Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Chapter 9: The Moff's Lair
Author's Note: With only days since the destruction of the Death Star, Kyle finds himself back in dire straits while on a mission to the Planet Talay. Wounded, his weapon missing, and a stormtrooper approaching, things are looking bleak.
Kyle sailed across the gap, trying not to look down. If he fell... His left foot struck the permacrete of the landing. Momentum carried him forward until his right foot touched as well.
It took a moment for Kyle to realize he was still moving. Pain flared in his back as his feet went out from under him and he fell. But he had no time to think about it, he was still sliding forward.
Kyle reached out, trying to find something, anything to slow him. But the walls were smooth, nothing to grab onto. His feet met air and Kyle felt himself going over the other side of the landing. He rolled, turning over onto his stomach and threw his hands out, digging his fingers in, trying to slow himself. It wasn't going to be enough; he was going over.
As his chest slid over the edge, Kyle reached out one last time and was able to catch the lip of the landing with his fingers. The sudden stop sent shockwaves through his arms, the pain sudden and intense. He fought against giving into it, knowing if he did what consequences were.
Forcing his eyes open, Kyle looked around. His fingers were white with the strain he was putting on them. Looking up, he could see that the ledge he was holding onto turned, going off to his left.
If I can just get up there... But how? The pain in his fingers was increasing and sooner or later, he was going to lose his grip. Pushing against the wall with his feet yielded nothing; the smooth surface afforded no purchase. Letting his legs dangle, Kyle could feel a mild rocking sensation.
An idea came to him. He began to swing his legs back and forth, in larger and larger arcs. The movement was straining his fingers even more, but if he was right...
He gave a mighty swing and his legs came up, nearly touching the ledge. One more time, he thought, focusing all his energy into the swing. As he swung to the left again, Kyle used the momentum to push off from the wall and up at the same time.
The force of the swing carried him over the lip and his left leg made contact with the ledge. Pushing with everything he had left, Kyle felt his chest came over the lip. He lay partly on the ledge now. One more swing brought his right leg up. Kyle lay there on the ledge, panting, the reality of what could have happened washing over him. But now he was safe, so to speak.
When he felt ready to try and move, Kyle carefully sat up carefully, letting his legs dangle over the edge as he massaged his bruised fingers. He took several deep breaths, forcing his racing heart to slow. Part of him wanted nothing more to forget this crazy plan and get out of there right now. He considered it for a moment, but the idea of trying to explain himself to Jan was even more daunting. Kyle thought about her, the trust Jan had shown in him, her faith in him.
And besides he thought, chuckling, what she'd do to me...
That thought was what Kyle needed. He started to rise, but then remembered what had lead to this predicament. Reaching down, he slipped off the filth encrusted boots and cleaned them as best he could, especially the soles. When they were as clean as they were going to get, he put the boots back on. Hopefully this'll keep me from having any more accidents. He carefully rose to his feet and walked down the ledge, firing occasional shots to pierce the darkness.
Two more leaps that were less eventful brought him to yet another ledge. But the gap here was much wider than the others. Just ahead of him, Kyle could see a small depression in the wall, creating a small alcove. He stepped towards it, noticing a similar one in the wall on the other side.
Stepping into the alcove, Kyle turned towards the other one just in time to see a probe droid fire at him. He ducked down and the bolt expended itself in the wall behind him. Drawing his own weapon fast, Kyle dodged another shot from the droid, sighted and fired. His shot hit the droid and it exploded.
Well, he thought, guess I know where I need to go next. Bracing himself against the back wall of the alcove, Kyle took a running leap for the other side. As his feet touched the permacrete of the other ledge, Kyle was startled when the wall before him suddenly disappeared.
The shock broke his concentration and he stumbled, beginning to fall forward. Instinctively, Kyle pulled his head to his chest and turned the fall into a roll, coming up to one knee, weapon ready. The room he found himself in was nearly featureless. Blank gray permacrete walls with no adornments at all greeted him.
A sudden sound brought him around fast. With a hiss, the door that had opened for him shut itself. Blowing out a breath of mixed tension and relief, Kyle stood up and began to move towards another when it, like the first, slid upward by itself.
Kyle braced himself for an attack, but none came. Ahead of him was a hallway leading to a short staircase. From there, the hallway turned left, out of sight. The walls here were exposed, bits of metal gleaming in the light. Wires of nearly every color ran through the walls, some paralleling its length, others moving up through the ceiling or floor. He could only guess at their purpose. But it suggested that he was getting close to Rebus' lair.
Walking down the hallway, Kyle stopped at the head of the short staircase and listened. In the distance, he could hear the thrum of machinery. He stepped up the stairs and moved to the corner of the turn in the hall. Peering around the edge, he spied another shorter hallway leading to an open room. Kyle could hear footsteps echoing down the hallway. Must be Rebus, he thought, coming around the corner and carefully making his way down the hall.
As he neared the room, Kyle could hear a voice. "Now if I increase the power level, it might just... Oh, but what about the insulation? If I don't increase the shielding, it might explode." A chuckle came from the room. Rebus was talking to himself, Kyle realized. Stepping closer, he looked around the edge of the entrance to the room. Rebus was at a table in one corner of the room, hunched over something, still muttering to himself.
Looking round, Kyle could see weapons of all shapes and sizes scattered about the room, many partially disassembled. Definitely the place, he thought, stepping into the room. Drawing his blaster and leveling it at Rebus, he called out, "You must be Moff Rebus."
The man whirled around, holding a metal barrel with wires sticking out of it. Rebus wore engineer's coveralls with all manner of tools, wires and other parts and pieces jutting from the pockets. Spiky black hair stood at crazy angles from his head, a set of reflective goggles covering his eyes. "You!" Rebus cried, his high pitched echoing off the walls, "Who are you? How did you get in here?"
"Kyle Katarn. My partner and I would like to have a word with you about one of your weapons."
"One of my weapons?" Rebus answered nervously.
"Well, the barrel has the initials 'MR' on it," Kyle responded.
The Moff smiled at hearing this. "Yeah," he said, his hands roaming aimlessly over the parts he held, "that sounds like one of mine. Whaddya wanna know?"
"Well, I discovered this particular weapon on the planet Talay." Kyle said, realizing that Rebus thought he was here to deal, "know anything about it?"
"Sure, sure," Rebus said, still smiling, "I know the one you're talking about. It..." Rebus' voice trailed off as he realized what was going on.
Making his way towards a chair in another corner of the room, Rebus spoke again, "Uh, what I meant to say was, I'm not sure I know about it." Kyle followed Rebus' path with his blaster, keeping it trained on the man.
"Really," Kyle said disbelievingly, "but it did have your initials on it."
"Yeah, well, what do I know?" Rebus had reached his chair. He sat down, hooking one leg over the other. "Could be another MR out there, you know."
Kyle was tired of this game. "Okay, Rebus, enough chitchat. On your feet, you're coming with me." "I don't think so," Rebus said, his smile turning into a smirk, "In fact, I don't think you'll be doing anything soon." With a fiendish grin, the Moff stabbed at a control built into the chair.
From behind Kyle, a hidden panel slid open and two interrogation droids popped out, extending their injection arms. Kyle heard the droids and spun around as the first one accelerated towards him. He dodged, snapping off a shot as the droid passed him. The shot hit home and the droid exploded. But the second droid was faster and the next thing Kyle knew, the droid's injection device was firmly lodged in his left arm.
In his chair, Moff Rebus sat back and laughed. The fool! He was so confident. But everyone should know that Moff Rebus was never caught without a trick up his sleeve. So, it was to Rebus' considerable surprise when Kyle's laughter joined his own.
Rebus stopped laughing and stared at the Rebel operative. Kyle's body was shaking with laughter. Before Rebus could say anything more, the man pointed his blaster at the droid, turned his head away and fired. The interrogation droid exploded.
Rebus stared in open-mouthed surprise at the man. "How did you...!" he yelled, incredulous. Kyle smiled a wide smile as he pulled down the sleeve of his jacket to show the armor beneath. "Thanks, Rebus," Kyle said, "I haven't had reason to laugh like that in a while."
Training his blaster on the weapons designer, Kyle's smile faded, changing to a look of determination. "Now, are you coming along quietly, or do I have help you?"
Defeated, Rebus stood up from his chair and at Kyle's prompting, raised his hands, turning so his back was to Kyle. "Now, how do we get out of here?" When Rebus said nothing, Kyle stepped forward and tapped his blaster against the man's shoulder.
"C'mon, Rebus," he prompted, "I know you didn't get in here through that maze I went through." The Moff's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Okay," he said. Moving to his chair with Kyle following, Rebus pushed another button. The wall behind the chair slid open, revealing a set of stairs leading upwards.
"Let's go," Kyle said, gesturing with his blaster. With Rebus in the lead, the pair walked up the stairs until they emerged into the ruddy light of Anoat City. Kyle scanned their surroundings, not recognizing where they were.
With his blaster aimed squarely at Rebus, Kyle reached for his communicator. "Katarn to Moldy Crow. Can you hear me?" The communicator crackled, then Jan's voice came through. "Right here, Kyle. Where are you?"
"Not too sure, Jan. I've found Rebus and we took his personal exit."
"Activate your locator, Kyle. I'm on my way."
Kyle flipped the switched on the communicator to broadcast his position to Jan. Within a few minutes, he heard the roar of the Crow's engines.
The ship appeared in the dirty sky and descended to their position. Bringing the ship to a hover right next to Kyle and Rebus, Jan popped the canopy.
"Moff Rebus, I presume?" she said.
"Jan Ors," Rebus said, recognizing her, "I haven't seen you since that deal for the old Blastech pistols three years ago."
"Hasn't been long enough for me, Rebus." Jan said disgustedly, "Now shut up and get in here." With Kyle seated in the rear cockpit and Rebus wedged uncomfortably in front of him, Jan lifted the Crow out of its hover and boosted out of the atmosphere.
"Whew!" Jan said, wrinkling her nose as she programmed the hyperspace jump. "What have you been swimming in, Kyle?"
Looking at his grime stained clothes, Kyle let out a loud breath. "Trust me, you don't want to know."
In front of Kyle, Moff Rebus started to chuckle. Kyle glared at him, but since Rebus couldn't see Kyle, he kept on. "I bet it was a fun swim." Rebus said between chuckles.
"The lady told you to shut... up..." Kyle said, cuffing Rebus in the back of head. The impact bounced Rebus head against the control panel, knocking him out.
The Moff slumped forward, unconscious. Jan looked back at Kyle, who shrugged back at her. "At least he'll be quiet now, " he offered. Jan smiled and shook her head. "You do have a way with people, Katarn."
Six hours later
Jan stood in front of the one-way glass, watching the interrogator talk to Rebus. She and Kyle had safely returned to the New Hope four hours ago.
The unconscious Rebus had revived shortly before they docked and while he wouldn't say anything aloud, he muttered under his breath all the way to the interrogation room.
Jan had high hopes that, removed from his hiding place, and with sufficient motivation, Rebus would talk. But so far he had said nothing, other than to incessantly mutter to himself.
The sound of a lock clicking was accompanied by the door to the interrogation room sliding open. Plasdan Marass stepped into the corridor, rubbing at his eyes, then ran a hand through his short-cropped salt and pepper hair.
His expression told it all, but Jan asked anyway. "Any luck?" Plasdan shook his head. "I tried everything I could think of. I tried to be his friend; then his enemy, I even tried threatening him. But nothing worked."
"What about Deius or Badan?" Jan asked, referring to the Mon Calamari and Quarren interrogators who worked with Plasdan. "Nothing." he said, shaking his head again. "Badan even tried shaking his tentacles in Rebus' face. He barely flinched."
Jan let out a breath of frustration. "So what do we do now?" Plasdan shrugged. "Take a break and then go in there and try again."
"Thanks," Jan said, putting a hand on the man's arm.
"Don't mention it." Plasdan returned, "I just hope we can get Rebus to talk."
Jan's brow furrowed; her own frustration evident. Suddenly, her brows rose and her eyes went wide. "I think I know a way we can make him talk," she said, beginning to smile.
"How?" Plasdan said, but Jan was already walking away.
Sickbay
After spending two hours in the New Hope's decontamination shower, Kyle finally began to feel clean again. A med tech in sickbay had nearly keeled over from the smell when he entered. Kyle had said nothing as he strode from the hangar bay, only glared at anyone who looked at him, his eyes saying, don't ask. When asked what should be done with his clothes and the armor, he responded with, "Burn 'em."
Turning off the shower, Kyle opened the door just enough to grab the towel hanging nearby. Wrapping it around his waist, he emerged, water still dripping from his damp hair. "How do you feel?" said a voice from the entrance. "Almost human again. Thanks." Doctor Elias Berth nodded. "Well, step over here and let's check you out."
"Aw c'mon, doc, I told you I feel fine." "And I remember what you looked like when you came in here, "Berth said, "So up on the table, now.
Reluctantly, Kyle complied, moving to one of the diagnostic beds and lying upon it. Instantly, sensors activated, taking measurements and displaying the results on an overhead screen. Dr. Berth examined the readings, then said, "Well, you're in better shape than the last time you came in here."
Kyle was about to say something when the entrance doors to sickbay parted and Jan walked in. "Doctor, I need to…" Jan fought not to laugh as she saw Kyle, clad only in a towel, throw himself off the bed and drop behind it. Jan stepped closer, "Kyle…" she began. Standing so that just his head was visible, he called, "Sithspit, Jan! I'm not dressed." "Oh please Kyle," Jan said, rolling her eyes, "it's not like I've never seen men naked before."
Doctor Berth lost what composure he had and began to laugh. "Doc!" Kyle shouted, "You're not helping!" Berth tried to respond, but laughed all the harder instead. Kyle glared at him, then turned back to Jan, the amused expression on her face only adding to his embarrassment. "Well, pardon me for being modest," he said, "but you would stepping outside while I find some clothes?"
Berth had finally gotten his laughing under control enough to speak. "I've got a set of clothes for you in my office. I'll go get them." Still giggling, he walked into his office, the door sliding shut behind him. Jan, however, hadn't left yet. "Well?" Kyle said, glaring at her now.
"Listen, Kyle, I came here because I need your help. Moff…" "Jan," Kyle said, interrupting. "I appreciate that you wouldn't have come in her unannounced without a good reason. But, could give me at least five minutes?"
Seeing that Kyle was serious, Jan nodded. "Sure," she said, turning around and exiting the sickbay. Rearranging the towel about him, Kyle rose from behind the bed and walked into Berth's office. A set of clothes was draped over a chair and Kyle grabbed them with his free hand. Berth was sitting at his desk, holding his stomach, still giggling. "Thanks a lot, doc!" Kyle said, staring at him. Berth looked up at him, wiping tears from his eyes as he fought to stop giggling. "I'm sorry Kyle," he said, "it was just that the whole scene was rather amusing."
"Uh-huh," Kyle said, "so can I get out of here or not?" Berth nodded. Kyle turned and walked out of the office, stopping in the shower room only long enough to drop the towel and change into the clothes Berth had provided.
Outside, Jan waited, leaning against the wall with one foot planted on it, her arms crossed. The sickbay door opened and Kyle stepped out. "Well," she said, teasing, "feel better?" Kyle's response was to glare at her again. "Okay, okay," Jan said, holding her hands up in surrender, "sorry. Now, do want to hear why I came looking for you?"
Kyle nodded.
"We've been interrogating Rebus for the past two hours."
"And?" Kyle asked. "And… nothing," Jan answered, "he won't talk. The interrogators have tried every trick they know. Nothing seems to work." Kyle nodded again. "And you thought that I might be able to help?"
Jan shrugged. "I don't know if you can or not. But since you were the one to capture Rebus, maybe…" "Where is he?" Kyle said, beginning to smile. "Level five, room 6," Jan said, raising an eyebrow." Gesturing for her to lead the way, Kyle said, "Let's go."
In the interrogation room, Moff Rebus was still muttering to himself. The foolish Rebels had been trying to get him to talk for over two hours. Rebus had kept himself distracted by repeating equations, formulas and calculations to himself constantly. Every time they asked him a question, he responded with another one.
Keeping his head down had also helped as it kept him from seeing the face of the interrogator, especially that disgusting Quarren who had shaken his tentacled face at Rebus. The sound of the door opening caused Rebus to look up long enough to see Jan Ors walk into the room. So, she was going to try questioning him. Rebus smiled faintly as he imagined foiling her as he had the other three interrogators.
"Hello, Rebus," said a voice." The Moff stopped muttering and snapped his head up, eyes widening as Kyle stepped into the room, moving nonchalantly to the chair opposite Rebus and sitting down. "So, I hear you're not cooperating with these nice folks," Kyle said, smiling at the Moff, "what a shame." Rebus put his head back and starting muttering his litany again.
But he had barely gotten through the first equation when Kyle reached under the Moff's chin and pushed his head up. Rebus tried not looking at the man, but Kyle held his head firmly, forcing the weapons dealer to look at him.
"Now," Kyle said casually, "I know you're not meaning to be rude. But I really would appreciate if you would answer the questions I'm about to ask you. Okay?" Rebus said nothing, staring mutely. "Okay," Kyle answered for him. "Now, what exactly is this new weapon you've designed for the Empire?" Unable to move his head, Rebus looked down, anywhere to not see those piercing eyes and began muttering again. Kyle waited for a moment, then said, "I see."
Rebus was surprised to feel the man let go of him and heard the sound of the chair scraping as the man stood up. Maybe, he thought, maybe I've tricked this one too. That thought disappeared a second later as Kyle grabbed one of Rebus' arms from behind, drawing it back and up until the Moff cried out in pain. "I see that being nice just doesn't work with you," Kyle said, "so what say we go to a place more conducive to conversation?"
Holding Rebus's arm firmly, Kyle pulled him out of the chair and guided the Moff from the interrogation room. Plasdan raised an eyebrow in surprise as Kyle moved past him, guiding the prisoner. He hand one hand on Rebus, the other on his communicator. Bringing the device to his lips, he spoke briefly, then returned the communicator to his belt. He moved a bit further down the hallway, stopping at the spot he had chosen.
Moving Rebus until he was near the entrance, Kyle reached down to a panel and hit the "Open" button. The doors of the emergency airlock parted and he thrust Rebus into the small space. The Moff tumbled headlong onto the decking, fetching up against the doors on the other side.
Re-orienting himself, Rebus stood up, massaging his injured arm, a glare of pure hatred directed at Kyle. "Are you crazy? You could've broken my arm!"
Kyle said nothing, a look of disinterest on his face.
The Moff opened his mouth to speak again when Kyle pressed the "Close" button and the airlock doors slid shut.
Looking around and realizing where he was, Rebus dashed forward to the doors and pounded on them with both fists. "Let me out of here!" he yelled. Keying another switch, Kyle activated the internal comm system. "Now, Rebus," he said, "are you going to answers my questions or do I need to let you take a walk outside to think about it?" Emotions played across the Moff's face, anger then fear and finally a smirk.
"You won't do it," Rebus said, stepping back from the door and dropping his arms to his sides. "Really?" Kyle said, as he activated the decompression sequence. Red lights began to flash inside the airlock and a computerized voice said, "Attention, please. Decompression sequence has begun. Thirty seconds to space door release." Plasdan walked up, eyes widening as he saw what was happening.
He can't really intend to… But when he saw Kyle activated the decompression sequence, Plasdan rushed forward and grabbed Kyle's arm. "What are you doing?" he demanded, looking at Kyle. "Getting him to talk," Kyle said.
Inside the airlock, Rebus felt renewed fear. He knew this sequence couldn't be faked, but at the same time, he couldn't believe the Rebels would let him die. He knew too much, and they knew he did. They wouldn't let him die.
"Attention, lock is decompressing. Twenty seconds to space door release."
"Are you ready to answer my questions yet?" Kyle asked. Rebus glared at the man. He knew this was all a trick. No matter what, he wouldn't fall for it. Folding his arms across his chest, Rebus said nothing. "Okay, see ya." And with that, Kyle moved away from the window so Rebus was unable to see him anymore.
Plasdan looked from Kyle to the countdown timer and back. "You're going to cancel the sequence, right?" "If he agrees to talk," Kyle answered. The computerized voice spoke again.
"Attention, ten seconds to lock decompression, nine, eight, seven, six…"
Realizing that Kyle was intending to through with it, Plasdan reached for the panel. Kyle intercepted, grabbing the man's wrist. "I won't let you kill him!" Plasdan said struggling. Kyle leaned into the older man, pushing him away. "Trust me," he said.
Inside the airlock, Rebus' certainty this was all a trick began to ebb as the computer ticked off the seconds to space door release. "Five, four, three, two, one." The voice fell silent and… nothing happened. Rebus' let out a breath. It had been a trick, he was right. Now…
The sound of latches disengaging interrupted his thoughts as the space doors unlocked and began to part. Instantly, the air inside the airlock turned into a whirlwind as it began to evacuate itself into space. Rebus could feel himself being pulled outside and fought to grab onto something, anything, to keep himself inside. But try as he might, he began to slide backwards, the cold embrace of space reaching for him.