An Interview with Jon Seloan
“Ladies and gentlemen, I've gotta tell you. The guest we've got lined up for you tonight is very special indeed. Does the name 'Seloan' ring a bell for you folks with an interest in Jedi? Because tonight, author Jonathan Seloan, the man behind widely acclaimed novels such as the Jedi's Force and Force Users and their Differences, will be sharing his views on everything from the Sayve trial to Volsung with us exclusively on the Shear show! Jon, welcome to the show!”
“Thanks, Kellas. It's great to be here.”
“Pleasure is all mine. So, Jon. Let's get down to business: rumour has you're working on a new novel.”
“Well, it's pretty rare for me not to be writing something. So yes, I can confirm that. I've almost finished drafting, actually.”
“So, what's the book called? What's it about?”
“I haven't decided on a title yet, but it's about the Dominion conflict. I look into the reasons for the war: for example, Volsung's motivations and how he came to be so revered by his followers.”
“Anything you can share with us tonight?”
“Afraid not, Kellas. You're just going to have to buy it when it's released. Probably towards the end of this year, actually – galactic standard.”
“The end of this year? I'll be first in line.”
“I'll make note to be late for the signing then.”
“Harsh, Jon. Since you're being so tight-lipped about Volsung, let's move on. The Sayve trial. The first proper criminal trial of a Jedi Knight in the current government. What are your thoughts?”
“Well... personally, I think it's gone on far too long. With the evidence presented thus far, the trial should've concluded months ago. It's a stretch to think of him as innocent, and the only reason it's taken this long is because – at least, according to a few of my contacts involved in the trial – of the enormous security requirements. We've all seen civilians waving guns around, trying to break through the Watch surrounding Sayve as he's led out of his transport and into court – but what few seem to realise is that the extra security isn't just for the countless death threats made towards him.”
“What then, Jon?”
“Daer Sayve himself is a more dangerous individual than most seem to think. The man has two members of the High Guard assigned to him at all times outside of Coruscant Maximum Security – and if you've read Differences, you'll know that the High Guard are some of the most highly trained soldiers in the Commonwealth – and Force sensitive, as well.”
“It seems excessive.”
“It probably is. But in all likelihood, the Commonwealth wants to see this trial succeed as much as the public does – it sets a precedent. It shows the government can handle rogue Jedi as well as the Order itself can. And judging from the likely sentence that'll be handed down to the man, without any chance of relapse.”
“You mean the death penalty.”
“Yes.”
“Why do you think Daer Sayve turned to piracy, terrorism and murder in the first place, Jon? He was lauded as a hero during the Praetorium War and earned more medals than most of us could hope to even see in a single lifetime. The surviving men and women that served under him testify to his leadership qualities and tactical genius. Why did he snap?”
“The Praetorium War stands – even including the Clone Wars, Galactic Civil War, the Imperial Civil War and the Dominion conflict – as the bloodiest, most violent war of the era. It's the sort of thing that can shake a normal person to their core. Jedi – Force users in general, actually – aren't normal. While they often have incredible control over their own emotions and feelings, they're also able to sense those same things in the people around them. In a combat situation like the War, this can result in them being bombarded by the negative – fear, pain, disgust – especially at first.”
“So what you're saying is that Sayve suffers from post traumatic stress.”
“I haven't spoken with him or his doctors, but that would be my educated guess, yes. That said, I think it's safe to assume there was a catalyst of sorts – something that the War opened Sayve to – that caused him to turn to crime.”
“Do you think the Commonwealth's new restrictions on the rights of Force sensitives will help in this regard? Prevent people like Daer Sayve from becoming killers?”
“They might. The thing is, Kellas – Force users that break the law are a rarity. Just like law-abiding citizens outnumber criminals, so do – I'm hesitant to use the word, but I'll call them good – good Force users outnumber the bad. It's just that they're considerably more dangerous, and often with ambitions or charisma that allow them to wreak havoc.”
“We're running out of time, so one final question – and as, per usual, from the audience. Bethren Molas from Corellia asks, 'There are rumours that say you can use the Force, Jon. Is this true?'”
“If those rumours had any basis in fact, I think the Commonwealth would've arrested me by now for not having registered as Force sensitive.”
“Alright. Thanks for coming tonight, Jon.”
“My pleasure.”
“Your new book. When will it be in stores?”
“The end of the galactic standard year.”
“And there it is! After the break, we'll come back with our second guest of the evening: Jan Kevat, chief marketing officer for TechCore!”
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