Setting: The canteen in the bunker. Veers, Leia, Han Solo, Tanbris and Praji, some officers in black and green uniforms, and troopers. Han sits with officers and troopers at the distant end of the table, telling a story to the troopers. He's a good storyteller and all the Imperials listen to him with great interest. Sometimes the story is cut short with bursts of laughter and sounds of approval. At the other end of the table Tanbris and Praji diligently court Leia. She is very excited and cheerful, but her cheerfulness is a bit odd. Bright spots of feverish glow shine on her pale cheeks. She casts quick glances at Veers and her eyes burn with dark gloomy flame. She forgets everything around her except the general. Veers is very serene. He drinks slowly and looks at others with a friendly smile. He completely ignores Leia's glances.

A black uniformed officer comes in. He quickly whispers something to Veers, who rises to his feet. The noise goes down immediately. The faces of the Imperials become stony and official.

VEERS (in commanding voice): Officers on duty, change the patrol. You others, get some rest. That's all for today.

The officers and troopers leave. Han leaves with them too. Veers and Leia are alone.

VEERS (looks fixedly at her): Do you want to tell me something, your royal highness?

LEIA (with strange voice): You are not a refined man, general.

VEERS (politely): No, your royal highness. I am not. I am an army man. I am a soldier. (suddenly with strong and agitated voice) Your royal highness, why did you get involved in this damned awful action? What attracts you to misfortune? You are such a young, beautiful rich... and that smuggler-- you don't love him at all! What are you doing with yourself?

LEIA (wrathfully): How dare you! General Veers, who gave to you the right to judge my private life? You brought us here forcibly, you are holding us here with force and now you're trying to tell me what I must do with my life? Who do you think you are?!

VEERS (as quietly as before): Please forgive me, your royal highness. I was rude with you. But when people get angry, I use force. All of you are angry, but it will pass with time.

Leia makes a provocative pose and looks at him. Veers looks fixedly into her eyes for a few seconds, his face is absolutely inscrutable. Slowly he approaches her and pulls her to him, and gives her a very gentle but passionate long kiss. He is a virtuoso and knows what he's doing. Leia embraces him as if he is the last man in the universe.

Suddenly Veers breaks off the kiss and gently, but resolutely, frees himself from her hands.

VEERS (in a quiet and absolutely indifferent voice): Yes. That's it. That's exactly what I expected would happen. Your royal highness, you are not sufficiently cold-blooded and deceitful, and absolutely not promiscuous enough for such ruthless business, as this which you have made the aim of your life. You are too human, and your heart is hot. That was just a small lesson to you for the future! But then again, I am not your "lady-in-waiting". Do as you wish and what you wish and go to your death as quickly as you want to find it. But please, allow at least to one man in the galaxy to be free from your momentary royal caprices and to be independent from the cruel whims of your hysterical, arrogant aristocratic personality! Good night, your Royal Highness!

Veers turns and walks decisively out of the room. Leia is left alone, until a green-uniformed young officer comes to her.

OFFICER: Ma'am, please, would you be so kind as to go with me? I will escort you to your room.

They leave together.

(No, no, this is not the end at all!)