "I can't believe it." Her thoughts were interrupted with a raucous laughter and a piercing scream. The rancor had his meal. The Gamorrean shrugged. "Well, dat his job, ain't it? He bounty hunter."
"The price must have been high," she mumbled.
After the Gamorrean left, Lethia tried to make sense of what had happened. Someone had placed a bounty on Greta's head – one big enough to tempt Boba Fett into taking it. It didn't seem right, though; from what she knew, Fett only took certain bounties that agreed with his sense of justice. What could Greta, of all people, have done to cross him?
She thought of Greta, who looked after her like an older sister. She was gentle and sweet, but feisty when she had to be. Years of slavery had given her a tougher skin when push came to shove. But it seemed unlikely that Greta could have incurred anyone's wrath. In the past, Greta had been a mechanic's daughter and a slave for most of her life. At Jabba's palace, she was one of the most diligent and skilled workers. Perhaps, she thought, Greta's one mistake was her nonchalant "friendship" with the bounty hunter.
And she had thought Boba Fett had a "thing" for Greta. The way he hung around the shipyard and how he would only ask her to look at his ship. If Fett only saw Greta has his mechanic, he was an idiot, she thought. Greta was beautiful, and smart, and compassionate; if he couldn't see how attractive she was, he had to be a droid – or, incredibly cruel. Lethia gripped her vibrobrade until her nails dug into her hand.
If only I were free, she thought. I'd show him what years of desperation can do a young thing like me.