Oh my god this is wonderful!! I'd never thought of Terra having been the first 'traitor' (though it would certainly explain why, after having raised her nearly all her life, that they would have to use a Slave Crown to control her at 18) but I LOVE it, and I love that she was the one who inspired Celes to defect. Your narrative is just beautiful too, and really paints a vivid picture of the cold cruelty of Vector. The relationship between Terra & Celes here is heartbreaking too, like they've been on the verge of something more intimate for a while now, but neither can bring themselves to really go through with it; military and all getting in the way. AUGH, just, loved this all the way through!