Catalyst! Universe

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The original Catalyst! stories were written long before SW Episodes 1-3 were done.

The focus of the series is Luke, his mother, Wedge, Leia, Han, and many original characters.

Some of the stories were written by Jeanine Hennig, some by Violet Nordstrom, and some by the two together. See more about this collaboration, and then divergence.

Other Prominent Early Star Wars Fan-Created Universes

The Proposed Zine: "Remigrations"

Some of the early stories in this universe were written with Violet Nordstrom. Stories that don't have her name on them were also in collaboration with Jeanine Hennig.

In 1987, Nordstrom included a flyer in Shadowstar #24 about a proposed zine that would continue this series as it diverged from "Catalyst! Series."

From that flyer:

In March of 1981, I agreed to marge my "Safehouse" tale with Jeanine Hennig's "Catalyst" adventure. Over the ensuing months, we built a framework of history, personal characteristics, and further circumstances interweaving my major characters. Dr. Tiare Falrynne and Jared Organa with her Jessani Kenobi. We spent much time on this project; I still retain the 20 some-odd 60- and 90-minute tapes from that period. Our joint endeavors inducted the following:

the flyer in Shadowstar #24

"Safehouse" (FAR REALMS 2) was written by both of us.

"Catalyst—parts 2 & 3 (FAR REALMS 2 & 3) adjusted by Jeanine to accommodate new informational input and characters that grew out of our collaboration.

"Lady in the Woods" (FAR REALMS 3) was written by me and edited by Jeanine, and utilized taped dialogue and plot lines developed by both of us, and therefore we are both credited.

"Legacy" (A TREMOR IN THE FORCE 1) has only Jeanine's name, but she incorporated some situations, characters, and elements established by the two of us. The same holds true for subsequent stories in later issues of FAR REALMS and others.

When it became evident that further compromise on vital basic structure was impossible, Jeanine and I agreed to part company in August of 1982, and that each of us would complete the epic as she wished. In order to allow Jeanine first turn at publication and to give myself time to work around family responsibilities, I made the decision to present my version later and all at once. Illness and assorted aggravations have added to the delay, but I can now announce the forth- caning publication of my stories.

REMIGRATIONS begins with history concurrent with "Star Wars: A New Hope," then picks up after "Lady in the Woods." It chronicles the sorrows, hopes, fears, and growth of Luke, Jessami, Rebekah, Tiare, Wedge, Han, Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, and the rest. The puzzle-pieces are interlocked, the Jedi reborn, and the Alliance is reordered.

REMIGRATIONS contains nine major chapters:

1. A Matter of Priorities
2. Means to an End
3. Reckoning
4. Demise
5. Death Knell for a Jedi
6. Relocation
7. Spies
8. Resolutions
9. New Beginnings

Catalyst! Story Summaries from the Author

From the art portfolio in Far Realms #7:

The 'Catalyst!' series has often been referred to as the 'soap opera' of SWars fanfic. (I don't know whether to be ecstatic or upset. I think I'll settle for a pleased grin. But I still prefer the term 'miniseries'1) At any rate, it does seem to go on and on. The whole bloody thing started one day when I was on horseback and decided to put my horse into a SW story. So, in a way, you could say that the shaundar Sky started it all! Blame it on him...

'Catalyst!', true to its name, is a story of reactions and paradoxes—love within hate, truth within falsehood, dark within light—and the lessons faced when learning the real concepts and purpose of being. Dealing mainly with the Jedi, the series encompasses A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, taking off in an alternate from there and not coinciding with the events in Return of the Jedi. The Jedi have been destroyed, yet a few of the Jedi children have been cherished and protected to carry on the legacy and found a new Order, with a master to teach them whom everyone, including Vader, thinks dead. And not all the Children are aware of their heritage...

From "Catalyst! Collected":

A riveting alternate Star Wars universe of Truth within Falsehood, Love within Hate, Light within Dark, and friendship that transgresses yet is divided by war. Containing the first stories in the series (many which are now long out of print), all extensively rewritten and reilloed, along with totally new material.

The year is 3000. The Jedi have fallen. Rebekah Nightrider-Skywalker is pregnant with the child of a rape - a child whose father destroyed her whole race... A child who can bring the galaxy to the greatest of glories, or the greatest of despair.

Somewhat Inspired by "The Blue Lagoon" and Real Life

art by Hennig, from Far Realms #3

Hennig wrote in Far Realms #3 (1982):

Yes, I actually *gasp!* loved 'The Blue Lagoon'! I went to see it after I'd finished an umpteenth rewrite on 'Catalyst!, cried then giggled over some of the similarities ... then went to see it five more times!! It's a very special movie to me - I dunno, you'd think I've got a thing for the premise of two kids being stranded on a desert island or something...

Hennig wrote in Far Realms #4/5 (1983):

...in my series, Tamlin Skywalker is my husband's Mari Su - and Sky is my horse's Whinni Su.

Other Prominent Early Star Wars Fan-Created Universes

The Fanworks

The fanworks are by Hennig unless noted.

  • Like Father, Like Son (filk to the tune of "Like Father, Like Son" by Rick Springfield (Echo Seven)
  • filks (StarQuest)
  • Introspection: Emergence (by Violet Nordstrom (Far Realms #2)
  • Interlude: Dreams & Settlements (Far Realms #2)
  • Interlude: Fear (Far Realms #3)
  • Catalyst part one (Far Realms #1)
  • Safe House (Far Realms #2)
  • Catalyst part two (Far Realms #2)
  • Catalyst part three (Far Realms #2)
  • Introspection: Emergence" (by Violet Nordstrom) (Far Realms #2)
  • Interlude: Dreams & Settlements" (Far Realms #2)
  • Interlude: Fear" (Far Realms #3)
  • Lady of the Woods (Far Realms #3)
  • Catalyst 3 (Far Realms #3)
  • Seeds of Destruction, part one (Far Realms #4/5)
  • Seeds of Destruction: Jihad (Far Realms #6)
  • Luke’s Song for Jessami by Carolyn Kinkead, filk to the tune of “Eternal Loser” by Leslie Fish (Far Realms #7)
  • Dark Musings, filk by Carolyn Kinkead and Sue Smalley, to the tune of “Iron Mistress” by Leslie Fish (Far Realms #7)
  • The Ballad of Rebekah Nightrider, filk by Carolyn Kinkead, to the to of Mary Hamilton (Far Realms #7)
  • Seeds of Destruction: Renaissance (Far Realms #7)
  • My Inheritance on Set, or How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Far Realms #8)

Contents of Catalyst! Collected

  • Legacy (also in A Tremor in the Force #1) (3)
  • Tamlin (also in Echo Seven) (102)
  • Tiny Dancer (also in unknown zine) (103)
  • Alpha (originally titled "Safe-House" and "Lady in the Woods", 1st drafts co-authored with Violet Nordstrom, first appeared in Far Realms #2 and #3) (104)
  • Beginnings (also Southern Knights #1) (135)
  • Mourning (also in Dagobah #1) (136)
  • A Lesson in Love (also in A Tremor in the Force #1) (140)
  • Apology (also in Kessel Run #3) (142)
  • Coercions (also Crossed Sabers) (146)
  • The Desert (also in unknown zine) (154)
  • Nexus (also in Catalyst!) (155)
  • Catalyst! Timeframe (239)
  • For Jessami (also in unknown zine?) (242)

Fan Comments

Jeanine Hennig in her "Catalyst" series (Far Realms) also handles joint themes of growth and commitment. Luke runs from his responsibilities only to find his true Jedi mate and bring Vader down upon them. He learns at great cost his potential for Darkness while Han admits his love for Leia and his commitment to her and to the Alliance. Leia's attempt to use Luke as solace in Han's absence precipitates his flight, and her later jealousy over Luke's bond partner forces her to examine her true feelings. With Han's rescue Leia makes her commitment public Jeanine Hennig in her "Catalyst" series (Far Realms) also handles these joint themes of growth and commitment. Luke runs from his responsibilities only to find his true Jedi mate and bring Vader down upon them. He learns at great cost his potential for Darkness while Han admits his love for Leia and his commitment to her and to the Alliance. Leia's attempt to use Luke as solace in Han's absence precipitates his flight, and her later jealousy over Luke's bond partner forces her to examine her true feelings. With Han's rescue Leia makes her commitment. [1]

References

  1. ^ from From Star Wars to Jedi: The Fanzine Way (1985)
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