Welcome All to
Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Part 2
Chapter 1: Jan & Blaze
A/N: With Kyle incapacitated by the fall last chapter and the bad guys still on the roof, things are not looking good for him and Blaze. Will Jan get there in time? Let's find out, shall we?
Sprawled across the forward couch in the cockpit of the Moldy Crow, Jan scanned the instruments once again. Still nothing from Kyle or Blaze. That should have comforted her, as it indicated the mission was proceeding well. Still, she felt uneasy.
I should have gone with them, she thought for the umpteenth time. If anything happens to Kyle, I'll…
Jeez, Ors, a part of her mind said. The way you think about this guy, it sounds like you might actually like him.
Was that it? Was it because she actually liked Kyle that she didn't like the idea of Blaze being around him?
She dismissed the thought even as it came. She and Kyle were friends, good friends, but no more than that. She cared for him no more or less than any other Rebel. It couldn't be that.
And while Blaze may have had a point about Jan staying with the ship, it still would have made her feel better to be with them rather than waiting here like some kind of intergalactic taxi service.
A red light began to flash on the comm panel. Jan quickly sat up in her seat. The only reason for that indicator to come on was if Kyle had activated his emergency signal. She opened a channel.
"Moldy Crow to Katarn."
No answer, although Jan thought she could detect some sound. Like someone moving around, maybe?
"Moldy Crow to Kyle Katarn. Come in."
Still no answer other than the low hiss of an open channel.
She was about to call again when she heard him.
"Jan. Help."
It was Kyle's voice, but low, almost too low for her to hear. Something had happened to him, maybe to both of them.
"Kyle," she called, "I can barely hear you. Are you all right?"
He didn't respond.
"Kyle," she tried again, "this is Jan. Do you read me?"
A soft sigh came across the speaker, followed by a clinking sound, then silence.
A quick check confirmed she was still receiving the emergency signal. There was only one thing to do. Moving with almost machine-like swiftness, she brought the ship's systems online. But true to the Crow's temperamental nature, the repulsors refused to respond.
"Let's go," she muttered, glaring at the display. It stayed the same, repulsors offline.
Mouth compressing into a thin line, Jan fed power to them anyway, hoping she might able to jump-start the repulsors. Either that, or I'll blow the entire system. With a cough that shattered the quiet around the ship, the Crow came to life. The ship lurched upwards, rising only a few feet off the pad. An alarm rang in the cockpit.
Jan ignored it. She had to get airborne, now. Angling the nose upwards, she glared at the repulsor and engines, willing both systems to work even as the alarm grew more strident.
"C'mon, you heap of junk! Fly!"
With the Crow partly in the air, nose pointed skyward, Jan deactivated the repulsors, simultaneously feeding power into the engines. The starboard wing dipped and Jan feared that her gamble wasn't going to pay off.
With a scream of protest at Jan's rough treatment of them, the engines lit. However, more alarms began to ring in the cockpit. She was on the verge of shutting down and landing when, like a Dewback being spurred, the Crow shot into the air, engines glowing white-hot.
Allowing herself a quick sigh of relief, Jan refocused her attention on Kyle's signal. Leveling the ship a few meters above the rooftops, she began to home in on the signal's source. Buildings shot past on either side as she rocketed past them. A check of the comm display showed the signal, still strong, getting closer. The radar lit up. Turning to it, Jan could see her departure was not going unnoticed. Imperial tracking systems had detected an energy spike and were attempting to track the source of it. She took a look outside. Not much room, but what choice was there?
Eyes dancing between the emergency signal and the buildings rushing past, she dropped the Crow's nose. Roofs now streamed past seemingly close enough to touch. The radar bleeped once more, then fell silent as the Crow dropped under the radar's detection threshold. A flicker of a smile crossed Jan's face.
Just then, she noticed a cluster of buildings approaching fast. She was nearly on top of where the emergency signal indicated Kyle was. Drawing closer, she could see marks of weapons fire, black marks indicating the use of thermal detonators. This might be the place, Jan thought. She slowed the ship, looking for a place to set down.
WHAM!
The Crow shook, tilting to starboard. Surprised, Jan was able to recover before the ship could roll over. With the repulsors finally cooperating, she whipped the Crow around; finding herself facing a one-story building just as another blast struck the hull. The splash of energy blinded her for a moment.
Blinking to clear her eyes, Jan spotted two figures on the roof of the building. One looked human, the other was a Rodian. Both held blasters. They fired again, and watched in frustration as their shots reflected harmlessly off the Crow's now raised shields.
Jan considered returning fire, but the resulting blast wave could damage the building. If Kyle and Blaze were inside, as the emergency signal indicated they were, she could kill them along with the bad guys. An idea came to her, and she smiled savagely as she put it into action. Accelerating, she sent the Crow rocketing towards the building. Clearing the roof with less than a foot to spare, she spun the ship around, watching in savage satisfaction as the two figures were blown off the roof.
Not waiting to see if the fall killed them or not, Jan lowered the Crow, descending to street level, and touching down with the nose of the ship angled between two buildings. Scrambling out, Jan ran for the one-story structure, carrying the Crow's medical kit. Kicking the doors open, she scanned the interior, then ran for another doorway, emerging into the old theater.
There! On the stage, Blaze was kneeling by a prone Kyle. Dashing forward, Jan vaulted onto the stage, sliding to a stop by his head.
"What happened?" she demanded.
Blaze looked up, face and hair stained with dirt and dust. Her uniform was likewise dirt covered, and Jan could see a nasty bruise forming on the other woman's forehead.
Blaze looked away, shook her head. "Ambushed, never saw 'em. Kyle tried to catch me. Must've blacked out. He was like this when I woke up."
Jan looked down at Kyle, her unkempt hair brushing across his face. Kyle's eyes were closed, his lips slightly parted. His face was bruised too, cheeks, forehead, chin. Even as the question came to her, she noticed the rise of his chest. He was breathing.
"Kyle," she called, "can you hear me? It's Jan."
"I've tried calling him," Blaze offered, "he hasn't answered."
"Help me," Jan said, reaching for his shoulders.
"Maybe we shouldn't move him," Blaze said.
Jan looked up at her, eyes flashing.
"Help me," she said forcefully
"All right," Blaze said, voicing her disagreement with a shake of her head. Grabbing his legs, she helped turn Kyle onto his side.
Jan sucked in a breath as Kyle's back came into view. The armor plating was deeply dented. Worse, the dent was facing inward, metal pressing against his spine.
She considered what best to do.
"Let's get him to the ship."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"But if he's badly injured, shouldn't we…"
"Look," Jan said, interrupting, "I know he's hurt. But there is no way I am leaving him here. We get him back to the ship, complete the mission and get back to the New Hope as fast as we can."
Blaze hesitated, wanting to argue the point. But, after a moment, she nodded.
Moving slowly, carefully, the two women sat him up, moving Kyle's legs until they draped over the stage. Then, looping one of his arms across their shoulders and crisscrossing their arms across his back, they attempted to lift him. Almost immediately, Kyle's body sagged, threatening to drag the two women down as well. Instinctively, Jan reached for and found Blaze's hand. She grasped the wrist until the other woman caught on and grabbed Jan's wrist in return. Still Kyle's body continued to sag their grasp.
"His belt," Jan called, reaching with her free hand to the waistband of Kyle's pants. While Blaze grabbed a section as well, Jan felt for and found the release switch on his weapons belt. As it unlatched and fell away, both women felt some of the burden ease. Kyle's armor still made him heavy, but with the two of them working together, the weight was manageable. Half carrying, half dragging, they got him out to the Crow and into the rear cockpit. That done, Jan went back for the weapons belt, then both women spent some time catching their breath and stretching their overworked muscles.
"Now what?" Blaze asked as she massaged her arms.
"We complete the mission," Jan said matter-of-factly, not looking at her.
Blaze gave her a confused look.
"How?"
"We're going to do it," Jan replied, "you and me."
"Wait a minute," Blaze began, "we've got to get Kyle back to the New Hope for treatment."
"After we complete the mission," Jan replied.
"Look, Jan," the other woman began.
"We are not leaving here without that Nav Card," Jan said, an edge in her voice. She turned to face Blaze. "Oh, and in case you don't know, with Kyle incapacitated, that puts me in charge."
Leaning into the cockpit, Jan retrieved Kyle's weapons belt and began to put it on. As Blaze watched, Jan released her hair from the various clips she used to try and keep it in place. Leaning forward, she let the tresses cascade down, forming an unbroken river of brown. With a quick movement, Jan flung her hair back behind her. Then using a piece of spare wire, she gathered a handful and wrapped the wire around it.
"That's better," she said. Reaching to the belt, she found Kyle's blaster.
"You're serious about this," Blaze said,
"You bet I am." Jan said, hefting the weapon. "You with me or not?"
"This is nuts."
"Fine," Jan said coldly, consulting the mapper. She began to walk away. "I'll see you when I get back."
Blaze watched the other woman go. Jan was really going to try and do this. She glanced at the ship.
"Be okay, Kyle," she whispered.
Then, setting off at a trot, she called to Jan. "Wait up! I'm coming!"
Jan slowed her pace, allowing Blaze to catch up with her.
They walked in silence for a time, stopping only to check the mapper and verify they were heading in the right direction.
As they walked Blaze stole a few glances at Jan. Clearly she had underestimated this woman. Jan Ors might be not a front-line field agent, but she was tougher than she looked. Blaze could see it in the set of her jaw, the way she walked, held the blaster ready.
"Hey, Jan, I…!" she began.
Jan's eyes went wide.
"Down!"
Caught by surprise, Blaze froze. She glanced about for the source of the trouble Jan had seen.
"Blast it, Redlopt! I said down!"
The next thing Blaze knew, she was hit, knocked to the chipped permacrete of the street.
Dazed, she realized that Jan was atop her, firing the blaster she held. An explosion sounded nearby, followed by a cry in a language she didn't recognize.
The weight on her suddenly vanished. Sitting up, Blaze saw Jan standing above her, blaster trained upwards. Pain crept into her perception as Blaze realized it had been Jan who knocked her down.
"What in Fest's name did you do that for?" she asked, holding her left side.
"For a field agent, you're not exactly observant."
"What?"
"Look," Jan said, pointing.
Blaze followed the line of her finger and spotted a body lying in the street less than a hundred yards away.
"Laughing boy was up there," Jan said, indicating with a movement of her head a balcony just ahead of them. "I spotted him just as he let fly with a thermal detonator. When I called and you didn't move, I didn't have much choice. It was headed right for you."
Blaze felt her cheeks warm. She hadn't even seen the attacker, much less reacted properly to the attack. She had allowed herself to become distracted. She could almost hear the berating of her old teachers about the dangers of being distracted.
"The moment you lose focus," one had said, "is when you give the enemy both his greatest advantage and greatest opportunity. It is not acceptable."
"You are all right, aren't you?"
Forcing a smile, Blaze answered.
"Yes, I am. Sorry about that. Guess I got a little distracted."
"I'm worried about Kyle too." Jan responded.
Even as the other women said the words, Blaze realized the opportunity for what it was.
"Yeah," Blaze said, shaking her head, "I just…"
"He'll be okay," Jan cut in.
"You're right," Blaze added.
"You're sure you're all right?" Jan asked. "You've got a mark on the side of your head."
Blaze reached for the spot, expecting to find a wound. Shock blazed through her as she realized what had happened. She made a quick adjustment.
"I can't feel anything."
"Let me look," said Jan, stepping closer.
A minute passed. "Hmmm. Maybe I was wrong. I could have sworn I saw a mark there."
"Guess I lucked out," Blaze offered.
"Guess so." Jan said, eyes still on her. Then, turning her gaze away she said, "Let's move on."
The two women continued on, minds wrestling with individual issues.
How much did she see? Blaze thought, looking at Jan through the corner of her eye.
I know I saw something there, Jan thought. There was a mark there. She gave Blaze a quick look.
"Blaze?"
"Yes?"
"You are a covert operative, right?"
"Covert operations specialist, that's right. Problem?"
"No," Jan replied, waving a hand dismissively, " no, I just couldn't remember. Thanks."
"Sure," Blaze said, smiling to herself as the solution to her problem appeared.
Of course, Jan thought, she's a covert operative. So naturally, she wears disguises to protect her identity. I'm not sure why she'd wear one on this mission, but it explains the mark I saw. She's wearing a wig and it shifted when I tackled her.
And yet, part of her mind didn't accept the explanation, filing away the memory for future reference.
One Hour LaterThe shadow of a nearby building provided the necessary cover as Jan and Blaze observed another one across the street. Unlike most of the surrounding structures, this one was mostly intact and much larger than the rest. Stretching nearly the length of a city block and standing two stories tall, it presented a most imposing edifice.
But right now, Jan was more concerned about the entrance door in front of her.
"Mapper indicates this is the place," she said.
"But no guards," observed Blaze.
"Trust me, there'll be more than enough guards inside."
"Okay then," Blaze said, conceding the point, "so how are we getting in?"
"Now, Blaze, you should know that answer as well as I." Jan extracted two orbs from the weapons belt, handing one to Blaze.
"We knock."
Blaze smiled as she recognized the object she was holding as a flash grenade. She looked to Jan, who held a thermal detonator.
"Okay, as soon as I blow the door, you toss yours. Then we go in, fast."
Blaze nodded.
Jan drew her arm back, took a deep breath and with a forceful grunt, hurled the detonator.
Both women watched as the dark gray orb sailed through the air, letting out a metallic "ting" as it struck the door.
The resulting explosion shattered the relative quiet around them. Squinting through the smoke, Jan saw a dark outline.
"Now!"
Blaze threw her grenade. It struck the ground just outside the doorframe and bounced inside. A much louder explosion nearly deafened the two women as they threw their arms up to shield their eyes from the flash.
"Let's go!" Jan shouted, taking off at a run. Blaze followed, weapon at the ready.
They charged inside, sweeping the room with their blasters. On the floor lay a Gamorrean and two humans, taken out by the twin blasts. Jan started to advance further when she heard a familiar grunting sound and pulled back as an axe blade sliced through the lingering smoke, barely missing her.
Another Gamorrean emerged from the smoke, grunting and coughing, but still holding onto its weapon. As if they minds were connected, two blasters came up, spitting red death.
The pig-like alien was hit multiple times until, with a scream, it crashed to the floor.
"You all right?" Blaze asked, coughing slightly.
Jan checked herself. "Not exactly."
She turned to show Blaze where a section of her shirt was cut open. Beneath it, a thin line of skin welled with blood.
"This is what I was afraid of," Blaze said.
"Yeah, yeah," Jan said dismissively, "hindsight is always 20-20. So, why don't you say I told you so and we can keep going?"
"I'm taking point," Blaze said firmly.
"Fine, whatever, let's go."
They proceeded down a hallway, around a corner, all the while being watchful. They passed a number of doorways, and had to spend some time checking each one.
Rounding another corner, Blaze held up a hand.
"What is it?" Jan asked, sidling up behind her.
Blaze motioned for Jan to look, then stepped out of the way. Peering around the corner, Jan saw a set of double doors. At first, they seemed just like the other ones they had seen on their way here. But then, she saw light visible around the bottom edge of the door. As she watched, a form passed by one of the windows.
Stepping back, she turned to Blaze.
"Could they be any more obvious?"
"I know," Blaze replied, "no guards except here. Cover me while I check it out."
"Right," Jan said.
Blaze moved forward quickly, flattening herself against the wall next to one of the doors. Edging close, she peered inside. Two Rodians stood guard at a door on the far side of the room. A moment, a third figure crossed her line of vision, a Gamorrean.
She waited a moment more to make sure there was no one else in the room, then hurried back to where Jan was.
"Well?"
Blaze shook her head, a sardonic look on her face. "They might as well have a neon sign, Nav Card this way. I spotted two Rodians plus a Gamorrean. Only…"
"What?" Jan asked.
"I'm not sure, but the Gamorrean, he looked "bigger" than the average kind."
"Bigger?"
Blaze nodded.
Jan took a moment to consider this. Though she didn't completely trust Blaze, the woman had so far proven herself to be an asset. And it's not like we can just sit here, she thought.
"Okay," Jan said, "we go in just like before. But keep an eye out for the Gamorrean. Ready?"
Activating her personal shields, Blaze nodded.
Jan counted to three, then dashed around the corner with Blaze right at her heels.
Kicking the double doors in, the women opened fire, catching the Rodians by surprise. The aliens dropped, chests smoking.
The Gamorrean was also hit twice, but instead of dropping, it let out a soft grunt. The women exchanged glances, fired again. This time, a burn mark appeared on the Gamorrean's left arm, but still it didn't cry out in pain.
With surprising speed, it lunged at the women, swinging its axe. The pair started to leap back, but in a sudden change, the Gamorrean turned the axe, striking both women with the handle.
The force of the blow knocked them backwards, falling to the floor. Jan knew she had to breathe, but is was as if her body had forgotten how. With sudden pain, her lungs expanded and she let out a cry. Her middle was on fire, each breath bringing new pain.
From somewhere nearby, she heard Blaze cry out. Despite the pain, Jan turned her head to the right and saw the other woman lying there, clutching her left shoulder.
Hearing a snort from above her, Jan looked up to see the large Gamorrean standing over her and Blaze. It's gaze moved between them. With a flick of massive arms, it shifted the axe, the blade facing down.
Jan's eyes went wide as the alien raised the weapon over its head. She wanted to call out to Blaze, to warn her. But it still hurt so much to breathe. The axe started down.
I'm going to miss you, Kyle. Closing her eyes, Jan awaited the impact.
There was a sudden sizzling sound next to her. Jan opened her eyes to see a blue-white flash coming from next to her. Turning her head, her eyes went wide again as she saw that Blaze has raised her right arm in defense. The axe blade had sliced into the shield gauntlet.
Energy flared and sparked, casting the hallway in alternating light and shadow. Before the Gamorrean could pull the axe away, then a blue-white tendril snaked across the axe blade, traveling up the handle.
The large alien screamed in true pain as the electrical energy arced and coursed through its body. The Gamorrean's body began to shake, eyes wide with fear and pain. Jan could see it was trying to pull the axe free, but couldn't.
With a last, high-pitched scream, the alien's hands went slack. With smoke beginning to issue from its skin, it fell. Jan realized with horror that it was falling towards her. But before she could even think about moving, the Gamorrean crashed to the floor with a sound that echoed in the hallway.
Eyes closed, awaiting the impact of the two hundred plus pound body, Jan heard the sound and felt a weight impact her chest, causing her to cry out. She heard Blaze do the same as part of the body hit her. But with the guttural sound of the Gamorrean's last breath loud in her ears, Jan forced her eyes open.
At first she saw little more than a section of leather armor and green, scaly skin. Her eyes traveled along until saw the elbow, then the shoulder. Turning her head, Jan almost laughed out loud as realized the Gamorrean had fallen next to her instead of on her.
Still, the weight of the large hand on her chest was enough to make her uncomfortable. She wanted to move, but each breath still brought pain. She would have to wait.
"Jan?"
The voice was low, full of the same pain she felt.
"Blaze?" she called weakly.
"Are you all right?"
Oh please, Jan thought, rolling her eyes. What do you think? "
"Not really," she managed to say
"Is it dead?"
Well duh, she thought. "Given what just happened, I'd say yes."
"Can you move?"
Finally, she asks a question that makes sense. "Not yet. Pig boy messed me up pretty bad."
"Me too," Blaze said, "let me try…"
A fresh cry.
"That didn't sound good," Jan offered.
"It didn't feel too good either," Blaze replied.
"Try and hold still, maybe I can do something. Give me a sec."
Finding her left arm free, Jan raised it to eye level. But her right hand was under the Gamorrean's arm. Steeling herself, Jan took a deep breath, trying to ignore the rush of pain. She pushed with her free hand against the leathery skin. It moved only a short way before Jan had to stop, it hurt too much.
Hearing her gasps, Blaze called. "Are you okay?"
This time, Jan didn't hold back her sarcasm or frustration. "No Blaze, I'm not okay."
"I didn't mean…"
"Look," Jan said, cutting her off, "just shut up, okay? It's hard enough doing this without having to talk."
"I'm just trying to help."
"Well, you're not."
"Maybe I could…"
"Blast it, Blaze," Jan exploded, "I said SHUT UP!"
No answer this time.
Jan was fuming now. She had said this mission was too risky, that they should wait. And now here she was, pinioned under a dead body, Kyle back at the Moldy Crow hurt again and now having to argue with Blaze. With a roar composed partly of pain, partly of anger, she pulled hard, yanking her right hand out from under the Gamorrean. Pulling in another breath, the pain forgotten, she pushed with both hands against the leather-covered arm. Planting her feet, she pushed with them too.
The arm slid a bit more, but not enough. Another deep breath and this time she screamed in total fury as she pushed. With a slide and a thump, the Gamorrean's arm fell off of her and onto the floor. Freed, Jan used what was left of the adrenaline rush to roll over. Pushing with arms that we beginning to shake, she rose to her knees. How long she sat there, eyes closed, chest and stomach aching, forcing herself to take shallow breaths, Jan later wouldn't be able to recall. But in time, the pain subsided enough to allow her to breathe deeply. It still hurt, but not nearly as much. The pain was manageable now.
Opening her eyes, Jan realized she was kneeling on the deck almost a foot away from where the Gamorrean lay. Looking to her right, she could see Blaze, still lying prone. Her face was turned to the left and her mouth was moving.
It occurred to Jan she could hear Blaze calling her name.
"Jan? Jan, are you there? Answer me!"
"I'm here Blaze," she called, her voice hoarse.
"Where are you? I can't see you."
"I'm behind you. Hang on, I'm coming."
Moving slowly, Jan slid her left foot out from underneath until the heel rested solidly on the floor. Placing both hands on the leg, she pushed down, rising until she could place her right foot on the floor also. Straightening up, Jan grimaced at a fresh wave of pain from her stomach. When it passed, she stepped towards Blaze. The other woman's head turned until her eyes met Jan's.
"Are you..?"
"Don't ask me that again. Now hold still."
Crouching, Jan reached for the appendage lying across Blaze. But rather than trying to lift it, she used her legs and arms to push the leather-clad arm off her.
"Can you sit up?"
"I'll try," Blaze said. She reached out with her hands. But as her left palm pressed into the floor, she let out a hiss of pain and yanked it back towards her chest. Stepping forward, Jan reached with both hands under her back and helped her up.
Drawing her legs in, Blaze turned herself until her back faced the wall. Leaning against it, she took several deep breaths.
"My turn," Jan said, "Are you all right?"
"I think so," Blaze said. But as she tried to move the left arm again, Jan saw her face twist in pain. Where the shield gauntlet had been was now an ugly black and blue mark.
"Yeah," Jan said sarcastically, "You're okay."
"Well, maybe not," Blaze admitted.
"Can you move it at all?"
Blaze tried. She was able to close and open her palm, but when she moved to lift the arm, a low cry escaped her.
"I think it's broken," she said.
Jan nodded. "What about the other one?"
Blaze was able to raise her right arm without problem. But, from the elbow all the way down to the wrist, the armor was blackened in several places. What was left of the shield gauntlet still hissed and sparked.
"I think we oughta take that off," Jan said. Nodding, Blaze watched as Jan reached over and unfastened the gauntlet, letting it drop to the floor. The armor beneath was nearly burned through, patches of skin exposed.
"You're a mess."
"Me? What about you?"
Jan took a moment to consider that.
"Okay, so I'm a mess too. Happy?"
Blaze's look said she was anything but.
"We still need to get that Nav Card," Jan said, gaze flicking to the double doors.
"So go get it," Blaze said.
"Wait a minute, if you think I'm gonna leave you here…"
"There's no other choice," Blaze said, "I'm in no shape to continue."
"And what if another of these," she pointed to the Gamorrean's body, "shows up?"
Blaze lifted her chin, indicating one of the blasters lying on the ground.
"Give me one of those."
"I don't think…"
"Look," Blaze interrupted, "I've got one good arm. I can still shoot."
"This is a bad idea," Jan said, even as she grabbed one of the weapons.
"You know," Blaze offered, "you say that an awful lot."
"And your point is..?" Jan said, glaring at her.
"No point. I just wanted to say that."
Blaze took the offered blaster, checked its charge.
"You should get going."
Jan reached for her comlink only to find the device missing.
"Mine too," Blaze said, "probably somewhere under him." She indicated the Gamorrean's body.
"I think we'll need new ones," Jan said.
Blaze nodded.
Rising, Jan grabbed her own weapon, then checked the weapons belt. Three detonators had managed to cling to it.
"Be careful," Blaze offered.
"Don't worry," Jan said, with a quick smile, "I'll be back for you."
Blaze watched her proceed down the hall to the double doors. A loud crack echoed down the corridor as Jan lifted a foot and kicked the doors in. Dashing inside, she was soon lost to sight.
Alone now, Blaze contemplated how things would proceed. Her plan was in shreds now, Kyle's injury, Jan's interference, her own injury. She'd have to be watchful and ready for whatever happened next.
Suddenly, a shadow fell across her. She raised the blaster towards it, finger tightening on the trigger.