Chapter Thirty One: A Conversation with the Count
Jelu groaned as he opened his eyes finding himself in a much different place that he was before. He glanced up seeing a cell door with Zenith standing beyond it. He pushed himself up snapping. “What did you do?”
“Nothing! I swear!” Zenith said quickly, holding up her hands. “It’s all Hondo, I don’t know what his plan is but he doesn’t want me leaving yet. Look this man captured two Jedi and Dooku, now he’s angry over a lie. He’s not listening to me and is keeping you to keep me under control. I’ll try to talk him out of this, just stay put.”
Zenith glanced over to the side towards the other cell, her eyes narrowed a bit before she turned and left. Jelu let out a sigh before moving over to the wall and leaned his head against it.
“I just have to keep calm, I can’t screw up anymore on this mission.” sighed Jelu staring up at the ceiling a strand of white hair coming into his vision. “I need to dye it again.”
He clicked his tongue patting his legs wondering what he should do while waiting for Zenith. “Should I trust her? I mean she did try to give the training ship to Hondo but she could have just left me saying she didn’t care.”
“Quiet.” A voice said from the cell next to where Jelu was leaning his head against. Jelu stiffened before turning his head to look at the wall. He hadn’t expected to be in the cell next to the Separatist leader. He swallowed before mumbling a quick apology not even sure why.
The man didn’t respond even though he could hear the mumbling. He sat in his cell silently with his eyes closed, meditating. Jelu twitched before looking at his hands asking. “Can I ask you a question, sir?”
He opened his eyes with an irritated look saying. “If it will keep you quiet.”
“Why start the conflict? I mean I don’t get why the Republic didn’t just let you secede or why you started the conflict.” Jelu asked, letting his hands drop into his lap. “I’ve only heard the Republic’s side of the story but I don’t really know yours.”
“So you know who I am? You must not be just someone that those pirates locked up. Who are you?” Dooku asked.
“My name is Jelu Seer, I’m part of the Republic Diplomatic Core.” Jelu said tapping his feet together. “I had met Captain Ohnaka during my training in the Republic Navy. You can guess why I’m here.”
“Perhaps, but I do find it odd that the Republic sent a new recruit such as yourself.” Dooku stated. Jelu hung his head saying. “I was sent here with Senator Kharrus and Representative Binks to… deliver the ransom for you. I was sent along because I’ve managed to get Hondo to leave us alone, once or twice. Unfortunately we were attacked and Senator Kharrus perished.”
Dooku stroked his beard as he responded, saying. “Tell me lad, why do you choose to fight for the Republic?”
“Being honest? I was trying to get away from the life my parents lived. It was rather hectic, they were smugglers. I also have a talent for talking and understanding. It’s why I was aiming for the Diplomatic Core.” Jelu admitted before staring across the cell.
“You and I are alike in some ways young Jelu. Did you know that I was a Jedi once?” Dooku asked. “I left the Order because I lost faith in the Jedi, and the Republic. I also needed to get away, like you. I found a cause worth fighting for, to show the worlds the corruption in the Republic.”
“Do you see the Republic as too far gone?” Jelu asked bringing his knees up and resting his chin on them. “Do you see the Order as too far gone as well?”
“Yes. The Republic that once was is all but gone now, the peacekeeping Jedi are now aggressive Generals.” Dooku answered.
“Wouldn’t that be the fault of the Republic for relying on the Jedi to fight in this war?” Jelu mumbled seeing a rock and focused on it watching it move slightly before shifting nervously.
Dooku turned to look in the direction Jelu’s voice was coming from. “Do not ask me that question, that is something you must ask yourself.”
“Kind of an open question. You know up in the air for anyone to answer.” Jelu chuckled, shaking his head. “You kind of answered my first question.”
“You know what my answer would be. Tell me young Jelu, how would you feel changing sides?” Dooku asked. Jelu thought about it, one of his legs dropping. He sighed, shaking his head slightly, saying. “Only when I’m absolutely sure that the Republic can’t be saved.”
Dooku chuckled. “It will be wonderful to see you soon, then.”
“We shall see.” Jelu told him before resting his head against the wall before closing his orange eyes. A small smile growing on his face. “I’m guessing you have a brilliant plan to escape. Want me to leave a message?”
"Unless I can get these shackles removed I cannot do much right now. We need to wait for the opportune moment when one of those bumbling buffoons opens the cell." Dooku responded with a frown on his face. Jelu looked at his own hands before asking. “Why would they open your cell when you are obviously their most valued commodity at the moment? Also you being a trained er… former Jedi?”
"They will do routine check ups, when one of the guards arrive I will….persuade them." Dooku said as he stroked his beard. Jelu chuckled as he rolled his shoulders saying. “Well then, I wish you luck sir.”
Jelu got comfortable once again this time laying on his side as he tried to get some rest. He was rudely awakened by the power going out. He yawned before looking at the wall wondering if Dooku had escaped.
"It seems that fate is on our side Jelu, be swift!" Dooku told Jelu as he left his cell. Jelu climbed to his feet before moving out, seeing the dead guard in Dooku’s cell.
"Never mind that, we have little time." Dooku said as he proceeded forward. Jelu followed after him saying. “Guess this was the opportune moment you were looking for?”
"It seems so." Dooku said as they kept on walking when they bumped into a couple pirates. Jelu moved forward quickly and brought down the first pirate while Dooku took out the other. Jelu looked at Dooku before saying. “I know I shouldn’t but I wouldn’t be able to stop you if you choose to go your own way.”
"That is fine with me, but think on what we discussed." Dooku told him. Jelu glanced at Dooku before saying. “Just as long as you remember that there are people who keep an open mind and are trying their best to change the Republic for the better. There is more than just the bad.”
Jelu smiled mumbling. “Like Rainbow.”