I want to thank everybody who is reading and a special thanks for all those that have taken the time to review. I have slowed down in posting since this story is part of a Diary Challenge over at TFN. Since they are down temporarily to switch servers I can't post my Diary Entries there and I don't want to get too far ahead in this site.

I am following along the canon timeline as much as possible. Now we are in the Children of the Jedi time frame.

By-the-way, my reference to a tour group Knot Now is based on a real Earth performance group (Not of that name, of course). And no, I have never seen them perform and honestly I have no idea where I heard about them.

~JL~

ENTRY 65: Corran & Mirax Horn, Coruscant

Luke came back from a mission he took with Keiran Halcyon—the blond Corellian that has been studying to become a Jedi. When I saw Keiran I was a little shocked because his blond hair was now dark brown. Luke explained to me that Keiran was at the Academy under an assumed name because Invid pirates had kidnapped his wife and he didn't want anybody knowing he was refining his Force skills in order to find her. His real name is Corran Horn and his wife is Mirax Terrik Horn.

Kira wanted to meet Corran and Mirax. So she had Luke, Mara, Corran and Mirax over for dinner at our apartment. She made an amazing Corellian themed meal of fried Endwa, Charbote root, smoked nerf, followed by Ryshcate and washed down with Corellian spiced ale.

All three women hit it off. I'm glad Kira met Mirax. They are both non-Force sensitives who love and live with Jedi men. It is nice for her to have somebody whom she can commiserate with when we are off on Jedi missions.

I was always friendly with Corran while at the Academy, but now that he doesn't have to maintain a façade he is much easier to talk to. I like him. He has a sense of humor and a laid-back personality. I am told that his father-in-law owns his very own Star Destroyer. Stang! He better not irritate his in-laws!

"We should go to the spa together one of these weekends," Kira said to the other two women.

"Definitely! In fact, we should make it a girls-night-out after that," Mirax added. "I heard the Hapan all-male dance troupe is on Coruscant next month."

'What was that?' I thought. 'Is that that troupe that…?'

"Whoa, whoa," I said in shock. "Isn't that the group that ties their…you know…their packages into strange shapes?"

The women burst out laughing. "No, you're thinking of 'Knot Now—Corellia's legendary masters of genital origami," Mirax said when she finally caught her breath. "And how do you know about them?"

I was stumped for a moment. How did I know? I gasped in shock when I realized that little tidbit of information came from Palpatine's memories.

"Believe it or not, I think the Emperor Reborn was a fan of that troupe."

Mara and Luke burst out laughing. Mirax and Corran looked at them in confusion until they explained to them about my run in with Palpatine and how some of his memories were imprinted in my mind. That revelation had them rolling in laughter.

Overall it was a great night, although I now wish I didn't quit drinking. I could use a strong shot of whiskey to purge those new thoughts out of my brain.

ENTRY 66: Illness, Death, Creepiness, Coruscant.

Over the last few months Cray Mingla's fiancé Nichos Marr struggled to survive having been stricken with a fatal disease called Quannot's Syndrome. A few days ago I was told that Nichos finally succumbed to the disease. I was waiting for details about the funeral but they never came about. I decided to go down to Cray's quarters to give her my condolences and to inquire as to the time of the services. When the door opened I jumped back in shock and gave an unmanly yelp of surprise. Well, it wasn't a yelp as much as a "Whoaaaahhh! What the kriff!"

There standing at the door was Nichos Marr. At least, it looked like Nichos Marr. The hands and face were of Nichos, but the rest of the body was smooth and gray in color…like he was wearing a body suit. What disturbed me the most was that I couldn't feel him in the Force. It took me a moment to realize this was not Nichos at all, but a facsimile of what once was the man—a human replicate droid.

"There is no need for alarm, Mark," Nichos said in a monotone voice. The fact that his face remained expressionless was unnerving.

"I'm not alarmed," I lied. Well it wasn't really a lie. I wasn't fearful, but I was definitely freaked out. "What happened?"

The Nichos droid made an attempt at a smile. "The technicians of the biomedical institute on Coruscant developed this body for me. I transferred my personality and hopefully my Force essence into it prior to my death."

I stared at him slack jawed. "Why?" I know that probably was a rude question, but having your mind trapped in a droid body sounded like a horrible fate.

Nichos gazed at me dispassionately. "To live, of course, and to spend my life with Cray."

"What the...why?" It was like that question was running through my mind in a loop. I just didn't see the point of living without a human body. I know some religious groups do it, but I still don't understand it.

Luke once told me about the B'omarr Monks who live Tatooine. They believed that they could better achieve enlightenment if cut off from all physical sensation. Therefore, they would have their brains removed from their body and placed in a nutrient-filled jar and mounted on a spider-like droid called a BT-16. Once away from their body the brain could fully concentrate on the pondering the mysteries of the galaxy.

After a few years of this I would assume the brains would start pondering, 'Why exactly did I think this was a good idea?' or 'Gods, I could go for cloud cake right about now,' or perhaps 'How could I forget that brains can't have sex!'

I guess I wouldn't be a good B'omarr monk.

As I stood at his doorway bewildered, Nichos' blue artificial eyes stared at me blankly. "I am not sure I understand your confusion." When I didn't respond he said, "What was the purpose of your visit?"

That pulled me out of my stupor. "Umm…" I shrugged my shoulders. "I wanted to know when your funeral was going to take place…you know…to pay my respects."

Nichos nodded his head. "My physical body was cremated shortly after its demise. There will be no funeral."

I stepped back from Nichos. "Okay, sorry for…I just wasn't aware of the situation…you just surprised me."

The Nichos droid gave another unnatural looking smile. "That is quite understandable." He paused for a moment. "Thank you for thinking about me."

As he closed the door I moved away from Cray and Nichos' quarters quickly. My comlink buzzed and I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. "Mark here."

"Mark," I heard Luke's voice come over the device. "Are you okay? I felt a spike of alarm in the Force."

"I'm okay," I answered. "I just saw Nichos, that's all."

There was a long pause and I thought I lost the connection at first, but then Luke came back. "Stop by my office, I'd like to get your advice on something."

"I'm on my way," I said as I turned off the comlink.

As I entered Luke's office I saw he wasn't alone. Mara was there sitting on a small couch. Her hand was resting on the small bump of her belly. She was about five months pregnant but barely showing. I smiled upon seeing her. Her happiness projected strongly through the Force. I think after decades under the control of Palpatine the fact that she is a wife and soon-to-be mother must seem like a dream come true.

"Sit down Mark," Luke motioned to a chair near his desk. I sat and looked up at him expectantly. "How did your introduction to Nichos go?"

I frowned irritably. "A heads up on the situation would have been nice."

Luke lowered his head and sighed. "Cray and Nichos just returned today. Mara and I were discussing how and when to introduce him to the other students when we felt your alarm."

I shook my head. "I feel nothing from him in the Force…he's not going to continue to train as a Jedi, is he?"

"Cray believes she can overcome that problem with more research," Mara spoke up.

My brow furrowed. "How can he touch the Force without a body? Midi-chlorians are needed to manipulate the Force. The best he can hope for is having his Force essence to occupy the droid body…like a Force ghost."

"Midi-chlorians?" Luke asked with a perplexed look on his face. "Is that something you read in the Ossus books or is that another Palpatine memory?"

I stopped to think. Stang! I'm pretty sure it's a memory that floated up to my consciousness. It has become more common lately and I don't know why. I ran my hand through my hair nervously. I hate when this happens. "I think it's a memory," I admitted.

"Did that just come to you?" Mara asked.

I nodded my head. I sometimes think they believe I am holding out on them…which I am. I have made a vow to myself that some of Palpatine's dark knowledge will die with me. Sith knowledge is dangerous and the more people I tell the more likely the knowledge will be used for evil sometime in the future.

"So, you don't think Nichos will regain his ability to control the Force?" Luke asked.

"No, I think it is possible to have a strong Force essence in a non-organic…like in the holocrons…but controlling the Force is another matter."

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably and asked the question that puzzled me. "Why would he do that?" I shook my head, confused. "I love life, but I could never do what Nichos did. I wouldn't expect Kira to live with a droid with my personality. She might think it was a good idea when death was near, but she would face a lifetime without real human touch, without sex…or at least not natural sex, without the possibility of me fathering children with her. If we adopted how would the children react to a droid father?" I looked at the floor in thought. "I know this is none of my concern. I just find their decision disturbing in a sad way…it's hard to explain."

"We understand, Mark." Luke admitted. "I am a little uncomfortable with their choice…but it is their decision to make." He paused for a moment in thought. "I have to accompany Leia and Han to Ithor for some planetary celebration called the Time of Meeting. I think I'll take Cray and Nichos with me. It'll give me time to observe Nichos and determine if he can continue his Jedi training."

"I'm going with you," Mara insisted.

Luke frowned. "Mara, with your horrible bouts of morning sickness, you're in no shape for a long journey. I wish you would stay here. This is a diplomatic mission, so you don't have to worry about my safety."

Her eyes narrowed. "Luke, what about those nightmares you've been having? They could be visions of the future."

Luke sighed. "The future is always in motion. And if they are visions then that is more than enough reason for you to stay. We can't risk the life of the baby. Nichos and Cray will be there with me. They're trained as Jedi."

Mara gave him a stubborn look. "A Force-Void droid and a Jedi with marginal Force ability is not much help. I want to go."

Luke let out a deep breath and his shoulders slumped in defeat. "Mara…"

"I'll go," I interrupted. "Mara, you would never forgive yourself if anything happened to the baby. I'll go with Luke, if that'll make you feel any better."

Mara frowned at me and it looked like she was going to protest when a queasy expression crossed her face and she jumped up and ran to the 'fresher. I could hear the lid of a toilet slam open followed by gagging sounds.

Luke turned in his chair to face the 'fresher. "Do you need any help?" he called out.

"I think you've done enough!" Mara snarled back. "You got me in this condition."

I snickered.

"I heard that Mark!" Mara yelled out.

Damn! She has great hearing for a woman with her head over a porcelain bowl puking her guts out. After a few minutes we heard the toilet flush and water running in the sink. Mara came back looking disheveled and nauseous. "Fine, you go with him Mark! But you better bring him back in one piece. I don't care how peaceful this diplomatic mission is supposed to be. Trouble follows Luke." She turned to her husband. "I'm going back to our quarters to lie down."

Luke stood and tried to kiss Mara goodbye, but she covered her mouth complaining about morning sickness breath. She tolerated a kiss on the cheek before she left.

Luke sat back down at his desk and looked at me. "I guess you're going to Ithor."