Wow, it was an interesting, great story! Congratulations! I'm a little dissapointed, that finally Han died...

This is such a satisfying story because, though the conclusion hurts, it also gets something so profoundly *right* with the whole emotional landscape/continuity of Yoda's non-forgiveness, Vader's non/pseudo-redemption, and the message Luke takes from it all- "you can't change the past. All you can do is make the future better."

Which makes the thing you got so very, notably right, I suppose, a Vader thing. Because, fond as I am of the character, I've found that in fanfic and in my own head, it is hard to reconcile how weirdly sympathetic he is with the enormity of his crimes. When you try to understand Vader's motivations in the later half of the OT, everything is uncertain, in flux, and his only *clear* motivation is love- which is not to say that he is not cruel and callous, or that he knows/acknowledges the value of a life, or that he does not love power... just. It's never clear why or to what extent he lets the rest of these things drive his actions.

You've given us this unflinching glimpse into the paradox of Vader's past and not-wholly-altruistic-intentions, and his love and hope- and you've given this story a kind of steely integrity that fully owns the (mostly horrendous) actions of certain characters without in any way eclipsing- not their redemptive qualities, I suppose, so much as just the good in them (not even necessarily struggling to surface, but just. Existing. Right alongside the bad)... that desperate hope that the future will be better than the past, and let the best things rise to the surface from thereon out.

Just my rambly way of saying- that I really appreciated what this story had to say about SW canon- not to mention about the ethics of redemption, forgiveness, and moving on, in general.

Ohmigosh! That was so sad and sweet! I can't believe you killed off Han! :(

Excellent read. Thanks for your hard work!

This is a second recent fanfiction story where Han Solo has been killed off...is this the beginning of a trend? Being a major Han fan, I thought I would be disappointed. But the way it was done was masterful. The fact that it was understated made it more powerful.

Another aspect I really enjoyed about this piece was the lack of any type of real conclusion. In reality, sentient existence just keeps moving on - regardless of victories or defeats. Having Luke end up repairing obsolete equipment on an isolated world is very reminiscent of Obi-Wan Kenobi. And Leia getting married...life must keep moving on. I foresee Chewie's interaction with both Luke and Leia inexhorably receding.

The way you weaved complex human emotions and interactions into a story should be really commended. I really like your writing style and look forward to future stories. You should be extremely proud of this piece of work.

This is a really good job. Despite everything that happened to the characters, you still believed it was them and could understand their motivations. You got the dark tone right without being too melodramtic. I liked the ending and the fact that Luke and Leia found happiness after everything they went through.

Good job.

Wow!

My reaction to the completed story is that it was ultimate exercise in, "what if everything that could have gone wrong DID go wrong?" following ESB, in which everyone gave in to their despair and hopelessness. I think only Luke's characterization suffered a bit in this respect. To me, whatever happens, he's the embodiment of hope and light. Here, he fulfills his destiny by confronting Vader and Palpatine, but then apparently considers his usefulness at an end. IMHO, the essence of Luke's character is that he yearns for adventure and wants to be involved in something bigger than himself; and he would simply miss Leia, I would think. Sounds like she didn't get out to see him very often. :) So again very well written but perhaps not my favorite aspect of the story.

It's easier to go in a darker direction with Han, and you hit it OUT OF THE PARK here. His utterly inhuman treatment in the beginning was along the lines of the way I always felt it SHOULD have been in ROTJ. A much less gritty version of events would have been required considering the movie's audience and overall tone, to be sure, but here you've masterfully pulled out all the stops and effectively shown WHY Jabba is so feared. Imagining ROTJ before it was released, I envisioned Han as a pre-thawed, ill-treated prisoner; maybe he wouldn't even recognize Leia and his friends at first, and maybe they wouldn't recognize him, but eventually they'd find each other and go kill bad guys. George Lucas' revised rough draft of ROTJ from 1981 comes a a tiny bit closer to this as Han is already thawed and (!) has a beard! (Maybe they fed him, and didn't hurt him too bad, but that heartless Jabba just wouldn't give him an electric shaver.) :) But I digress. My point is that in a much darker SW reality this is how it might have been for our favorite scoundrel.

His initial rejection of Leia was just fascinating in that very dark-AU sort of way. His sensory and psychological issues certainly made it plausible and though in the end he finally showed some affection, I would have loved for their slowly-healing relationship to have been more the focus of the story.

You couldn't have done a better job describing your settings and locations. Very vivid imagery, making it easy to get my bearings as a reader. Great job.

This has been a very unique and imaginative AU. I'll look forward to whatever you might do next! Thanks so much for sharing!

This story has left me contemplative and slightly depressed. That's a compliment to you, the author, stirring feelings and making someone think are good things. I have very mixed feelings on Han's death. Of course, I didn't want it to happen and even knowing that it was coming didn't prepare me for it. I was holding out hope that somehow he had survived. :-(

Overall, however, the theme of your story stayed true and our characters dealt with the consequences of the losses on Bespin in a totally different way, making this epic a story of its own and not just a regurgitation of the movies.

I'm glad that Leia found happiness, it seems. I do believe that she would if something were to happen to Han. After all, he would want it that way. It doesn't feel like the story is finished for Luke, though. Somehow, I think there's more to happen or become of him.

Great work. Keep the stories coming. I will be waiting.

Very very GOOD

GAAAH

Very GOOD

:O No! Please tell me Han will be ok! I agree with ShouldIGetOutandPush. He must have one more card!

Great update! Looking forward to more! :)

I don't know if I can ever forgive you for this (if this really happens). I don't know what I am more upset over. The possibility that Han won't make it or that I still really love this story anyway.

Han and Leia's brief reconciliation brought tears to my eyes. And the swapping of the 'I love you'/'I know' line seemed to work just right in this instance.

Poor Han. He must have one more Sabacc card to play?

Very GOOD

The most articulate response I'm capable of after this chapter: GAH!

Wow. This continues to be superbly written and really, really original. And so intense!

Still getting used to the idea of Han with a lightsaber, but how cool was that when he started wildly swinging it around? Because that's what he would do if someone threatened Leia, and that happened to be the weapon he was holding. Loved it.

Also loved Vader and Emperor P's psychological games, making Han question Luke's loyalties/motives. Great stuff.

And Luke's Force talents in relation to all things mechanical are great elements of this story and are very, very well-integrated/executed.

Can't wait for what's next!