WPRT Ch. 21 (Updated 2021)

How Do You Say Forgiveness?

An hour after we had arrived at the mansion on the lake, we made our way to the speeder with our belongings in hand. The trip from the village was rather uneventful, and I had noticed Boba taking a seat farthest from Barriss both times. He was still not over what had happened earlier, as any normal child would. Barriss was seated on my right while the kid was on my left. The pressure they gave off seemed to crush me with Barriss' shame and Boba's anger. I was the innards of an emotional sandwich.

Before we entered the transport for the last time, I leaned over and whispered to Jo.

"Hey, trade places with me."

"No way. I saw how they behaved back there," she hissed back.

I sighed in disappointment.

She's right.

"Look, bro, you're the one who said for us to let him choose to forgive Barriss on his own time."

Right again.

I then had an epiphany which plastered a smug look on my face as we finished loading up our stuff.

Jo noticed it and sighed and asked, "What are you planning?"

"Oh. Nothing."

"Right, and I'm the Queen of Switzerland. What are you up to?"

"Fine, I'll tell you…I don't have to force him to forgive Barriss, but I can speed up the process."

My sister thought about it before replying with uncertainty, "Well, that sounds great, in theory. Do you think you could pull it off?"

"Anything would be better than having to keep dealing with this. Especially on an interstellar luxury ship. This is one of our highest priorities."

I took a few moments to think before a scary thought entered my mind. I brought my hands up to my head in terror and said, "Yeah, right behind what we are even going to say to a room filled with leaders of an order of mystical space monks!'"

Jo shuddered and justifiably so. I wasn't that far behind her at this point. Stage fright happens to even the bravest people; however, this was a different taste of fear. We had no comfort of "It's only family," or "It's just our class," to help. We had nobody to lean on but each other.

I gave my sister what little comfort I could.

"We can do this Jo. You're a Sunday school teacher. Plus, I have experience under my belt when it comes to speech. We use our laptops, create a presentation, and practice it six times. No more, no less."

"Awww do we have to do it that many times. The thing will take hours to even get through once. And that's if we use everything we have."

"No Jo, we are not going to use everything. We don't have the time for it, and neither do they. The war is their biggest concern right now. And yes Jo. We are going to practice it that much. You and I both know better than to mess this up. We get one shot. And for that one shot, we need to be clear and concise."

"Ok fine, you're the 'Preacher'. But what are we going to even say?"

"We can talk about that on the ship. I will at least say we should try to guess what questions they're going to ask and go from there. Let's keep quiet for now. The others are almost here."

Jo turned towards the direction I was looking and saw what I was talking about. In front were Anakin and Padmé. Followed by Boba, Bossk and Barriss single file. Everyone was eager to leave as much as we were. Carrying what they had brought with them. I motioned for Barriss to enter first while I followed after her. As she entered, I looked back to see an impatient Boba wait for me to get in.

Ok, keep your shirt on kid. I'm going…

My legs were cramped alongside Barriss. The only one not cramped was Boba. The seats were meant for smaller people. Padmé had offered to call for a second transport. Anakin however butted in and said that it would only bring unwanted attention to ourselves. We tried to see how we could all fit into the enclosed speeder with multiple failures. Eventually we found a way, only it wasn't so pleasant for everyone. Bossk had to hold his head down. But that was it for everyone else save for Barriss and I. Padmé and Anakin rode in the front with Anakin driving, while Jo and Bossk were directly behind them. The rest of us piled into the back (as I have already said). The Droids were in the trunk. Anakin snapped C-3PO off when he protested about his seating arrangement, and R2-D2 seemed unconcerned. I think he was just happy to be there.

Thankfully, all of the trips thus far, the droids were turned off. The last thing anyone needed were those two arguing the whole time.

"Are we all set?"

We all answered Anakin with a "yes" before he activated the speeder.

"Then let's go."

A moment later, our transport shot into the dark.

Previously, we were able to take a couple of boats to the lake house; however, they didn't allow boat travel after dark, so this was the only means available. Therefore, we did not go back the same way. So for the first few minutes, we were silent while Padme relayed the root back to the ship with Anakin.

Things seemed to be ok for the moment. It was the perfect time to help Barriss and Boba.

What should I do? I would like to talk about something that they could relate to. But in reality, I know little to nothing about them, aside from what they do for a living or what their people are. It's time to change that now.

"So Barriss, what do you Jedi normally do for fun?"

She looked at me inquisitively.

"Fun?"

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, you know, what do you like to do outside of your training?"

She shrugged with what little room she had, "Nothing really. If we're not training we're meditating on our actions and thoughts for the day. Our minds are our greatest tools and meditation helps maintain them. Distractions can be very disastrous to us and others."

One guess who spoke up, "Like today?"

Barriss slowched, "Yeah…"

I changed the topic back to her day-to-day life, "So you don't go out to places to try, I don't know, sports or other activities? Maybe visit friends?"

The padawan huffed looking out the window, "It's not like we don't have friends, it's just that we can't have too strong of an attachment with them."

"So more or less 'acquaintances.'"

She didn't say anything as she stared out the window. The woman was upset, but not at me. Once more, my ability spoke for her.

"I don't think I have those even…"

I looked at her upset, having now known that about her. It was no wonder she had said what she had said to us on that military ship.

Doesn't their order teach this stuff to the kids? You still need friends!

I looked forward, saying, "Well that changes today, Barriss."

My comment had garnered the attention of Barriss and Boba enough to look straight at me.

The young Jedi spoke first, "What are you talking about?"

"I am saying you don't have to have just 'acquaintances.' You can be friends with us!"

Both proceeded to look at me as if I had grown two heads; however Boba responded first by crossing his arms quickly and turned back to the window.

Typical for a kid his age.

Barriss seemed to look more down than before, "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Come on! It's easy," I said and cleared my throat before proceeding, "'Hello! My name is Aaron Shepherd! How would you like to be friends?' See? It's easy. Now you try."

She proceeded to roll her eyes at my antics and said, "There's more to it than that."

I smiled devilishly, "So you do know how to make friends."

"I never said I didn't."

"Touché."

Barriss drew a blank at what I said, "Pardon?"

I laughed, "Sorry, that's a word from one of our world's many languages, specifically one called French. It means 'that's true.'"

Barriss was amazed by the fact that she was one of the first few people to hear a language from our world.

Boba was surprised as well, "You know more languages than Basic?"

I snorted, "'Know' is a bit of a stretch. More or less for me, I dabble."

Barriss didn't care, "Could I hear more of them?"

It wouldn't hurt.

"Oui Mademoiselle!"

"That still French, right?"

I whistled, " Yes 'Miss Lucky.'"

She shyly replied, "Well, most Jedi are naturally linguistic to be able to help multiple cultures over an ever growing galactic community. It's bad to be on a mission of great importance and only fail because you couldn't talk to people for assistance."

That makes sense.

She motions me to continue.

I smiled, "Alright then,*Ahem* Vis-à-vis."

She shook her head in amusement, "That's still French."

"Ha, you caught me. It means 'face to face'. You're really good at this."

"Well that one was easy, I read your emotions and sensed a devious intent. So I just assumed it was French. Also, you spoke with the same dramatics."

Dramatics?

This time Jo interjected, "You moved your hand flowery."

What?

I looked down to see what she meant. To my surprise, I found my hand in the air on auto pilot doing "who" knows what.

Maybe seeing French portrayed in comedies has really left an impression on me.

"Alright, I get it. How about this one? 'Carpe diem'."

She seemed to be in thought while Jo smiled, turning back to her conversation with Bossk.

Finally Boba tried this time before Barriss could, "Is it French?"

"Nope, it's from a dead language called Latin. It means 'Seize the day'."

"Dead language?"

Barriss answered the boy before I could, "It means that nobody speaks it as their own language anymore."

"Oh."

Boba was slightly disappointed I wasn't the one to answer for him. Barriss and I looked at each other disappointed by the boy's outright rejection of Bariss.

Boba is one tough nut to crack, I'll give him that. But while we're still on the subject of Languages…

"Say Boba, your Father said a Mando needs to know some of your people's language. Do you think you can teach me some of it right now, like saying hello?"

Barriss pleaded, "I would like to know as well, I was kind of curious when I was little to learn Mando'a myself at the temple but I was told to learn others first."

Boba looked between the two of us before rolling his eyes like Robert Downey Jr, "Fine you can learn too, Barriss. Just don't ask too many questions."

He cleared his throat and said, "Su cuy'gar."

"Is that hello?"

"Right, 'Wooba soosa Boba.'"

"My name is Boba?"

"Right again. Try this one, 'Ma voule kesta-won miam nu ghis'"

We thought for a bit before we gave up.

"Got ya!"

"Yeah, yeah you stumped us. What does it mean?"

The boy laughed, "'I'd like food right now.'"

Barriss and I laughed a good bit before I declared, "Amen, Boba."

Both passengers turned to me with looks of confusion.

I gave a nervous chuckle before replying, "What seems to be the problem?"

Both looked at each other before looking back and asked, "What does 'Amen' mean?"

Oh Boy…

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After a good while, we arrived back at the capitol spaceport. All of us walked up the ramp of the cruiser with luggage in hand. Jo was having a conversation about one of her favorite pastimes, reading, with Barriss. Boba was now with Bossk asking something about armor modification.

I should ask them about that another time for my own armor.

I was in the back of the group with Anakin and Padmé as Anakin spoke up, "It's so good to be heading home."

…Yeah...

"Remember Anakin, we need to make some plans on the way to Coruscant about 'you know what'."

"Don't worry Padmé things will work out. Somehow, I feel that having more people know makes this easier."

"I feel the same Ani. Aaron, thank you for advising I tell my family. If I hadn't told them what happened, it would have weighed on my mind until I went insane."

"Padmé, think nothing of it. I understand how it is. I have done things I regret that I have done and kept it from my family."

She nodded her head as I resumed, "But when you talk about it to others. You share the load with someone else. If they reject you, they reject you. You're lucky to have an understanding family."

"Thank you Aaron. You seemed to be well versed in these situations."

"It comes with experience."

Anakin gave his thoughts, "Well this still bothers me: we saw how Barriss was. I'd hate to see what happens if the whole order finds out."

I reassured him, "If we could sway Barriss, we can sway more. Don't worry Anakin. It will come to pass in time."

He huffed out a, "Maybe."

"We will. While we're at it, I have been wanting your help on something Anakin…"

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"Are you sure this is the best option?"

Anakin responded confidently, "Hey, it's not my fault your people are held back in battery capability. If I'm right, you won't need to charge your phone for a month with these communicator batteries, even if you use your video function the whole time. Not to mention the makeshift chargers I just made for your phone and computer..."

"Fair enough."

"I have to say, this has been one of my most interesting projects I have done. I mean this phone is simple, yet more capable than our data pads. Would you mind if I tried to replicate your phone and computer?"

"Not at all, Anakin. In fact, I think yours would be superior in every way. You could probably start your own company."

"You think so? Well it wouldn't matter, anyway, because the Jedi Order is against that kind of thing."

"Why am I not surprised? Well, maybe they're against it. But I didn't hear a no."

Anakin laughed, "We'll see."

Things were quiet now as Anakin was putting on the finishing touches on my phone. He finally put the battery in place and closed the lid on the back. A small snap was made as it went into place. He handed it to me as he moved my laptop to his work station. He flipped it upside down and analysed the back.

"Is this the battery?"

"Yeah."

"I think I have a few spare droid batteries that I could mold into its shape, though the whole thing might take a couple of hours."

"In that case, do you mind if I do something really fast?"

He looked at me confused before he said, "Sure."

With that, I flipped the PC over and turned on the laptop. After 20 seconds the Windows logo popped up followed by the jingle. As soon as the login menu showed up I typed away. I grabbed my USB and plugged it into my computer.

"What's that?"

I answered Anakin's question, "This is a flash drive. In short, it allows me to transfer files and documents from computer to computer. In this case, I'm transferring my homework research to Jo's laptop so we can put together what we are going to tell them about us."

He looked puzzled and asked,"Don't you think you're overthinking this? You're just speaking to the council about your predicament. Right?"

"Well that may be true; however, this is my people's first contact with people outside our world. For all I know this could actually still be our galaxy and we are in an unexplored section. I want to make sure it has an impact and explains our situation. Our friends are still out there."

Realization came upon his face, "That's right! Your buddies are out there so you need the council's help looking for them."

"Yep. And if they notice any traits they will know that it's one of our friends that got separated."

"So what are you going to talk about?"

"I'm hoping we can just go over current events and some other things. We are, for sure, going to start off with what the system looks like. Maybe run it through a scanner or something."

"Maybe. If we were to do that, it would help if we had a star map of your nearby systems."

I thought for a bit before replying, "We may not have one, but I know who does: Eugene."

"One of your missing friends I presume?"

"Exactly. His research was on systems found in our galaxy and star formation. Do you think that would be enough."

"I don't know, but I hope it will. What else are you going to go over?"

I was about to tell him, but a bad thought ran through my mind.

I was going to tell him before, but now will be as good a time as any.

"Anakin?"

"...Yeah?"

"Do you promise not to overreact on what I'm about to tell you?"

His curiosity turned into anticipation, "Uh, sure?"

"I know what happened."

"What do you-?"

"On Tatooine. I know what really happened, and I'm sure Jo knows too."

Anakin gulped before saying, "Whatever do you mean?"

"You can drop the act. I know about the raiders from your Stepfather-."

Anakin stood up "HE'S NOT MY STEPFATHER!"

I backed off from him a few feet to give him some room.

"I WILL NEVER-..."

He couldn't continue as his emotions couldn't take it anymore as he collapsed on the floor in a slump.

"I-I can't accept it… why did I-… what was I-?"

He burst into tears. I knew this feeling quite well. Like everyone and everything is gone because of one bad mistake. One you could never take back. Good thing I had made mistakes before. Because of them, I knew what to do.

I walked over to the crying mess that was Anakin and did the one thing I could. I pulled him into a hug. If he was shocked by my action, he didn't show it. He accepted it as he cried in my arms.

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He cried for a good 10 minutes before he calmed down. It was a good thing this workshop area on the ship was sound proof. From what I understood, padawans didn't have good training when it came to emotions and how to handle them.

Ignoring emotions doesn't fix them!

It reminded me of the problem with a recent-ish Disney film about a girl with ice powers. Whatever they have said to them was false. They couldn't seem to reign in their emotions when something personal was involved. I know people have their limits, even Jesus, the Son of God, cried for others, but from what I had been shown, the Jedi were the most lonely bunch I had ever met. Even if they claimed they could only love their order, it didn't show.

If Anakin did what he did, it seemed that he feels he has nobody to help him. Let's see if I can help.

"Anakin, I know all about it. I just put the pieces together. But what I don't know is why you-? Well you know."

Anakin took for himself a few moments to breath and responded, "They didn't just murder her, she was tortured for days. Cuts and gashes were across her body. S-she was h-hung up to a pole like an ANIMAL!"

He brought his hands to his head, "S-she told me s-she was proud of me… right before s-she died. After that… I don't know what overcame me… the next thing I knew… bodies of raiders were everywhere. Not just the fighters, E-EVERYONE! IT'S ALL MY FAULT!"

He just started to break down once more. This was one of his worst fears that came to life, more people seeinghis real side. Or what he thought was his real side. There was only one way to stop this, telling him the truth.

"It's not all your fault Anakin."

His head shot up with his eyes red from tears.

"It's not all your fault."

"How? I killed everyone."

"You were pushed, Anakin. It was really the only conclusion."

Anakin turned away, "That's what a Sith would say…"

That angered me that he would say that after all we had been through, but I let it slide and asked, "Why?"

"Saying that I had to do that. That I should let anger control me."

Ah. I guess what I said would come off as that.

"I didn't say that Anakin. I said you were pushed to do it. Yes you could have said no. But from what I have heard about you and your order. I'm surprised something like this hasn't happened with anyone else sooner."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your Order seems to profess love for each other without actually showing it. Maybe a hello here and there, or other greetings. But that seems like that's it. And your whole world was your mother from the sound of it. I mean, did you want to be a Jedi?"

Anakin answered in a heartbeat, "Yes! I did. Ever since I was a slave, I always dreamed of being a Jedi! Not only for freedom, but to have the power to free all of the slaves. When opportunity presented itself, I really wanted to! But only I was freed. I told my mom that I wanted to stay with her. But she told me this was the path I should take, because it was my dream. I don't know what I would have done if I knew what I know now."

I laughed, "I think you know Anakin."

I had annoyed him apparently, "I just said I didn't."

"Well you do. Your mom said for you to do it. So her death is not on your head. And from the sound of it, you were just a kid. All kids are impressionable. No doubt about it your mother did and does love you still."

"But I killed all of those people! How could I be forgiven? I'm a monster…"

"Anakin, I'll say it again, you were pressured. You felt that if she died, you would be alone?"

"Yes. But-."

"Well there is the cause. When she died, the one thought that ran through your mind was that you lost everyone that was important to you. You don't have an attachment to the Order because they never really showed you love-."

What I said baffled him and he cut me off, "That doesn't change anything! I killed them!"

"I'm not saying it changes things, Anakin, let me finish. The Order never showed you the love you needed, because you were an outsider. You were made an outcast by default."

"That only proves that I didn't do what I should have…"

I sighed, "Well what about the Raiders then? I'm sure that your mother wasn't their first victim. To be known as 'Raiders', they had to have been doing this kind of stuff for a long time. And it seemed no real action from the Republic or Jedi was given-."

"How do you know this stuff?"

I sighed, "I listened to word clues from everyone I have met so far in this galaxy. We are nowhere near safe now that an army of droids and corporations want our heads. If I can't notice even the little things, I'm putting myself and my sister in danger. It was one of the things that helped me to understand what kind of a man Dooku was before we were trapped in a bad deal. From my point of view, my sister and my friends won't be safe until we are home. So I'm going to keep at it."

I decided to use my hand to help Anakin up, which he took. Picking up the stool, I motioned him to sit in it and he did just that. I continued, "I can continue on why it's not all your fault. But only if you promise to let me finish."

Begrudgingly he replied, "Alright…"

I cleared my throat and carried on, "One: The Raiders have been attacking people for a long time. Two: The Raiders felt proud of themselves, never thinking that they would pay for their misdeeds. Three: The Republic ignores problems on world's like Tatooine just to avoid a conflict that they think will be too much of a hassle. Four: The Jedi are the guardians of your galaxy, only going as far as the Republic will allow. Five: The Jedi not fully accepting you as a member, thus making you an outcast, save for a few like Barriss and your master Obi-wan. If the strength of your order is its unity, you were excluded."

Anakin finally understood what I was getting at, but didn't say anything, not yet convinced himself. Only viewing himself as the worst monster in history.

Time to blow that out of the water.

"Hey. What about Jango."

"Jango?"

"Right, how many people do you think he killed for Dooku? There could be some innocent people he killed in the mix. How much do you think that's weighing on him right now?"

"I suppose…"

"When he finally realised what he'd been doing this whole time by going against his beliefs his people held, It devastated him to his core. Even then, he moved on and did what he had to do for his family and friends. You should too."

Anakin sighed in defeat, "All right Aaron, I'll give you that. But I can't get it outta my head. All the screaming, the death."

"Then don't, Anakin. Never forget. Those who forget are doomed to repeat."

"But how can I move on?"

"You move on. Don't look back."

Anakin still wasn't satisfied with my answer. I needed to get through his head that it's not the end of the world.

"I suppose…Alright you convinced me… I need to think about this."

"Take your time."

I started to walk to the door before another thought entered my mind.

"Oh! Anakin?"

"Yeah?"

"I guess you're not the only one keeping secrets. My sister told me something on the way to Naboo. It answered a question I had since Geonosis."

"What was the question?"

"How did Jo get that lightsaber that she used to help me block the attack from Count Dooku?"

"I don't know. I guess it slipped my mind. It was kind of convenient for her to just find one-... Oh no, she didn't!"

"She did. She grabbed it from your severed hand on the ground."

Anakin moved his hand into a facepalm.

I coughed in my hand and also added, "She was planning on telling you sooner, but you were in a bad mood with her so I decided I should be the one to tell you before she would mess it all up. Most likely saying something stupid in front of the council, like 'Anakin lent me a hand' or somthing along those lines."

Surprisingly, the mood in the air changed all of a sudden. It went from stress to joy.

Anakin erupted in laughter, "Are you serious! Her saying that in front of the council! I could just see the looks on their faces!"

Well that cheered him up.

"Yeah, my sister and I have a guilty pleasure in dark humor."

"Is that so?"

"Yeppers. If you want, I can show you some stuff I think you would like. Maybe I can show you one video before we arrive. It's called Shrek. It may not be as dark as other ones, but it's a good start."

"Shrek? What's that?"

"The name of the main character in that film. I can tell you more about it later. I've gotta work with my sister on what we're going to present. And I'm sure you want to finish up that battery project."

He looked at the table in remembrance of what he was doing in the first place, "Right. I'll get this set up in a jiffy."

With that I walked right out of the room. Leaving a more hopeful Anakin…

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The 'evening' wore on, as Jo and I worked on our little project of ours. We had just completed the ending to our speech for the sixth time when Boba walked in on us.

"Hey, are you guys done with your stuff yet?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"We still have one more day before we make it to Coruscant and we were wondering when you'll be going to sleep. Padmé wanted to show you the sleeping quarters."

"Right. Tell her we'll be there in a second."

As the boy went to do just that, I turned to my sister to see her yawning.

Something tells me we are going to need all the sleep we can get for tonight.

"You ready Jo?"

"I'm always ready for sleep."

"Then let's go."

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The evening had finally passed to morning. Or whatever counts as evening and morning on a ship in space. I was at this time getting dressed in the last suit I'd ever wear (Figuratively speaking). The armor provided by the infamous Jango fett.

I was putting on my breast plate as I walked out of the sleeping quarters head held high as Jo walked up behind me asking, "Do you have to wear that now?"

"As a matter of fact I do. I don't want to change my clothes right before we meet the Jedi council."

"But why do you have to wear 'that'? It's not like they want to kill us."

"No, but it's part of the Mando code. Jango told me. This Amour is respectable to wear like any suit you would wear to a wedding. Maybe even my own funeral."

"Please don't say that. A funeral for you is the last thing I want to be thinking of. But I see your point."

"Don't worry Jo, we'll make it home. For now, let's go get some grub."

Her stomach growled before she replied with an ok.

We walked into the kitchen area to see a glorious sight. Fresh breakfast food arrayed before our eyes. It was what you would call a miniature buffet. Fruits of random assortment (some recognizable), pancakes, cooked meat, and more of the blue milk that Jo had before.

And not far away at a small round table, Boba Bossk, and Padmé were having a nice discussion about adventures Boba had been on with his father. They waved to us and Padmé spoke, "We were waiting for you two. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a rock. I gotta say, those were some top quality beds."

"Oh well the people of Naboo were the ones who provided everything we have here. So please, thank them."

Jo laughed, "Please Padmé, you're too modest. Please don't change."

She laughed at the complement before saying, "Thank you. Oh but I'm sure you're hungry. C-3PO helped me fix up what we had so please help yourself. I'm going to check up on Anakin."

As the senator left, we decided to do just what she said. We grabbed a bit of everything until we were satisfied with what we had. We sat down on chairs opposite to Boba and Bossk. Bossk was busy looking on a data pad while Boba was digging into the sound on his plate. At this time, Jo and I said quick prayers to ourselves before we ate what was before us.

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The meal itself took a while to get through. All the while, Bossk looked at his data pad in dead silence, taking no notice of the conversations we shred while we ate.

I usedthe napkin nearby to wipe my mouth and proceeded to get the Trandosian's attention.

"Bossk, are you feeling alright?"

He didn't respond or make a move. He looked rather bored.

"Bossk?"

That got his attention.

"Wha- Oh sorry guys, did you need something?"

"Not necessarily. We were checking on you. You look like you're bored with whatever you are reading.

"Oh no, it was interesting. I was looking at the Holo news for anything new. I saw something about a new pirate rising to power recently going by the name 'Captain Blood'. And another pirate by the name of Hondo is now claiming that he is the first Pirate Admiral. I mean the whole thing sounds ridiculous to me, but the Holo Net is making a big deal about it, so it means something I guess. I've seen nothing about the battle that happened on Geonosis. Are they just ignoring what happened or are they just ignorant? Ugh! I hate being in the dark about stuff like this."

"Wow Bossk. You seem to be taking this pretty seriously."

"Well my job as a bounty hunter requires me to be aware of those kinds of things. It could affect business in a negative or a positive way. And I do care about what happens in the galaxy. I am one of many who live in it."

"Fair enough. I was kinda the same way back home."

"Really?"

"Yeah. My dad and I would watch the news a lot in the morning when I was a kid. It felt a little irresponsible of me not to. I didn't want to be pushed to the side when the grown-ups started talking about any tragic event."

Never again…

"Well enough about me. What about you, Bossk? What was your life like back home?"

Boba stopped eating to look at Bossk in anticipation. Bossk himself seemed rather nervous.

I crossed a line.

"I'm sorry, Bossk. I should have kept my big mouth shut."

"No, it's alright. When I left my home, I left on bad terms, especially with my Father. He always looked down on anything I did for myself. I was not good enough. I hope to prove him wrong one day by taking control of our people from him."

Boba was surprised to hear that, "Woah, your dad is the leader of the Trandosians?

"Not the whole species, but a good portion of it. He always praised my brother for his hunting, but the difference is that he hunts people who are innocent by means of kidnapping, taking away their weapons, and leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It's like fighting a declawed predator out of his environment. The game is stacked too much in the hunter's favor. There is no sport in it. That's why I became a bounty hunter. I hunt against the ones who are asked to be killed. The prey chooses his environment, he picks his weapons, and he gives it his all. That's a true hunt. Money is just an added bonus. It's all for the Scorekeeper."

I was about to ask him what the 'Scorekeeper' was exactly, but Anakin entered the room before I could. He seemed to be in a better mood.

"Well, everyone, we're only a few hours out from Coruscant, and most likely, once we arrive, we will be escorted to the Jedi temple. They will take a couple of hours to assemble everyone for the meeting, as they are trying to organize our forces."

"Fair enough. But two hours?"

"It normally takes more than that. You have it lucky."

"I guess we do. Anything else we need to know?"

"Yes, please don't go exploring the temple unsupervised. It can be a maze to strangers, no offence."

"None taken."

"Yes, and the rest of the order knows nothing about you."

This surprised everyone else.

Jo spoke up, "Why is that?"

"They want to keep something like this under wraps until they come to a decision."

"Yeah. I could see some Jedi being mad at Jango after what he had done."

"Y-yeah, Jango…"

Anakin however looked unsure with what he said.

"Was he talking about something else? What could it be?"

"Do you think my dad stands a chance?"

Anakin smiled, "Good as he is going to get with you all being there. It will sort itself out."

"If you say so…"

Anakin looked sadly at Boba. As I stated before, he could relate to him having been raised by a single parent.

Then, he remembered something and said, "Oh Aaron. You remember what you said last night about that film. What was it called? Shriek?"

"Yeah, Shrek. If you want to have all of us watch it we would have to set up in the lounge area."

Boba and Bossk were now curious, "What's it about?"

"You'll have to see, Boba. One does not simply explain a movie like it."

"Well I hope to be entertained."

"You will be Bossk. Did you finish up my computer Anakin?"

"Yep."

"Then go ahead and get Barriss and Padmé while I go set it up."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Why do I have to see this?"

"Because, Barriss, we are your friends, and you need to try to branch out more. Even if you don't like this film, then maybe we can watch something up your alley another time."

"Oh alright. I just...it doesn't have crude humor like that sponge show."

Jo laughed, "Prepare to be disappointed."

The padawan only replied with a groan. The former queen spoke up in our defence.

"I'm willing to give it a chance, and I would be able to see it from the beginning, unlike the other cartoons."

"If it's any good as those I could get behind them. Patrick was my favorite character."

Jo spoke up to Bossk, "Yeah you would like him."

"And what's that supposed to mean?!"

"Well, here we go everyone." I said, trying to get Jo out of that situation.

I pressed start and the DreamWorks intro played.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Well that was… interesting. Aside from the unusual humor it had depth to the world."

"Now Barriss, don't you mean 'layers'?"

She shook her head at my joke, "Very funny Aaron. I'm sure you would knock Master Windu off his feet."

"I may very well yet!"

Padmé interjected, "I for one thought the film was lovely. Aside from some of the humor I didn't understand, it was an outstanding story about finding love. The end was goofy with the songs I had never heard before. But that made it all the more charming."

"We can play those songs for you sometime if you want."

"I'd be delighted Jo."

Bossk laughed, "The best parts for me were the interactions between Shrek and Donkey."

Boba laughed as well, "Especially the part with the Duloc song sung by the 'animatronics', as you called them."

I sighed to myself, smiling.

Enjoy the little things...

Anakin spoke up, "I have to say, Shepherds, that was one good story. And I'm sure there's plenty more where that came from."

"You guessed right, but we can save them for another time. We need to get our stuff together."

Boba slumped at remembering that the trial for his father would start soon. Padmé came up to him and reassured the child, "Your dad will be alright. The Jedi will understand your father's position. And I will be there to help speak on his behalf."

This shocked all of us, but the boy's excitement could not be contained.

"You will? But why? You hardly know us."

That's right! Boba doesn't know what his dad has done to her.

But Padmé smiled and said, "Because I have learned that you can't judge people based on a few actions. People have layers."

With that, all of us broke into laughter that would cure any sadness.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"We'll be dropping out of hyperspace any second. Are you sure you don't want to take a seat for this, Shepherds? Some people faint when they first see Coruscant for the first time.

I know I almost did when I was a kid."

Coruscant. The Republic homeworld. The world is described as a city that covers it. It took awhile to get here. And we may be here a while yet…

"We can handle it, Anakin. It's not everyday you get to see something that can knock your socks off."

"Fair enough. Dropping out of hyperspace... now."

With the switch of a few buttons and knobs, space around the ship went back to normal. And before us was a sight to behold. When people say a city that covers a whole planet, they mean a whole planet. The world had skyscrapers that put our home world to shame as they literally scraped the sky. It made me wonder how anyone could handle living in a world like that. My sister was on the same boat as me.

But wonder soon changed to terror...

At first it was a whisper in the back of my mind. But it slowly grew louder every second.

Voices? Am I hearing Voices? Where?

My question was unanswered as it grew louder. It was now to the point that it was like I was in a packed party.

Anakin looked at me, "Hey, Aaron, you alright? I know it can be overwhelming, but do you normally shake at your knees? ...Aaron?"

After that, I couldn't hear him that much. The voices grew louder. My head was starting to hurt. I moved my hand to my head to comfort the pain. Even so, it grew louder. I asked for help, but it grew louder. I yelled for help, but it grew louder. I put my other hand to my head while hunched over, but it grew LOUDER than I thought possible.

Where is it coming from?!

I opened my eyes and looked ahead, I saw the city ever so bright.

The people?! I can HEAR THE WHOLE PLANET?! AAAAHHH!

I collapsed to the floor as my vision got blurry. I could see about a foot ahead of me, and I saw the feet of people rushing to my aid. I closed my eyes and pulled across the cold floor. Bile shot out of my mouth.

Before I lost consciousness, I heard one thing. One voice above the other voices. One that sent terror beyond reason in me…

"They're here…"

End Chapter

A/N: Thank you for Joining us on this journey so far. We hope to finish this story to the end, whenever it will be. Happy One year Anniversary!