Before we can go forward, we must go back to cover two things: my first service work and Mara Jade's death.
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When I turned twelve, I started my service work. For some reason, I was scared that first night.
I decided to walk toward the nearest med center. Sitting outside was a Wookiee, holding a baby. The baby was crying, and the adult seemed lost.
Though I had little experience with wookiees, I had become familiar with Shyriiwook while working as a Senate guard. While I could not speak it, I knew most local wookiees understood Basic, so I decided to give it a go.
"Hello, may I help?"
The adult groaned. "I doubt it. The baby, my son, he won't stop crying."
"I'm sorry."
"The doctor said there is nothing wrong."
"May I see?"
The Wookiee handed me his son, and I put the child's head on my chest and gently bounced him.
After a few minutes, he burped and threw up on my tunic.
His father apologized, and I assured him there was no need.
The belch had quieted the child and he had fallen asleep on my chest. Wookiee babies are not small, and he was almost as long as my whole torso, and he was heavier than a human baby. But, I didn't care. As I stroked his fur, I felt so happy.
"You're a natural," the Wookiee said.
"Thanks."
"I'm Trrulnarguyschikk. My son is Irru."
"I'm Asenath."
"My wife, Irru's mother, Gwelrurrrien, died in childbirth."
"I'm so sorry, Trrulnarguyschikk. My mother died the same way. I was raised first by my father and then by Zorba the Hutt."
"I'm sorry that happened to you."
"Don't be. I was rescued by the Jedi. If it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't have found you tonight."
"It is hard trying to care for Irru on my own."
"Maybe I could help with that, too. I could watch him for you. I live with Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker. They would be there to help me. When they aren't or can't, I'll let you know. You shouldn't – and won't- do this on your own. Not while I'm around"
"That's very kind, Asenath."
"It's my pleasure, I assure you."
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I cared for Irru around three evenings a week. Eventually, I would even watch him while Luke and Mara were away.
I kept watching him until my own child was born. I felt bad, but by that time, Trrulnarguyschikk had remarried, though, and was happy to find another sitter.
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The second thing to address is the death of Mara Jade.
A few months after the assault from Lord Skanato, Jacen officially fell away to the Dark Side. After that, Mara Jade decided that Jacen–now Darth Caedus- was a threat to Ben, and she went after him. Alone.
She tracked him to Hapes, where he was visiting his love and the Queen of Hapes Tenel Ka, and his daughter Allana Djo. She did not immediately engage him. She waited until he was leaving.
She pounced and they fought tooth and nail in space.
Both parties landed on Kavan, a planet in the Hapes cluster. They continued their fight and Jacen moved the fight into a mine, where he threw her against the walls and worse.
Mara fought hard, but Jacen overpowered her, and left her to die.
Mara left her body behind. And autopsy revealed poison in her system. She was given up in a ceremonial funeral pyre to which Jacen had the audacity to attend.
This act finalized everyone's distrust in Jacen, including Ben's.
From then on, Jacen- Darth Caedus- was an enemy of the Republic.
