Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Part 2
Chapter 2: The Hutt Gambit
A/N: When last we left we left our intrepid heroines, they had had a nasty encounter with the sumo version of a Gamorrean, leaving Blaze with a broken arm. Jan is on her own now. Is the mission salvageable? What will happen to them? Well, let's find out, shall we?
After leaving Blaze, Jan headed back towards the room with the double doors. Inside, she swept her blaster around, scanning for any sign of more of the enemy. After a minute, the only sound she could hear was her own breathing. Checking the mapper, she could see the Nav Card was close, very close. Another scan of the room revealed two doorways. One was missing its door, the interior filled with trash and debris. But the door to right was shut. Stepping toward it, Jan saw that the mapper's proximity indicator begin to flash.
Deactivating the device and returning it to her belt, she leveled the blaster at the closed door "Knock, knock," she muttered, firing twice.
Twin beams of energy leapt from the weapon, striking the door. Wood splintered in all directions as the door crumbled. Jan covered her face, but not in time to keep one shard from slicing across her forehead. She winced, feeling warm blood issuing from the wound. Forcing herself to stay focused, she stepped through the doorway and into the room.
Inside, she spotted the Nav Card right away. The blue coating gleamed brightly in the light from an overhead fixture. It sat on a low table flanked by two chairs. The two figures sitting in them had scrambled to their feet as the door disintegrated. Jan saw sabbac cards scattered on the floor as she stepped inside.
"Did I interrupt something?" she said, eyes moving between the pair. One was a Gran whose eyestalks gazed at her with savage intent. The human with him appeared to have been in several fights, judging from the scars on his face. The Gran muttered something to the human, which she didn't catch. But the message became clear as they leveled blasters at her.
"You don't want to do that," she said.
"And why would that be?" said the human.
"Because," she replied, voice cold and hard, "I've had a really difficult time getting in here. I'm hurt, tired and really ticked off right now. Now, why don't you let me take the Nav Card and get out of here before I get angry?"
The Gran said something which translated as, "You and what army?"
"If that's the way you want it," she said resignedly, "okay." Less than a heartbeat later, she had her blaster pointed directly at the Gran's head while simultaneously pulling a detonator from her belt and arming it.
"Last chance, boys."
The human and alien glanced at each other. More than likely, one of them could drop the woman before she could fire. But the armed detonator was a bigger concern. The woman stood there, not moving as a trail of blood moved down her forehead and across her nose.
As if possessed by one mind, they dropped their blasters at the same time.
"Good choice."
Placing her blaster into the holster, Jan stepped forward, detonator still clutched in her left hand, armed and ready. With her free hand, she reached for the Nav Card.
"In case you're thinking about trying anything," she said, eyes flicking to the two figures, "don't. One move and I let this thing go. You know what happens next."
The human and alien didn't moved as Jan grabbed the Nav Card, depositing it in a pocket. Still wary, she stepped back, facing the pair as she moved towards the doorway. Stepping across the threshold, she tossed the detonator into the room.
"You've got ten seconds. Make the most of them."
Pulling her blaster free of the holster, she moved back out of the doorway as the human and alien exploded past her, running for the double doors. Jan followed as they flew past Blaze, running for their lives. She was halfway down the hall when the detonator went off. The floor shook as the explosion radiated through the building.
Reaching Blaze, she dropped to one knee.
"I was about to ask what you had done when those two ran past me." Blaze said.
"They were smarter than most." Jan said, shrugging, "they knew when to run. You any better?"
"A little. I still can't move the arm." She noticed the blood. "What happened to you?"
"Didn't duck in time. Listen, do you think you can stand?"
"I'll try."
Pushing with her good arm and feet, Blaze was able to push herself into a sidesaddle position. But when she tried to plant her foot, Jan could see it was hurting her.
"Here," she said, reaching out with her right hand.
Blaze glanced at the proffered hand for a moment, then grabbed it.
Placing her other hand behind Blaze's back, Jan pulled. Both women grunted in pain, but with a final tug, Blaze was able to get her feet under her and stand up.
"Whew! Thank you!"
Jan nodded, catching her breath.
"I wouldn't care to go through that again."
"Me either," Jan said.
Blaze took a step forward, nearly falling as her legs buckled.
Moving quickly, Jan caught behind the back with her left arm, draping Blaze's right arm across her shoulders.
"Oh my," Blaze said, breathing heavily, "that was close. Guess I sat too long."
"You going to be able to walk?"
"I think so, just a little numb. Give me a second."
As Jan held her upright, Blaze placed her feet on the floor again. Pins and needles struck at her feet and legs as the numbness subsided.
"Okay, let's try again."
With Jan still holding her, they took a step. The pins and needles intensified for the first few steps, but gradually began to abate until Blaze could feel her feet again. For safety's sake, Jan stayed nearby as they exited the large building. The murky, smoke filled air of Nar Shaddaa entered their lungs. But for the moment, being out in the open, the air tasted sweet.
After a few more stumbles, Blazed put her arm across Jan's shoulders once more, letting the other woman help her as they headed back towards the ship.
As they walked, Jan spoke up. "Are all you covert agents this soft?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, look at you. One arm broken, the other burned, can't walk without help. I've seen Kyle run back to the ship with worse injuries."
"Then how do you explain us here and him back at the Moldy Crow?"
"Hmmm…" Jan mused, "you got me there. I guess that makes me the only one tough enough."
"Listen Ors, I'll have you know that I've handled far harder missions than this without backup."
"So what happened then?"
"What?" Blaze spat, incredulous.
"Well, if what you say is true, then how come I'm helping you back to the ship?"
"Humph," Blaze huffed and fell silent.
"I'm just asking." Jan said.
Blaze didn't answer.
They walked further.
"So I'm tough and you're soft, what's the big deal?"
No answer from Blaze.
A bit further.
"It's not like I'm going to tell Mon Mothma or anything."
"Do you ever stop talking?"
"I dunno," Jan said, "you'll have to ask Kyle."
"Maybe I will."
"Well, here's your chance. We're here."
Turning her gaze from Jan's face, Blaze saw the pocked, rusted, pitted and utterly beautiful hull of the Moldy Crow.
Letting go, she leaned against the cool metal, closing her eyes for a moment as Jan opened the canopy.
"How's Kyle?" she called.
"Still out, I…"
"Jan?"
The rest of the words died in her throat. Had he just spoken? She waited.
Kyle's eyelids fluttered, then opened slowly. She could see his eyes moving about, taking in the scene around him.
His vision was blurry at first. He could see someone leaning over him, but could make out the face.
"Kyle?"
He couldn't help but smile. It was her.
He blinked several times, vision beginning to clear. He could now make our Jan's face, etched with concern, looking down at him.
Licking his lips, he spoke.
"Hi, partner."
The concern look disappeared, replaced by a smile.
"Hi yourself, Katarn."
Uh oh, I'm in trouble. He suddenly remembered.
"Is Blaze…?"
"Right here, Kyle," she called, still leaning against the Crow's hull.
"How…"
"You're both banged up," Jan said, interrupting, "but Blaze and I were able to accomplish the mission. As soon as I can get you stabilized, we're out of here."
"You and Blaze?" he asked, surprise in his voice.
"Yes, Katarn," Jan said, sarcastically, "me and Blaze. You weren't in any shape to help, so there wasn't much choice."
"I didn't mean…"
"We'll discuss it when we get back to the New Hope, Katarn. For now, I've got to get you two strapped in."
Disappearing from his line of sight, Jan stepped down to where Blaze was.
"C'mon," she said, extending a hand, "time to go."
With Jan's help, Blaze rose to her feet and with some effort, got herself into the forward cockpit.
Kyle smiled as he caught sight of Blaze. It looked as if something had happened to her left arm and he could see tears in the bodysuit, mixed with dirt and grime. Still, it was good to see her, warts and all.
They caught size of each other as she stepped into the cockpit.
"You okay there, Blaze?"
She smiled at him. "Sure, you should see the other guy."
He chuckled, brief pain flaring in his chest.
As Jan finished strapping Blaze in, Kyle moved to get his own straps ready. Or at least he tried to.
When he tried to move, nothing happened.
Kyle tried again, but his body refused to respond.
"Jan?"
"What, Katarn?" she said sharply, attention still focused on Blaze.
"I can't move."
Hands pausing in mid-motion, Jan's head came up, shock on her face.
"What did you say?"
"I can't move," he repeated, "I'm trying to, but nothing's happening."
Jan moved over to him, gazing down at his body. There was movement.
"Trying moving your hands," she suggested.
"Nothing," he replied.
"Legs?"
"Nope."
An image flashed in her mind. Kyle's dented armor, the inward slope of it, pressing against his spine.
"Jan? What's wrong?"
She didn't look at him; her mind was racing with the possibilities.
"I saw that look, Jan. What's happened?"
She turned her face to his, a lie on her lips. But his expression, a mixture of curiosity, intensity and trust, kept her from saying it.
"Jan?"
She turned to the front cockpit.
"Tell him."
"Tell me what? Blast it, Jan! What's wrong!"
Turning back to him, Jan reached for the straps focusing on them as she spoke. She told Kyle of how she had found him and the condition of his armor.
"It's pressing right on your spine," she finished.
"I see," Kyle said, his face pale with shock. According to what Jan had told him, his spine might be damaged, maybe even severed.
"We'll know more when we get back to the New Hope," Jan said hurriedly, as she finished strapping him in. "It could be that the armor is pressing just hard enough that you're temporarily immobilized."
"And what if it isn't?" he spat, instantly regretting the words as he saw the expression on her face.
He cursed. "Jan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. It's just…"
She held up a hand to stop him. With an effort, she raised her eyes to his. Her eyes were shining, and Kyle felt all the worse for seeing it.
Her expression hardened. "I'm going to get you back to the New Hope, Katarn. And you will be all right, you understand me?"
He opened his mouth to speak, closed it.
"Okay," he said simply, looking away.
In the forward cockpit, Blaze had her eyes closed as she listened to them. How could things have gone so wrong, she wondered. Her guilt felt like a lead weight. It was her fault, her fault that Kyle was hurt, maybe paralyzed, her fault that the mission had gone so awry. If it hadn't been for Jan… She wanted to speak, to say something to both of them, but the words wouldn't come. I owe them, she thought, both of them. And I'll find some way to repay them.
"There," Jan said, securing the last strap. "Give me a few minutes to get Blaze's ship into the air, and we'll get out of here."
"Wait," he said as she started to climb down. "What about the Crow's power emissions? The Imperials will detect them."
Jan gave him an exasperated look. "After what I've been through, Katarn, I couldn't care less about the Imperials. Besides, as soon as we clear the atmosphere, I'll get us into hyperspace."
"Okay," Kyle answered, "and Jan?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for coming to get me."
She gave him a knowing smile. "Trust me, Katarn. You'll have ample opportunity to express your thanks when we get back."
"Uh oh," he said, recognizing that smile, "should I be afraid?"
"Very afraid, Katarn," she replied, "very afraid."
With that, she crossed to the forward cockpit to talk to Blaze.
"I'm going to have to use your ship to get us out of here."
"I figured that," Blaze replied, "Listen, I had R5 record our descent course. Just give him this password and he'll fly us out of here." She gave Jan the password.
"What about the hyperspace jump?"
"It's all recorded in R5's memory."
Jan smiled at her. "Not bad, maybe you do know something about covert operations after all."
"A little bit," Blaze answered, returning her smile.
"I'll see you both in a few hours," Jan said, closing the canopy as she stepped down from the cockpit. She made her way over to Blaze's ship, popping its canopy and stepping inside. As soon as the canopy closed, the ship powered up, displays coming on line, engines warming up. On a screen directly in front of Jan appeared the words, "Enter Password."
She spoke the password given to her. The display changed. "Password Accepted. Initiating launch procedures." As she watched, the R5 unit brought the fighter's engines on line. As repulsors lifted the craft into the air, a tractor beam lanced out, ensnaring the Moldy Crow in its grasp. The ships began to rise together, Black Gold leading the way.
As they rose above the tops of the buildings, Jan heard a bleep as the fighter's tracking system detected the Imperial sensor grid. "C'mon," she muttered, "get us into space." The ships rose higher, the buildings disappearing in the haze and smog of Nar Shadda's atmosphere. The bleep turned into a wail. A glance told Jan the Imperials had detected them. The comm display lit up.
"This is Planetary Security to vessel One Chance. You have not been cleared for departure. Power down your engines and land immediately. Acknowledge."
Don't think so, she thought.
The comm came alive a second time. "One Chance, this is Planetary Security. You are not; repeat not, cleared for departure. Land your craft now.
A glance at the displays showed them nearly out of the atmosphere. Just a few more minutes.
"One Chance, this is your final warning. You have exactly one minute to land. Be advised we have dispatched TIE fighters to your position."
Too little, too late, she thought. They were clear of the atmosphere. Now, if the R5 could just get them into hyperspace.
A shadow eclipsed Black Gold's cockpit.
Stunned by the sudden blackness, Jan looked up. Her eyes went wide as she caught sight of a ship directly above her.
Looking for all the world like an oversize bird of prey, the ship hung its fattened, elongated shape eclipsing the stars.
Got to get out from underneath before we can go to lightspeed, Jan thought. But no sooner had she begun to maneuver the ships away when a ray of blue energy issued from the ship, encompassing the Crow and Black Gold.
Tractor beam! Grasping the throttles, she pushed them to the stops. The Z-95 began to accelerate, moving away from the larger vessel. For a moment, it seemed that they might get away. Jan was thrown against her straps as the beam intensified, halting their progress.
Inside the Crow, Kyle spoke silent encouragement. He had felt the initial jolt as the tractor beam had caught them, then felt the Crow bank as Jan tried to maneuver. The second jolt told him it hadn't been enough. They started moving backwards, pulled by the beam.
In the Crow's forward cockpit, Blaze had also felt the jolt. But rather than concern, a smile warmed her face. About time, she thought. Now maybe things will get back to normal. But as her gaze turned upwards, the smile faded away.
With inexorable force, the larger ship dragged the two smaller ones, tractor beam guiding them to a pair of airlocks on the underside of the vessel. Twin arms attached to its rear quarter articulated encircling the Crow and Black Gold in their grasp.
Drawing her blaster, Jan waited for the airlock to cycle open. She could only that Kyle and Blaze would be okay until she could find them. But who had captured them? For that matter, how had whoever this was recognized their ships? Further questions were postponed as the airlock machinery came to life. A green light above her came to life. They'll be coming through any second now. She got ready. She'd only have a few seconds to surprise them, whoever they were.
There! The airlock opened. But as Jan prepared to fire, a small object dropped through the opening, bouncing against the deck. It rolled a short distance, then stopped. She stared at the strange object. It didn't look like a thermal detonator, so what…
The answer came as two lights flashed on the object's surface. It exploded, releasing a corona of harsh, blue light. Recognition came even as the light struck her. The blast from the stunned grenade overwhelmed her senses. Her body went numb, blackness filling her vision as she fell.
Some Time Later
His hands were cold. Strange, he thought, why should a bacta chamber feel cold? Well, he could ignore that for now. His attention returned to the figure inside. Jan floated inside the mass of pinkish liquid, eyes closed, a respirator covering the lower half of her face. Her hair floated in all directions, the brown contrasting with the pink. Kyle had to look away as he caught sight of her wounds. A deep laceration in her right leg, cuts and bruises across her middle, one eye blackened. The doctor had told him there were internal injuries as well, but she was responding well to treatment.
Again he said, "I'm sorry, Jan."
Emotions welling up inside, Kyle turned away from the tube. No, I'm not doing this. I have to be strong. For her. I have to be.
His communicator dinged.
For a moment, he thought about not answering it. He had asked not to be disturbed, but…
He snatched the device from his belt. "Katarn here," he said, testily.
"Kyle, it's Blaze."
Blaze. The very thought of her relieved some of the ache in his heart. If it hadn't been for Blaze, they never would have escaped. If not for Blaze, Jan would be dead now.
"Where are you?"
"Where do you think?" he said, a bit more sharply than he had intended to.
Blaze seemed not to notice. "She's going to be fine, Kyle."
"I know," he said, "it's just that…"
"Jan knew the risks as well as we did, Kyle. She made the decision to come with us."
While he knew Blaze was right, it didn't assuage his guilt.
"I should have insisted she stay with the ships. If she had, none of this would have happened."
"Knowing Jan, I doubt she would listened to you."
A flicker of a smile crossed his face. Blaze was right. Jan's stubbornness was legendary.
"Listen, can you come by my quarters?"
That caught him by surprise. "What?" he asked.
"I asked you to come by my quarters," she repeated.
"Why?" he blurted.
"Why not?" she answered.
His mind was whirling. Blaze's invitation had surprised him. And why couldn't he go? The answer finally came.
"I want to be her when Jan wakes up."
"The medical staff have your comlink frequency," Blaze countered, "if anything happens, they'll let you know."
"But…"
"Please?"
He was cornered, Blaze's reasoning cutting off every avenue of escape. Besides, he did owe her.
He blew out a breath. "I'm on my way."
"Good," she replied, "see you in a few minutes."
After verifying with the med tech on duty to call the instant there was any change in Jan's condition, Kyle left Sickbay, making his was through the corridors of the New Hope to Blaze's quarters. Arriving, he keyed the call button on the wall panel. The door slid aside, Blaze's voice drifting out to him.
"Come in."
He stepped inside, coming to a halt as he caught sight of the interior. The room was at least twice the size of his own quarters. Before him sat a squared containing a small couch, two chairs with a table in the center. At the other end of the room, he could see a partition forming a doorway. And to the left, was it…?
"Hi," Blaze called from the kitchen, "thanks for coming. Take a seat. I'm almost ready."
He took another step, the door sliding shut behind him. The lights had been lowered, softening the harsh white tones of the walls and ceiling. As he moved closer to the middle of the room, his eyes went wide as he spotted the table, or rather what was on the table. Two places had been set, opposite each other. Dishes, silverware and glasses gleamed in the low light. What space remained was covered by a number of covered containers. Aromas drifted up, allowing Kyle to guess at their contents. His head came up as Blaze emerged from the kitchen, carrying a basket full of bread. Judging the steam wafting from it, he guessed it was piping hot. She set the basket down on the last remaining inch of space and looked up at him, an expectant smile on her face.
He gave a confused smile in return. "What's all this?"
She waved a hand over the table. "Courtesy of the galley. Wunter told me to remind you that proper nutrition is the key to good health.
Kyle rolled his eyes. "If he had his way, I'd be taking a seven course meal on missions."
Blaze laughed, a musical sound that made him smile. He liked watching her laugh. Suddenly, her eyes went wide and she turned back towards the kitchen.
Emerging a moment later, she held an object to him. "And this is from Caston."
Kyle examined the bottle. "Vintage juri juice?" he questioned, lifting an eyebrow.
She shrugged. "He said it was a good year."
"Okay, Blaze," Kyle said, setting the bottle down, "what is this really all about?"
She gave him a look of innocence. But, after nearly a minute of his persistent stare, she dropped her eyes for a moment, then looked back up at him, all pretense gone.
"It's been three days since we got back. In that time, you haven't eaten, you haven't slept and you've spent nearly every hour in Sickbay."
"I've got to…"
She held up a hand to stop him. "I know. And soon as we're done here, I expect that you'll go right back to Sickbay. But, friend to friend, you need a break."
For a moment, she thought Kyle was going to argue with her. But then he sighed, shoulders slumping. "You're right," he said running a hand across his unshaven face, "you're right. I've been so concerned about Jan that I haven't thought about anything else." She saw his eyes grow moist. "I'm just so worried about her."
Impetuously, Blaze stepped over to him. She held her arms out to him. Kyle stared at them for a long time. But when he saw the look on Blaze's, one of sincere welcome and invitation, he stepped into them, burying his face in her shoulder.
She held him close, left hand moving across his back. Her right hand went up to cradle his head. "It's okay," she whispered, "I'm here." That did it. The tears flowed freely as Kyle finally allowed the pent-up grief and guilt to pour out of him. Blaze held him all the tighter as his body shook. She continued to whisper in his ear, words of comfort, words of soothing.
As the raging river inside him slowed, Kyle felt his control returning. Part of his mind screamed at him. What are you doing? You shouldn't be here! What if Jan saw you like this? The thought of a stern-face Jan, hands on hips, glaring at him brought fresh strength, new resolve. What's wrong with me? I'm standing here crying like a baby with a woman I barely know.
Pulling his head up, Kyle opened his mouth to tell this to Blaze. But as his eyes met hers, the words died in his throat. He stood there, gazing into her face, knowing he should speak, but he was unable to. This is embarrassing, part of his brain said. But Blaze's expression didn't make him feel that way. Instead, her honest smile conveyed anything but. In her face he saw peace, tranquility, acceptance. No, I've got to get back to Jan, he thought.
But even as he thought this, Blaze leaned in and kissed him. It was so sudden, so quick; he didn't know what to do. This is wrong, part of his brain said, this shouldn't be happening. But it was happening. He could her feel her lips moving across his, her hands moving across his back, now up into his hair, stroking and caressing.