Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Part 2
Chapter 3: The Hutt Gambit (continued)
A/N: The mission has been successfully, but before our heroes can escape Nar Shaddaa, an unknown ship captures them. And what's going on with Kyle and Blaze? Read on to find out!
This is wrong, Kyle said to himself, I should stop this.
It was then, as one of Blaze's hands touched his face, Kyle suddenly felt cold, painfully cold. He shied away from her touch.
"What's wrong?"
"Your hand," he said, looking at her with eyebrows raised, "it's like ice."
She laughed. "Don't be silly. My hands are fine."
She reached for him and Kyle took her hand in his. For a moment it felt normal, then the cold was there again.
"You're sure you're okay, Blaze? 'Cause I'm not kidding, your hand is really cold."
She gazed at him, eyes full of amusement, opened her mouth to speak. But no words came out.
"Blaze, what's wrong?"
She continued to speak, but there were no words.
"He is waking."
Kyle whipped his head around. Where had that come from?
"Inform the master."
He turned his head the other way, still nothing. But he had heard a voice, he was sure. He looked again at Blaze, but she was gone. The room in front of him began to swirl, becoming opaque.
Kyle's eyes snapped open, his body jerking as he awoke. Bright lights blazed into his vision and he slitted his eyes against it.
"He is awake."
There, the voice again.
Where am I? What is going on?
He heard the whine of machinery.
From above, the face of a droid appeared, startling him.
"How are you feeling?"
Kyle sucked in a breath. It took him a moment to realize he was staring into the face of a Two-OneBee, a medical droid. He had seen one before on the New Hope.
"How are you feeling?" it repeated.
Kyle's throat was dry. He tried to speak, but only a croak emerged.
The droid's arm came into view, holding a bulb of water.
Kyle tried to reach for it, but his arms wouldn't respond. He tried again, felt the sting of cold metal. Able to move his hand, he felt around, encountering a metal collar around his wrist. A check of the left hand left side found a similar shape. He tried moving his feet, feeling resistance there as well. Restraints, he realized. The cold he felt came from the metal table he lay on.
"Please hold still," the droid said, lowering the water so that a thin stream poured into his mouth. The water was blessedly cool. Kyle allowed himself a moment to savor it before swallowing.
"Now," the droid said, "how do you feel?
"Okay, I think."
"Good. You should be pleased to know that I have completed my examination and treated your injuries."
Injuries? He suddenly remembered. "I couldn't move."
"Yes, your armor was pressing directly on several nerve endings. It prevented them from responding to impulses from your brain. But since removing the armor, your spine appears to be in perfect shape. Once you are released, you should be able to move about normally."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. My function is to heal."
"How about these restraints?" Kyle said, "Could you release them?"
The 2-1B was about to speak when another voice called out.
"Droid! His Excellency demands to know the condition of the prisoner."
The droid's head disappeared from view as it straightened up. Prisoner, Kyle thought, well that explains the restraints. More memories came flooding back, the ship hovering over them, the tractor beam. What had happened before, it must have been a dream. But it was so real, he thought. A picture of Jan flashed across his mind, floating in the bacta tank. Where was she? Was she okay?
"The patient is responding well to treatment. He should…"
"His Excellency demands to see the prisoner, now."
"The patient is still recovering. I do not…"
He heard the scream of a blaster shot, followed by an explosion. "Stupid droid."
Kyle heard the gruff voice of a Gran respond.
"Ah, who cares? We can always buy another droid."
The Gran responded with something like, "Fine, then you tell him."
"Yeah, right. Do I look that stupid?"
Two faces suddenly came into view. Sure enough, one was a Rodian, the other a human.
The human spoke. "You awake there?"
Kyle said nothing.
The Gran leaned closer, eyestalks concentrating on Kyle's face. He said something.
"Yeah, you're right. He's awake enough. Okay prisoner; listen close. I'm going to release your restraints. Try anything stupid and we'll burn you down right here."
Kyle waited in silence as first his arms, then his legs were freed.
The faces disappeared. "Okay, get up."
He didn't move.
"Get up or we're gonna have Mukrow here carry you."
Kyle barely had time to wonder who Mukrow was as the pig-like face of a Gamorrean appeared above him. It snorted, foul breath washing over Kyle's face.
"Okay, okay," he said, Sitting up, Kyle could see the Rodian and human standing nearby, blasters drawn. The Gamorrean was just behind them, holding its axe in one large hand.
The Rodian tossed something at him. Kyle caught it, the bundle unraveling into a shirt and pants, the clothes he had been wearing earlier.
"Well, let's go," the human growled, "Get dressed. His Excellency is waiting. And we have to make you presentable, don't we boys?"
The Rodian and Gamorrean joined the human in laughing as Kyle realized he was sitting there naked. But whatever embarrassment he felt was overshadowed as anger began to build inside him. It wasn't enough to get hurt on the mission and think I was paralyzed. But now I have to deal with these jokers.
After putting his clothes on, Kyle was marched out of the medical bay with the Gamorrean ahead of him, the human and Rodian behind. He couldn't help but feel some relief at being able to walk, to be able to move at all. His mind turned again to Jan and Blaze. Where are they? Probably captured like he had been. His heart ached as he thought of what might be happening to them. But the ache also served to fuel his determination. He was going to survive whatever was coming, rescue Jan and Blaze and get all three of them back to the New Hope.
Resolved, Kyle set his face in a neutral expression, not wanting his captors to guess at what he was thinking. They led him through several corridors, up a flight of stairs, stopping in front of a large pit. The walls were covered with a mixture of permacrete and red-orange bricks. The pit below was similarly decorated.
The human pulled out a comlink. "Your Excellency, the prisoner is here." Kyle waited for someone to appear and so was startled as the air in front of shimmered. Lines of static appeared, resolving themselves into an image. He tried not to react as the doughy, sweat stained, fleshy head of a Hutt appeared. Its eyes immediately sought him out.
"Kyle Katarn," the Hutt rumbled, "So you are the one who been such a thorn in General Mohc's side."
Kyle recognized the face immediately. Jabba the Hutt, one of the biggest interstellar crime lords in the galaxy. While he had never met him before, Kyle had heard of Jabba. The Empire had tried for years to secure his arrest from a thousand different charges on a thousand different worlds. But the Hutt had provided as wily as he was ugly, evading capture and trial many times. Of course! Now it all made sense. Mohc had learned of his defection and, finding stormtroopers unable to capture or kill him, had turned to the Hutts. And the Hutts ruled both Nar Hekka and Nar Shaddaa. There were more questions to ask, but only one concerned him now.
Leveling a finger at the image, he said, "What have you done with Jan and Blaze?"
"I would be more concerned about my own fate right now, human. Your companions are being 'questioned'. As for you, I believe my Krayt dragon will enjoy ripping you limb from limb."
Kyle felt a stab of fear. Part of him hoped Jabba was bluffing. Krayt dragons were one of the largest and most dangerous predators in the galaxy. Many had tried hunting them, lured by the rumors of the jewels encrusted in their hides. Most were never heard from again.
"However," Jabba said, "we Hutts are not without mercy. Should you wish to beg for your life, I will listen to your pleas."
Kyle's anger increased, replacing the fear he felt. He didn't want to die, but he'd sooner battle the dragon than beg this slimy worm bag for anything.
"I only wish I could be there to see your demise in person, " the Hutt continued, "but I must inform the General that his 'problem' has been dealt with.
That did it. A red haze crossed Kyle's vision. "I wish you could be here too, Jabba," he said, looking at the Hutt directly, "there's nothing like the taste of roast Krayt dragon."
Behind him, Kyle heard the guards suck in a collective breath. "Big mistake," muttered the human.
"Boscka!" Jabba growled, terminating the hologram.
Kyle felt the blunt end of the Gamorrean's axe strike him in the back. His breath exploded out in a whoosh. The blow knocked him forward. Fighting for balance, his left foot went out into open air. Gravity took over and he fell.
As the ground rushed up at him, Kyle reminded himself to focus on what to do next. As his feet struck the floor of the pit with stunning force, he threw himself forward, tucking his head in and using the momentum to roll forward and back onto his feet.
His body ached from the height of the fall, but the roll had distributed most of the shock and he was able to move. Just then, a grinding noise sounded from the far side of the pit. Kyle watched, eyes going wide, as a large door slid upwards on its tracks, revealing a Krayt dragon.
The animal stuck its head out, sniffing the air. Its eyes shifted left, then right as it ponderously made its way into the pit. A growl escaped its mouth as the dragon caught sight of Kyle. It began walking across the pit, headed right for him.
Planet TatooineJabba The Hutt's Castle
As the image of Kyle Katarn falling into the pit winked out, Jabba reached into his snackquarium, pulling out one of the small toads. The creature wriggled in his grasp, desperate for freedom. Popping it into his wide mouth, the Hutt reveled in the sensations as the small creature scrabbled inside his mouth, succumbing as Jabba mouth crunched shut, once, twice. What remained of the toad's body slid down the Hutt's throat.
Turning to his majordomo, Jabba burped loudly.
"Send a message to General Mohc," he commanded, "let him know that Katarn has been dealt with."
The majordomo, a Rodian, bobbed its head in a "yes" gesture several times. It stepped back, preparing to turn leave the throne room and head for Communications. The sudden clatter of footsteps from outside brought both their gazes around as a smallish human dashed into the room. Skidding to a halt in front of the throne, the human bowed several times as he tried to control his panting.
The Hutt's eyes narrowed in annoyance. He had told his staff that interruptions would not be tolerated. He had already sacrificed two of them to the Rancor in order to hammer the point home. Perhaps he should do the same to this one.
With a last bow, the human straightened up. Jabba's hand paused in mid-descent over a button built into his throne. He had seen fear before in many eyes. But this one, this was more than fear.
"What is the reason for this interruption?"
The human, between gasps, spoke in a rush.
"Please… forgive me… your… your Excellency. I… I know of your instructions… and had this… not been… a matter of… the greatest urgency. I…"
"Enough!" the Hutt yelled, "Tell me why you are here!"
Nearly paralyzed by fear, it took the human a few more moments to speak.
"Ap.. apolo….appp... apologies, your Excellency. We are receiving a signal."
When the human didn't continue, Jabba motioned with his hand, "And?"
"The….the signal… the signal….it…..it is…. "
Motioning again, Jabba had one of the Gamorrean guards in the room approach the dais.
"Technician," the Hutt said in a menacing tone, "you will explain why you are here and why you have interrupted me or my guard will hand me your head so I may extract the information myself!"
His face turning ashen, the human took several deep breaths, eyes dancing between Jabba and the guard.
"Speak!" Jabba commanded.
"We are receiving a transmission for you, Excellency."
Taken aback, the Hutt was silent for a moment.
"To me? And who is it that is so brazen as to contact me directly?"
"We cannot determine the source of the message, your Excellency. But a trace did reveal a signal bounce from the Holonet on Imperial Center."
Jabba felt a small worm of fear at hearing this. This could only mean a transmission from the Emperor.
"Very well, Technician," the Hutt said, composing himself, "return to your post and have the transmission sent down here."
Realizing that he was being allowed to live, the human smiled widely. "Yes, your Excellency! Thank you!"
Walking out of the throne room, the human waited until he was out of earshot, then sprinted back to the communications room.
Rearranging himself on the throne, Jabba prepared himself to deal with the Emperor. As had happened in previous communications, the signal resolved itself into a hologram. The figure inside stood taller than Jabba, forcing the Hutt to crane his head upwards. He tried to see a face, but a voluminous black cloak covered the figure from head to toe, obscuring all save the lower half of a face. But it was enough for Jabba to recognize that something was amiss.
"Who are you?"
The figure didn't answer.
"Tell me who you are."
"You know who I am," the figure responded.
"You are not the Emperor," Jabba spat.
"True, but I serve him, just as you do."
Jabba's eyes went wide. "I serve no one! How dare you! I have killed beings for less than this. I will…
"Spare me the theatrics," the figure interrupted, "I have contacted you for a purpose."
The Hutts' anger increased. No one interrupted him! No one! He mashed a switch, cutting off the transmission. The hologram faded, disappeared.
Smiling at his own cleverness, Jabba started to reach for another toad when the hologram reappeared.
"What?" he sputtered, "how…"
"Do not try that again, Hutt. I said I have contacted you for a purpose and you will listen."
"And who are you to order me?" Jabba said.
In response, the figure reached up, pulling the hood of the cloak down. The face that appeared sent a wave of shock through Jabba. He realized he miscalculated, badly.
"Now are you ready to listen?"
Sputtering again, Jabba finally found his voice. "Forgive me. Had I known it was you …"
The figure interrupted again. "Be silent and listen. You have recently captured three prisoners, escaping from Nar Shaddaa."
Surprise was added to the shock Jabba felt. "How did…"
"That is not important. What is important is that his Majesty's adjutant, Lord Jerec, has requested that Kyle Katarn be allowed to live. The Emperor has agreed. And so, I direct you to release Katarn immediately."
"There were others," the Hutt said.
"Ah yes, Jan Ors and another operative, Blaze Redlopt. They are to be set free as well."
"There is a problem with that," Jabba said.
"You have your orders, Hutt. Either free Katarn and the others, or I will do it for you."
Jabba swallowed nervously. The last thing he needed was to create trouble for the Empire.
"I can free the women," he said, "but I have already sacrificed Katarn to my Krayt dragon."
The figure's face twisted in anger. "Fool! If he dies, the consequences to you will be dire! Can you not rescue him?"
"The risk to my men…" Jabba began.
"Silence! Do nothing further. I shall take care of this. You would do well to make sure Katarn and his companions are not otherwise harmed."
With that, the hologram faded again.
Jabba took in a shuddering breath, then pressed another button on the dais.
"Yes, your Excellency?"
"Put me in touch with my cruiser immediately."
Krayt Dragon Pit
SNAP!
Kyle threw himself to the left this time, just in time to keep the huge lizard from closing its jaws around him.
The Krayt dragon turned ponderously to face him once again.
How long he had been at this? It seemed like forever. Drenched in sweat, breath coming in gasps, he had managed to elude this monster so far. But his strength was not going to last forever, and the dragon seemed to have energy to spare.
He glanced around for a weapon of some kind, something to defend himself. But other than a few bones from earlier victims, there was nothing.
The dragon had completed its turn, but wasn't advancing. Kyle stared at it, wondering what it was doing when it leapt forward.
Oh Sithspit!
The massive jaws opened again, giving him a good look at the dragons' throat.
No way do I want to end up in there! He threw himself to the right, out of the way. The dragon missed him, but as Kyle rose, it swung its tail.
He never saw it coming.
Pain exploded in his chest as the leathery surface smashed into him. Kyle flew backwards until he fetched up against one of the pit walls, bouncing off of it and onto the floor. His back let him know it was indeed functioning as the nerves screamed in pain. Hearing an all too familiar roar, Kyle managed to turn his head enough to see the dragon turning towards him.
He struggled to get up, managing to rise to one knee. The pain increased and Kyle had to fight not to black out.
"Katarn!"
A voice.
"Katarn! Up here!"
Forcing his eyes open, Kyle raised his head, eyes scanning the rim of the pit. There! In the far corner, a figure stood. Shadows obscured it slightly, and the distance made it hard to determine who it was. But the voice… did he know it?
"Katarn! Quickly! Use these!"
An arm came up holding something. As Kyle watched, the figure drew back whatever it was, then let it fly. The object arced into the pit, turning over and over. To his considerable surprise, the object struck against the floor a short distance away, sliding a bit more before coming to rest. Now Kyle could clearly what the object was. And the sight brought a smile to his face.
Fresh strength flooding into him, he pushed off the floor. His legs were wobbly and each step made his chest ache, but he forced himself to go faster, breaking into a run. Reaching the object, he dropped to his knees, scooping it up. Light winked off the surface of the belt of thermal detonators.
A new sound brought his head around. The Krayt dragon was coming towards him. Pulling two of the detonators free, Kyle armed them. He started to throw the devices, then changed his mind and with an underhand toss, sent them rolling towards the beast.
The dragon caught sight of the shiny metal objects, halting its progress as they came to rest just in front of it. It lowered its face towards them, sniffing.
Kyle smiled in satisfaction as the dragon cried out in pain. The detonators had exploded right in its face. It backed up a step then another, roaring in pain and shaking its massive head. An ugly black streak was visible across part of its face. But any hope he had that it was enough disappeared as the dragon roared one more time, then leapt towards him again. Kyle reached for another detonator even as his mind told him there wasn't enough time to arm and throw it before the dragon would be upon him.
At the rim of the pit, the figure that had tossed him the detonators watched in frustration as Kyle wasted two of the detonators. Didn't this guy know anything? A Krayt dragon's hide was too tough for even a thermal detonator to penetrate. Even as the detonators exploded, the figure knew they would only serve to anger the creature. The dragon was backing away now, its muzzle blackened. The figure watched it coil itself, then spring towards Katarn. He was going to die this time. There wasn't enough time for him to do anything.
But the figure had its orders. Katarn had to live. A hand came up, reaching out towards the pit. Focusing on the belt of detonators, the figure wrenched them free of Katarn's grasp and as the Krayt dragon's mouth opened wide, the now armed detonators flew inside. That done; the figure turned its attention to Katarn, pulling him away from the dragon just as the detonators went off.
He couldn't figure out what was happening. One moment the Krayt dragon was leaping at him, jaws opened wide. The next thing he knew the belt of detonators flew from his hand and into the dragon's maw. In the next instant, he flew backwards, away from the dragon. Seconds later, four muffled explosions sounded as the detonators went off inside the dragon.
Kyle heard the dragon scream, a scream of pain and agony. With a last, guttural cry, the Krayt dragon collapsed onto the floor of the pit. Its eyelids slid closed and a last, ragged exhalation emanated from it.
It's dead, he thought. It's dead. But how? I didn't do anything. The detonators flew inside it and…
Remembering the figure, Kyle angled his face upwards towards the rim. But the space where the figure had stood was empty. Whoever it was, he or she was gone now.
A thousand questions flashed across his mind. But they would have to wait. With the dragon dead and no sign of the guards who had brought him there, it was time to go. But how to get out of the pit?
"Kyle!"
A new voice, and this one was familiar.
Turning his gaze to the rim of the pit again, he caught sight of her.
"Blaze!"