WPRT CH. 10 (Updated 2021)
Guns N' Roses and The Temptations
Jo:
We disembarked from the spaceship into a hanger hauling our packs on our backs and our arms laden with new gear. We were greeted by a tall, older man dressed in robes of fine linen. It was hot in the hangar, and he was wearing a cloak anyway. His hair was perfectly styled and his beard neatly trimmed. For an old guy, he was easy on the eyes, and his aura of power was intoxicating.
It feels like Hoover Dam in here...it's so hot.
I turned to look outside and shuddered in horror.
We were in another desert.
"Jo, are you okay?" Aaron asked.
"This is another desert."
"Well, yeah. I could have told you that from space."
"I was asleep, remember?!"
"Too bad for you."
"Not another desert, bro…"
"It'll be okay Jo."
"I see you have returned, Jango. With...guests as well."
"I'm sorry Count Dooku. Bossk just got caught up in the mess with us. The other two helped save my son from slavers and then from Jabba's goons."
"I see... I was afraid you'd brought in Republic spies."
The Count looked us over again, obviously caught off guard by our strange attire.
"Welcome to the Spire on Geonosis. My name is Count Dooku. Please, allow my guards to escort you to your room to get cleaned up."
"Sir," Jango said, "they are brother and sister."
"Really? Well, then it is only proper we...split them up. Unfortunately, we don't have two completely separate rooms left. It is a small apartment with two rooms, but connected by one fresher. Is that alright?"
"That's perfect," I replied. "We are both exhausted."
"But you slept the whole way here." Aaron said.
"I'm still tired."
The guards led us away while Jango, Bossk, and Boba stayed behind and talked to our reluctant host.
Aaron and I followed our winged escorts. I was instructed to take the first door, and Aaron was taken to the second.
The room was the nicest I'd ever seen. It had a rather large bed, close to a queen-sized bed back home. The sheets were red silk and the frame was wooden. The canopy was large and also made of red silk. The bed also had white silk curtains. A dark wood chest of drawers was off to one side and a writing desk on the other. There was no mirror.
I sighed, took off my boots, and collected my bathing belongings. I set foot inside the fresher and realized it was basically a bathroom. I could see Aaron sitting on a chair next to a writing desk. His quarters were far more spartan, with a twin sized bed, grey sheets, and a small cabinet.
"Geez, this is plain," I said.
"Yeah, but it will do. What's yours look like?"
"Much nicer than this. Probably because I'm a woman. I don't know for sure. Anyway, I'm going to take a shower. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
I stepped away, but then stepped back to his door.
"Did he look like Saruman to you?"
"Yes, Jo. Yes he did. For all intents and purposes, it's safe to say that he looks like his actor. Rest his soul. "
"Just making sure that you saw it too."
There was something else on my mind, but my brother beat me to it.
"Why do you think we aren't freaking out over the alien species we've seen?" Aaron asked before I closed the door.
"I don't know about you, but I keep hoping that I'll wake up in a bed in a mental hospital after having a nervous breakdown. I want to wake up back home. In Indiana."
Aaron shook his head and I started running the water.
After I showered, I laid on top of the bed in my sleep shorts and cami. It was cooler in here than it was in the hanger, and for that, I was grateful.
I was wishing I had some music to listen to when a loud knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
I pulled the towel out of my hair and laid it on my shoulders to try and cover the straps and my boobs before I opened it.
Jango Fett stood at the door, holding a brown knit cowl dress, belt, and boots in one arm and a black pants, tunic, and boots in the other.
"Count Dooku requests your presence at dinner in an hour. He only guessed on the sizes and requests that you wear these," he handed me the brown pile.
"Thank you. I will be ready."
I am not a small woman by any means, but the dress was slightly too big. This added to the length, though, and made me feel more secure. The boots barely went over my calves. My hair dried quickly and it curled nicely. I took some bobby pins and a hair tie from my backpack and tried to style it a little cuter.
Without a mirror, I tried to imagine how I looked and decided to add my new gauntlet for effect.
When I was all dressed, I sat at the desk. Aaron came in all dolled up from the fresher.
"Well don't you look smart?"
"It's kind of itchy," he said while tugging at the collar and scratching his belly.
"It's just for dinner."
Aaron had showered, too, and he combed his hair. It also looked like he used a beard trimmer, but I didn't think he packed it- there was no need to take it on a short camping trip.
"Did you trim your beard?"
"Yes. I didn't bring a beard trimmer, obviously, but Jango Fett brought me one. I guess the Count commented on it's scraggly appearance."
"Everytime we say or think 'the Count,' I think of Sesame Street," I groaned.
"One scraggly hair ha, ha, ha. Two scraggly hair ha, ha, ha…"
"Shut up, Aaron," I said as there was another knock at my door.
I opened it.
"Are you ready?" Jango asked.
"As we'll ever be," Aaron answered.
Jango held out his elbow. I took it.
I've never been escorted anywhere. This is awkward.
As we walked to the dining hall, I actually had a chance to observe. There were some rugs on the floor that had a Persian feel, some sculptures along the halls, and a few paintings. All were impressive and most likely expensive. Across the top of the wall just under the ceiling was a long, intricate tapestry that put me in mind of the Bayeux Tapestry. The winged creatures were heavily depicted, and it looked like the tapestry was depicting them conquering what may have been a slug race of some sort. There were potted plants on both sides of the hall, evenly spaced with the sculptures and busts. I was trying to keep up with Jango Fett, and he was taking long, deliberate strides.
Aaron was two steps behind us, looking at the art, too.
"This is all nice artwork, Jango."
"The Count likes his things to be...exquisite. He has worked hard to aquire his collections. This is just one of many. He has at least six. He is a gentleman, and he values the finer things in life, though he is not above violence should the need arise."
I swallowed hard enough that Jango heard and he turned to look at me. I felt my face and ears heat up.
"Don't worry. You'll both be fine, though I may have told him a little white lie."
"Why?" Aaron asked.
"He was afraid you were spies, so I said that you were mercenaries, and helped save Boba, Bossk, and me."
"Ah," I said.
"I suggest you give him aliases."
"If you think that's best, sure. Jo, you follow my lead."
"Of course, Aaron."
We finished the rest of the walk in silence.
When we arrived at the dining hall, everyone was seated and eating.
Everyone was also a man.
I gulped again while they all rose for the arrival of a lady.
We were not formally announced, but Jango walked us to two empty seats. Aaron was put at the head the opposite head of the table (across from Count Dooku). The only other people in the room I recognized were Jango and Bossk. Boba was probably in his quarters, not allowed to sit with the adults.
After I was seated, the men all sat down.
This is so awkward.
Thankfully, the conversation did not concern us for a few more minutes, giving Aaron and I a chance to observe the dining hall.
The table was made of stone, and laden with platters of fruit, cheese, and crackers (the appetizers that we weren't invited to partake). The floors were stone. The walls were stone. The windows had no glass. The doors were wooden, though, as were our chairs. Our plates were porcelain and painted with flowers that looked similar to a Cherokee Rose. The silverware was heavy, and the stemware was spotless. Each place was set up like one would see in a fancy restaurant with several different forks, spoons, and knives as well as a wine and water glass.
We were not asked as a winged creatures filled both glasses for each of us.
Aaron and I did not drink, but we were too afraid to say anything otherwise, as we eyed the red liquid.
"Welcome to Geonosis. Jango Fett has told me how you rescued him, his son, and Bossk on Tatooine yesterday afternoon. He says you are both quite talented and intelligent."
"Thank you," Aaron calmly replied.
I only blushed and smiled.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"...I'm Guns,"Aaron said.
"I'm Roses," I cleared my throat.
"You're Guns and Roses?"
"Yes, sir" Aaron replied quickly before taking a sip of water.
Guns N' Roses...geez… this is the best we can come up with?
I also made a move to drink some water before my reaction would betray us.
"I assume you are hungry after your travels?" the Count said.
"Yes, sir. We are," Aaron answered.
Two large plates of grilled meat were set before us, as well as a rooty looking vegetable, bean sprout looking things, and a leafy green thing that I doubted was lettuce. But, being so hungry...it took all of me to control myself. Everyone at the table was already eating, so it was possible that our portions were poisoned or something.
I don't remember exactly how I came to the conclusion that the food itself was probably fine.
It was probably when Aaron took a huge bite of the meat and didn't drop dead.
Bitter poison would stand out in veggies, so I decided to just avoid the wine and try to learn about the people present.
"Guns and Roses, these are my associates: Archduke Poggle the Lesser is the Leader of the Geonosians; San Hill is Chairman of the Banking Clan; Nute Gunray and Rune Haako are representatives of the Trade Federation; Wat Tambor is the foreman of the Techno Union and executive of Backtoid Armor Workshop; Magistrate Passel Argente of the Corporate Alliance; Presidente Shu Mai of the Commerce Guild; Representative Po Nudo of the Aqualish people; and last but not least, Senator Tikkes from Mon Calamari, representing a faction of Quarrens."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," I said politely.
It was then it occurred to me that Shu Mei was female.
Wasn't the first time I've been wrong…
I took a bite of the root vegetable and then moved to take a sip of water.
"Neither of you has touched the wine. It's the finest one can acquire out here in this part of the galaxy," Count Dooku said. I knew he would be insulted if we didn't at least try it.
"I don't drink," Aaron said, "but Roses has some experience."
Aaron was referring to the time at my ex-boyfriend's family's Christmas celebration. His step-father offered me a rum ball. Thinking it was going to be like a cake pop, I obliged. I was wrong. There is raw rum in those things. My tongue was numb for about five minutes, and my throat felt like burning.
My eyes flashed at Aaron as I picked up the glass. I swirled it around as I had seen people do on television. I gulped and raised the glass to my lips and tilted it back ever so slightly. The wine grazed my lips, but I did not actually drink. I hoped that he wouldn't be able to tell.
I set the glass back onto the table, and said, "Savory and dry."
Dooku seemed pleased with that response, so I knew I had used the right terms.
"Did you really drink it?" Aaron hissed quietly through an uneasy, false smile.
"Not a chance," I hissed back.
"What kind of training have you had? We may be interested in securing your services long term."
My mouth went dry.
"Mainly just some shooting training, some endurance training, and Roses has some patience training."
I almost laughed at that. I taught the preschool class at church for eighteen months. That really was a patience exercise.
"Neither of us is dumb, but I'm certainly the better strategist. We've also had some intense combat experience"
I nodded my agreement.
We never would have survived the camp two days ago without- that was two days ago?! Wow, I guess time flies when you're in constant danger.
"Was something on your mind, Miss Roses?"
"No, sir."
"Well, then, let me get down to it. These people and myself are interested in breaking away from the Republic. We don't like a majority of the decisions made recently, and our attempts to...subdue Senator Amidala from Naboo have failed. I don't blame you, Jango. I blame your associate, Zam; however, she and two jedi are now in custody.
"These three political prisoners are scheduled to be executed, though we doubt that just these three alone will prove how serious we really are. We feel it is advantageous to have a small team of assassins. These contracts would only be done in self-defense."
This guy's a bozo! Assassins?! And I wouldn't call the two of us a team, a duo maybe...
Aaron didn't say anything. If we asked who this Senator from Naboomboo was or what the heck "jedi" were, we would be revealed as phonies. But if we agreed to be full time murderers, we would be betraying our core values.
"Now, I assure you that compensation for your services would be substantial. Money, status, political favors...anything you can imagine would be at your fingertips."
"That is quite a tempting offer, sir," Aaron answered before taking his last bite of meat.
While Dooku had been talking, I had eaten most of the vegetables. I was enjoying them, but I always tended to eat my meals in order from least favorite to favorite. For breakfast, I ate my fruit first, then eggs, then meat, and finally the bread option (be it toast, bagel, doughnut, cinnamon roll, whatever). Dinner was always veggies first. Made the meat that much better.
"I assure you that it's an offer that we don't make lightly."
"We believe you. It's just that it's a huge decision. I mean, working for a man of your reputation and status, it isn't a choice to be made rashly," I explained gently while cutting up my meat into individual bites.
Aaron sniffed his vegetables and almost made a face.
Watch your step, buddy. We may be on thin ice.
I pretended to take another small sip of wine to try and appease Dooku.
"I suppose it is. I can give you until just after the execution to decide, but it is the best I can offer. I assure you that if you decline this offer will never come your way again, but you will be able to leave here unharmed. You agreed to come here on good faith and we intend to let you leave the same way."
"Sounds reasonable. I just have one question about if we were to accept this offer," Aaron said.
"What is it?"
"Would we have our own assigned base or would we be here?"
"We would give you an assigned base but with a few locations of safe houses should the homebase be compromised."
"I see," Aaron answered.
I thought it was kind of weird that Dooku was doing all the talking, but he was also sitting at the head of the table, and that must have been significant here, too, as it was at home.
After a beat, Wat Tambor said something, in a hushed tone, to Count Dooku. While they whispered something about "Techno Union Ships," I was able to eat a few bites of the seared meat. It had the texture of steak and a little of steak flavor, but it was on the gamey side. Not that I would complain.
"Wat Tambor says that should you join us, he would provide you with a Techno Union Ship and two personalized fighters."
"We don't have pilot licenses," I said.
"Well, you wouldn't need them. There a few training simulators that we could run for you. If you can't fly, how do you make it to your hits?"
"Public transportation," Aaron answered.
"Public transportation?" Dooku asked.
"Yes. We have some experiences with disguises and we are discreet."
The look Aaron gave me read "Halloween 2012."
I don't think Halloween costumes really count…
The Count seemed to consider this, and I was able to finish off my meat.
"Well, if you two are done with dinner, I hope you wouldn't mind dismissing yourselves and going back to your rooms. If you like the wine, you may take the glass with you, Roses. Just leave it on your dresser, and one of the Geonosians will collect it from your room."
I stood and Aaron stood. I took the glass and we left side by side. The hall was lined with nice plants, so I had a choice of which one to dump the rest of the glass.
"Please try to stay out of the dungeons. I will not strictly forbid it, but I would prefer you kept your exploring to a minimum. Besides, you have a big day tomorrow."
Stay out of my shed.
We both nodded our understanding, but now that we knew about the dungeon…
Once we were out of the sight of the table and accepted the fact that we weren't under any sort of guard, I dumped the wine into the nearest plant.
"So, it is not forbidden to explore," Aaron chuckled and smiled mischievously.
"And there's a dungeon," I replied, as visions of those depicted in medieval themed literature and media ran through my head.
And of course, we found it. There were shiny, silver candelabras on either side of the staircase, and we each grabbed one. I still held the glass. The stairs were gradual enough no handrail was necessary.
We stayed side by side during the decent, but at the bottom of the stairs was a split. There were two lit cells to the left, and one lit cell to the right.
I wanted to stick together.
Aaron wanted to split up.
Aaron had hidden his "lucky" half dollar in his boot.
He flipped it.
I called tails.
It was heads.
So we split up.
I watched Aaron go a piece left before I started to the right.
Because the floor was sand, I was making tracks, and even though it wasn't forbidden to be here, it still felt dishonest.
It turned out that the lighted cell was a bit farther than I had anticipated, but the payoff was certainly interesting.
The cell was circular and midway up the wall were lights. In the center of the room, on the ceiling, appeared to be a generator projecting a cylinder of light downward toward the floor, and there was a base generator on the floor projecting a beam of light upward. A man was suspended in the cylinder and was slowly rotating.
Once he was facing the door he called out to me.
"Who are you?"
END CHAPTER TEN