Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Part 3
Chapter 2: Precursors to Change
A/N: With Kyle left alone on Ergo by Wexter and the Z-95 descending towards him, things are heating up! But what about Jan? What's going with her? Well, let's take a look and find out, shall we?
New Republic Command Ship New Hope
The Brig
As Jan checked the calendar, she began to feel the first glimmers of hope in a while.
Not much longer. Four more days and I'll be free. And the first thing I need to do is find Kyle and find out what the heck is wrong with him. I know he was in a bad state when I came in here, but if Galder's right, he's going crazy. Maybe, maybe if I can talk to him, he'll listen to reason before thing go too far.
On the heels of this thought, the incoming message icon lit up on the computer screen. Jan opened the message, hoping to hear some good news from Galder.
Jan,
This may be the last message I can send you. I feel like everything's falling apart, like everyone on this ship is against me. No, wait, no. That's not it. I just…
Okay, let me try and explain. I met with Mon Mothma the other day regarding the incident aboard the Aldera. I know this will upset you, Jan, and please forgive me, but after Kyle's recent behavior, I felt it my duty to swear out a complaint against him
You did what! A complaint against Kyle? Were things that bad that Galder felt led to take such a step? Had Kyle done something else, said something else that prompted Galder to do this?
The meeting with Mon Mothma went well right up until the point that she received a communication about a ship that had been stolen from the hangar bay. Jan, please understand how hard this is for me to tell you, but the ship stolen was the Moldy Crow. It was shortly after that that Mon Mothma dispatched a security team to Kyle's room. He wasn't there.
Jan felt shock. The Crow stolen? Kyle missing?
Mon Mothma told me that she had informed Kyle of the complaint I had taken out day and that she had confined him to quarters. It appears that he… Jan, please, I'm sorry to be the one telling you this, but I thought it might come best from a friend. Jan, it appears that Kyle has deserted the ship and taken the Moldy Crow.
Jan stopped reading. She couldn't take any more. Closing her eyes, she took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. After a few minutes, she felt a bit calmer and read the first part of the message over again. It didn't seem possible. Kyle a deserter? Stealing the Crow? It just didn't make sense. Even with the threat of a complaint against him, it seemed completely unlike Kyle to run away like this.
But, when she considered his attitudes and actions of late, it was clear that Kyle was not acting like himself. Could it be that in a moment of panic, he had fled the ship and taken the Crow?
What's going on with you, Katarn? Why are you doing this?
She continued reading
I can imagine that you're wondering how Kyle could do something like this. I'll be honest, Jan; I am puzzled myself. But Kyle has not been acting normally lately. The other part of this that I hate to mention but you need to know that it appears that Wexter went with Kyle. I don't know if he went willingly or Kyle forced him to, but I've looked for Wexter all over the ship and he's not here. I'm afraid for him, Jan. With Kyle acting the way he is, I can only wonder what he might do to Wexter.
"Wexter did what!" Jan said aloud.
This was almost too fanciful to be believed. Kyle deserting the ship and taking Wexter with him? This is insane, she thought.
It has so crazy around here, Jan, that I've been half-tempted to take the Aldera and just go, fly away from here.
No! Jan thought. No, you can't leave, not yet. If Galder left before she got to see him…
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What am I thinking? This is the same guy who left me and hurt me. And now I'm concerned about him?
It surprised Jan to realize she was indeed concerned about Galder. She wanted to see him again. She could still remember the kiss he had given her, the taste of his lips on hers. With so much in her own life seemingly beyond control, could Galder help? She had to know.
Planet ErgoAs the Z-95s descended towards him, Kyle realized there was very little he could do to avoid capture.
I could run, he thought, but where would I go? I'm on an unfamiliar planet with no food or water. Besides, those ships would be able to catch up to me before I could get very far.
No, he decided, the best strategy right now is to wait and see what they do first. If he could devise a way to get hold of a ship, then it'd be a simple matter of grabbing sky and heading back to the New Hope. Visions of what he'd do to Wexter brought a smile to his face.
"He's just sitting there, Gamma One."
"It's not like he could go anywhere, Gamma Three. He's stuck here, stranded."
"So what are we going to do?"
The pilot of Gamma One took a moment to think about it. Allowing the enemy ship to escape was sure to bring Frenden's ire upon him. But if he brought back a prisoner, maybe…
" Hold here, Gamma Three. I'm going to land and check this guy out."
"And if he's armed?"
"Then we'll be bringing back a dead body rather than a live one," said Gamma One, "I want you to keep an eye on him from the air. Any funny moves and you are to open fire, understood?"
"Understood," replied Gamma Three.
Gamma One began his descent, alternating his gaze between his instruments and the figure on the ground. For some reason he couldn't fathom, Gamma One thought the man looked familiar.
The Z-95 gave a slight jolt as its skids settled onto the ground. Shutting down the repulsors, Gamma One waited for the cloud of dust raised by his descent to dissipate before proceeding. Reaching down to his waist, he pulled his weapon free just long enough to thumb the safety catch to the "off" position.
As the swirling dirt and dust began to settle, he opened the fighter's canopy, standing up in the cockpit before hooking a leg over the side and lowering himself to the ground.
Kyle shielded his eyes against the clouds of dust and dirt whipped up by the ship's descent, waiting for the air to clear. He was able to make out the movement of the ship's canopy as it rose. A moment later, a figure stepped from the cockpit and onto the ground.
He couldn't see the person very clearly, but did observe movement as the figure began to walk towards him.
The pilot of Gamma One continued to move forward, towards the man seated on the ground. He still wasn't completely sure, but the man's features were familiar to him.
I've seen that face before, he thought, but where?
The memory came flooding back in so strongly that the pilot stopped walking.
Could this be the same guy?
If it was, then he had even more reason to be cautious.
The figure suddenly stopped moving, less than a dozen steps away from him.
As Kyle watched, the Z-95 pilot reached down with his right hand. It came up a second later, holding a blaster pistol.
So much for trying to get the drop on him, Kyle thought disgustedly.
He heard a clicking sound, then a voice.
"Katarn?"
Kyle went cold inside, utterly stunned. Part of his mind screamed, How? How could this be? Stranded on some backwater world, no food, no water, no equipment, and yet this guy just said my name! It just didn't seem possible, but he could not deny the reality. The figure had said his name.
When the man didn't respond right away, Gamma One instantly thought he must be mistaken, that this wasn't the same guy. But as he continued to stare at him, the resemblance was so uncanny.
He decided to try again.
"Are you Kyle Katarn?" the figure said.
Well, that settles it, Kyle thought, this guy must know me somehow. I wonder who he is?
"Hey!" the figure said loudly, "are you listening to me? I asked if you are Kyle Katarn?"
The pilot took a step forward, so that Kyle could seem him clearly now. The cold feeling suddenly returned even as he felt his mouth go dry.
The figure standing before him wore the uniform of an Imperial TIE fighter pilot. There was no mistaking it. From the skull-like face mask down to the black flight suit and chest pack, Kyle recognized it all too easily, remembering those worn by the pilot recruits at the Imperial Academy.
He knew he should say something. But between the uniform and the person recognizing, his mind was a jumble.
"Listen," the pilot said, "I don't know what's wrong with you. But you will answer my question, now." He raised the blaster.
Kyle's mind raced, trying to decide what to do, what to say.
"Yes."
Even as he said it, Kyle mentally cursed himself. One of the first lessons he had been taught about interrogations was to keep one's identity secret for as long as possible. But it was too late now.
As the man uttered the simple one-word answer, Gamma One felt taken aback.
Did he just say what I think he said? Is he really Kyle Katarn?
"What did you say?" the figure asked.
Taking a moment to work some spit into his mouth, Kyle spoke up. "Yes, I am Kyle Katarn."
Now it was Gamma One's turn to be stunned. Could it really be true? Could he have been so lucky as to stumble upon this man?
Just then, his headset comm crackled.
"Gamma Three to Gamma One."
Still reeling from the impact of what had just happened, it took a moment for the pilot to respond.
"Gamma One, are you there?"
"Yes, Gamma Three," the pilot responded, "I'm here."
"Is everything all right?"
Is everything all right? Gamma Three, you have no idea.
"Yes, Three. Everything is fine. It looks like we have a prisoner. Contact the base. We're going to need a shuttle to transport him. Continue to hold over our position."
He could practically hear the other pilot's satisfied grin. "Affirmative, Gamma One."
Turning back to the man on the ground, he gestured with his pistol. "On your feet, Katarn."
Kyle didn't move at first. He was still trying to figure out how this guy knew him.
"I said, on your feet, Katarn. And don't try anything stupid."
Moving slowly so as not to antagonize the other man further, Kyle pushed off the ground, wincing as his body reminded him of how he landed on the ground in the first place. Blast you, Wexter! If I'm able to get off this rock, I am gonna make you wish you had killed me.
On his feet, he faced the other man.
"You obviously know me. But who are you?"
The man chuckled, but kept the blaster aimed squarely at Kyle.
"Oh no, Katarn. You don't ask the questions here. Now shut your mouth, get your hands up and move over there by my ship."
Well, so much for that, Kyle thought, raising his hands and stepping over to stand by the nose of the Z-95. He lifted his eyes skyward, wondering what was going to happen next. What I'd give to see Jan and the Crow come screaming out of that sky right now, he thought.
New Republic Command Ship New Hope
The BrigJan wasn't sure how he had done it, but was very glad he had. The message from Galder was shorter than his previous missives.
Jan,
I only have a few minutes, so I have to make this quick. I'm glad it's only three more days till you're released from the brig. I wish you were here now. I just received a communication that the investigators are coming to search the Aldera in a short while. This is getting serious, Jan. I'm worried about what the outcome will be. All of us, you, me, Alessa, even Kyle have been through more than enough. I just want the whole thing to be over so I can see you again, talk to you.
Jan… I… I was going to wait to tell you this when you got out, but… I don't think I can wait anymore.
Jan, I still love you. There it is, I've said it. I love you, Jan. And I want us to be together again. I know this is pretty unexpected and, given our history, I can imagine how surprised you are. Maybe I've waited too long. Maybe it's too late for us to try again. But I had to tell you, Jan. I had to. Now, no matter what happens, you know how I feel.
I've got to go. The inspectors will be here soon.
Galder
As she reached for the power button to turn the screen off, Jan saw that her hand was shaking. She glared at it and, after a moment, the shaking stopped.
So, she thought, I have my answer. I know how he feels about me.
Ten years ago, news like this would have made her heart leap. She would have willingly run back into Galder's arms, grateful that he still cared. But now, after all this time, after all that had happened, it just wasn't that simple.
Galder had left her and had been out of her life for so long and Jan had, painfully, let him go and moved on with her life. Today, she had duties, responsibilities, commitments. Today she was part of something bigger than herself.
Was she really willing to give all of that up? To walk away and give things with Galder another try? At one time, she would have offered a definitive "no". But now, after finding out that he still loved her, that he still cared, the old feelings called to her once again.
A sudden thought came to her. What about Kyle?
It wasn't like they had any kind of relationship. They were friends, true. But beyond that, what did Kyle mean to her. He could be so obstinate and stubborn at times. He had provoked her to such levels of anger and frustration; she could hardly stand it. And yet, he had risked much for the Rebellion, nearly sacrificing his life more than once. But his behavior of late, coupled with his stealing the Crow, had caused Jan to wonder if she really knew Kyle Katarn.
And yet, despite all that happened recently, despite all that he had done and all that Galder had told her, she still cared about Kyle. Jan closed her eyes, remembering the time in his quarters when she had kissed him. She had felt his surprise but after a few moments, he had kissed her back. And she had liked it.
Ugh! What am I thinking? This is crazy. After what he's done, how could I ever trust Kyle again, much less be friends with him?
And when she considered what Galder had said, that he still loved her. There was a man willing to admit his feelings, maybe even willing to make a commitment to her. If he was willing to give what they had another try, why couldn't she give him another chance?
Jan thought back to that moment when Galder had kissed her. Had that kiss been a sign? An indication of what he wanted to say, but until now hadn't.
It was a lot to digest. And as there were two more days till her release, Jan agreed with herself to wait until then to decide.
Planet Ergo Two Days LaterI can see nothing.
It is dark; there are no stars.
I know my eyes are open. I am not asleep.
But still there is darkness, nothing but darkness.
I close my eyes, but nothing changes. Closed or open, it is still dark.
I can feel my body, my arms and legs. But I cannot see them.
The pain the man felt was almost welcoming. It let him know he was still alive, that his arms and legs were still attached.
He faced the nightmare of every young child, a blackness so encompassing he could not see his own hand before his face.
I should be afraid. I am alone here. No one is coming to help me, to save me.
But even as he thought this…
Alone Katarn?
The voice.
The voice that had come to him before.
The voice that came to him now.
You are never alone, Katarn.
Never?
The voice didn't respond. Kyle had been asking that same question since late yesterday when the voice had first come to him. Enclosed inside the dark space for nearly a day, not knowing what would happen next, unable to see anything, the space had had its intended affect on him. He had begun to panic, barely able to resist the urge to call out, to scream.
Katarn.Kyle heard the voice, heard his own name being said.
"Hello?" he had said aloud.
Katarn.
He heard the voice again. But not from outside.
There's someone in here!
No, Katarn.
"Where are you?" Kyle asked, an edge of panic in his voice.
Where I have always been, Katarn, the voice said sarcastically.
He started to speak, then closed his mouth.
In here?
Yes, Katarn.
What do you want?
To help you.
What?You will need my help if you wish to survive this.
Survive?You are already on the edge, Katarn. You will not endure much longer.
Kyle tried to think, to work it over rationally. But the more he tried, the more scrambled his brain felt. He knew that things were likely going to get worse before they got better. But…
Can I trust you?
The voice laughed inside his head. Can you afford not to?
He took a minute to think it over as much as he could. It was beginning to get uncomfortable inside the space again.
All right, he decided, what do you want me to do?
For now, the voice said in satisfied tone, nothing. Rest. We will talk later.
Kyle could help but chuckle
Rest. Sure, that'll happen.
A minute later he was fast asleep.
He awoke late the next morning.
Good, said the voice, now we can talk.
And the voice had talked. As seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours, it had talked. Kyle would join in every so often, but mostly he listened. His fear and apprehension were gone. He felt… safe.
Now, late on the second day, the voice told Kyle it had sensed a change in things and told him to be ready.
They are coming, Katarn. I can sense their approach.
What do I do?
Have you forgotten so soon? the voice chided. You know what to do. You are prepared, Katarn. When the opportunity comes, do not hesitate.
Kyle hesitated for a moment, then…
All right.
Good. They are here.
Frenden stepped up to the black metal box, then glanced up at the waning orb of Ergo's sun. It was still bright enough to make him squint.
I wonder, he thought, reaching down, pulling his hand back quickly as the still hot metal threatened to burn him.
He looked over his shoulder at the man who had accompanied him.
"You're certain he's still alive?"
"I don't see why not, " came the reply, "it's only been two days. He should easily be able to handle it."
"For your sake," Frenden said, grinning evilly at the man, "You'd better hope you're right. Otherwise, you'll get a turn in there."
A bit of the man's swagger disappeared at the thought of that. "I'm sure he's all right."
Frenden waved a hand dismissively. "So you've said. Get it open and let's see."
The man stepped forward; pulling a pair insulated gloves from his hip pocket. Putting them on, he grasped at the door handle. His first tug brought no discernible result. Neither did a second.
"It's stuck," he said.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Frenden said, "nevertheless, you will get it open."
Looking over his shoulder, the man saw Frenden's bodyguards unlimber their weapons and point them in his direction. The meaning was clear.
Turning his attention back to the handle, he reset his grip and prepared to pull much, much harder.
Kyle heard a creak, followed by the squeal of metal on metal as worn hinges were forced to move.
A small lance of light became visible, penetrating the darkness.
More loud squealing and the space was suddenly flooded with light. Though Ergo's sun broadcast a reddish light not as bright as some suns, the effect of going from complete darkness to light blinded Kyle.
He shut his eyes reflexively, but the intrusive light played against his eyelids, penetrating them. The pain was only momentary, but quite intense.
Be ready, Katarn.
He heard the voice and despite his momentary blindness, began to gather what strength he had. He would be ready.
"Out," said a voice.
Kyle knew he was supposed to move. But despite the voice's ministrations, two days of being confined inside the box had left his joints stiff and sore. Even now, as he tried to move, his joints complained with a flash of deep, intense pain. He stopped moving.
The voice from outside spoke again. "I said, out."
A hand reached inside, locking itself around Kyle's right arm. He was jerked forward, the movement bringing with it more pain. He wanted to cry out, to ask the person to stop. But even as he thought this, the voice called to him.
No! Be silent, Katarn! You must be silent! Endure the pain! You have the power! Be prepared! Your chance is coming!
With the voice shouting commands inside his head, Kyle felt a surge of strength, a feeling inside him. His tired mind couldn't figure out what it was, but the pain he felt began to diminish, becoming bearable.
There was another sharp tug on his arm. Kyle felt himself sliding forward, out of the cramped space. He half fell onto the ground, his arm held awkwardly above him by the other man.
"On your feet, Katarn."
"Leave him be."
Katarn was alive, just as he had said. The man glanced at Frenden, nodding down at Katarn.
But when he had ordered the prisoner to his feet, Frenden had responded in an unexpected way.
"What did you say?"
"I said, let him be, Dyarst, " Frenden repeated, a bit more forcefully. "Let him get up on his own."
For a moment, the man considered disobeying. Katarn was a prisoner, his prisoner. He should be able to treat him as he saw fit. But as he looked into Frenden's eyes, he could see the smuggler chief was ready for that. Besides, the two Gran would cut him down before he could make a move.
"All right," he said, reluctantly letting go of Kyle's arm.
The intense pressure on his arm vanished and Kyle felt his arm fall to his side.
A shadow passed as the man above stepped over him, now standing just in front of where he lay.
Now, Katarn! Strike!
Gathering what strength he had, Kyle took a deep breath, counted to five and with an explosive exhalation, made his move.
To Dyarst, what happened was so sudden he had no time to even think about defending himself.
Kyle's leg swept, catching the man just above the ankle.
Dyarst grunted in pain from the impact, falling forward onto his knees.
Well done, Katarn! Continue the attack!
Somehow, Kyle managed to push himself upright. Reaching out a hand, he grabbed the back of Dyarst's shirt and pulled.
The man fell backwards, head striking the permacrete.
Moving as quickly as he could, Kyle rotated his body around, sliding one leg over Dyarst's middle. Straddling the man, Kyle drew his legs in, pinioning the man.
Excellent, Katarn. You are doing well! Now, finish it!
Reaching down with both hands, Kyle grabbed hold of Dyarst's throat. Placing his thumbs directly over the Adam's apple, he began to squeeze, driving the breath from Dyarst's lungs.
Dyarst felt the painful impact as his head struck the permacrete. Through the haze, he tried to get up only to find Katarn atop him, pinning him to the ground.
Now, Katarn's hands were around his throat, squeezing.
Wrapping his own hands around Kyle's wrists, Dyarst pulled, sure that he was strong enough to break Katarn's grip. But the hands around his throat didn't budge. He tried again, but Katarn's grip was like steel. Dyarst tried to draw in a breath but failed.
Planet Ergo Smuggler BaseDyarst could feel the press of the sun-baked stones of the courtyard against his back. The heat rising off them threatened to burn his skin, but at that moment, sunburn was the least of his concerns.
Hands around Katarn's forearms, Dyarst tried desperately to break the other man's grip. But it seemed that Katarn would not be moved. And his strength was beginning to fade.
How? Dyarst thought. He was locked up for two straight days? He should be weak! How can he do this?
Yes! Yes, Katarn! Finish this! Kill him!
The voice sang inside Kyle's mind, urging him on. He could see that Dyarst was trying to break his grip, but it wasn't working.
He was going to do it. He could feel it. He was going to kill Dyarst.
But why? The question was so sudden it almost broke Kyle's concentration. Had Dyarst said something?One look at man's face answered that question. Dyarst was struggling just to breathe, much less speak.
Why are you doing this?
It was another voice, from inside his mind.
Why are you doing this? it repeated.
Kyle sucked in a breath. He recognized it. It was the other voice, the one that had healed him before, the one that had kept him from killing Boba Fett.
Why must you take this man's life, Kyle? It will change nothing.Do not listen! This man has inflicted harm upon, Katarn! He deserves nothing less than death!
Looking down at his foe, struggling in his grip, Kyle felt a new surge of anger.Yes, he thought, agreeing with the first voice, I've tolerated your existence for long enough, Dyarst. Time for you to die.
He squeezed harder, using everything he had to finish off Dyarst.
The next moment, stars popped in front of his eyes. His vision grayed, tunneled.
The first screamed at him, telling him to stay awake, but a moment later, he was unconscious.