Barsamis was a friend to Mackenzie Calhoun. On one occasion, he saved Calhoun's life. In 2372, Barsamis struck a deal to buy a slave, Zina, from the Orion slaver Krassus. Krassus broke the deal, killing Barsamis by stabbing him in the ribs with a knife. Barsamis' death was avenged a year later by Calhoun, who killed Krassus with the same knife. (NF novel: House of Cards)