A'Sharad Hett

"A Tusken? In my skin I am not. In my heart I am."

- A'Sharad Hett

A'Sharad Hett was a Jedi Knight, son of Jedi Knight Sharad Hett and the Padawan of Jedi Masters Ki-Adi-Mundi and An'ya Kuro. He was one of the few survivors of the Great Jedi Purge.

Early life (47 BBY–22 BBY)
Born on Tatooine to an exiled Jedi Knight and a human woman raised by the Sandpeople, A'Sharad was raised from birth in the ways of the Jedi. His formal training began shortly after the death of his father in the Hutt provoked Tusken war when A'Sharad was fifteen. His father's parting gift to Hett was his Jedi lightsaber, which Hett would continue to use even after constructing his own. He was initially trained by Ki-Adi-Mundi, and under the Cerean Jedi he undertook missions on Malastare and an uncharted world claimed by Senator Tikkes and his Quarren underlings.

It was here that A'Sharad nearly fell to the dark side when, in battle with Aurra Sing, his father's murderer, he let his anger and rage overwhelm him. Chastened, he begged Ki-Adi-Mundi to release him from his tutelage and to allow him to go into exile, like his father before him. Instead, the Dark Woman offered to take up A'Sharad's training and, with Ki-Adi-Mundi's blessing, she became the boy's new master. In the next decade, A'Sharad completed his training, and ascended to the rank of Jedi Knight. He also took a Padawan of his own: Bhat Jul.

Clone Wars (22 BBY–19 BBY)
In the Clone Wars he fought as a General for the Galactic Republic, flying his Jedi starfighter in air support during the Battle of Geonosis and leading clone troopers on worlds such as Metalorn and Aargonar. After Obi-Wan Kenobi's presumed death at Jabiim, Hett befriended Anakin Skywalker, and together with Bhat Jul, the three led the Republic defense of Aargonar. Marooned behind enemy lines after their gunship was shot down, A'Sharad and Anakin were alone after Bhat died of crash injuries.

Unaware of Anakin's feelings towards Tuskens, A'Sharad pointed out to Anakin that the two of them shared many qualities. He even remarked that Anakin would have "made a good Tusken". A'Sharad intended the comment as a compliment, but Anakin took it as an insult to the death of his mother.

The differences in rank prevented Anakin from expressing his prejudice and anger towards Hett, and instead he projected his hatred on a group of enemy soldiers. Imagining them to be the Sandpeople who had kidnapped and tortured his mother, Anakin slaughtered them without pity. Anakin even tried to attack A'Sharad, but the elder Jedi fought him off, and disarmed him. Shamed, Anakin confessed his deeds on Tatooine. In an effort to try and cure the boy of his anger, and, knowing it the only way that they would be able to work together, A'Sharad removed his Tusken clothing and revealed himself to be human. He kept Anakin's secret, vowing not to tell another soul, hoping that Anakin would resolve the issue himself. Hett also decided to discard his Tusken facial coverings to be simply a Jedi, rather than human or Tusken.

Hett later served as part of the Jedi force dispatched to Saleucami with Quinlan Vos and Oppo Rancisis. After the Battle of Saleucami, he participated in the mission to Boz Pity, where Adi Gallia was killed.

Post-Clone Wars (19 BBY–)
A'Sharad Hett was one of the few survivors of the Great Jedi Purge. He returned to his homeworld, and once again disguised himself as a Tusken Raider, preparing for his own private rebellion against the Galactic Empire.

Behind the scenes

 * The character of A'Sharad Hett was developed by author Timothy Truman and debuted in the Outlander Dark Horse comic arc.
 * A'Sharad's face was not seen until Star Wars Republic 59: Enemy Lines, almost five years after the character's debut.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Republic: Outlander
 * Star Wars Republic: Emissaries to Malastare
 * Star Wars Republic: The Hunt for Aurra Sing
 * Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter
 * Star Wars Republic: The Battle of Jabiim
 * Star Wars Republic 59: Enemy Lines
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Star Wars Republic: The Siege of Saleucami