Aayla Secura

Aayla Secura is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. Her name is pronounced as one word, Aayl'asecura in her native tongue. She was a Jedi Knight who appeared in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. She was an empathic and highly intelligent Jedi Knight with impressive fighting skills.

Aayla is a female Twi'lek who was always strong with the Force. When she was training as a Padawan, her master was Quinlan Vos, a Kiffar who had recently lost his memories but maintained his Jedi ways.

The character was originally created for the Expanded Universe by artist Jan Duursema and writer John Ostrander, but after a piece of striking artwork caught George Lucas's eye, the character was placed in the film.

Aayla Secura is a master of Ataru (Form IV Lightsaber Combat) according to her co-creater Jan Duursema (in this message board post)

When the Clone Wars began, Aayla became a general in charge of a garrison of clone troopers. She was hospitalized after the attack by General Grievous during the Battle of Hypori, but eventually returned to the battlefield.

The theatrical release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and the comic book adaptation show Aayla Secura shot in the back and apparently killed by her clone troopers on Felucia after Order 66 is delivered. But whether this is truly the end of Aayla remains to be seen; there are rumors of a Star Wars television series in the works that takes place between Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Whether or not this is accurate still remains to be finalized.