Paper Flowers.

In which Mara heads back to Yavin IV and the celebration begins.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: First off, happy Christmas Eve to everyone! This was actually one of my favorite chapters to write, and while I say that about a lot of the chapters (I think in the end, all the chapters were my favorites. I don't think I could pick one. I definitely had my difficulties writing some of them, but in the end, I love them all), this especially is awesome, even though tying up the ending was a little bit tough (there's going to be an epilogue to come, BTW; it's not quite over yet). I think it was definitely the interactions between Mara and her friends, Threepio's words about Artoo (I definitely wanted to give that sort of Aw Look They Really Do Love Each Other sort of feeling to their relationship), and Padme's talk with Mara about killing (I thought I'd address the psychological effect of Mara doing something like that for the first time) that I really loved writing.

I definitely hope you enjoy!


( "You don't get this far without somehow being tough." )

In which the battle of Yavin IV begins.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This isn't really one of my favorite chapters, to be honest. I admit there are instances where, well, Tarkin doesn't feel right, the battle's a little rushed, etc. On the other hand, I really think I nailed Terminus' internal monologue, as well as Mara's, and Ben's. And Ventress'. Also liked Mara and Terminus' interaction.

( "The dejarik board was already set, so to speak." )

In which people's futures take another unexpected turn.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This was another favorite chapter of mine to write, especially the bit with Padme, Terminus and Vader in the Millennium Falcon. I just thought it was a lovely scene.

( "Hope, Padme thought, kept you going when nothing else really could." )

In which the rescue attempt begins, and things don't go as expected.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This is another one of my favorite chapters, if only because of the Padme and Vader conversation, the interaction between Mara and the others, and the whole twist with Terminus pursuing them personally. Also, the garbage chute sequence and the chapter ending. I think this might be one of my best chapters, actually.

( "The problem, Mara thought, with planning a successful escape was the matter of getting out." )

In which Mara's Jedi training begins, and Alderaan is destroyed.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: So, yesterday was definitely a good day. Went to the local Christmas party, which was definitely a lot of fun, really -- I think it was just getting to chat with people again and stuff like that, plus watch some of the old Rankin-Bass Christmas specials (which are awesome) when I got home that was definitely two of the highlights to an awesome day. Only bad thing is that I'm rather tired.

As for this chapter...well, the Tarkin bit isn't exactly my favorite; I kind of worry that I got him wrong. I think it was with the Mara bit and the Bail Organa bit where I went right. And this was honestly kind of unsettling to write in general. It's definitely one thing to see the destruction of a planet onscreen (which is already horrible), but getting inside the heads of the one who did it as well as two of the people who died...yeah.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

( Warning for some possibly upsetting content later. )

In which Mara and Vader head to the spaceport and have a strange variation on bonding time. Plus, Han makes his first appearance, and the Fellowship of the Death Star plans is formed.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This was one of my favorite bits to write. Just because of the character interactions between Mara and Vader (the others too, but Mara and Vader especially). I found that really intriguing. Also, yes, Vader's alias -- the first name of it, at least -- is taken from his childhood friend, Kitster Banai. I thought it would be a nice touch.

( "You didn't have to step in and save our lives." )

In which the meeting between Terminus, Ventress, Vader and the Moffs goes wrong, and Vader and Terminus have a little talk.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: So, this was another chapter that I sort of wrote when I was feeling more than a bit angry/sad. I think this NaNo in general was sort of good for venting my feelings of anger and sadness -- didn't help that this year was just rough, really. Some bright points in it, but yeah...it was more of a rollercoaster ride than I really wanted it to be.

Also, sort of drew on Terminus' dislike of politics for this here -- I think even when Obi-Wan's the servant of the Emperor, he would still absolutely loathe politics. At least, he wouldn't be terribly fond of them. And Vader -- I think here, Vader's definitely more of his Morality Pet than anything else; the one thing keeping him sane. Which isn't exactly something that a Sith should have, but Vader, Terminus and Ventress...well, they're not typical Sith, really.

And I admit there were actually some parts of the chapter that really did hurt to write -- outlining the full extent of Terminus' injuries, for example. I don't know; I guess there's something about that that's just pure Nightmare Fuel. And it's one of many reasons I wasn't comfortable with the Mustafar scene in canon when I first read it; the very idea of what happens to Vader is just pure Nightmare Fuel. Yes, Vader definitely committed horrible crimes, but he didn't deserve that. So yeah, recreating that for Terminus was enough to scare the living shit out of me in some parts. But I really liked fleshing out the matter of the Empire and how it worked, including Motti and Tagge sort of distrusting Terminus to say the least -- sort of based off a scene in the radio drama where Motti tries to get Tagge to overthrow the Emperor, but only sort of.

Anyway, hope you enjoy. (Also, I'm sorry if I got Tarkin, Motti and Tagge wrong)


( "If there was something that didn't seem to change in the slightest, Darth Terminus thought if only darkly, it was the politics." )

In which Mara and co. finally meet Padme/Lady Nemo.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: First off, we're finally getting the plot into gear! I loved the character moments, but it's nice to sort of get things moving too, really. Second, I really liked writing this chapter, if only because of the character moments (of course. Character moments are awesome. :) and the bit near the end when Padme/Lady Nemo reflects on fate and how they don't need to accept their fate. Sort of a call back in a way to Traya's speech in KOTOR II about one of many reasons she wants to destroy the Force (also known as one of the best parts in the game. And dear God, I just realized that I miss playing the KOTOR games a hell of a lot...) which, really, considering certain events in the EU and the original Star Wars films, I can't really disagree with. So I decided to add in that bit with Padme as a bit of catharsis.

Also, in case you're wondering why her name's Lady Nemo -- well, Nemo is Latin for "no one". Considering that Padme's sort of the last of the Jedi and trying to hide from the Empire...well, I thought that name seemed appropriate.


( "Sand People?" )

In which Ben and Leia recover, and a beautiful friendship is born.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This is another favorite of mine. Ben and Leia interacting with Luke and Mara was definitely fun to write. :)

( "You were in pretty bad shape back there -- I don't want to think of what would have happened if we lost you." )

In which Terminus and co. infiltrate the ruins of the Tantive IV.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Notes: This was another favorite of mine to write, especially the Terminus and Vader conversation. I guess it helps that I was in a rather downer mood when I was writing the story so maybe I was projecting a little bit, but it's a pretty good character moment, I think. Character moments are always good, really. Plot's all well and good, as is setting and theme and such, but character, emotion and dialogue -- they're definitely some of my favorites to write.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

( The Tantive IV was almost completely ruined. )