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My name is Magdala Ruiuk. I am making this holorecording so that if anyone finds it they may make use of it when the history of our turbulent time is finally written. You see, I am over a century old, and I know my time is almost finished. When the destinies of those I have aided come to fruition I know, deep in my heart, that I shall be gone from this plane.

I worked for fifty years as a midwife on this quiet communal world, serving anyone who needed my help-humans, aliens, it did not matter. I trained many years to perfect my craft dealing with all species. They came to me, seeking an alternative to the cold, impersonal care found on more 'progressive' worlds.

Alas, my way of life is disappearing, as I am one of the last of my kind. The craft is dying as masters die and the gifted ones turn to other-more profitable-occupations.

In a way we're sharing the same fate as the illustious Jedi-but I digress. Let me begin the tale.

Late one night I heard a spacship land outside my cottage. I hurried to the door, my assistant medical droid,X93, following me.

" Another emergency." I said. " Some spacer's moll probably went into labor suddenly.

I opened my door and walked out to the small freighter. X93 waited in the doorway. The ship's entry hatch yawned open and a shadowy, robed figure descended the ramp. Then, a beautiful young woman, heavy with child, followed him.

" Old Mother." The robed man said as he embraced me, " It's me, Obi-Wan."

My mouth dropped open in shock. It was the Jedi I brought into galaxy years ago!

" My sweetling, what brings you here?"

" We need your help. " He pointed to the young woman. " She is due any time soon. She is already having contractions."

I looked at the woman and I saw incredible sadness in her eyes; but there was strength and resolve too.

"Is she your wife?" I whispered to Obi-Wan.

" A friend's wife. It's a very long story. Her name is Lienni."

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Rain sprinkles spattered on my face.

" Come inside." I said. "A storm is coming."

Once we were all in the cottage I helped Lienni into a bed and left X93 to watch over her. I went with Obi-Wan into the main room, where I fixed him some bresil tea. The rain was falling harder outside, making tapping noises on my roof.

" I didn't want to get into this about Lienni while she was in our presence." Obi-Wan said with great apology. " The whole thing has upset her, and me, very much. She needs rest, and I didnt want her to get all worked up again."

" I understand."

Obi-Wan nodded." Thank you, Old Mother." He paused then he spoke up again. ' Lienni is a Jedi's wife. She's carrying his twins; a boy and a girl, and they are strong in the Force."

"What happened to the father? Why is he not here protecting his family, especially with what's happening now?" I asked incredulously.

Obi-Wan looked down at his boots, his face creased with pain..

" He is one of those responsible for what has been happening. He has become a Dark Jedi, and we are running from him. He doesn't know Lienni is pregnant, and we want it to stay that way." Thunder grumbled, as if for emphasis.I felt as if my heart had exploded. One of the galaxy's heroes, turned against his own-even his loved ones!

" But what will you do once they are born?" I asked. " It will be difficult to keep running with two infants; and you know you won't be able to hide them forever if they are strong in the Force."

" I know. He'll find out about the children eventually; but we have devised a plan to keep them safe for now. I plan to take the first born with me, to a childless couple on a remote planet. I shall look in on this child from time to time, but this family will do the rearing. When Lienni's ready to travel again, she will take the second born to another planet where there is another couple ready to take him,or her in."

" But how will she get there if you have taken the ship you came here in?" I asked.

Obi-Wan bit down on his lip. "That's something you have to help her with. Please. Help her get to the nearest spaceport. I know it's a lot toa ask; getting involved will put you in the greatest danger." I shook my head and said. " Say no more. If it is for the good of the galaxy, then I gladly lay my life on the line. Those children and their mother must be protected at all costs."

"Thank you, Magdala." He smiled with relief and embraced me. " I am forever in your debt."

Just then Lienni cried out from her bedroom, drowning out the thunder. X93 rushed into the main room.

" I think she is ready, Mistress Magdala. Her contractions are about five minutes apart."

"Prepare for the birthing then." I ordered X93. As he tended to the chores, Obi-Wan and I went into the bedroom. Lienni lay there, gasping. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.

"They're coming." She said. " Unh...another contraction." She looked up at Obi-Wan."Hold my hand,please?"

" Of course, dear." His hand gripped hers tightly. "I'll be here with you all of the way."

The storm outside grew stronger and stronger. The wind whistled through the trees. Lightning flashed like exploding supernovas.

"All right, Lienni; listen to me carefully. You must push only when I tell you to." I explained. " Do you understand?"

She nodded. X93 had finished his duties and waited beside me; then I took my place at the foot of the bed.

"Now push, my child."

As she pushed, a torrential rain fell outside; clattering onthe roof and splattering on the plexi-glass windows. The wind howled like a horde of space banshees. Lightning illuminated the ominous darkness, followed by thunder that sounded like the war hammers of the Gods themselves.

The mother-to-be grunted behind clenched teeth as she struggled. Occasionally she cried out in pain, only to have Obi-Wan reassure her that all was well. It went on for hours, as did the storm outside. Finally,, I could see the head of the first child.

"Just a bit more...there!" I said as I tried to work the baby free. Finally, he was out; screaming as loud as his little lungs could allow. Then there was an explosive thundercrash.

"Here is the boy!" I cried, holding him up for his mother, and Obi-Wan, to see. They gaped with joy and amazement. I severed the umbilical cord and handed the boy over to X93.

"Just one more to go." I said to Lienni. " Now push!"

The storm continued to rage as Lienni struggled to birth the other twin.

"You're almost there, child! I can see her head...wait." I reached in to pull the baby out.

With a second thundercrash, the girl was free; screaming even louder than her brother. I held her up and cried, "Behold the girl-child." Then I said ,with a smile, "May the both of them be blessed."

The mother wept with joy. Even Obi-Wan brushed tears out of his eyes.

Once Lienni and the babies had been cleaned and cared for, I brought the infants back to their mother's arms. She gazed at them lovingly; but there was deep sadness too, as she knew what must happen.

"What are you going to name them?" Obi-Wan asked after awhile.

"Hmmm...the boy, I think I shall name him Lucien. No, that's not the right name. Hmmm, I think Luke suits you much more. Yes, that shall be your name. Baby Luke." Lienni smiled down at the baby.

"That's a very nice name." Obi-Wan said with a smile. " What about the girl?"

Lienni gazed at her infant daughter.

"She's a fiesty little one. I think I shall name her Leia, after the Ottegan warrior goddess." She grinned mischievously. " I always liked that name,anyway."

"A beautiful name it is." I said. Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. Then I said. "You need to rest now, Lienni. X93 will keep watch over the little ones."

"Thank you." She replied with a weak smile. I took the squealing babies from her and put them in post-natal thermaunits. For a long time I just looked at them. So young, so helpless; and yet they bore the weight of the galaxy upon their little shoulders. So much depended on them; to me it seemed unfair.

I gazed into Luke's large, blue eyes; already sparkling with starlight. This child was destined to travel the galaxy, I thought. I just knew that he also faced a future filled with hardship,pain and loss. But this little boy would triumph, I thought, for he was his mother's son; and he must have his mother's strength. I stroked the little wisps of whitish hair on his head. He was going to be quite handsome too.

Then I turned to look at Leia, who already had a mass of dark hair on her head. Her eyes were so full of wonder and curiousity. Very intelligent she was. Judging by the way she was kicking and squirming, she was full of fight and spirit. I knew that she, too. would face a difficult future; but I also knew in my heart tha she could surmount any obstacle in her way.

"Take good care of them." I ordered X93. " I'm going to rest now."

"Yes, Mistress Magdala."

Obi-Wan had already dozed off on the florr next to Lienni's bed. I covered him with a blanket and went over to a makeshift pallet in the main room to sleep. All was quiet at that time. The storm was over.

I rose early in the morning, but Obi-Wan was already up, preparing to leave.

" I must go with the boy as soon as possible," He said. "We will all be in danger if I stay too long."

We went silently into the bedroom. Lienni was already awake and out of bed, standing by the thermunits.

" It's almost time, isn't it?" She asked quietly.

"Yes." Obi-Wan replied.

She sighed the deepest, saddest sigh I had ever heard in my life.

"Let me nurse the boy." She begged us. I did not even dream of refusing her this one chance to bond with her son. I helped her and Luke back to the bed. Briefly, I showed her how to hold the baby; then she bared her breast and began to nurse her son. She smiled as the infant suckled her eagerly.

 As Lienni nursed I packed synthemilk, diapers, blankets and medicines. Then I went out with X93 to take them to the ship. When we returned, Lienni had finished with Luke. She cuddled him to her and said.'"Now, I want you to be good for your mama. Be a good boy to your guardians. Learn from them and from your experiences and you'll be a strong man someday, like...your father...was."

Her voice broke with sobs.

"Goodbye, my darling. I'll always love you and be with you in spirit." Lienni's face was wet with tears as she kissed the baby over and over. "My beautiful baby son." She whispered.

Obi-Wan sat beside the young woman and whispered something in her ear. He kissed Lienni's cheedd, then she reluctantly handed the child over to him. He carried Luke over to the girl's thermunit.

"Say goodbye to your sister." He said. At that moment, both unfants started screaming; as if they knew their little family was being separated. With a final glance at Lienni, and a quiet 'farewell',Obi-Wan and Luke went out to the ship. I followed them.

" Everything you will need is aboard the ship." I said. " I also left instructions in case you.."

" Not to worry." Obi-Wan said with a slight grin. " I helped take care of my brother when he was an infant. I think I can handle it."

" Good." I said. "Farewell to you both, and be careful."

" The Force will protect us." Obi-Wan replied. " Be sure that the other two secure safe passage off planet. That is all I ask."

" I shall see to them." I squeezed his free hand; knowing somehow it would be the last time I would ever see him. With a wave, he boarded the ship; the baby Luke still screaming in his arms. Soon they were off, heading to destinations unknown.

I went back inside the cottage to check on Lienni, who was now nursing her daughter. She had stopped crying but her soft, brown eyes were red and swollen. Her beautiful face was tear-stained.

" Hello." Lienni said to me as she smiled wanly. " Isn't she the loveliest baby you've ever seen?"

We were alone with X93 for more than a week, making plans to get Lienni and Leia from my cottage to the spaceport in a town named Iskro- about twenty five kilometers away. Late on the eighth night, Lienni shook me awake. She was dressed in her travel cloak and her baby was bundled in her arms. A pack was strapped to her back and a blaster was holstered to her hip.

" We're leaving now." She whispered. " I cannot delay this ny longer. Each day that we spend here puts us all in greater danger. We will make our way to Iskro, and off-planet, ourselves."

" No. " I said, shaking my head with disbelief. " You cannot! Obi-Wan charged me with your safety! I promised him I would see you both to Iskro."

Lienni pressed her finger to my lips. The steely look in her eyes told me that she was going to do whatever she wanted to do, promise or no promise.

" I will not have others die needlessly. Leia and I have enough supplies for now. We have food, credits, medicine and diapers packed. If I leave now, I shall be in Iskro before dawn."

" What will you do when you get there?" I asked quietly.

" I sort of have a plan, but..." Lienni shrugged.

Just then we heard the whine of repulsorlifts coming in from the distance.

" Quick!" I yelped. "You'd better get out of here now!"

" Thank you, Magdala." Lienni said as she kissed me on the cheek. " For everything you've done for us. I shall never forget you."

She ran to the door. After it snap-hissed open she looked around outside, her small blaster in her hand. Once she saw that the area was clear, she glanced at me then rushed off into the nearby woods.

" The Force help them both." I prayed before securing the door shut. I waited nervously as the craft outside came closer; it's repulsorlifts rising higher in pitch. Then I saw it's lights piercing the darkness of my room. I went to the window and saw that it was an Imperial Alpha-class shuttle, landing in the same spot Obi-Wan had landed days before.

X93 came up behind me.

" I see a trooper coming out of the ship. You don't think they know, do you?" He asked.

" I hope not. "

The trooper knocked loudly on the door.

" It's him, be calm, I shall handle this." I went over to the door and opened it.

" Greetings, sir. What brings you here at this hour?"

" Madam, we come from Governor Hildago's private ship, the Zephyr. I would not disturb you if it were not an emergency." There was just a hint of panic in his electronically amplified voice. " The Governor's daughter is in labor, and the locals tell us you are a midwife."

"Where is she?" I asked.

" On board the shuttle."

" Bring her in. " I said, mentally sighing with relief. " We shall take care of her here."

I have often wondered what has befallen those twins and their mother. It's been seventeen years now; and the galaxy is steeped in greater despair. As I finish recording this tale, I think about the old ways and how they have been destroyed under the evil might of the Empire. I pray each day that those children will live. I know they are truly the hope of the galaxy; the ones who can save us all.