A/N: This entry features one of the OCs from the fic X-Wing: Knights of Plooma.

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ENTRY 21

Any time I was away from Luke during those first few years, I felt obligated to assist him with any Jedi Order business that he requested of me. There was the time Mirax and I shuttled Kyp and Ganner to Corellia, the time I flew a group of Jedi apprentices from Yavin IV to Coruscant on the Jade Sabre, all the times I helped Luke perform research in preparation for his numerous presentations to the New Republic Senate, asking for more funds…you get the idea. I did it not only to assist my husband, but also to prove my dedication to the Jedi Order.

That was why, when Luke asked if I would be interested in doing an interview for a historical documentary on the new Jedi Order, I said yes without a second thought. As the wife of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, I suppose they thought I would be a great interview.

I wasn't looking forward to it, but I wasn't that apprehensive about. All I had to do was sit there, answer a few questions, and then leave.

Of course, things are never so simple when they involve my husband or the Jedi Order. Why, you may ask? Because the interviewer was none other than Fiolla Flotta Dyartes, Jedi historian and junior senate representative from Plooma.

Fiolla is…well, let's just say that she is the most exuberant person I've ever met in my life. I've heard stories about Luke when he was young and in the Rebellion, and Fiolla would have him beat in earnestness by a factor of 100. She gets excited about anything and everything in the galaxy. She's a nice enough person, and proved her worth during our mission to Plooma a few years back, but spending time with her one-on-one always results in a humongous headache.

Taking a deep breath and reminding myself that killing one's husband is illegal on most civilized worlds, I greeted Fiolla (who pulled me into a hug so tight that I almost couldn't breathe for a moment), took my seat, and got ready for the most uncomfortable interview of my life.

What follows is a transcript for the amusement of all future generations. Whoever you are, future Skywalker spawn, you better appreciate this.

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Fiolla Flotto Dyartes: Hello, this is Fiolla Flotto Dyartes and I am thrilled to welcome our next interviewee, Jedi Knight Mara Jade Skywalker! Thank you so much Mara Jade Skywalker for agreeing to speak with me!

Mara Jade Skywalker: It's no problem at all, Fiolla.

FFD: Knight Mara Jade Skywalker, could you please begin by telling us about your introduction to the Force, if you don't mind, I know that you once served the Emperor and that is probably not a pleasant memory but whatever you feel comfortable divulging to our audience would be very much appreciated—

MJS: I don't mind, Fiolla. Let's see, for as long as I can remember I was raised in the Imperial Palace by various nannies, droids, and the like. I started training at a very early age, mostly in combat and espionage techniques. I don't recall specifically when the Emperor started teaching me about the Force, but he was probably doing so subtlety before I could even remember. I always knew about the Force, and that I could use it.

FFD: And so Knight Mara Jade Skywalker, because of that, did you formulate any opinions about the Force, negative or positive, that you can share with us?

MJS: You can call me Mara. No, the Force was a tool for me to use, nothing more. Now, negative feelings about the Jedi on a personal level, those came in spades. Side effect of the job, you see.

FFD: Oh, yes! Of course, as the Emperor's Hand you must have despised the Jedi! That is why it is quite ironic that you are now a Jedi yourself and married to Luke Skywalker! Now what of the Sith, did you learn anything about their doctrines?

MJS: No, Palpatine was quite careful never to teach me any Sith doctrines. I've often wondered why. Now I'm just grateful that he never did.

FFD: We all are, Knight Mara Jade Skywalker!

MJS: Mara.

FFD: Mara, yes, of course! What was your first real experience with a Jedi and how did that affect you?

MJS: Well my first time coming face-to-face with a real, true Jedi was with Skywalker and we all know how that went.

FFD: Oh yes! You wanted to kill him! Was that a type of foreplay for you?

MJS: Excuse me?

FFD: Well you are now involved in an intimate relationship so I only assumed—

MJS: Let's be quite clear, I had absolutely no romantic intentions at all toward Luke Skywalker during that time period.

FFD: None at all? But he's so attractive and sex—

MJS: Yes, I'm sure he was. Is. Um, whatever. Anyway. Can we move on, please?

FFD: Oh, yes! So your first encounter with a Jedi was less than ideal.

MJS: You can say that again.

FFD: But after your encounter with the insane cloned Jedi Master Joruus C'baoth, you felt a kinship with Master Skywalker, did you not?

MJS: He helped me through a difficult time. He helped me realize that things were not as I was led to believe.

FFD: And he gave you his old lightsaber! That is so romantic! Is that the only thing he gave you that night?

MJS: I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that question.

FFD: Of course! So after that you went your separate ways?

MJS: Basically. I saw him a few times, but many events transpired to keep us apart.

FFD: You trained with Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn in this time period, yes?

MJS: Yes, Kyle and I became acquainted during a mission and we helped each other develop our skills in the Force.

FFD: You helped him come back from the dark side!

MJS: I guess you could say that.

FFD: That is romantic!

MJS: I don't think Jan would like you saying that.

FFD: Oh, right. Um, well, let's see. After that Master Skywalker started his Jedi academy! You were one of the first students. What made you decide to train?

MJS: Curiosity, mostly. I wanted to see what Skywalker could do.

FFD: Oh yes, I bet you did—

MJS: And I meant that in a purely intellectual manner, of course.

FFD: Of course. So, you attended the Academy. What were your first impressions?

MJS: More of the same. It was a bunch of hocus pocus. I thought Skywalker's head wasn't in the right place.

FFD: You were jealous that he did not give you a lot of attention.

MJS: I don't think jealous is the right word—

FFD: Do not worry; I would have felt the same way! So after only a short time you decided to leave. Was Master Skywalker upset?

MJS: He didn't want to lose yet another student, I guess.

FFD: You do not believe he had romantic feelings for you during that time period?

MJS: Trust me, Fiolla, that's just romantic mumbo-jumbo people like to spread because it reads well on the Holonet. There were no romantic feelings at all back then.

FFD: That is not what Knight Corran Horn told me!

MJS: Dear gods I'm going to kill him.

FFD: Oh, dear. Um, anyway! Let's move on. You spent the next several years working for Talon Karrde and also running you own business. Did you ever feel the urge to join the Jedi?

MJS: No, never.

FFD: Not even when seeing Master Skywalker in those fetching robes?

MJS: He mostly wore black back then.

FFD: That is even more sexy!

MJS: Oh dear Force. No, um, no desire to join the Jedi at all. In fact, I was dead set against ever becoming a Jedi.

FFD: You were unhappy with the way Master Skywalker was doing things.

MJS: You could say that.

FFD: I can assume that your opinion has changed?

MJS: Yes. Although, some of that was my old prejudices coming through, and my resistance to change. But, don't repeat that. Actually, can we strike that from the record altogether?

FFD: Of course! Now Master Skywalker rescued you—

MJS: I wouldn't say "rescue" is the right word.

FFD: But you were kidnapped—

MJS: I was being kept secluded for my own safekeeping.

FFD: That is not how Master Skywalker described it.

MJS: I think Master Skywalker will be sleeping on the couch when I return home.

FFD: Oh, dear. Anyway, you changed your mind and became a Jedi after that mission. What changed?

MJS: Many things. Luke and me. The galaxy. I just don't think we were ready to begin a relationship until that time.

FFD: You sacrificed your ship to become a Jedi. Have you ever regretted that decision?

MJS: Only when Luke hogs the covers.

FFD: Oooh, does he sleep in the nude?

MJS: Let's move on.

FFD: Could you please explain to me what you think the role of a Jedi should be in a peaceful galaxy?

MJS: Jedi are guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. That never changes, whether we be in war or peace. We need to listen to the Force, and let it guide us. When we start believing that we know best, that is when we get into trouble.

FFD: Oh, I completely agree, Mara!

MJS: Glad to hear it. Now I'm certain we're on the right track.

FFD: I have no further questions, unless there is more you'd like to say.

MJS: I think I'm good.

FFD: Thank you so much for your assistance in this project Jedi Knight Mara Jade Skywalker! The finished project will be sent to your husband for his review!

MJS: I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it so I can make my own edits.

FFD: Of course. It was so good to see you!

MJS: Yes, it was. I am glad you are doing well.

FFD: Oh, I am! Perhaps you and Master Skywalker could come visit Murray and I and our two children on Plooma—

MJS: Oh, would you look at that, it's time to leave!

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I think you have a career in journalism, Mara. You should get right on that. - MTH