Brightstar Universe

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Brightstar Universe was a Star Wars fan-created, alternate universe series by Christine Jeffords.

A few of the stories were co-authored.

from the "Brightstar" section of the art portfolio in Far Realms #7, artist is Dani Lane

The stories were written due to "the severe disappointment over the plot of the Return of the Jedi" ; the plot is disregarded in this series.

Its focus was an original character named Mari Sevenstars:

The main character is Mari Sevenstars, a recurring character in Jeffords' 'Brightstar" series. She is an "Azaeli" with—we are repeatedly told--a fierce and sometimes dangerous temperament. Han is her "swordbrother" and she sets about to organize a galaxy-wide search for Han, who is still in Jabba's clutches.

A Persona

Mari Sevenstars is a persona of Jeffords. In 1980, Jeffords elaborated on this, and also described a story in which her alter ego interacted with one of another fan:

Susan Matthews, whose "Kinmeet" you may remember from GF#2. Susan had expressed an interest in doing "something" for our GF timeline, and had asked if we had any ideas we didn't have the time or inclination to do our selves. I .... gave her two brief guidelines, one of which had to do with the character of Mari Sevenstars -- who happens to be my personal Star Wars/Galactic flight alter ego. Now it so happened that Susan herself has an alter ego, by name Captain Jennet ap Rhiannon, and she came up with a storyline in which the two of "us" could butt heads most spectacularly — with Han Solo, as you might aspect, eventually landing in the middle. The result was "The Devil and Deep Space"...

1991 listing of "Brightstar" stories

1995 listing of "Brightstar" stories, printed in Bright Center of the Universe #5

Set in Another Fan's Universe

"Brightstar" takes place in the same universe as as described by Helen Montgomery in her article, "A Visit to Corell, which was published in Galactic Flight #2 and reprinted in Outlands Chronicles #1 Jeffords writes about this cross-pollination, as well as others, in the editorial of for "Outlands Chronicles" #2:

It might be worthwhile at this point to say something about how Eva's capstone-story, "Year the Dragon," came to be. All the other contributions came the usual route, as submissions, but "YotP," as we call it, was written specifically for OC. Eva and I have been transatlantic correspondents for some years now, and back, in '79 I sent her a copy of a poem I'd just written. I was a little shy of submitting it anywhere — I never claimed to be a very good poet — but Eva was so entranced by it that I agreed to offer it to FACETS, which published it in their fourth issue ("The Smuggler and the Jedi"). About three-quarters of the way along the poem there was a sequence that mentioned "...Zera/who first taught me the wonders/of a girl's body and a boy's/joining, on the cliffs above/the Tea of Dragons..." Eva asked me if I'd ever expanded on that, and I said, "no, I hadn't, except for a passing mention in a story called "The Doppelganger." So she wanted to know if I would mind her trying it. "Go ahead," said I, and even supplied her with background on 'my' version of Corell and of Han's family. My good friend Helen Montgomery, whose "Visit to Corell" I had been using (with her permission) as my own planetary environment, graciously allowed Eva to do the same, and consented to have the article republished here as a sort of preface to the story, so that readers who hadn’t seen it before would know what sort of world they were about to enter. So "Dragon" is actually, like "Search," a 'Brightstar Universe' story — but it's also very uniquely Eva's.

About

From the Creator

From the preface of "Legacy" in 1984:

By the time "Legacy" sees print, most of its readers will have seen THE RETURN OE THE JEDI (as the author anticipates having done also). But, like various other fannish Universes (the Thousand Worlds of Maggie Nowakowska comes immediately to mind), the Brightstar Cycle, of which "Legacy" is a pivotal part, remains valid and "true" despite any revelations made in The Movie.

Like the preceding Brightstar chronicles, "Legacy" takes place in an alternate and independent SW Reality, preceded by the events of ANH and TESB as we saw them on the screen. The reasons for its "parallelism" should become quickly apparent to its readers, and will not be enumerated here. It is the take-off point for all future Brightstar chronicles, of which several are planned.

From Other Fans

A description from Far Realms #7:

The Brightstar Universe (based upon The History of the Rebellion: An Human Overview compiled by Artan Brightstars, Singer to Clan Phonthon-Azael, at the command of his path'andim, Mari Sevenstars) diverges from the George Lucas timeline immediately after TESB, and continues to a point about 45 years after Brightstar in Glory, its analog of ROTJ. It also includes a number of stories set before ANH and between ANH and TESB. A total of fifty-odd tales of varying lengths, plus a few poems, are included; of these about thirty have been published or accepted as of this writing. (October, 1984).

The major created characters of the Brightstar Universe— Mari Sevenstars, space pirate and Alliance privateer; Skye Amberson, fugitive Jedi; Jerim Lornay, Alderaani nobleman and undercover courier; and assorted Free Spacers, New Jedi, and Imperials—interact constantly with the Lucas group in a story-series in which the chief differences from the Gospel include: (1) that Luke and Leia are not related and never have been (2) that Han is not in love with Leia and does not marry her (3) that Darth Vader and Skywalker Sr. were two different people (4) that Han was never in service.

Plans are afoot to publish the entire Brightstar Cycle as a special multivolume item from the author's Phantom Press. Watch your local adzine for news.

Fan Comments: Specifically About Mari Sevenstars

1980

Chris, I'm looking forward to seeing your stories, considering Mari's your character. Seems like a real bitch — I like her!

1983

For the 1983 story, "Search" from Outlands Chronicles #1:

The problems come with the subplot, which resembles a soap opera. Here, Han's real lady is a Jedi named Skye, with whom he's fathered a child. He really doesn't love Leia, but was only trying to test her to see if she really has a heart and, if so, to "open her up" so she can give her love to Luke. Han doesn't appear well at all in this version of things. In this role, he's merely an officious, arrogant and presumptuous manipulator, playing with Leia's feelings, probably misunderstanding her totally, as well as Luke. Sevenstars, who feels loyalty and protectiveness to Han's "woman", takes it upon herself to whisk Skye away from the evil clutches of princess Leia, Skye's rival. Can anybody honestly imagine Leia Organa being so petty and vicious that she would hate a rival so much as to endanger her and her unborn child's life? As for the characterizations. Sevenstars, for all that we're told that she's something to fear, doesn't seem at all frightening, just a busybody. Skye is nothing but a pitiful little martyr who always has to be taken care of. I haven't formed an entirely negative opinion of Jeffords' series, because I have only read this one story.

1985

I have read a number of Chris's Brightstar stories and generally like Mari Sevenstars, although more so when she is interacting with the SW originals.

I'm fascinated with Sevenstars and I like Chris Jeffords' writing.

I truly like Mari Sevenstars. She has spunk. Her name and persona sound vaguely familiar.

Chris' version of the SW characters ring true on the level outside of their relationships with her own characters, another positive point. She does get a bit carried away with details and descriptions — half a page nearly describing every crease in Mari's trousers seems unnecessary verbiage — often slows the movement to a crawl. There's a limit to the amount of extraneous background needed for stories of the shorter, one-installment fanzine length. I've wearied a bit of Severnstars' constant perfection too — her lack of any flaw of even apparent personality traits aside from the stereotyped 'dedicated spacer captain' to me, render her progressively less interesting than the other more-foible characters. Every story (and that's quite a few) I've read or illoed about Sevenstars has her rescuing a patently incompetent Han or Luke as though she were perfect and Han/Luke/whomever never engineered a successful maneuver in their life. I guess what I mean to point out is that her storylines and SF format are always great and 'Warrior's Blood' is worth reading if one can get past the over-description and the predictability of the one main character.

Christine Jeffords' 'Fire in the Steel—TRUST" is the second part in a trilogy and revolves around her recurring character, the Azaeli pirate Mari Sevenstars and her attempts to rescue Han from yet another underworld character. The most interesting thing here is Mari's unusual, unspoken devotion to Han. That Sevenstars is a memorable character is without doubt. Unfortunately, I can't seem to take her seriously. She's more of a strutting martinet with a personal bodyguard who are fiercely loyal to her, yet it's really not clear why they should be. She is perhaps too much of a caricature than a real person for me to become interested in. We are constantly reminded of her fierceness and warrior skills, yet we're nsver shown this. The action of the story is constantly interrupted by unimportant details that break the flow of the story. And the piece just doesn't move, it seems that the only thing Mari thinks about is revenge or killing. Then, too, occasionally Jeffords' writing becomes a bit pretentious as in her use of the word "thither." There are long moments of reflection that also should be consigned to quieter moments, not in the middle of a coming rescue or battle. The plot is also very thin. Jeffords' writing is quite fine generally. She merely needs to make more of her character than an immature child playing with guns, acting tough, intimidating people.

'Fire in the Steel: Trust'—I was glad that Leia didn't figure in the story, because I was spared those arguments between her and Han, which are so unlike them in their tone. Mari's line of thought on who was to blame for Han's capture was not carried to its logical conclusion—if Han had not opened his mouth, it wouldn't have happened. This could have occurred anywhere—it was not Reon's fault. A person is responsible for his/her own actions. Mari needs to think more; tearing around the base could have caused a lot of trouble. It seems to me that the Alliance security would take precedence, anyway. I like the way Reon stands up to Mari.

Read every word of Chris Jefford's 'Fire in the Steel: Trust', being a fan of her series. Mari Sevenstars has always seemed a little too tough to be believable, but this story showed her caring side without undoing her independent will.

'Fire in the Steel: Trust'. Well, Chris Jeffords does it again! I love Mari Sevenstars! What a lady! This story wasn't as long as 'Warrior's Blood' but it was just as good. It better explained Mari's relationship with Han, which I think is a perfect one for the two of them. Dani's artwork was simple in style, but for me captured the essence of Mari very well.

I enjoyed reading about Mari Sevenstars in Chris Jeffords' 'Fire in the Steel' trilogy. Captain Sevenstars certainly takes her friendships VERY seriously!

Mari Sevenstars is a wonderfully colorful character and I enjoyed dressing her very much. I just once would like to see Han pull HER fat out of the fire, though. I mean, I would like to know why she likes Han so much. Let's face it. I doubt that there are that many people out there who would get Mari feeling so protective. So Han helped to get her before the Alliance, but he must have done something for Mari a long time ago.

Mari Sevenstars is a great character and Chris Jeffords has put together a fab story. I loved the friction between Sevenstars and Dr. Reon, then the 'trust' they both secretly share. I also enjoyed Dani Lane's illos more than the ones that were in FR 4/5. She's captured Sevenstars the way I imagined her, with the stiletto and boots and gypsy clothing.

Anyway, RE: 'Warrior's Blood: Quite and Item Together'... This story sets up a good problem for Luke concerning Hoist, then Mari Sevenstars butts in and ruins things. Mari is a character with good potential, but lately she seems to have turned into a giant deux ex machine who roams the galaxy making things right for Han, and now Luke, too. By turning Hoist into a lunatic, Mari saved Luke from making what would have been a difficult and interesting choice that I, for one, would have enjoyed reading about.

Of course, I just loved 'Quite An Item Together'. I can never read enough stories with Mari Sevenstars. I like her more and more with each new story Chris Jeffords writes. In this particular one, I like the way Mari 'helps' Luke and Han without them realizing. Very tricky.

There has always been one major problem for me in dealing with Chris Jeffords' universe, and that is her main character, Mari Sevenstars. For me, I find Mari too all knowing, totally flawless. I guess I'd like to see her make a few mistakes in judgement, etiquette, warfare, whatever—just to make her seem more human! Ah—er—that is Azaeli (please don't kill me, Rolf—ouch! Stop it Gort!) I've always found 'super- characters ' a little hard to take. That's not to say, however, that I don't enjoy the story(ies). I still search diligently through all fanzine listings or Jeffords' works because it's very well-written fun, possessing many varied and interesting original characters, customs and situations.

I just enjoy the character of Mari Sevenstars; I have run out of words to use in describing my joy in her. She is one of my favorite fan- created SW characters. She is such an independent -and smart lady. I never tire of reading about her. I did get a little slowed down in this story where the author digressed to write of Mari's society and customs, but they were essential to better understand the character.

I enjoyed reading about Mari Sevenstars again. I think that Chris Jeffords had a good cast of characters going, but she could definitely benefit from concentrating on not quite so many of her own creations. When you get so many characters together it is truly hard to keep them all straight. The only other thing I could gripe about is that Mari saves Han all the time. I'd like to see Han help her out of a bind sometime.

Other Prominent Early Star Wars Fan-Created Universes

• Brightstar Universe by Christine Jeffords (stars Mari Sevenstars)
• Catalyst! Universe by Jeanine Hennig (Jessami Kenobi, Rebekah Nightrider-Skywalker,)
• Collected Circle of Fire by Anne Elizabeth Zeek
• The Cori Beckett Series by Judi L. Hendricks and Paula Block (Cori Beckett)
• The Executor Cycle by Barbara T and Sylvia Stevens (Admiral Piett/Serzho Alyandi)
• Maeve Solo Universe by Chris Callahan and L.C. Wells (Maeve Solo)
• New Order Series by Pat Stanley
• ThousandWorlds by Maggie Nowakowska and Dyane Kirkland (Bethen Avay [Han's lover], Emme [Obi-Wan's niece))
• First Steps Universe by Samia Martz (Jeni Petersen)

• 

  from Twin Suns #1 (1980), artist is Linda Stoops

See also Early Star Wars Original Female Characters.

The Brightstar Stories

• The Devil and Deep Blue Space by Christine Jeffords and Susan Matthews (features Mari Sevenstars and Captain Jennet ap Rhiannon) (Galactic Flight #3) (May 1980)
• Second Round by Christine Jeffords and Susan Matthews (features Mari Sevenstars and Captain Jennet ap Rhiannon) (Galactic Flight #4) (September 1980)
• The Pirate & The Lady by Bes Shahar and Jeffords (Mari Sevenstars and Lady Vader) (The Tatooine Tribune #2) (February 1982)

• Search (Outlands Chronicles #1) (June 1983)
• Search Suite (Outlands Chronicles #1) (June 1983)
• Brightstar Universe Scorecard (Outlands Chronicles #3) (1984)
• The Initiation (Outlands Chronicles #2)
• Jubilee's Daughter (Outlands Chronicles #3)
• Old Comrade's Children (Outlands Chronicles #4)
• Imperial Charter (Outlands Chronicles #4)
• The Second Time Around (Facets #6)
• Life Day Peril (Kessel Run #2)
• Departures (Kessel Run #1)
• Confidences (Facets #4)
• Brightstar Rising (Conflicting Impulses #2)
• Honor's Price part 1 (co-written with eluki bes shahar) (Shadowstar #17)
• Honors' Price part 2 (co-written with eluki bes shahar) (Shadowstar #18)
• Fire in the Steel: Quite an Item Together (Far Realms #7)
• Fire in the Steel 1: Warrior's Blood (Far Realms #4/5)
• Fire in the Steel 2: Trust (Far Realms #6)
• Fire in the Steel 3: Quite an Item Together (Far Realms #7)

• Hostage (Circle of Light #2 (1985)
• The Doppelgänger part 1 (Flip of a Coin #4/5)
• The Doppleganger part 2 (Flip of a Coin #6)
• While We're Apart (Eva Albertsson is a co-writer) (Outlands Chronicles #2)

• A Small Circle of Friends (Circle of Light #1)
• The Insurgents (Echo Seven)
• Echoes (Hoth or Bust)
• Legacy (Legends of Light #2)
• Search (Outlands Chronicles #1)
• Questions in the Dark (Kessel Run #3)
• Honorbound (Circle of Light #3)
• Obligation (Circle of Light #4)
• The Privilege of Her Burning part 1 (Shadowstar #21/22) (Spring/Summer 1986)
• The Privilege of Her Burning part 2 (Shadowstar #23) (1986)
• The Homecoming: Tomorrow's Yesterday (Far Realms #8)
• Pirate's Return (Far Realms #9)

Brightstar Poems and Small Items

• What Are They Doing To Me? (Facets #3)
• The Smuggler and the Jedi (Facets #3)
• You Ain't Gonna Go (Facets #3)
• After the Battle (Falcon's Flight #5)
• Impossible (Far Realms #3)
• Little Cub Lost (Circle of Light #3)

Some Illos

• 

  inside pages from "Conflicting Impulses" #2, from "Brightstar Rising" - art by Elizabeth Hoolihan

• 

  inside pages from "Conflicting Impulses" #2, from "Brightstar Rising" - art by Elizabeth Hoolihan