This interview was with Atel Sl'etah from Betrayal.

1. What is your full name?  

First and foremost, I wish to thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Jedi Order with those outside the Temple. There are often misconceptions of the Jedi's purpose within the Republic. My Master believes that understanding among the peoples of the Republic leads to a greater harmony. He has requested that I be completely truthful about the Jedi and my place within it. I will answer any question put before me.
 
As to my name, it is Atel Siora ne Sl'etah, Padawan to foremost knight of the Jedi Order, Obi-Wan Kenobi. But my name has no meaning outside of the Order. I am but a humble Learner in the eyes of the Jedi and I accept that truth.

2. Who is your creator?

The woman who gave me purpose is dianethx, a citizen of a somewhat small planet outside the Republic. She is an adequate writer but I find her actions highly suspect. She seems to have a secret admiration for former Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, now of the Bendu. I find this quite distasteful and, on more than one occasion, she has shown a remarkable tendency to write the most shocking fabrications.
 

For example, she indicated that I have ulterior motives for bringing in Jinn. Nothing could be further from the truth. Former Jedi Jinn is a criminal. He should be brought in and punished for crimes against the Jedi and the laws of the Republic. I do not say this because I am jealous of the attention Master Obi-Wan is paying to his former Master, as Ms. dianethx has stated, but rather to let the readers know that I have only the best intentions. The law must be upheld; no man is above it, not even my Master's Master. Ms. dianethx should remember this.  

I am sure that, in time, she will accept that she must perform her duty as do we all and make sure that Jinn is turned over to the Jedi Order. Justice must be served. If she does not, the Jedi would be forced to investigate her links with the Bendu and certain immoral elements within the Republic. 

3. What is your home planet?
 

That information is classified. However, I have resided at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant for 19 standard years.

4. How do you enjoy being a Jedi Padawan?


To be a member of the Jedi Order is the only thing I have ever truly wanted. The knowledge that I am following the will of the Force and using my gifts to help others gives me the feeling of satisfaction that mere enjoyment cannot describe.


5. What is your age?
 

I have just reached my 20th standard year.


6. How do you feel about Master Kenobi and the Jedi Order?

 Master Obi-Wan is the finest Jedi within the Order. His exploits are legendary, his grasp of the Unifying Force is superb and I could not ask for a better teacher. But… but I do not want to give the impression that he is perfect, far from it. We are both human after all. He has his good days and bad and we have our disagreements. His loyalty and dedication to duty are without question but he does tend to want to help people that might be considered unworthy of his time and effort. He is blinded, I think, by attachment and perhaps even love at times. It is a failing to which we are both prone and much effort will be needed to overcome that.  

As for the Jedi Order, I can think of no other organization more worthy of respect and dedication. They are the guardians of peace and justice, after all. Helping those less fortunate, doing the will of the Senate and righting the wrongs brought about by selfish interests are surely among the noblest of intents. The Jedi and the Order that we serve are… you must understand that they do what is right and just. I am humbled and happy to be a part of such an institution.


7. Do you have any siblings or pets?


I do not know my biological siblings. However, we are all brothers and sisters in the Force. The Jedi are my family. As for pets, I am away from the Temple too often for the care and nurturing of a pet.  

8. Who are your closest friends?  

My friends??? Why do you want to know that? It is really none of….

 Forgive me. I did agree to answer all questions but I… it is difficult to speak of them… please give me a moment….  

I… I had two very close friends. We went everywhere together as initiates but, once we were chosen as Padawan Learners, we didn’t see much of each other. It is hard to share stories over lastmeal when the Jedi are so much in demand and my Master and I were almost always away on missions. The three of us did try to keep in touch as much as possible. However that is no longer….  

Elta…. Her name was Elta Nol’tes. She died a year ago in the Sullustan riots. Helping refugees escape when a rebel force attacked her and her Master. Both are now one with the Force. I miss… I miss her very much. She believed that all beings had good in them and, in the end, it killed her. Had she been more cautious, it might have ended differently. I know that I grieve for her more than I should but Master Obi-Wan has been helping me to understand that it was the will of the Force that she be taken. I must learn to go beyond my grief and remember the light that was her gift to me.  

Our other partner in mischief was Set’nahze. Laughing, merry Set’. He died soon after Elta…. in the plague on Altra 3, helping those less fortunate to survive that which he did not. He would scold me if he were here. He was ever cheerful and often tried to make me laugh. I could use his strength right now. I miss them both more than I can say. 

I have other friends but none so close. Most of them are now on missions, doing the necessary work of the Jedi. I see them but rarely. It is a difficult life. I would not give it up but it can be hard… it is hard to….  Can we move on to the next question, please?


9. What is your favorite food and beverage?


You ask about the oddest things. I admit that I really love choco-mente drink. It is easy to get and cheap so I indulge whenever I can. The Jedi are on strict cost-control measures so anything extravagant is discouraged. I have no real favorite food but I have just discovered that my Master loves muja fruit pie. Muja, as I’m sure you know, is restricted due to expense so he has not had any in some years. By a small coincidence, he was able to get one rather large piece of pie. It was amusing to watch him eat it with such… relish but I didn’t mind. He deserves a treat once in a while.


10. What do you like to do in your free time?


I have no free time. We are on missions constantly. However, in the transit between worlds, I like to sing. My Master's voice is wonderful and we often sing duets together. I can never hope to reach his level of skill, however. He is superb, an Alderaan firebird, and I am merely a mudlarket. But it is an enjoyable pastime.


11. What are your political leanings?


As a Jedi, I have no political leanings. It would be inappropriate.


12. What are your goals in life?


To be a Knight in the Jedi Order is my greatest goal. With that honor, I can continue the work of the Jedi keeping peace and justice alive in the Republic. I admit that I would also like to make Master Obi-Wan proud of me. I know that pride in a Jedi is something that we must guard against but I think my Master’s regard is worth the failure.


13. What kind of influence do you have over your creator? Are you the type of OC who just sits in the background and allows your creator to form the plot, or do you insist on jumping in with your two ditaris whenever possible?


I… make dianethx do anything that she does not want to do? I would say that is amusing but, on second thought, I often fight with her about plot and character development. I do not like the direction she has been taking with regards to Master Obi-Wan and me. I also believe that her affinity for Qui-Gon Jinn is most troubling. And I make my sentiments known, sometimes loudly. There have been times when the direction of the story has been waylaid or changed due to my influence. So, I guess, that I sometimes ‘insist’ on jumping in.


14. Describe your favorite scene in one of your stories.


I was inordinately proud of my Master’s handling of the arrest of Qui-Gon Jinn. Although that Skywalker person had attacked Master Obi-Wan, my Master was able to defeat the Bendu apprentice with some minor assistance and then he arrested his old Master. Although my Master still has a strong attachment to Jinn, he did his duty and followed the orders of the Jedi Council. It was a great relief.


15. Describe your least favorite scene.
 

I had finally decided that wherever Master Obi-Wan’s attachment to Jinn would lead, he and I were and always would be Master and Padawan. At that moment, the Force allowed me… I saw… a series of visions took hold. Scenes of devastation and horror. That those visions came on the heels of my decision to obey my Master in all things is most troubling. I do not know what I will do but I must consider it further before a final decision can be made.  

Your questions have been most illuminating but I see that my Master has come back and is signaling for us to leave. It appears that we have another mission. Thank you for your time. If you have any further concerns, you can contact the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

 

Goodbye and may the Force be with you.

 


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