WPRT CH. 12 (Updated 2021)

To the Right

Jo:

I wasn't quite sure what to say to him. There was something about him that I knew "Roses" wouldn't satisfy.

"I'm Joanne Shepherd," I whispered.

"What?"

"I'm Batman," I answered louder while putting a gravel in my voice.

I made no immediate query as I watched him make another rotation in the cylinder of light.

"Who are you?" I asked him back.

"I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Why are you here? In the dungeon?"

"Why are you here in those clothes asking? Dressed like that, I assume you are one of Dooku's guests and or fellow Separatist."

"What exactly is that, anyway? I mean, I guess I picked up from the dinner conversation that there is some sort of Republic they oppose, but I don't know what it is."

"How can you not know? Who are you?"

"Look, my brother and I were picked up by Jango Fett-."

"Jango Fett is who I followed to get here. He's dangerous."

"We saved him and his son. He gave us a ride here from Tatooine."

"Everything goes back to Tatooine," Obi-Wan muttered.

"'Everything goes back to Tatooine?'"

"To be honest, my life was much simpler before that dust-bowl got involved."

"Okay, Bitter Betty, I did not ask to come here. I was happy in Indiana working as a glorified receptionist. I was happy playing Minecraft and Fallout on the weekends, going to church on Sunday and Wednesday, and heck, I was even happy in my degree program. But then my brother was all like, 'We should go on a camping trip,' and I was like, 'Nah, I'm good,' and then his friend Eugene was all like, 'Come on, JJ, it'll be fun,' and Thomas was like 'Yeah, what's the worst that could happen? Get a few mosquito bites?' and I was all like, 'I like a toilet, ya know, not going in the woods like animals?' and my brother said, 'You're such a wimp, and I was all, 'Fine, I'll go.' Now my brother and I are trapped here with no way to contact home, and I want my mommy."

"Your name is JJ?"

"No. That's what Eugene calls me, because it gets my goat."

"Your goat?"

"It's an expression I don't really have a goat."

"What's a goat?"

"Okay, let's back up. Why were you following Jango Fett?"

"How did you end up on Tatooine? I've been suspended like this for two days, and if you aren't going to be honest and straightforward, then at least tell me a good story."

"Fine, I'll tell you the whole story."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

He listened to the whole story, and seemed intrigued when I dropped the name "Anakin" being the Lars' step-brother/step-son. He acted like he knew this here Anakin guy, and seemed sad when I explained that Anakin had just seen his mother for a moment before she died.

"...and then my brother and I decided to check out the dungeon anyway, because we could. Then, we flipped a coin and decided to split up. And then I met you."

"So you really have no idea what's going on here?"

"Not a clue."

"I see…"

"And I'm hesitant to get your side of the politics right now, because I don't want my brother or I to be in prison."

"I suppose that's understandable. But, it seems to me that you have enough of a heart to not want to see children killed, especially in front of their parents. Do you like children?"

"I do, though I can only take littles in small groups. For short amounts of time. I prefer they can read."

"I understand. It also helps to have a knack for teaching. Sometimes, I think I wasn't cut out for it."

My eyes went wide.

"You teach?"

"Well, I have an apprentice. He's probably around your age right now. We picked him up on Tatooine about ten years ago, and I promised my master I would train him...my master used his final breath to beg me to train him."

"That's horrible. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Time has eased his passing, but there are days where it hurts."

"I understand. I have lost people too. My grandmother died last year. We were a very close family."

"I'm sorry about your grandmother."

"Thank you. Does your family know you are here?"

"No, I don't think so. You see, I was taken as a very young child to be trained by the Jedi, and I have only seen them once since. It's probably better that way."

That's sad.

"What are the Jedi?"

"The Jedi are guardians of the Republic."

"I see. So, you were taken as a young child to be trained to be a guardian. This sounds like it should be a high honor."

Except not being with your family...

"Yes, it is. You see, very few are chosen. One must have a strong connection to the Force. But sometimes, it is difficult. Sometimes, the rules are difficult to follow and adhere to. Especially attachment. It has been a struggle for me and my apprentice sometimes."

"'Attachment?' What's that mean?"

"Well, they mean against loving people more than the Jedi. Marriage and relationships are forbidden. For example, I have had two women that I grew to love and care for very much. I had to give them both up for the Jedi, though. And it was hard, but worth it. One cannot always serve with a clear mind when their loyalties are divided. Had Siri or Satine been in danger at the same time my service was direly needed, I can't say I would have stood with the Jedi as my duty would have dictated."

"I'm sorry. That's got to be hard. I've never thought of it like that. I've never known people so devoted to something like that, other than priests and nuns back home."

"Your priests are celibate? What are nuns?"

"Well, priests of the Catholic faith. They are supposed to be celibate. Nuns are also of the Catholic faith, usually, and are called 'Brides of Christ.' They are similar to the priests. I myself am not a Catholic, but I am a Christian."

"'Christian?'"

"A follower of Jesus Christ. We are getting too far off topic though, right now. Is there a war or something?"

"Not yet. It's brewing. And much closer than any of us feared."

"I still don't want to know the politics as of yet; but I also don't want tomorrow to happen. I have got the feeling that you're one of the three slated for execution. I suspect that these have been ordered without a fair trial."

"Three?"

"Yes. He said they had three political prisoners."

"Lovely."

"Anyway, I am going to talk to my brother and see where we are. I wish I knew more to form my own opinions on these matters. I don't want you to die. You seem like a nice guy who just got mixed up in something you didn't want to be mixed up in."

"It's worse. Dooku offered me a way out. You see, he was my master's master. He offered me a chance to join him and the Separatists, but I refused."

I heard Aaron hissing at me from down the hall.

I held the candelabra high as I walked away from the cell.

"Batman?"

I smiled and I looked back.

"Yes, Obi-Wan?"

"I hope you guys find a way to help us."

"Me, too.

XxXx

I met Aaron at the bottom of the stairs. He looked mildly disturbed by something.

"Who did you find?" I asked.

"Let's wait until we get back upstairs," he answered, a slight quiver to his voice.

"Okay."

END CHAPTER TWELVE