Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Chapter 3: The First Mission
A/N: Kyle has gone from Imperial captive to Rebel operative, and has been granted a ship, of sorts. But now, it gets serious.
As Kyle was making his way to the briefing room, Jan and Mon Mothma were engrossed in conversation.
"If you're still not sure we can trust him, then why did you invite him to join us?" Jan asked.
"It was the smart thing to do," Mon Mothma, "If Katarn is telling the truth, then he's more of a threat to the Empire than to us. He's not the first Imperial to defect to the Alliance, and the Emperor would rather that knowledge be kept secret."
"Okay, " Jan said, "But what if all this is a trick and he's an Imperial deep cover agent? They've tried it before."
"That's why I'm sending you both on this mission. If Katarn betrays you, then he'll have to be eliminated."
"I see." Jan said quietly.
Mon Mothma caught the flicker of emotion on the younger woman's face. "Will this be a problem for you?"
Her words had the desired effect. Jan's eyes grew hard and her shoulders straightened.
"No."
"Good."
As the doors parted before him, Kyle caught sight of Mon Mothma and Jan in conversation at a table near the back of the room. They stopped speaking as Kyle entered.
"Good, you're here," said Mon Mothma.
She indicated Kyle should join them at the table. Taking a seat next to Jan, Kyle faced Mon Mothma as she pressed a button on the control panel. The holoprojector over the table came on and displayed what at first, looked to be little more than a planet or a moon. But as he stared at the projection, Kyle realized the object was not a natural one. He opened his mouth to speak, but Mon Mothma beat him to it.
"The image before you is the latest construction project of the Imperials. Scans of the structure indicate it is the size of a class 4 moon."
Jan and Kyle exchanged looks of incredulity. Kyle recalled rumors he heard of a large-scale secret project while he was at the academy. But this…
Mon Mothma continued, "We have only limited intelligence about it, including a code name, Death Star. Ion engines allow the battle station to move under its own power. Its firepower is reportedly greater than half of the Imperial Starfleet. Further, it boasts a superlaser that our spies report is capable of destroying any object in its path, including a planet."
"It's not possible." Jan said.
Mon Mothma shook her head. "Unfortunately, Jan, the Death Star is all too real. Rebels spies at the construction site reported the results of a test of the superlaser. While under construction, the Death Star orbited the planet Despayre, a prison planet. When construction was complete, the superlaser was fired at Despayre."
"And the results?" Kyle asked, trying to not let his voice shake with the fear and shock he felt.
Mon Mothma pressed another button and the image changed to that of an ugly brown planet. "This was Despayre approximately twelve hours ago." The view changed again, but this time the ugly planet was gone. In its place was a ring of rocks and debris. "This shot is from ten hours later."
"Despayre was completely destroyed by the superlaser."
She deactivated the holoprojector and turned to Kyle and Jan, who were still too thunderstruck to speak. "Our latest information is that the Death Star is completing final checkout and tests. Once the battle station is fully operational, it will represent a first strike capability that no force, Rebel or otherwise, can defeat."
Kyle was the first to find his voice. "There has to be something we can do."
Mon Mothma nodded. "Indeed there is. We have learned that the construction plans and technical data for the Death Star are currently in storage, prior to being moved to more secure facilities. The construction plans are currently secured at an Imperial base on the planet Danuta. Other operatives have managed to get a copy of the technical data for the Death Star and will attempt to transmit that data to us."
"So where do we come in?" Kyle asked.
"I am sending you both to Danuta. Your mission is to infiltrate the Imperial base and get us those plans."
Jan stood up from her chair fast. "Are you serious? How do you expect that we can get inside a guarded Imperial installation and get these plans? By asking?"
Mon Mothma raised a hand, silently asking Jan to calm down. "We do have a plan," she said, looking to Kyle as Jan sat back down, "As a former Imperial, we believe that Kyle can successfully infiltrate the base, locate the plans and retrieve them."
She went on to explain that while Kyle and Jan were going after the Death Star construction plans, another group would attempt to steal technical data on the battle station, specifically addressing its defensive and offensive capabilities. With luck, both teams would return safely with both sets of plans.
"I don't have to tell you the danger you're facing, Kyle," Mon Mothma said, looking at him directly, "or the ramifications if you fail. It is vital that we retrieve the plans."
"No matter the cost?" Kyle asked. Mon Mothma nodded.
"So, I'm expendable." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes, Kyle," Mon Mothma answered, "we all are."
"Just wanted to make sure where we stood," Kyle said sarcastically, smiling.
Mon Mothma smiled wanly in response, but Jan glared at him fiercely.
"To help you prepare," Mon Mothma said, "you'll need to select a mission officer. This person will handle your briefings, assist in gathering intelligence and provide support."
Before Kyle could say anything, Jan was back on her feet, "You're looking at her." She said it with a determination that would brook no opposition.
Mon Mothma looked at Kyle, lifting her brows in a silent question. In turn, he looked up at Jan. Her gaze was steely, meeting his directly.
"Well given what I've seen of her already, I'm willing if she is.
"Very well," Mon Mothma said, "then I will leave you two to review the mission."
As she exited the room, Jan's face clouded with anger. "Did you think you were being funny?" she asked, her voice tight.
Kyle wrinkled his brows at her, confused. "I don't understand."
"That crack you made, was it supposed to be funny? Because I didn't find it funny at all."
"Wait a minute, Jan," Kyle began, but she cut him off.
"This is serious business, Katarn," Jan said, "We could both die. And if that happens, any hope the Rebellion has for freeing the galaxy from the tyranny of the Empire dies with it."
Rising from his chair, hands bunched into fists, Kyle met Jan's angry gaze with one of his own.
"And you don't think I understand that? I've seen my father murdered by the Empire, turned traitor, thrown my career away and you don't think I understand the danger we're facing?"
Some of the anger left Jan's face, but her eyes remained steely.
This isn't helping, Kyle realized. He took a deep breath and let it out with a whoosh.
"Look," he said, his voice calmer now, "I am sorry for upsetting you. I didn't mean it to be anything more than a simple joke. And… it probably wasn't the best time for one. But, believe me, Jan, I know how important this mission is and what it could mean if we succeed or if we fail. And as far as dying…"
Kyle couldn't help himself; and with a smirk he added, "I plan on living forever. You?"
This time Jan did laugh, the ice in her eyes melting. "You're a smartass, Katarn," she said, punching him in the shoulder.
Kyle's smirk widened into a true smile. "I know."
This set Jan laughing again as she sat back down.
They were soon engrossed in the mission specifics, reviewing all the available intelligence on Danuta and the plans. Some hours later, Jan pushed back from the table and stretched, trying to relieve the ache in her neck from the time spent reading and re-reading. She looked over at Kyle who was stretching also.
"This isn't going to be easy, Katarn." she said seriously.
Meeting her gaze, he answered, "No, it won't."
Twenty-four hours later, the Moldy Crow streaked from the New Hope's docking bay, engines flaring brightly. In the cockpit, Jan was piloting, Kyle sat behind her in the co-pilots seat giving his equipment yet another check. Everything seemed ready.
He now wore black body armor beneath a brown jacket and matching pants. A mapper designed to help Kyle find his way around the Imperial base was strapped to his left leg. A holster on his left contained his only weapon, a Bryar model laser pistol. He had decided against heavier armament as too bulky and having the potential to slow him down rather than assist him.
Looking forward, he watched Jan move a lever forward, seeing the stars elongate and disappear as the Moldy Crow smoothly entered hyperspace.
"Three hours until we enter the Thekka system." Jan said.
"Okay," replied Kyle.
Both wanted to say more, but what was there to say? They had gone over the mission again and again until they could recall every detail from memory. Either they were going to succeed and maybe give the Rebellion a chance or they would fail and the possibilities were more than either one wanted to consider.
Three hours later
Stars became visible again as the Moldy Crow exited from hyperspace. The ship's nose angled slightly, Jan adjusting its course until the ship was pointed directly at the planet Danuta.
"Okay, Jan," Kyle said from the rear cockpit," Just like we planned."
She nodded and fed more power to the engines. The pair's plan was as simple as it was crazy. Knowing that sensors around the Imperial base would pick up the Moldy Crow as soon as it got within range, Jan would bring the ship in hot and fast, stopping over the base only long enough for Kyle to drop onto the roof. Entering the atmosphere, the Moldy Crow began to buffet and shake as the thickening air caused it to slow. Jan compensated by pulling power away from the engines and feeding it to the shields. Finally, their flight smoothed out and Jan firewalled the engines, pushing her and Kyle back into their seats.
"Wow," Kyle said through clenched teeth as G forces built.
"Imperial base in ten seconds," said Jan, her voice strained, "get ready."
Before Kyle was ready, he was flung against the seat restraints as Jan killed all power to the engines and fired the braking thrusters hard. The Moldy Crow went from streaking across the sky to a stop in less than two seconds. Kyle stabbed at the release for his seat restraints, then at the canopy switch. With a whine, the canopy opened and Kyle flung himself out. He fell only a short distance when his feet hit the roof of the building beneath him. Rolling to reduce the shock of the impact, Kyle let the momentum of his fall carry him until he was back on his feet.
A look skyward showed the Moldy Crow hovering above him, Jan's concerned face peering down at him.
He waved her off. "Go!"
Jan hesitated for a moment, clearly not wanting to leave, but then her head disappeared. The cockpit closed and the Moldy Crow streaked away, engines howling and trailing blue fire as it climbed into the upper atmosphere.
With any luck, Jan would be able to hide the ship in high orbit until Kyle signaled her for pickup. Turning his gaze to the roof, Kyle spotted what he was looking for, an airshaft that would give him access to the base. Stepping in, he slid feet first into the shaft. Moments later, the darkness of the shaft gave way to light as Kyle fell out of the shaft and onto the floor of the Imperial base. I'm inside, he thought, smiling, now if I can just find the plans...
"Hey, you there!"
Kyle went cold as he caught sight of an Imperial officer making his way towards him. Stopping a few feet away, the Imperial studied Kyle.
"Who are you?" the man asked.
Kyle's mind was a complete blank, but he found himself saying, "Lieutenant Kyle Katarn."
The Imperial's expression changed from one of surprised outrage to suspicion. "What are you doing here, Lieutenant?" the man asked, "This area is restricted to everyone without Blue Level clearance."
Again, Kyle found himself speaking, even though he could think of nothing to say. "My apologies, sir. I was doing maintenance on the airshaft when I fell in."
Kyle pointed to indicate the broken grate he had come through.
A smile came to the Imperial's face, all trace of suspicion gone. "Well, that's all right then. You need to be more careful, Lieutenant. You could have been seriously hurt. Now, I'll need to escort you from here immediately."
The Imperial turned, indicating Kyle should follow.
Before the young man knew what he was doing, the Bryar pistol was in his hand and he fired. The shot caught the Imperial squarely in the back, burning through his uniform. He fell, already dead. Kyle stared in shock, trying to figure out what was happening. He didn't remember reaching for his gun, much less thinking to aim it. And yet, the Imperial was dead, and Kyle had shot him.
But it was almost as if he hadn't done it, like something else had taken control of him. Whatever it was, it had given him words to speak to the Imperial officer and then had taken Kyle's gun out and shot him. And despite his shock, part of Kyle felt a deep satisfaction at taking the man's life. Later, Kyle wasn't sure how long he would've stood there, trying to understand what happened, when a laser blast struck the wall to his left. Kyle saw another Imperial officer, gun drawn, rushing towards him.
"You there!" the man called, "drop your weapon!"
This time, Kyle acted of his own accord and fired, hitting the Imperial in the chest. He dropped much as the first man had. Gonna have to figure things out later, he said to himself, right now I gotta find those plans. Grabbing the mapper, Kyle activated it and studied the screen. He was on an upper level of the base. If Rebel Intelligence was correct, the plans were being stored in a vault in the subbasement.
Kyle started forward, eager to find the plans and get out of there. He also hoped to not encounter any more Imperial troops. Passing by the two dead Imperials, Kyle noticed their weapons, BlasTech rifles; more powerful and with better range than his Bryar pistol.
He grabbed them both, pulling the power pack out of one and stuffing it into a jacket pocket. If things got hot, he didn't want to be running out of ammo. He cautiously approached a door leading to another part of the base.
Hitting the door switch, Kyle watched it slide aside only to reveal two stormtroopers, their backs to him. Guarding the door, he thought, looks like this is not going to be easy at all. Lifting the blaster, Kyle put the crosshairs on one of the troopers and squeezed the trigger.
Planet Danuta
Moldy Crow in high orbit
Jan Ors glanced at the comm panel for the hundredth time, willing it to come to life. Something to let her know Katarn was all right. She knew that waiting was part of the mission, but she hated it all the same. How many hours had it been now? When she had seen him fall onto the roof, all she could think was whether he was all right or not. And then, she had kept the ship hovering there, even though the plan was for her to take off immediately. It had taken Katarn shouting at her to go, and even then she hesitated. Given his training, Jan knew he was capable of achieving the mission and yet she wished she were with him, to help make sure he survived.
Okay, Jan, she said to herself, you need to get your head on straight. Katarn will be just fine. But a little voice in the back of her mind kept saying, what if he isn't? Suddenly, the comm did come to life, but the voice Jan heard brought her up short.
"Unidentified ship, this is Patrol Cruiser T-549S. You are in violation of Imperial space. Identify yourself immediately."
Jan stared at the comm in shock. In all their planning and intelligence reviews, she and Katarn had not come across any mention of Imperial Patrol cruisers on Danuta.
"Repeat, unidentified ship, identify yourself immediately or be fire upon. You are in violation of Imperial space." Well, Jan thought, time to improvise. Forcing herself to speak calmly, she hit the Transmit button.
"This is civilian vessel Dark Star to T-549S. Sorry about the delay. I'm experiencing severe engine trouble and had to leave hyperspace earlier than I had planned."
"What is your status, Dark Star?"
"I've got partial power restored to my port engine," Jan replied, praying the Imperials would believe her, "starboard engine is still not responding."
"Can you navigate at all, Dark Star?"
"Barely T-549S, and I definitely can't get into hyperspace. If you give me another hour or two, I think I get the starboard engine back online."
"Negative, Dark Star" came the reply from the Imperial ship. "Prepare to be taken under tow. You need to leave this system immediately. We'll escort you to the nearest repair facility."
"Sorry boys," Jan said under her breath, reaching for a bank of switches, "that's just not good enough."
The Moldy Crow shook as plasma gas vented from the engines. Jan fired the engines, just enough to ignite the plasma. The resulting explosion caused the Moldy Crow to tip over on one wing. Using the steering thrusters, Jan continued the roll, dropping the nose as well. The Moldy Crow began to fall towards Danuta.
"T-549S!" she called into the comm, making her voice sound frightened and frantic, "Starboard engine has exploded! I can't maintain orbit!" Jan paused for a moment, then yelled, "I'M GOING DOWN! HELP ME!"
Jan fired the port engine, sending the Moldy Crow into a spin, dropping her further into the atmosphere.
"Blast!" came the voice from the Patrol Cruiser, "Dark Star, you're dropping too fast! We can't get there in time! Try to control your descent as much as possible. We'll send rescue service to your crash site as soon as possible."
Jan chuckled, she almost felt bad for this Imperial. He was honestly concerned about her. Too bad you're on the wrong side, she thought. Jan allowed the spin to continue as the Moldy Crow dropped into the atmosphere, activating the shields to keep the ship from burning up. When her sensors detected enough ionized particles around the ship to make communication impossible, she brought it out of the dive, firing the engines. "You'd better be there, Katarn," she muttered to herself, "'cause I'm coming ready or not."
As the Moldy Crow dropped into the lower atmosphere, the Imperial ship called again. "Dark Star, this is T-549S, can you hear me? Repeat, T-549S to Dark Star, please come in."
Jan switched the frequency so all the Imperial ship would hear was static. She then dialed in the frequency she and Katarn had selected into the receiver. The base was in sight now, but still nothing from him. Okay, Jan thought, I'll make one pass. If I don't see him, then I'm out of here. Pushing the engines hard, Jan flew towards the base, coming to a fast stop over the building he had entered. But he wasn't there. Oh no, Jan thought, visions of a laser holed Kyle Katarn filling her mind.
"No," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
BAM!
The Moldy Crow shook as a laser blast struck it. Jan looked to her right to see the Imperial Patrol Cruiser coming in hard and fast.
The comm came alive again. "Okay Dark Star or whoever you are. You've got two seconds to surrender or I'm going to blow you out of the sky."
Jan's shock faded, replaced by a surge of rage. The Imperials had taken another life, and this time she wasn't going to let it go. This was personal now. Activating the weapons, she spun the Moldy Crow around to face the Imperial ship. Stabbing down on the firing stud, Jan sent four lances of red light at the Patrol Cruiser.
The Imperial pilot, caught by surprise, tried to pull away, but two of the shots hit home. One side of the Imperial vessel exploded and it dropped from the sky, smashing into a nearby building.
Jan smiled fiercely, but her smile faded as she realized that Katarn wasn't coming and she needed to get out of there right away. She reached for the throttle, taking one last glance at the building below her. Her eyes went wide as she spotted him on the roof below, waving his arms frantically, calling at the top of his lungs, trying to get her attention.
Using the repulsors, Jan lowered the Moldy Crow as quickly as she could and opened the canopy. He ran forward and jumped, landing on the starboard wing. Scrambling across, he hurled himself into the cockpit. Thunderstruck, Jan glanced behind her to make sure it was indeed Kyle, that she wasn't just imagining it. He stared at her wide-eyed.
"What are you waiting for!" he yelled, "Get us out of here!"
Grasping the control stick, Jan pulled the nose up so the Moldy Crow now stood on its tail, repulsors holding it in place. Jan shoved the throttle forward and the ship blasted upwards, a trail of blue fire left behind as it boosted for space, clearing the atmosphere of Danuta in seconds. She activated a pre-programmed hyperspace jump and seconds later, the stars became lines and the Moldy Crow flashed into hyperspace.
Both operatives let out breaths they hadn't realized they had been holding. Jan looked back at Katarn, who appeared okay, although his jacket was gone and the body armor was dented and burned in several places.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
"A little worse for the wear," he answered, "but I think I'll survive."
As much as Jan was glad to see him, she found her joy turning to anger. "What in Sith happened to you, Katarn?" she said, "I nearly got toasted by an Imperial Patrol Cruiser waiting for your signal. I almost didn't see you back there. Why didn't...?"
In answer, Kyle handed his communicator to Jan. She immediately saw why she had never received his signal. Where the transmitter's face had been was now a blackened hole. Jan looked back at Katarn, who raised his brows questioningly. She handed the destroyed communicator back to him.
"I see."
"Exactly," he said, slumping back into his seat, "if you hadn't seen me when you did..." Katarn trailed off, the implication clear.
"Okay then," Jan said, "I understand why I didn't get your signal, but what about the rest of it? What exactly happened to you? Did you get the plans?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," he Kyle, holding up his hands. "If you'll let me catch my breath, I'll explain exactly what happened."