Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall

Book 2: Birth of a Jedi

Chapter 2: The Perils of Nar Shaddaa


A/N: Greetings to all! Shanesnest here with the newest chapter of Kyle Katarn: The Rise and Fall Book 2: Birth of a Jedi. Reaction so far has been very positive so I think it's safe to say y'all are enjoying it so far. Sorry about the cliffhanger right off the bat in Chapter 1. It's a bad habit of mine. The end of this one should be a little less tense. But before we begin, some shout outs.

Tinuviel Undomiel: Yeah, I'm trying to create an air where they're more than friends but not exactly a couple yet. The whole idea about Jan giving Kyle the holo emitter just sorta came to me. I tried to give a certain air to the scene with Rahn and Jerec, to try and convey what the game cut scene shows visually.

Nerwen Aldarion: You do, but that knowledge has been very beneficial for me! I was hoping you'd like the Kyle/Jan interactions. Yeah, as I said to your sister, I figure right now they're more than friends, but less than a couple. Y'know, I just might consider your suggestion, it'd be awfully funny! Yeah, they're in the special scene on the super secret bonus track. ;) No, definitely no two years to finish this one, not gonna do it!

Hitman Nx: A pleasure to hear from you again! Y'know that whole heading I wrote when I was felt like I just didn't want to come up with another made up name. Yeah, the character gained a real following after the Dark Forces game and sequels.

Mach Farcon: Thank you, I appreciate the compliment! I've got some friends who play paintball; it's definitely not a sport for sissies.

Tig94: Yeah, the path to Jedi Kyle Katarn begins. It is too bad about Rahn, but such are the things that happen. Yeah, good ol' Murphy's Law.

A/N: All right then, last time the story of Jan and Kyle continued with the beginning of events from the Dark Forces II game. So what happens next? Let's find out!


Rebel Star Destroyer Intrepid

Bridge Briefing Room

Six Months Later

The door to the room opened, admitting Kyle and Jan.

"You two took your time," said Commander Thonas.

"It's a big ship," Kyle retorted, a bit aggravated at being summoned so suddenly.

He and Jan had been in the midst of replacing a section of the Moldy Crow's hull and the sudden call had caused Jan to lose her grip, letting the hull section drop right onto Kyle.

Luckily, it had only given him a small bruise on the top of his head.

"Your message said it was important," Jan said, focusing on the reason for the summoning.

"Yes, it did," said Mon Mothma, standing nearby, "if the two of you would come over here."

She led them from the command walkway to the crew pits, stopping in front of communications.

"Do either of you know a droid named 8t88?" she asked.

Kyle shook his head.

"I do," Jan said, looking to Mon Mothma, "I met him during the supply run about six or seven months ago."

Mon Mothma nodded.

"Either of you had any further dealings with this droid?" Thonas asked.

Kyle and Jan both said no.

"Are you sure?" Thonas pressed.

Again, the pair said no.

"No contact at all?"

"Look," Kyle said, annoyed, "we just said we haven't talked to this 8t88. Is there some part of the word 'no' that confuses you?"

Thonas glared at him.

"You're out of line, mister."

"Out of line?" Kyle challenged, "You call us up here like it's some big emergency, criticize how long it took us to get here and then keep asking the same question even after we've answered it?"

"Kyle…" Jan said warningly.

"And then you tell me I'm out of line? Who exactly do you think you're talking to here?"

Face reddened with anger, Thonas spoke.

"I think I'm talking to someone who's about to spend some time in the brig if he doesn't watch his mouth. Furthermore…"

"Enough!" Mon Mothma said loudly.

Silence enveloped the room as both men saw the expression on her face and realized that the next words they said would be the last.

"Kyle," the Rebel leader said," I'm disappointed in you. Of all people, you should know better than to speak to a superior officer in such a tone. It's unbecoming of someone who went to the Imperial Academy."

Kyle looked away, feeling chagrined.

Thonas started to smile, but Mon Mothma wasn't done.

"And Commander," she said, addressing him, "I am quite surprised at you as well. If anyone is out of line here, it is you. Kyle and Jan have served the Alliance with distinction and have proven themselves to be people of character. I am very disappointed to see you treat them as any less than that."

Now it was Thonas' turn to look away.

Mon Mothma let the silence reigned for several seconds before speaking again.

"Now Commander, please explain exactly why you think Kyle and Jan have something to do with this droid."

"Yes, Mon Mothma," Thonas said, ten minutes ago, communications contacted us regarding a signal from this 8t88."

"So?" Kyle said.

"Katarn, don't push it," Jan whispered fiercely.

"The transmission is for you, Kyle," Thonas said, "8t88 wants to speak with you, and only you."

The wise ass look on Kyle's face was quickly replaced with one of surprise.

"Me?"

Thonas nodded.

"But I've never talked to this droid," he said to Thonas, "Heck, I've never even met him, seriously."

Seeing the earnestness in the other's face, Thonas began to wonder to suspect he had a mistake about Kyle.

"Well, that's strange," the head of Tactical said. .

"You're sure he wants me?" Kyle asked.

Thonas nodded.

"I tried talking to him, but he wouldn't budge. Just keeps repeating that he will only speak with Kyle Katarn."

"And he's given no clue as to what he wants to speak to me about."

"No," Mon Mothma replied, "that's why Commander Thonas and I were hoping you might know."

"Wish I did," said Kyle.

"Wait a minute," Jan said, "I might have an idea why."

"Oh?" said Mon Mothma

"During that supply run I mentioned, 8t88 approached me with an item, a holo emitter."

"A holo emitter?" Thonas emitted, "of what?"

For a moment, Kyle considered telling the man it was personal and private. But he also considered that the last thing he needed to do right now was make Thonas angry again. And besides, Mon Mothma had already warned him once, she wouldn't give him a second chance if he started something now.

"It's a recording my father made," Kyle said.

"May I ask of what exactly?" Mon Mothma entreated.

"It's kinda personal, Mon Mothma," Kyle replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable at describing the recording, "It was just before I left to go to the Imperial Academy and Father was sending me off."

"Nuts," Thonas said, shaking his head, "I didn't realize. I'm sorry for asking, Kyle."

"It's okay. You needed to know."

"Still…" Thonas began, then trailed off, clearly not happy with himself.

"In any case," Mon Mothma, breaking what could have been an uncomfortable silence, "the picture is becoming a bit clearer. Jan, you said 8t88 approached you with the holo emitter."

The operative nodded.

"Yes, in fact he was quite insistent that the emitter be part of the deal with the rest of the supplies and that it be given directly to me."

Thonas spoke up.

"An imbedded transmitter, I'll bet."

"I would tend to agree," Mon Mothma said, "Kyle, do you happen to have the emitter with you?"

"Sure," he said, reaching into one of his pockets and pulling out the device. He offered it to Mon Mothma.

"Thank you," she said, "you do realize it will need to be inspected?"

Kyle nodded and was about to speak when Thonas interrupted.

"I'll make sure the holo emitter isn't damaged, Kyle."

Hearing this, the younger man smiled.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. But there's something I'd like to ask."

"And that is?" said Mon Mothma.

"What is all the fuss over this droid? Maybe he's found some other recording of my father and wants to sell it to me, hence the desire to speak only to me?"

Commander Thonas and Mon Mothma both shook their heads.

"8t88 is no mere merchant droid, Kyle," Thonas said, "Intelligence has learned he's an information broker loyal only to the highest bidder. "

"Which makes it all the stranger that he wants to speak with you," Mon Mothma finished.

Kyle shrugged.

"I still don't understand why."

"Nor do I," Mon Mothma said, "which leaves us with only one option."

"I talk to him and find out, "Kyle said resignedly.

"Exactly," Mon Mothma said.

Kyle sighed, feeling a mixture of resignation and frustration.

"Let's get this over with then."

He moved to a panel with a display screen.

"I'm ready."

Mon Mothma called the bridge.

"Please send the signal on Channel YX-15 down here."

"It'll be just a moment, Mon Mothma," the comm officer said and signed off.

It was just under a minute before the display screen came to life and the panel indicators verified the incoming signal.

The screen showed static for a moment, then the face of the droid 8t88 appeared, or at least what appeared to be its face.

The droid's head looked like two rounded squares on top of each other with a slit in the area where a human nose would be. Sitting on an impossibly slender neck, the back of the droid's head followed roughly human lines, capped with dome-shaped part on the back of its head.

What made the droid particularly odd to look at were the three eyes. Just above the slit in its head and on either side were three differently sized and shaped eyes. On the right was a single, circular one colored purple. On the opposite side was a smaller, circular one colored white and a square red one beneath.

The droid also appeared to have two vocabulators, one a rectangle with one side of curving up under the left part of its face and the other a rectangular shape sitting vertically along the right side.

Who the heck designed you? Kyle thought.

"Are you 8t88?" he asked.

"Indeed I am, "the droid in a low pitched metallic voice, "my sensors indicate a 96% chance that you are the person I am looking for."

Kyle introduced himself.

"So what exactly do you want with me?" he asked the droid.

"As you may know," the droid said, "I am an information broker."

Kyle nodded.

"I have some information that may be of interest to you, Kyle Katarn."

"Something like the holo emitter you gave Jan?" Kyle asked.

"Something like that," the droid echoed, "perhaps."

"What information do you have?" Kyle asked directly.

The droid made a sound like a human going, "tsk, tsk".

"Over an open comm channel?" it said, "I think not. You will have to come meet me in order to get it."

"Why?" Kyle asked.

The droid said nothing.

"I asked you why," Kyle pressed.

The droid made a sound like a sigh this time.

"I am not accustomed to answering irrelevant questions. But let us say the information has something to do with Morgan Katarn."

My father?

"However," 8t88 continued, "if you are not interested, then we have nothing more to discuss."

Kyle was instantly distrustful of the droid. It was being so cryptic that his first instinct was to close the comm channel and go about his day.

But then he considered the holo it had sold Jan. If the droid was telling the truth…

"Okay, okay," he said quickly, "you want a meeting. When and where?"

"Come to the Rimmer's Rest on Nar Shaddaa. Get a private booth and wait for me there. And be sure to come alone?"

"When?" Kyle asked.

"Whenever you choose, I suppose," the droid said, "but sooner would be better, for you."

Kyle decided he knew something else about 8t88 beyond not trusting him.

He decided he didn't like this droid.

"Why should I come alone?" Kyle asked, hoping to get the droid to divulge some more information.

"Because that is a condition of our meeting."

"All right, '88," he said, purposely mangling the droid's name, "Rimmer's Rest on Nar Shaddaa."

"My name is 8t88," the droid corrected.

"Whatever you say, '88," Kyle said, "see you soon."

The droid said nothing further and a moment later, the display screen went blank again.

Turning away from it, Kyle noticed Jan was looking disapprovingly at him.

"You have such a nice way with people," she said sarcastically.

Kyle made a dismissive gesture.

"It's just a droid," he said, "It's not like I hurt its feelings or anything like that."

"But you just had to try and antagonize it."

Kyle shrugged.

"Maybe."

Jan was about to say something else, but it was Mon Mothma who spoke first.

"Kyle, do you have any idea what kind of information 8t88 is referring to?

Kyle shook his head.

"None at all," he replied, "but then, I wasn't aware of the holo emitter either. "

"Then let me ask this," Mon Mothma said, "how confident do you feel that 8t88 is telling the truth, that he has some important information about your father?"

Kyle shrugged.

"It's possible. There's so much about my father that I never knew. Heck, before I came here, I had no idea he was a supporter of the Rebellion."

The Rebel Leader nodded at this, but still looked concerned.

"I still would like to know where and how 8t88 has come to possess both the holo emitter and this information."

"Me too," Kyle said.

"If you ask me," said Jan, "the whole thing feels squirrely."

"So Kyle," Commander Thonas said, looking at him, "what do you want to do?"

Caught by surprise at the question, it took Kyle a minute before he could answer.

"Well, "he said, "I personally have no real desire to go anywhere near Nar Shaddaa. The whole setup with '88 bothers me. It could be a trap.

"But?" Mon Mothma said.

He grinned at her.

"But," Kyle echoed, "the fact that 8t88 had the holo emitter makes me thinks he really does have information on my father."

Kyle thought a moment more.

"Bottom line, I think I should go to Nar Shaddaa and find out."

"Why am I not surprised?" said Mon Mothma.

"You did ask, "Kyle teased.

The sound of a hand smacking the table caused everyone to look at Jan.

One look was all it took to see she was upset

"I don't believe what I'm hearing. This is so clearly a trap I'm surprised no else has said so."

"Jan…" Kyle began.

"And what about the danger of just going to Nar Shaddaa?" she demanded, "The Empire has splashed Kyle's face and description all over the Holonet. If they learn he's on Nar Shaddaa, every two bit bounty hunter looking for his next mark will be gunning for you."

"She has a point, Kyle," Mon Mothma said.

He nodded.

"Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind as well."

"But you're still going, aren't' you?" Jan asked.

Kyle nodded.

"Why?" she challenged.

"Because," Kyle said firmly, "I need to know."

"Kyle," Mon Mothma began, "if this is solely about your father…"

"No," he interrupted, "it's more than that. Consider that 8t88 took the time to figure out where I was and then managed to decipher one of the Alliance's comm frequencies, which are supposed to be triple-encrypted and 'unbreakable'"

Mon Mothma looked to Commander Thonas, who nodded.

"He's right. The droid contacted us on one of the secure frequencies."

"That's another reason why I need to go," Kyle said, "Not just to find out about my father, but to learn what '88's plans are, what exactly it's up to."

Silence reigned in the room until Jan sighed loudly.

"Fine," she said resignedly, then turned to look at Kyle, "but I'm coming with you."

Now it was Kyle's turn to protest.

"Now who's not being serious, Jan? Your face is as well known as mine. Besides, 8t88 said for me to come alone."

Jan didn't respond.

"Mon Mothma…" Kyle began.

The Rebel leader held up a hand.

"I agree with her, Kyle. You're going to need a mission in any case. So, if you truly want to go to Nar Shaddaa, it will be the two of you together or not at all."

Kyle considered saying something else, but one look at Mon Mothma's face told him he wasn't going to win the argument.

"All right."

"Good," said Mon Mothma, "with that settled, we'll leave you and Jan to come with a plan for the mission. Contact me as soon as you complete it.

Kyle nodded.

"Understood," Jan said.


Rebel Star Destroyer Intrepid

Mission Planning Room

Jan shook her head.

"I still don't like it."

Kyle let out a sigh of exasperation.

"You know," he said, glaring at her, "you can be a real…"

He stopped himself from saying the next word, doing so would only exacerbate things and result in a fight that he realized wasn't worth it.

Kyle forced himself to meet Jan's eyes, which seemed to be entreating him to finish his comment.

"We've been over this again and again, Jan. There's no way you can come to the cantina with me."

"You need backup," she countered.

Kyle nodded.

"I agree. But you're not seeing this clearly. There is no way 8t88 is going to come alone. He'll have spies all over the place. Once they spot you, everything falls apart."

"You're the one not listening, Katarn. I told you before I'd come in a disguise."

Kyle looked up to the ceiling for a moment to keep his temper from exploding.

Looking back to Jan, he said, "And I told you any disguise you try isn't going to fool 8t88. He's a droid, Jan. He'll see through any disguise with one those eyes of his."

"You don't know that for certain," Jan argued, unwilling to concede the point.

"Maybe not," Kyle said, his voice a bit angry, "but you read the file from Undomiel and Aldarion in Intelligence. 8t88 has brokered deals all over the galaxy and everyone who's tried to cross him so far has ended up dead."

"All the more reason for me to be there," Jan said, her voice rising, "I…"

"Jan," Kyle said, forcing himself to speak calmly.

"What?" she said angrily.

"We're obviously not making any headway on this. How about we contact Mon Mothma and go over the plan with her? She can make this decision."

Jan said nothing.

"Please?"

Looking at his face, she realized Kyle was holding the olive branch out to her.

"All right," she said, her voice a little less angry.

Reaching for his communicator, Kyle contacted the Rebel Leader.


Rebel Star Destroyer Intrepid

Mon Mothma's Briefing Room

Thirty Minutes Later

"Enough," the elder stateswoman said, her tone amicable but also forceful.

In the midst of bickering with each other of whether Jan was accompanying Kyle to the bar or not, the pair heard the retort in their superiors' voice.

Having already antagonized Mon Mothma once today, Kyle and Jan both were getting well acquainted with Mon Mothma's non verbal cues.

And both realized the word "enough" in this case was a cue for both of them to shut up and listen.

Mon Mothma rubbed at her eyes, feeling a bit weary.

"You two have hammered away at this for almost ten minutes now and are clearly getting nowhere."

She waited a moment to see if either would interrupt.

When they didn't, she continued.

"It is clear you both are very passionate about this. But at the same time, this bickering is both pointless and completely unprofessional."

She saw that comment hit both of them. Neither of the operatives was meeting her eyes.

"Jan, your position about Kyle needing backup makes good sense. Sending in a single operative in a situation such as this is both dangerous and unwise."

Jan smiled.

"However, Kyle is right that 8t88 would inevitably detect your presence, jeopardizing the entire mission."

Now it was Kyle's turn to smile.

"Therefore, it is my determination that Kyle goes to the cantina by himself and meets with 8t88. Assuming the droid is honest about exchanging information; Kyle will see what payment is desired and conduct the exchange. With luck, he'll leave the cantina with the information and contact Jan for pickup."

"But what if something goes wrong?" Jan asked.

Kyle looked at her. The sarcasm and anger in Jan's voice was gone. The question was being asked honestly.

"Then Kyle will have to take whatever measures he can to escape the bar and rendezvous with you," Mon Mothma answered.

Kyle could see Jan still wasn't happy with the plan.

"Very well," she said.

"Good," Mon Mothma said, "then, I want you both to get something to eat and get some rest. We'll begin preparations first thing tomorrow."

"Understood," Jan said, rising to her feet.

"We'll be ready," Kyle said, standing up.

With Kyle a pace or two behind, the two operatives left the room.

Once outside in the corridor, he quickly took the initiative.

"Have dinner with me?"

Jan looked at him.

"Why?"

"Why not?" Kyle responded.

She stared at him for a moment, and then sighed.

"All right."

They made their way to the ship's mess. After filling their respective trays with food, the two of them found a small table to sit at, Kyle sitting opposite Jan.

Neither of them said a word as they began eating, the scent of the food making them both realize how ravenous they were.

A short time later, Jan set her knife and fork aside.

"That's it, I'm full."

"Me too," said Kyle, wiping his hands on his napkin and placing it atop the tray.

They sat in silence for a moment.

Kyle took a look around, seeing only a few other personnel around, sitting some distance away.

"Jan?"

"What?"

"Look," he said, "I'm sorry, but the mission has to be this way. I just don't see any other way…"

"I know," interrupted Jan, "it's just that I have a bad feeling about this."

"You know I'm going to do everything I can to get out of there safely."

She nodded.

"Besides," he said, suddenly smiling, "I am letting you use my ship, after all. You should be happy."

"Your ship?" she countered, "listen buster, your ship would be a pile of spare parts if it weren't for me and Wexter."

"And my team," he said.

"You wouldn't even have a team if it wasn't for me," Jan said, rising to the argument.

"At least I'm a Commander, unlike some people," he said.

"For one mission!" she protested

"Still…"

"Katarn…" she said warningly.

"Understood," he said, "shutting up now."

"Good," she said.

More silence.

Jan rose from her seat.

"I'm going to bed."

"Okay," Kyle said, "see you in the morning."

Jan started to walk away, stopped.

"Kyle?"

He turned to see her facing away from him.

"Yes?"

"Are you just going to sit there?"

"Huh?"

"Well," she said haughtily, "I'd think most gentlemen would offer to escort a lady back to her quarters. But perhaps I'm expecting too much of you. You're not exactly a gentleman."

Kyle shook his head. Jan had to know he couldn't let a challenge like that go unanswered.

He quickly stood up and caught up to her.

"Excuse me," he said.

She looked up at him.

"Yes?"

Kyle felt his heart beat faster as he looked down at her. His carefully prepared words vanished in an instant.

"Would you…"

He paused.

"I mean, may I… please may I…"

He paused again.

"Can I…"

Jan suddenly grabbed his left hand with her right hand and pulled.

"Let's go Katarn. By the time you form a complete sentence, it'll be morning."

Kyle felt his face grow warm with embarrassment.

He walked with Jan out of the mess hall and through the various corridors to her quarters.

Standing in front of it, she turned to Kyle.

"Thank you for dinner and our 'conversation'."

Kyle smiled back at her.

"You're welcome."

They stared at each other for a moment.

"Well then," Jan said quickly, "good night, Kyle."

"Good night, Jan," he said, turning and walking away while she entered her quarters.


The planet Nar Shaddaa

16 Hours Later

Sitting in a private booth all by himself, Kyle waited, his patience wearing thinner with each passing second.

The mission had begun well. As he normally did, Kyle was up early and preparing his gear. This included his new "uniform". The lightweight armor he had used in rescuing Jan had proven to be of little protection during battle. Other variants were developed and while some proved to be more flexible, they were just as vulnerable as the original.

After hours of testing with Chief Brolly, Mach Farcon and Atarn Daman, the decision had been made to focus on strengthening the personal shield, so that it would last longer in battle and provide Kyle protection against heavier weapons.

The result had come in the form of a dark brown, ellipse shaped shoulder guard that attached directly onto his outer shirt. Underneath, he wore a close fitting, but lightweight, gray shirt that contained the shield circuitry. Over this went an off-white shirt, made of a looser fitting and softer material. The shoulder guard contained three shield power cells; all much larger than the one Kyle had used before. It took better than a dozen close range blaster shots to take the shield down now.

The underarms of the shirt were colored a contrasting brown and made of a reinforced material to protect his side from a close range blaster shot and most knives. Just in front of the elbows, the loose fitting material gave way to a pair of close fitting, light brown armbands in which Wexter had managed to incorporate Kyle's datapad, shield monitor and communicator.

A pair of pants in a mottled brown color and high black boots completed the ensemble. Unsure at first how it would feel, Kyle quickly grew to like the "uniform". He had all the dexterity and mobility he was used to without being encumbered by armor.

Jan too, had gotten a new "uniform". Her outfit consisted of a long-sleeve white shirt, over which she wore a tan vest with pockets for her equipment. She also wore heavy gloves now, particularly when flying the Crow. The pants she wore were either gray or brown, accompanied by brown boots. Since her long hair had proven to be a problem and she loathed the thought of cutting, Jan had found a more effective solution.

Before a mission, she used heavy duty clips to put and keep her hair in place. The last item she used was a pair of gray goggles that contained thermal imaging, radio wave, sound wave and various other sensors that fed her information.

Ensconced in their new duds, they made final inspections of their weapons and equipment before attending one last meeting with Mon Mothma.

With her stamp of approval on the mission, Kyle and Jan headed to the hangar. No words were exchanged between them. Pretty much everything worthwhile saying had been said.

Kyle climbed into the rear cockpit of the Moldy Crow and strapped in as Jan mirrored his actions in the forward cockpit and began the startup sequence for the engines.

The repulsors came on obediently, but the main engines were another matter.

Jan ran through the ignition sequence again, but there was no response.

Muttering under her breath, she reset the controls once again, then tried the sequence a third time.

The ship began to quake, the vibration rocking Jan and Kyle from side to side in the cockpit.

The engines coughed once, twice and with a deafening roar, came to life.

"One of these days…" Jan said, glaring at the Crow's instrument panel.

Behind her, Kyle smiled, but said nothing.

Selecting a channel on the comm system, Jan pressed the "Transmit" button.

"Moldy Crow to hangar control."

"Hangar control here," answered the familiar voice of Puan Gell, "have a little starting up there, Jan?"

"Don't get me started," she said, "how about clearance for departure?"

"You have clearance," Puan said, "be advised though. An X-Wing squadron just left hyperspace and is on approach vector."

"Then they'd better get out of my way," Jan muttered.

Though he tried, Kyle was unable to suppress a bark of laughter.

Jan turned and glared at him.

She was about to say something when Puan's voice came back in her headset.

"What was that, Moldy Crow?"

"Nothing," she said firmly, "understood on the X-Wing Squadron."

Closing the channel, Jan decided it was time for her to have a bit of fun at somebody else's expense.

Maneuvering the Crow until it was lined up with the hangar bay exit; she grasped the throttles in her left hand and shoved them as hard as she could to the stops.

With a scream of released energy, the Crow's engines flared a bright blue-white as the vessel shot out of the hangar bay with all the grace of a cannon firing a projectile.

Kyle found himself slammed into his seat and unable to move as the distance between the Crow and the Intrepid increased rapidly.

Well, this is unexpected, he thought.

He considered what to do or say to her, but decided for the moment, that less was more.

And so, the forces of acceleration pinning him in place, Kyle tried to relax as best he could.

After another two minutes, Jan pulled the throttles back, albeit much slower this time. After her headlong dash out of the hangar bay, the last she needed to do was hit the brakes too quickly.

She also prepared herself for a verbal assault from Kyle, fully expecting him to be livid with her.

But none came.

Jan waited as thirty seconds passed, forty five, a minute, a minute thirty, and still nothing from the rear cockpit.

She considered that Kyle might be trying to bait her and on the heels of that thought, she wondered if the fast exit had done something to him.

She decided she had to at least make sure he was alive.

"Katarn?" she called.

"Yes?" came back the reply.

He doesn't sound hurt, Jan thought, or angry, for that matter.

She considered his response for a moment more.

What are playing at, Katarn?

"Anything you want to say?" she asked, purposely trying to provoke a response.

There was several seconds of silence, and then Kyle spoke.

"Has the computer finished calculating the hyperspace jump?"

The question made Jan realize she had completely forgotten to do that. Her fingers danced across the hyperspace controls, setting the computer to work.

"Almost," she said, not wanting him to figure out her mistake.

"Okay," came the reply.

From feeling vindicated and victorious, Jan was now frustrated and disturbed.

Why isn't he angry? He should be.

As she thought this, the answer appeared.

She shook her head, realizing she had already lost.

"Katarn?"

"Yes, Jan?"

"I hate you."

"No you don't," he said honestly.

"Right now I do."

"Oh," he said, "in that case, understood."

Blowing out a breath, Jan refocused her attention on the instruments.

A minute later, the hyperspace computer finished it calculations.

"We're ready for hyperspace," she said.

"Then let's get this over with," Kyle said.

Jan nodded in agreement.

Grasping the lever controlling the hyperdrive, she advanced it and the Crow seemed to stretch forward before vanishing into hyperspace.

Three hours later, the ship came back into realspace only a short ways away from the Smuggler's Moon.

"There it is," Jan said to Kyle, "You ready?"

"As ready as I'm going to be," he replied.

Jan guided the ship down into the geometric maze that comprised this area of Nar Shaddaa. After unsuccessfully trying to find a space port or landing field, she had had to bring the Crow in low in a spot near the cantina where Kyle had safely exited the ship.

"I'll see if I can find a place to land somewhere else around here," she said.

"Make sure you keep the engines hot," he advised, looking around, "once I'm finished with 8t88, I wanna get out of here pronto."

She nodded.

"Be careful, Kyle."

"I'll do my best," he said sincerely.

And with that, he turned and strode away. Jan waited until he was out of sight before guiding the Crow skyward.

And now, after all that, all the prep work and planning, I'm just sitting here, he thought.

Kyle glanced at the time display on his wrist again. He had been here over an hour now.

First, he tells me to get here as soon as I can, now he makes me wait, Kyle thought. I am starting to really not like this droid.

Deciding he needed to do something to alleviate the boredom, Kyle reached into his shirt and pulled out the holo emitter Jan had gotten him for his birthday.

Thonas had given it back to him during the final meeting with Mon Mothma. A thorough search of the device had turned up a hidden transmitter, but no other foreign components.

Grateful to have the device returned; Kyle had stuffed it in a pocket on his way out of the briefing room.

A small smile appeared on his face as he keyed the "play" switch.

The machine hummed to life and, a moment later, the image of Kyle and his father appeared.

Kyle watched as his father told him how proud he was.

It was just as the elder Katarn began talking about Kyle's mother that he heard a new sound.

It was low at first, but distinct enough to tell Kyle what it was.

The sound of meshing servomotors: getting closer.

Kyle craned his neck and saw a droid approaching. A droid whose face matched the one he had seen before.

It was 8t88.

The droid approached Kyle's table and sat down, its servomotors whining a bit loudly as it did so.

Kyle turned off the holoemitter.

"How touching," the droid said, its vocalizer doing a fair job of mimicking a tone of condescension. Its' multicolored eyes seemed to be looking both at Kyle and the emitter.

Kyle kept his expression neutral.

"You took your time getting here."

"When someone desires information," the droid intoned, ignoring the comment, "they come to me."

Kyle felt his thin line of patience draw close to snapping completely. He didn't hide his frustration as he spoke.

"Don't waste my time, '88. You said you had information on my father. What is it?"

The droid said nothing for several seconds, then in an almost deadpan tone, spoke.

"It concerns his Rebel ties, he…"

Kyle leaned forward in his seat, his eyes hard.

"I already know about that. If that's all you got, then…"

8t88 was still speaking.

"…and the events of his death," it concluded.

Kyle paused upon hearing this.

He considered that maybe the droid knew exactly what had happened to his father when the Empire attacked Sulon.

"You know who killed my father?"

"Patience," the droid said.

That sent Kyle over the edge.

No way am I gonna let some stupid droid tell me to calm down!

He hit the table with his clenched right hand.

"I said don't waste my time, '88! Tell me who killed my father, now!"

The explosion of anger didn't seem to faze the droid in the slightest.

"Patience," it said again, "he is a Dark Jedi."

"Jedi?" Kyle echoed.

"Dark Jedi," 8t88 said.

The droid's emphasis on the word "dark" reminded Kyle of the voice from before, the one that had called itself Dark.

"His name is Jerec," 8t88 continued, "and he has great plans for the rebirth of the Empire."

Normally, such a comment would have concerned Kyle. But at this moment, whatever plans someone had for the Empire took a back burner to what was happening presently.

"I'm not interested in someone's plans for a power grab. Besides, the Empire is gone."

"Well, you should be interested in this one," 8t88 said emphatically.

"And why is that?" Kyle challenged.

"Without going into unnecessary detail," 8t88 said, "Jerec's offerings have been… quite munificent. And for some reason, he seems very interested in finding you."

There was sudden movement from the front of the room. Kyle's right hand was just going under the table for his weapons when someone stepped in behind him and pointed a blaster right at his neck. One shot and he wouldn't even be able to call for help.

Moving to stand on the other side of the table from 8t88, a Gran clad in a dark blue outfit also leveled a blaster at Kyle.

You were right, Jan, he thought, it's a trap.

8t88 spoke again.

"But I am not without what a 'heart', as you humans say."

One of the droids spindly arms went under the table for a moment then reappeared holding something.

"It is familiar to you?"

The droid held a silvery metallic disc with holes punched in equidistant positions on its surface. The disc itself was partially contained inside a tan holder that was part square, part triangle.

Kyle did recognize the item.

One of Wee-Gee's holo discs!

He fought not to let the recognition show on his face.

When he didn't answer after a time, the droid continued.

"I found this in your dead father's home," it said.

This blasted droid was in my house?

One of 8t88's photoreceptors moved to look at the disc.

"I can decipher any language or code known," it said, "but this one has so far resisted my efforts. I conclude that whatever is on it must be important."

The droid held the disc out towards Kyle.

"If you will agree to tell me what this is, then perhaps I can convince these 'gentlemen' to not show you their 'darker' side."

It was, perhaps, one of the worst veiled threats Kyle had ever heard. And if 8t88 thought it scared him, well….

A smile came to Kyle's face, a smile that made the droid instantly uncomfortable.

"The Dark Side?" Kyle said; a hint of amusement in his voice, "I've been there, '88. No deal."

The droid paused, processing the retort.

Then, with a whine of servomotors, it pulled the disc back and rose from the table. As it turned to go, the droid turned its head around to look back at Kyle.

"I suppose our business is concluded then."

To the men covering Kyle, it said, "Make sure no one finds the body."

And with that, the droid strode away, the whine of its servomotors growing fainter.

The Gran took a half step closer to Kyle, its blaster trained on him.

"You should have made the deal," it said in its language, "Now; you will never leave Nar Shaddaa."

To the alien's surprise, Kyle didn't show any fear. Instead, the smile reappeared, the smile of a predator.

Moving quickly, Kyle reached over his right shoulder. The gunman behind him had made the mistake of getting too close and leaning over to aim his blaster.

The Gran saw the man behind his target fly forward, rotating in mid-air until the gunman's back slammed hard onto the circular table.

There was a flash of metal and a heartbeat later, the man on the table slumped lifelessly, his neck twisted at an impossible angle.

Kyle moved again and a second later, the Gran found itself staring down the muzzle of a blaster rifle.

Kyle leaned forward, his face becoming visible.

He was still smiling.

"I'm not interested in leaving just yet," he said to the alien, "I still have some business with 8t88."

Fight or flight instinct kicking in, the Gran gave a guttural cry and dropped its weapon, turning to flee.

It had barely taken two steps when Kyle fired twice.

The Gran fell to the floor, dead.

Moving around the table and past the body on the floor, Kyle headed down the corridor that connected to other private rooms.

He swept the blaster from side to side as he moved, in case there were any more of 8t88's henchmen lying in wait.

But no more appeared and the only other person he saw right then was a goggled-eyed, gray-haired humanoid who had retreated to the far wall as Kyle had turned in his direction.

Turning into a connecting hallway, Kyle followed to an entrance he recognized.

It was the bar he had come through on his way to the room to meet 8t88. As he got close, Kyle's ears picked up the unmistakable sound of a Gran speaking.

Guess there is more than one.

But on the heels of that though came another. He considered what might happen if he was wrong and the Gran was just there having a drink.

Sure, he thought sarcastically, and the Emperor is secretly a humanitarian.

Reaching up to his right shoulder, he pressed a recessed control. There was a low hum from the shoulder pad as the shield powered up, the shield indicator on Kyle's right wrist coming on and displaying the shield power level at 100%.

Well, let's see who's in there, he thought.

Moving into the doorway, Kyle's eyes swept the room, spotting the two Gran around the same time they saw him.

Aiming his blaster, Kyle got off three shots before the Gran opened fire.

Crimson bolts crisscrossed each other, seeking out their targets.

One of the pair of Gran was hit by two of Kyle's shots and gave a guttural cry as it fell.

Kyle felt the impact of the Gran's fire against his shield, causing him to stagger back a few steps.

The second Gran kicked over a table and was hiding behind it, sliding out every few seconds to shoot at him.

Kyle tried returning fire, but the table was shielding his target.

Just then, a shot from the Gran hit the shield, driving him back another step. A glance at the shield display showed it at 70%.

Can't keep this up, he thought, I've got to find a way to take the advantage.

A memory of stormtrooper training came to him.

"Sometimes, men," the instructor had said, "the trick to defeating an enemy is the choice that makes the least sense, and so is the last thing expected."

On the heels of the memory came an idea.

It's crazy, he thought, but it's the last thing the Gran'll expect.

Waiting until his enemy fired another round, Kyle ran forward towards the table.

Reaching the spot, Kyle grabbed the table with left hand and yanked.

The table slid, exposing the Gran, crouching on the floor.

The alien looked up, dumbfounded.

"Hi there," Kyle said and shot him.

With both Gran dead, he made another sweep of the room, but the bar seemed empty, the dark and stained metal creating shadows even though the room was lit brightly from an overhead fixture. The wall to Kyle's was a mix of diagonal beams and transparisteel, providing a view that wasn't much to look at as a viewer would only see more of the caverns and buildings that comprised Nar Shaddaa.

Suddenly a voice called seemingly out of nowhere.

"Get out of my bar!"

Turning round, Kyle faced the bar again and found the origin of the voice.

It took only a moment for him to identify the humanoid bartender he had encountered upon arriving here.

He also noticed the man was glaring daggers at him.

"You got a problem?"

"Yeah I do," the bartender said, showing no fear even though a weapon was pointed at him, "look at the mess you made."

"Hey!" Kyle countered, "They attacked me!"

The bartender made a dismissive gesture.

"Your type always causes trouble," he muttered, turning away.

Part of Kyle wanted to slam the man's face right into his bar. But then he remembered the disc.

I've got to find 8t88!

He was about to leave when he noticed the weapons lying near the Gran's bodies. Going over, he picked up both weapons, finding them mostly charged.

Removing the power packs, Kyle pocketed one and use the other to recharge his shield to 100%.

Ignoring the continued comments and protests from the bartender, he headed for the bar's exit.

"That's right," the bartender called, "get out already!"

That tears it!

Turning back towards the bar, Kyle noticed the neon sign on the back wall, the image displaying some kind of serpent.

He aimed the blaster and fired twice.

With the sound of transparisteel shattering, the sign guttered and went out.

The bartender hit the floor.

With a satisfied smile, Kyle exited the bar.

The corridor he stepped into was dimly lit, but he could distinguish a ramp of green metal ahead of him. Kyle moved carefully up the ramp and into a larger, brighter room of the same décor as the bar, minus the windows. Part of the ceiling on one side of the room was low, casting one whole side in shadow.

Beyond it appeared to be a larger room where the left hand wall was set on a diagonal disappearing up and out of Kyle's sight.

Moving across the space, he kept an eye out for more attackers.

Passing into the larger, high-ceilinged room, Kyle saw what looked like a chute on the left side of the room with an opening near the ceiling. He looked in that direction, in the event that someone was there, ready to shoot.

Suddenly, he heard a sound from behind just as something large and heavy hit him.

Pain flared in Kyle's back, the force of the blow knocking him forward.

Instinctively, he tucked his head into his chest and turned the fall into a somewhat clumsy forward roll.

Kyle's back flared all the more as it struck the unyielding floor. He managed to roll onto his side even as he raised the hand carrying the blaster.

To his surprise, Kyle noticed that his attacker was not carrying a blaster.

He could tell right away it was a Gran, but this one was not wearing a shirt, displaying its mottled upper body in the same tan color as it face.

In addition, this Gran sported some rather impressive looking muscles.

Even as he took in his attacker's appearance, the Gran began to move forward.

Its hands were raised in a gesture that Kyle recognized.

I think… yes! It wants to fight me.

He considered for a moment obliging the Gran, visions of knocking the alien on its butt flitting through his mind.

But then again, he wasn't sure exactly how strong the Gran was.

And if I underestimate him…

A new vision appeared in Kyle's mind. Himself on the ground, getting the daylights beat out of him.

Yeah, definitely not what I want to happen.

In any case, Kyle knew he needed to come up with something soon, the Gran was getting closer and before he knew it, the alien was looming over him.

It has been said that some of the best ideas come out of desperation.

And so it was that an idea came to Kyle.

With the alien's hands almost upon him, Kyle leaned forward, raising the hand holding the blaster.

In an instant, the barrel had dug in the flesh of the Gran's throat.

Kyle saw its three eyes blink in astonishment.

A smile came across his face as he pulled the trigger.

"Surprise!"

The gun lurched in his hands as it fired; the tough skin and bones of the Gran no barrier to the energy beam.

It tore through the Gran's throat and neck, exiting out the other side.

Eyes glazing over, the Gran continued to move forward, now falling towards Kyle.

The operative felt his breath rush out of him as the heavy body of the dead alien struck him, trapping his gun arm.

Kyle tried to move, but the Gran's body proved to be very heavy.

It took several minutes and a lot of grunting and pushing, but he finally got enough of his left side free to help with the effort.

With a final push, Kyle rolled the Gran's body off him.

He lay there for several minutes, getting his breath back.

He also found his entire right arm and most of his chest covered in the alien's blood.

"Aw man!" he complained, trying to remove the viscous liquid, "gross!"

When he felt able to, Kyle sat up and tried to clean himself off. He got most of the alien's blood off, but his clothes were stained and spotted.

And I just got this!

Shaking his head, Kyle rolled to one side and pushing off with his left arm and knee, he rose to his feet.

Checking himself over, Kyle concluded that, aside from the stains, he was okay.

He glanced over at the body of the Gran and saw that his initial assessment had been correct.

This Gran was huge, its body larger and muscular than any other he had seen before.

Explains why he didn't have a gun. Big as this guy is, he probably could've crushed me with one blow.

It also occurred to Kyle that there might be more of this type of Gran around.

He made a mental note that if he saw another, to shoot first and shoot often.