Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 1: Rise of a Hero
Part 2
Chapter 13: Jan's Visitors
A/N: Y'know, I don't think I've ever realized how easy it is to mess with so many people with one simple plot tool, the cliffhanger. I always want my readers to come back for more, and yet perhaps I am torturing you all with the unknown a bit too much. I guess the thing is, I want you to be surprised with what comes next and in desiring that, I use the cliffhanger to achieve that goal. Rest assured that in this chapter there will be answers, but maybe new questions as well.
A/N: So where are we, anyway. Ah yes, I remember now. Unable to remember his Dark Side attack on the Star Destroyer, Kyle is blaming himself for Jan, who was wounded during the attack. Jan, however, rouses from sleep just long enough to assure him that it wasn't his fault. Jan herself is recovering nicely when she receives three visitors. But who are they? Come and find out!
Rebel Command Ship New HopeHangar Bay
The Moldy Crow.
I still can't believe it, Kyle thought, as his eyes roamed over the patchwork hull. How could this ship do what I saw in the video? Sure, Jan and I have taken good care of it, but taking on a Star Destroyer? It just didn't seem believable. And as he inspected the Crow's systems, Kyle found some battle damage, but nothing that added up to taking on an Imperial capital ship. He set to work, starting with the shield capacitors, which were completely burnt out.
As he worked, Kyle reviewed the battle in his mind. He knew that something had happened to him shortly after the TIE wreckage had struck the ship. But what?
Absorbed in the work and his own thoughts, he didn't hear her approach until she spoke.
"So here you are. I suppose I should have anticipated this."
Looking over his shoulder, Kyle saw her standing nearby, a half smile on her face.
"Mon Mothma."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "You sound surprised to see me."
"Not really," he answered, clambering down off the Crow's port wing. "I knew we'd have to talk sooner or later."
"Ah, and I assume you trying to make it later."
"Yeah," Kyle replied, raising his hands in a "you know" gesture.
She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off.
"Mon Mothma, I know what you're going to ask. I don't know what happened to me during the battle. I've gone it over and over again in my mind, but I can't recall anything beyond some TIE wreckage hitting the Crow. Everything after that is a complete blank, until I came to here on the New Hope. I just can't remember. I wish I could."
The older woman paused for a long moment, then said, "Actually, I was going to ask how you were feeling and then ask about the battle."
"Oh," Kyle said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."
She waved the apology away. "You've been through an ordeal, Kyle. And after talking to Plasdan, I know you've got to be quite frustrated not knowing what happened to you during the battle. Let me make it clear that whatever happened, that your actions helped save the New Hope as well as the pilots of Rogue Squadron and you and Jan."
Kyle's eyes fell away from hers. "But Jan still got hurt."
"As a direct result of the Imperial attack, Kyle. Not because of your action or inaction. Had it not been for your attack on the Star Destroyer, it is very unlikely that either one of you would have survived."
His head came back up. Mon Mothma's words had penetrated through the mass of guilt and self-doubt in his mind. "Thank you, Mon Mothma," he said managing a small smile. "It helps to hear you say that."
"I do want to ask you something else, Kyle."
Uh oh, he thought, here it comes.
"We've talked about these 'voices' you've heard in your head, and how they seemed to have aided you on earlier missions. Is it possible that what happened during the battle was like one of the earlier encounters?"
He thought over that for nearly a minute. "I suppose it is possible, Mon Mothma. But when the voices helped me before, I can remember what happened. I didn't always understand it, but I can remember it what they said and what happened afterward."
She considered that, then said, "Let me ask you this, Kyle. Do you remember how or should I say, what you were feeling?"
Kyle smiled. "That's easy. I was mad, I guess you could say angry."
"How angry?"
"Well, considering I'm in a disabled ship, no weapons, no shield, no comm, basically a big floating target, I was very angry and frustrated."
"Hmmm."
"Not to be rude, Mon Mothma, but are you going somewhere with this?"
The older woman waited a long moment before answering. The Jedi used to associate anger with the Dark Side. I remember Master Yoda saying once that anger was a path that leads to suffering. Could it be that Kyle…? No, she decided, this was foolish thinking. The Emperor had destroyed all the Jedi in his grand plan to create the "perfect" Empire, free from the danger of Jedi. Perhaps the Force had something to do with what happened to Kyle, but her talk with him and Plasdan's report made it clear that Kyle had no awareness of the Force nor did she see any desire in him to know more about it. He accepted what happened before as good fortune, no more. Still, she would keep an eye on him, just in case.
"Mon Mothma?" Kyle pressed.
"Oh!" she replied, realizing that he was staring at her, "forgive me, Kyle. I was lost in thought for a moment. I thought I might have an idea about what happened to you, but it appears I was mistaken."
"What was it?"
"Nothing of importance," she said dismissively, her tone making it clear further questions were not welcome.
"Oh-kay," Kyle said, "well, maybe I should…" His communicator sounded.
Pulling it from his belt, he turned it on. "This is Kyle."
"Kyle, this is Dr. Berth. I called to let you know Jan is awake and…"
"I'm on my way," Kyle replied, shutting the communicator off and returning it to his belt. "If you'll excuse me, Mon Mothma?"
"Of course," she replied, smiling at him, "give Jan my best."
"I will," he said, heading for the hangar bay doors.
Rebel Command Ship New HopeSickbay
"You!"
"Hello Jan."
"I can't believe it."
The trio filled the small space in front of her bed. Jan's eyes moved to each of them in turn, her look of surprise turning in a dumbfounded smile.
"Alessa! Wexter! Galder!"
"Hey there, Ors," said Galder, smiling at her. "Long time no see."
"I… I thought…. The Death Star…."
"You thought we were killed when Alderaan was destroyed, " Alessa finished for her. "We almost were, if it hadn't been for Wexter."
"Don't be so dramatic, Alessa," the third man said. "Besides, it was your idea to take the ship out for a test run."
"Yes, but, if you hadn't…"
"Hold on a second," Jan said, still smiling, her eyes shiny, "I want to hear everything that happened. But first, get yourselves over here and give me a hug."
Alessa was the first to move, her own eyes brimming. The two women hugged each other tightly, sharing in the joy of finding each other again.
"I am so glad to see you," Jan murmured against her friend's shoulder, "so glad you're alive."
"Every time there was a news net report about the Rebellion, I wondered if you were all right, Jan."
The women hugged a moment more, then Alessa stepped back to allow Galder to approach. But instead of reaching for her, he took one of Jan's outstretched hands, bringing it to his lips.
"Still the romantic I see," Jan said, wrapping her free arm around Galder's neck and pulling him into a hug.
"I'm glad you're all right, Jan," he said, gently breaking the embrace and stepping back, "I've missed you."
There was a pregnant pause, then she said, "Well what are you waiting for, Wexter? Get over here."
She could see he was trying not to let the emotion of the moment overwhelm him. With his lips pinched together in a grim smile, Wexter stepped to Jan's beside and leaned in. She had pulled him into a tight hug. He hesitated a moment, then hugged her back with equal fervor.
"I've missed you, Wexter. When I thought you were dead, it really hurt."
"Now, Jan," he harrumphed, "You should know by now ol' Wexter's too flaggered stubborn to die."
She smiled against his shoulder, held him a moment longer, then let go, but not before loudly kissing him on the cheek. Jan couldn't but chuckle at Wexter's embarrassed look as he stepped back. What was that old expression? The more things change, the more they stay the same.
"So what happened to you anyway?" Alessa asked.
"Oh," Jan said, gesturing at her surroundings. "We got attacked by an Imperial Star Destroyer. My partner and I went out to help fight off the TIE fighters until the New Hope was able to jump to hyperspace."
"A Star Destroyer?" Galder asked, his eyes wide, "Are you serious?"
Jan nodded. "Absolutely. And then during the battle, our ship was hit by an ion blast and disabled. There we were, floating around like a big target and you'll never guess who showed up. Rogue Squadron.
"Wait a minute," Wexter said, waving his hands in an expression of disbelief, "you mean the Rogue Squadron? That's Luke Skywalker's unit, isn't it?"
"I've heard of him," Alessa added, "He's the one who destroyed the Death Star."
"Well, Jan, sounds like you're sharing space with the elite of the Rebellion. Just like Alderaan, huh?"
"Please, Galder. It isn't like that at all. We sent a distress call and they showed up, that's all."
"As you say."
"Wait a minute, Jan," said Alessa, "did I hear you mention a partner?"
Oh no, Jan thought, seeing her friend's expression, why did I have to mention Kyle? Oh well, might as well get it over with.
"Yes, Alessa. A partner. He works with me on missions for the Rebellion."
"Oh, so it's a he, is it?" Alessa pressed, stepping closer, her eyes locked on Jan's. "So is he cute?"
"What?" Jan exclaimed, completely caught off guard. "I… he…. Well…. It's…"
"Yes Jan," Galder said, joining in, "do tell."
Jan glared at him a moment. "Fine. His name is…."
The door to sickbay opened and the sound of running feet cut her off.
Skidding to a stop just outside the privacy curtains, Kyle took a minute to slow his breathing down. He had run all the way from the hangar bay in his urgency to see her.
When he was able to breathe without panting, Kyle slid aside the curtains and stepped inside. The greeting he had prepared died on his lips as he spotted the other three people in the room. He didn't recognize any of them, but from their expressions, they seemed to be expecting him. He looked to Jan, about to ask what was going on. But the look on her face brought him up short. She was staring at him wide-eyed, as if the last thing she wanted right now was to see him. But, in the time it took him to draw another breath, her face changed. She smiled at him.
"Kyle," she called, waving an arm at him. "Come in. I want you to meet some friends of mine."
He hesitated a moment. Maybe he should come back later. "Jan, I…"
The smile disappeared. "Get in here, Katarn."
He knew that tone, and knew better than to say no. He stepped inside. One of the men stepped towards him, extending a hand.
"You must be Jan's partner. I'm Wexter, Wexter Wayfarer."
"Kyle Katarn. Nice to meet you, Wexter." Several years older than Kyle, Wexter couldn't help but look the part of a mechanic. From his permanently stained coveralls to the tools dangling from his belt, Wexter was clearly a man who had worked his hands for years. And by the way the coveralls stretched over the man's abdomen he rarely, if ever, missed a meal. His hair and mustache were a mixture of gray and white, but his blue eyes were lively and his smile was genuine.
He indicated the other man. "And this is…"
"I can speak for myself, Wexter," Galder said, his tone flat, nearly emotionless. His dark eyes shifted to Kyle. "Galder Thonx," he announced. For a moment, he stared at Kyle's outstretched hand, then reached out and took it. His grip was firm and strong, but not friendly. A spark of pain arced through Kyle's arm. Realizing that Galder was squeezing his hand, whether by accident or on purpose, Kyle reacted by squeezing back. He forced himself to smile at the taller man and squeezed harder even as he introduced himself.
There was a flicker of surprise in Galder's eyes. Clearly, he hadn't expected this, his own hand beginning to hurt.
The mounting pressure suddenly vanished as Galder let go, moving back a step. Kyle took a moment to examine the man. Polished black shoes led up to perfectly creased black pants and a shirt of dark purple. It was a surprise to see that unlike Wexter, Thonx was completely bald, his olive skin gleaming in the overhead light. His appearance indicated to Kyle that Galder had been a man of means and high society.
And I'm about as working class as you can get, Kyle thought.
"So," a voice said teasingly, "you're Jan's new partner." Kyle turned to regard the woman near Jan's bed caught his attention. Short black-brown hair lay in straight lines down the sides of her face, curling up just above her shoulders. Her smile revealed two rows of gleaming white teeth. Her olive skin stood out in contrast to Jan's, making her look paler in comparison. Giving her a wink, she stepped towards Kyle. Her low heeled black boots clicked slightly against the deck She wore a pair of loose black pants that seemed to add to her height and a long-sleeve shirt whose purple hue was lighter than that of Galder's. Over the shirt was a short white jacket that covered her shoulders and arms, dropping down to just above her waist.
"And I'm Alessa Thonx." She held a hand out to him and Kyle took it, feeling her warm, smooth skin. The fine bones on the back of her hand slid against his as they let go. But it was her eyes that caught his attention. The irises were purple and seem to glow with their own inner light. Alessa took a moment to allow her eyes to rove over Kyle. He wasn't exactly the type of man she expected to see Jan with. But perhaps there was more to him than met the eye.
"Hold still a moment," she said, wetting a finger. She reached up, wiping her finger across his cheek. "I guess you must have been in a hurry to get here."
At first, Kyle didn't know what she meant, until he saw the smear of dirt on her finger. Looking down at himself, Kyle mentally cursed himself. In his headlong rush to get to the hangar bay, he hadn't taken the time to change. His workman's coveralls were stained with grease and dirt. That probably explains the look Jan gave me when I walked in, he thought
He looked at her. She had a bemused smile on her face. "You do know how to make an entrance, Katarn," she said, chuckling. Galder, Wexter and Alessa laughed with her. Cheeks flaming with embarrassment, Kyle waited for the laughter to die down.
"If you all will excuse me, I'll be back as soon I've changed." Turning round, Kyle passed through the curtains. Galder waited until the sickbay doors closed before speaking.
"So, where did you find him?"
Jan knew that tone all too well. "I didn't 'find' him, Galder," she said, eyes turning to look directly at him, "And his name is Kyle. I'll thank you to remember that."
"Now, Jan," Wexter jumped in, "Galder didn't mean anything." He looked to the other man. "Isn't that right?"
When Galder didn't say anything, Alessa stepped in. "You need to remember we're guests here, brother dear. And with Alderaan gone, we need friends and allies."
Galder's face crumpled slightly at the mention of Alderaan, and for a long moment, silence reigned as each of them privately remembered their home planet.
"That reminds me," Jan said, breaking the silence, "how did the three of you survive?"
Wexter and Galder looked to Alessa, who shrugged before answering. "It wasn't as if I had any grand plan or anything. Father had purchased me a new personal cruiser and the ion drive was acting up. I talked to Wexter and he offered to come over and take a look at it."
"I couldn't detect any problems at first," Wexter said, taking up the story, "so I asked Alessa if we could take the ship out for a quick flight. I figured that whatever was wrong, I'd be able to find out once the ship was airborne."
"I just happened to walk into the hangar at that moment," said Galder. "When I heard what Wexter was planning, I decided to go along to help fly the ship."
"We had just gotten out of the atmosphere when the drive begin misfiring," Wexter said, "so, I asked Galder and Alessa to hold the ship on course while I inspected the drive. Turns out the fuel cells had been misaligned and were feeding unequal power to the engines."
"That couldn't have been easy to repair," Jan offered.
"It wasn't," Wexter said, nodding, "it took me two hours just to unknot the fuel lines themselves and then another hour to complete a full systems test. And that's when it happened."
"What?" Jan asked anxiously.
"We were nearly finished with the power-up test when we received a call from orbital control. They advised us of a large object approaching the system. I think it was about thirty minutes later when we saw it."
"The Death Star," Jan said quietly.
"Yes," Galder replied, "you can't imagine it, Jan. It was so immense; it blotted out the stars. I…" he trailed off, unable to continue.
"It took up position in high orbit over Alderaan. I came up to the cockpit and we sat there, staring at it. Orbital control tried hailing it, but never received a response. And then it began to rotate."
Alessa's eyes were glowing with unshed tears. "We saw the immense depression in the surface and then it began to glow. You know what happened next."
"Yes," Jan said, fighting back her own tears, "I do."
Silence descended once again.
This time it was Wexter who spoke first. "I don't know how long we sat there, trying to understand what had just happened. The Death Star began to move away, heading out of the system I guess. I really didn't notice. I do know all three of us were thinking the same thing, 'What do we do now?'"
Both Galder and Alessa nodded.
"So what happened?" Jan prompted.
"Galder remembered reports of a Rebel cell a few systems away," Alessa replied. "With Alderaan gone, the Rebels seemed like the best choice."
"We traveled for almost two days, broadcasting a call for assistance on every frequency we could think of," Wexter said. "Speaking for myself, the situation was getting pretty hopeless when, on the third day, we received a reply."
"A Y-Wing on deep space patrol picked up our signal and rendezvoused with us," Galder added. "When we told the pilot where we were from, he escorted us to his command vessel. Fortunately, I was able to secure us transport to a permanent base."
"Oh please, Galder," Alessa said, rolling her eyes at him. She turned to Jan. "We were shipped out with a tech team being dispatched to a Rebel base in the Yavin system."
"Wait a minute," Jan said, surprise in her voice, "you don't mean Yavin 4?"
"The same," Alessa replied. "In fact, we arrived less than a day before the Death Star was detected approaching the system."
Jan's expression matched the frustration in Alessa's voice. "From the frying pan into the fire."
"You said it," Wexter added, "we watched as the Rebel launched what fighters they had. Not nearly enough, it seemed to me. Glad I was wrong."
Conversation blended together as Jan related her and Kyle's part in monitoring the attack on the Death Star. Wexter and Alessa described how things seemed lost when the remnants of Red Squadron made their last-ditch run on the exhaust port.
"That kid, Skywalker," Wexter said with admiration, "he must've had nerves of steel. His wingmen were gone, TIE fighters closing on him."
"He did have help," Galder added.
"True," Wexter continued, "that smuggler ship, the Millenium Falcon, I've never seen a worse looking ship in my life. But the way it flew… well, I was impressed."
"You think the Falcon's something to look at. Wait till you see the Crow."
"The Crow?" Galder asked, confused.
Jan went on to describe the ship. "You wouldn't think it'd manage to lift off the deck, much less fly and fight, but it's proven to be quite a ship."
"Well, I'll have to get a look at it," Wexter said.
"Look all you want," Jan said, "but no touch."
"Oh c'mon, Jan," the old man said defensively, holding up his hands, "I can make anything work better with these babies."
"Like you did my first air speeder?"
He waved at her dismissively. "That was an accident, and you know it. How was I to know the power plant wouldn't accept the power boost?"
"How about the large label that read, 'Danger, do not exceed power core limits. Damage to power plant and passenger could result'"?"
"I don't remember any label."
"Sure you don't, Wexter." Jan said, smiling at her friend. "Just remember, you can look at my ship, but no touchie. Understand?"
For a moment, it seemed as if he might protest. But under Jan's stern gaze, Wexter surrendered. "All right."
"All right what?" Jan pressed.
"All right I won't touch your ship," Wexter said automatically. "Happy?"
"Very."
Both Galder and Alessa broke out laughing.
"I see thing haven't changed much," Alessa said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"You didn't answer my question earlier, Jan," Galder said, "Where did you meet up with this…. Kyle?"
She sighed. "That is a long story."
"We've got the time."
Jan hesitated. While she didn't see any harm in telling her friends about Kyle, there were personal things she knew about him, things that might be better said with Kyle in the room.
As if on cue, the doors to Sickbay opened. A moment later, Kyle stepped between the curtains. His hair was still slightly damp, but his face and hands were clean. He had dressed in a pair of loose gray slacks, with a matching gray vest. The shirt underneath was a dark red, a splash of color that completed the outfit quite nicely.
"Well look at you," Alessa said.
Kyle smiled at her, then at Jan. "You like?"
"Very much," both women said at the same time.
Off to his right, he Galder gave off a snort; careful to keep it low enough that no one heard it.
"Alessa was just asking me about you and I met, Kyle, " Jan said, "Do you mind?"
He shook his head. "Not at all."
Nearly forty-five minutes passed as Jan related her and Kyle's first meeting when he was still a stormtrooper. Both Galder and Wexter perked up at hearing that.
Jan went on to relate the second meeting between her and Kyle and his subsequent to defect.
"I can still remember me, Roscoe and Waller arguing over whether we should even let Kyle go with us. Little did we know that he had already decided."
"Okay, let me explain something here," Kyle cut in, "Jan and her team knew that Governor Donar has a squad of security coming to arrest us. They were minutes away. I knew if we were going to have any chance of escaping, someone had to do something."
"So Kyle sneaks aboard our ship and starts pre-flight. We didn't even realize he was gone until we heard the main drive coming on line."
"I didn't sneak aboard," Kyle answered defensively, "I walked aboard while you three were arguing to get the ship ready. Oh and get this. Rather than be grateful for my help, they drew their weapons on me."
"Now who's not being fair?" Jan interrupted, "We didn't know what you were doing. It could have been anything from sabotage to planting a listening device."
"Oh please!" Kyle said in exasperation.
"Wait a minute," Galder said, "you mentioned a Governor Donar? Not Dal Donar of Derra IV?"
"The same," Kyle replied.
"How is it someone from the Outer Rim knew a planetary governor?"
Both Alessa and Jan threw Galder looks of warning, but Kyle seemed unfazed. "His son, Nathan, and I attended the Imperial Academy together. After graduation, Nathan invited me to join him and his family aboard the Queen of Empire."
"Ah, I see."
"It gets better, Galder," Kyle continued, smirking, "no sooner had we arrived on the New Hope than Jan has a couple security officers take me into custody."
"What?" Wexter exclaimed, "Jan, you didn't!"
She shrugged. "I didn't have a choice. Kyle was still technically an Imperial at the time and we had to take precautions."
"But arresting him?" Alessa pressed.
"It's like I had him thrown in the brig or anything. It was just until he met Mon Mothma and formally declared his intentions of leaving the Empire and joining the Rebellion."
Kyle raised his eyebrows. Technically, what Jan had said about him joining the Rebellion wasn't true, but he decided to concede the point.
"So how did you end up partnered together?" Galder asked.
"Mon Mothma had a mission she needed my help with," Kyle answered, "and when she advised me that I would need a mission officer to help with planning and logistics, Jan volunteered."
"Did you," Alessa said mischievously, "I wonder why."
Jan started to speak, intending to deny that her reasons were anything but personal, but Kyle beat her to it.
"Two reasons. One was that at this point, I didn't know anyone in the Rebellion aside from Jan and Mon Mothma, so it seemed a logical choice."
"And the second reason?" Alessa pressed.
"I was too afraid to say no to her."
The room erupted in laughter then a "whoof" as pillow struck Kyle full in the chest. Jan was frowning at him, but the hint of a smile was visible as well.
"It's true!" he exclaimed, "Let me tell about the first time I did say no and what happened. It was…"
Grabbing another pillow, Jan drew her arm to throw it. "You'd better shut up right now, Katarn."
Try as he might, Kyle couldn't stop laughing. But as the pillow sailed towards him, he remembered to duck, allowing the object to hit Wexter full in the face.
As the pillow fell to the floor, a surprised Wexter looked at Jan, whose cheeks were flaming red with embarrassment.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, "Wexter, I'm sorry, I…"
Unable to hold it in any longer, Jan began to laugh too, joined by Wexter and the others a moment later.
"Hey! What's going on in here?"
Still chuckling, Kyle, Alessa, Wexter and Galder all turned to see Dr. Berth enter the room, a frown on his face.
"Someone want to tell what's happening? I could hear you all the way in my office."
"Sorry, doc," Kyle said, "It's my fault. We were kidding around about why Jan and I became partners and I guess we got a bit crazy."
"You have our apologies, doctor," Galder said formally, "we did not mean to disturb you."
"No apologies are necessary," Berth said, "but you do need to tone it down just a bit. I have other patients trying to sleep."
"It won't happen again," Jan said, looking fixedly at Kyle.
"What?" he asked innocently
"You know."
"Besides, Jan still needs her rest. So if you wouldn't mind…"
"Of course, doctor," Alessa, moving to Jan's bedside, "We'll see you later."
"Count on it," Jan replied.
Waving goodbye, Wexter and Galder followed Alessa out of the room.
"That means you too, Kyle."
"Okay, doc, just give me a minute."
"One minute," Berth said firmly, stepping outside. "That's all."
Kyle moved to Jan's bedside.
"I'm so relieved to see you all right, Jan."
She reached a hand out to him. "I'm glad you're okay too. What happened to us out there?"
Taking her hand in his, Kyle looked down at the floor for a moment before continuing. "I wish I knew. The last thing I remember is some TIE wreckage hitting the Crow and then, nothing."
"How did we get back here?" Jan asked.
"You don't know?"
"No."
"Something happened to me out there, something very strange. When I saw the battle footage, it was almost unbelievable."
Jan tightened her hold on his hand, seeing the mixture of tension and worry on his face. "Kyle?"
"I can't explain it, Jan. You need to see the footage first. Then we can talk."
Just then Dr. Berth stepped back in. He opened his mouth to speak, but Kyle beat him to it. "I'm leaving, doc."
To Jan he said, "I have to go, but I'll be back."
Letting go of his hand, Jan reached up and stroked Kyle's face. "I know you will."
With a last, long look into her face, Kyle turned round and left the room. Jan watched him go until the curtains hid him from view. She heard the sickbay doors open and close as he passed through.
Turning her attention back to the doctor, she saw that Berth was smiling at her, a knowing smile.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said, the smile fading away.
Jan didn't believe him, but decided pursuing the matter wasn't worth it. Besides, she had a more important question on her mind.
"All right, then let me ask you this. How soon before I can get out of here?"
"Well, your latest series of tests all look good and your injury is healing nicely. How about you stay here for one more night and I'll discharge you first thing in the morning?
Jan considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
"Good," Berth said, turning to leave.
"I do have one other request," Jan said.
The doctor turned back around. "And that is?"
"Would it be possible to get a portable holo-projector and a copy of the footage from the battle Kyle and I were yesterday?"
"I'll have to check with Plasdan first. May I ask why?"
"Something happened to Kyle during the battle, doctor. I don't know what, but it's obviously bothering him. I want to know what happened."
Berth took a moment to think it over, then nodded. "Let me call Plasdan and see what he says."
"Thanks," Jan said as the doctor exited the room.