Hello everyone! So one thing I forgot to mention, for those who do not know of the Jedi Knight game series, this is based after Jedi Outcast. So, for those who like the games after, I'm sorry. But I have not played them before, though I may include some things I do know of them. Just in different ways.
That's it for this AN. Hope you enjoy this action-packed chapter. And don't forget to leave a review. I always enjoy feedback
The female pilot enjoys the calmness of the silence that fills the inside of the ship while it lasts. Only her quiet breaths, as well as Katarn's and the droning of the console, could be heard. Her right hand holds the joystick loosely, her other hand hovering above switches and buttons that would be needed after exiting hyperspace. She is an excellent pilot, and had been in plenty of space battles. So she could expect many fighters. And she would be ready to take as many of them on as needed. Looking at the screen in front of her, she saw their target should be right in front of them in a matter of seconds.
"I find it odd that they haven't hit this place yet" Jan speaks. Kyle nods in agreement.
"It has been at least a week since I last saw it. Then again, they would have had to plan it out." That is a perfect explanation for the long wait. They would have had to plan out fleet formation, possible enemy fleet, gun positions on the station. Jan should have known this, since she is the tactical adviser for her partner. The time arrives, and Jan ends the short conversation.
"Pulling out in five." She moves her spare hand to the throttle, then eases it back. The ship rocks a little before she pulls it back halfway. At that moment, the ship slows suddenly, as if it hit a cushioned wall. But their seat belts are tight enough for them not to be sent flying forward. They come to an asteroid field, where large rocks float through space. In the distance ahead of them is the battle she expected to see.
Laser fire lights up the floating rocks, explosions split asteroids in half. Fighters fly past corvettes and cruisers, barely making it through the cross-fires. The radio is jammed with transmissions flying back and forth. The New Republic fleet consists of three Corellian corvettes and Nebulon-B escort frigate. The Imperial fleet is hidden by a large asteroid. Jan opens their transmissions from their ship and contacts the New Republic fleet ahead.
"This Jan Ors of The Raven Claw, please respond." There is a crackle, and then a voice came through:
"This is New Republic frigate Pursuer. Commander Skywalker has been expecting your arrival. Please proceed to docking port 4." The transmission cuts off with a sudden static, followed by absolute silence. Jan eases the joystick to the right, angling the freighter towards the frigate. As they began their approach, the radar picked up two contacts. Imperial contacts.
"Hold on." Without any further warning, she yanks the ship's yoke to the right, pivoting the ship away from the pursuing TIE fighters. TIE fighters had two wings being held vertically, the flat side facing towards the side of the cockpit. The cockpit is a small orb with a large window and two cannons at the bottom of the front. The fighters pursue. And one fires. The green laser skims the portside engine and hits a small asteroid, blasting it into fragments. Screeches from the small ships fill her ears. More lasers pass over the wings, until the sixth one. It hits the rear, shaking the Raven's Claw to its core. She looks to the scanner, watching the TIE's behind them.
"That's an asteroid!" Her head flicks up to the large rock they were heading towards, and she turns the ship as hard as she can.
"Hold on to your seat!"
"What do you think I'm doing?!" Ors smirks a little at his reply. She finds some humor in it. The ship goes around the rock, narrowly missing it. But chunks of it hit as a part of it blasts apart, so it doesn't miss it unscathed. The freighter shudders after the impact as if threatening to split apart.
"You can do it. Just a little further" Jan prays in her mind. Another laser shoots past into the darkness of space, only to hit another rock. She eases the yoke to the left to dodge another barrage, and moves the ship in time to see them skim over the ship's right side. Ahead, she sees her opportunity. Jan pushes the acceleration throttle forward, aiming the front of the ship towards a lone space rock.
"Jan?" She ignores Kyle, a smirk slowly making it's way to her lips. "Jan?! What are you doing?!" Out of the corner of her eye, he sees him tense, eyes widening slowly. If only he knew her plan, then he would be so much more calm. Looking at her scanner, she saw her plan is working well. The fighter has taken the bait, and follows, accelerating as well. She watches the distance close between her ship and the asteroid. Blocks out all sounds to retain her focus. And at the last mere second, she pulls up. She could have sworn she heard Kyle yell something with a high-pitch voice. That would have been a first. Almost as high as the screech of the TIE before it slams into the rock, exploding in a ball of fire and burning metal, now floating away in different directions.
"You okay?" she asks Kyle with an innocent tone. He glares with narrowed eyes, but in the end a smirk breaks up on his face.
"Never do that. Again. Ever." The pilot turns her focus back to the matter at hand, directing the ship towards it's original target. Though not without giving off a witty grin.
The ship nears the Pursuer, and as it goes past the large asteroid, Jan spots the Imperial fleet. There are two Victory-class Star Destroyers, backed up by two Tartan patrol cruisers. A spread of laser cannon fire covers the area near the cruisers, protecting both them and the Star Destroyers from any attack by fighters. But that didn't stop the New Republic's larger ships from hitting them. It was certainly a sight to see, but a common one. A pair of A-Wing interceptors appear on either side of the Raven's Claw, providing escort until it reaches the port After, they leave to join the fight. Jan and Kyle leave their seats and proceed up the hatch that attached to the frigate, finding some security personnel waiting for them.
"This way. General Skywalker is waiting for you." They follow along with the three soldiers through the frigate until they reach the bridge. In the center of the floor is a holographic map of the field outside the field, with the largest asteroid behind the Imperial fleet. Built into it is Cairn Station. Last time Jan was there, she was held prisoner. Tortured by interrogation droids day by day. Just thinking about it brings back bad memories. Beside the device are the captain of the ship and the familiar Jedi. Orders pass around in the air. A green flash appears outside the window from a turbolaser, causing the frigate's bridge to shudder. Luke Skywalker turns around when the two mercenaries appear at the door.
"Kyle. Jan. Come here." Once again, Kyle acts bewildered. He is always like that whenever a Jedi does that. But she is used to it by now. They move towards him and take a position next to the Jedi master. "You have arrived just in time to hear the plan. Captain, if you will." The captain nods and stands up straight, removing his hands from the side of the table map.
"Thank you, General." He turns his attention to the the mercenaries. "I'm sure you two know what it's like on the station. That is why we have asked you to be here. We want each of you to lead a team through the station and hit a pair of generators-"
"I'm sorry, but we do best together" Kyle interrupted. Jan had to agree with that. And for two reasons: One, they had worked together for a while now. Splitting them up may make the mission faster, but it would also lower their effectiveness. And two, Kyle knew much more about the station than she did herself. All she had seen was the inside of a cell and some halls. Nothing more. Before anyone could begin to argue, she throws in her opinion.
"I agree. Kyle has seen more than I have, so he will know the best way to take one out." Skywalker raises a hand to his face, rubbing a thumb across his chin hesitantly. Before the captain can speak, Luke voices his opinion.
"Very well. We shall inform your teams of this change in plans." He moves one of his gloved hand over the map. "We will send in a large company of troops in a frontal assault, escorted by Gold squadron. Red squadron will draw their attention and will deal with fighters, with the assistance from one of the corvettes." Looking back up, he receives affirmative nods from the two. He stands up straight "Good luck, and may the force be with you."
"You too" Kyle replies hastily, then turns with Jan and run form the bridge. It is a lot shorter time to reach the Raven's Claw. They hurry down the ladder and jump into their seats. There is a hiss behind them while the metal hatch closed. As Jan prepares to pilot the ship, Kyle checks over his equipment. A whir sounded as the freighter started up, the console lighting up. Jan's eyes flick up when a TIE fighter flew by, being chased by an X-Wing. She watches them pass by before continuing, unlatching the ship from the Raven's Claw jolts ever so slightly. Next to her, Kyle holstered his Bryar blaster, then reaches into a compartment between them. It flies open with a hiss, revealing the single item within. The small cylindrical object he had once given up on. Jan knew the story. It was as if time had frozen for a short time while they both stared at the item, as he lifts it up with his hand. She knows the story. He had once almost been driven to the dark side, and after that, he left the Force. Since then, he had resented the Force, distanced himself as far as he could from it. But in recent events, he came back to it. And here they were now.
Another shudder comes when Jan pushed the throttle forward. Her mind comes away from those thoughts of him. Her partner. By the time the ship was low enough, it pitches and towards the left to slowly ease out from underneath the larger ship. Once clear, she puts the ship into full speed forward, towards the asteroids to the left, aiming to use them as cover with their approach towards the Imperial station. Ors catches a glimpse of a large amount of cannon fire directed towards a small area, and turns her gaze quickly to it.
In it, there are several New Republic transports heading at the station, a squadron of fighters escorting them. No doubt that it is the frontal assault. No other transports are nearby, so it is possible that their team is already waiting for them. She moves the ship around the space rocks with ease. It is easier with no fighters chasing her, and the rocks are moving slowly. The plan was thought about well. The main force diverts their attention, and they fly in the back door. It was foolproof...unless they have back door cannons. Which they probably do. But nonetheless, they have a job to complete. And they would do it. They will complete it.
The ship nears the area where their target hanger is in view. There are two cannons next to it, but do not fire. That meant her previous hypothesis was correct. Their team had arrived. She angles the ship, front end facing the hanger, and eases it in. Once in, Jan lowers the landing gear and lands the ship next to a re-purposed Lambda shuttle. Instead of the plain white, it is repainted a dark shade of gray and has a small laser cannon planted onto the bottom of the cockpit. The ramp has been lowered, with a squad of six waiting at the bottom. Four are armed with standard A280-K blaster rifles. One other had a DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle and the last a DL-44 heavy blaster pistol with a short barrel. They all stand ready, rifles raised while their eyes remained on the freighter. The landing gear kisses the steel flooring of the hanger bay, and the doors on the side open. The ladders lower next. And from the ship, the two mercenaries climb down. The pistol trooper approaches Jan and Kyle, giving off a one-hand salute. He is a tan human male, adorned with special forces gear.
"Sir, ma'am. I am Captain Anthorp. Leader of this squad. I was told that the plan had changed, and we are now to be one whole team. Are you sure of this plan? I had heard that you two were exceptional, even when separate."
"Whoever told you that exaggerated" Kyle assures.
"Kyle's right. We work best together. Even in our greatest exploits." Kyle turns on her with a doubtful look.
"Now hold on there. I did take on Jerec alone. And you were his prisoner. So there's an exception." Jan shoves him with her shoulder and ignores the remark.
"Yes, but without me, you would never have reached there" she argues. The conversation goes back and forth until the captain interrupts with a faked cough. They stop and look at him as if he had appeared at of nowhere.
"Right. Move out!" Kyle commands, and begins to march off, only to find the others not moving. He glances curiously. "Well. Let's get moving already!"
"Actually, we aren't under your command. Commander Ors outranks you." Kyle groans as Jan smirks.
"You hear that, Kyle? You have to listen to me. All right, captain. Move out." The captain nodded and made a gesture towards a door at the other end of the hanger. As Jan passes Kyle, she releases a wide smile. He only glares at her, and rolls his eyes before following the team with his blaster drawn. Jan has her E-11 blaster rifle. The blaster had been modified to shoot bursts of laser fire rather than automatic or semi-automatic. It has been her personal weapon for a long time.
They tread quietly through the empty metal halls, with alarms blaring and locked doors along the walls. Everyone is aware of their surroundings. The alarms fill their ears. The air is warm from fires in other areas of the station, though not too close to cause harm to the team. But there is something close enough to do so.
Several troopers in clad in shining white armor, armed with E-11 blasters. These were the base Imperial troopers, the stormtroopers. The team is quick to move in any cover visible, such as open doorways and random crates. The quiet disappears as the click of the stormtrooper rifles ready, then the lasers fizz through the air from the rifles, small explosions after contact with a metal wall that left a smoldering blast mark.
"Return fire!" the captain shouts before firing himself. Jan pokes out from out of the door way she is in and fires a burst of laser fire, hitting two of the troopers. One goes down, while the second got hit in the arm, rendering him near useless. A shot fizzes past her head, forcing her into cover as more hit the walls around her. That was too close she thinks to herself. She can still feel the heat from the blaster fire on her face, and quickly checks her hair for any singeing or fire. Kyle takes his chance and charges his blaster in cover, and when he came out of cover, he lets the bolt loose. It hit a trooper right into the chest, leaving a smoldering hole in his chest. He too is forced to go into cover as the last two troopers turn on him, only to be shot down by one of the New Republic soldiers. The captain signals the team to hold position, waiting in case any more came. And none do, so he gives the all clear.
"That wasn't too hard" Kyle says when he came out of cover, stepping over to the five white corpses. Jan glares at him.
"You know that's going to bite us later on, right?" He nods. She can tell why. He enjoys a challenge, as did she. But sometimes, he caused a bit too much to come their way. This could possibly be one of those incidents.
They move through to a corridor that separates in four directions, one of them being the way they had come. They stop in the middle of it, waiting for the captain to take out a map. He kneels down pulls out a hologram projector and turns it on, revealing a holographic projection of the station, or at least how much they knew of it. There were some halls that ended in dead ends, which were possibly doors they had not seen past.
"It's to the right" Anthorp pointed out, tracing his finger along a corridor in the three-dimensional map, ending at a red blip. There is another further down, which is their second target.
"What is the estimated arrival to there?" Jan questions, analyzing the map closely.
"We should be there shortly. Depends on the amount of opposition we face from here on in. Which I believe will be large, assuming most of the station has not been evacuated yet." Jan nods in confirmation.
"Okay. Let's continue on, then." The captain nods and switches off the small circular device. He stands up after putting the device in his side pocket and moved on with the others right behind. He plugs another gadget in a keypad next to the door on the right, and he succeeds the hacking, the hissing of the now open door follows, blasters in hand.
How could this plan go wrong? Yes, the team was small. But Kyle was a part of it, as was his partner. Even though the last time he was here, there was a lot of opposition. But most of it seemed to have gone somewhere. Possibly fled. But where could they have gone Kyle wonders.
His thoughts are disrupted by a laser blast hitting the floor next to his feet. He peeked out, only to almost have his nose blasted off. They were facing an automated ceiling turret, accompanied by three stormtroopers.
"Kyle! Stay focused on now!" Jan yells at him from across the corridor. He nods, his gaze moving to the fallen soldier in the middle of the metal floor. The turret had come from nowhere, and he was the first to fall. Kyle knows there was no saving him. None of them had seen it coming. Not even Katarn. All it took was one blast to the chest. Kyle had watched the laser go all the way through. But Jan is right. He has to focus on the now, not moments before.
He draws his Bryar pistol and blind-fires towards the troopers, hearing a pained cry afterwards. He scores a hit, but the trooper still stands. Though if he were to run, he would only limp. The good news is that his fire had drawn the other troopers, allowing one of the other members of the team to shoot a different trooper down with three shots to the chest. The two remaining troopers barrage the soldiers location, who goes back to cover in turn, narrowly missing the blaster fire. Kyle once again fires a charged blast, this time aiming at the turret. The first shot is enough to to some damage, revealing the mechanisms inside. Jan takes her chance and fires a concentrated burst at the newly revealed hole in it's outer metal shell, destroying it. There was a new smell of smoke that fills the air. Out of surprise from the sudden destruction of their best defense, they retreat. The Republic team fires after them, though not injuring them. They only aim to send them running faster. They succeeded, as the troopers disappear in a matter of seconds.
"All clear" Captain Anthorp whispers with assurance, being the first to step out into the open. They move past where the stormtrooper lays still. There is the smell of burnt flesh from under the armor. Beyond where they had stood was a doorway to their target. The troopers had gone this way, but by now, they would be long gone. Past the door was their first target. A tall column-shaped structure, with light blue streams of pure energy going up down inside, seen through small slits.
"Let's get this done" Jan says. The captain nods and orders the men the plant their charges. From their packs, three of them retrieve three thermal detonator, one for each. They prime the bombs, then place them along the generator.
"Everyone, get clear!" The team runs, but not Kyle. He waits near it, watching it.
"Kyle? What are you doing?!" Jan asks after the sudden realization he was not with them. He continues to stand there, just looking at it.
"We shouldn't blow it up yet" he finally says suggestively. Her brows furrow in a confused fashion. He begins his explanation as to why before anyone can speak. "If we destroy this now, they may increase the guards on the other one. We've already lost one man. But, if we destroy this one at the same time as the other, then they have nothing to protect. And the effect to the station will be instantaneous." Jan was a little surprised. Normally, she was the tactical one. She guesses that being on his own so much must have changed him.
"I like the way you think. What do you say, Captain?" she asks, now facing the captain. He nods, giving his judgement. So it is decided, and they would destroy both at the same time. He points to two of his soldiers, and speaks an order:
"You two are to stay here and guard it. We will contact you when we are going to blow the generators." They nod and take up defensive positions. What is left of the team continue on through a door on the other side of the generator, proceeding down more corridors. They hadn't come across anything large, and hope they will not. Fate had other things in mind. They stumble upon a larger hall, with a ramp leading down to a lower floor. The only way to the other side was to cross the floor to the ramp on the other side. Kyle goes first, having his blaster drawn. The others follow closely along, though they are caught in surprise when a side door opens, level with the floor. Out of it comes four stormtroopers, accompanied by a red-hooded figure with a light brown tunic. In one hand, he holds a lightsaber.
"Ah, sith spit" Kyle mutters. The saber-wielding warrior lifts the weapon to chest height, activating it and illuminating his face with a red glow. Kyle whirls out his own in both hands, holding the blue blade at an angle towards the Reborn. The air became still, as if the room held it's breath. Then, the Reborn launches forward towards Kyle. The Republic troopers take cover from the stormtroopers, firing blast after blast.
The Reborn brings their saber down on Kyle's head. He counters by holding his own weapon up and pushing the Reborn back. The Reborn does a flip in the air to land on their feet, then dash forward with their saber horizontally in front. Kyle leaps over, kicking the Reborn in the head with his heel. His opponent stumbles over and falls, his saber rolling away. Rolling onto their back, they catch Kyle jumping at them, lightsaber over his head. They roll out of the way, then use the Force in a crouched position to retrieve their blade. The hooded warrior stands, now holding his saber in a reverse grip. Waiting.
"Come and get me, you Sith pretender." Obviously, this insults the Reborn, as he charges, swinging his blade through the empty air in front of him. Kyle had successfully side stepped, holding out his saber at waist height. With the speed the Reborn went, he is sliced in two. Kyle turns from the corpse to find his team had won. But at a loss. One of the soldiers is sat against the side of the ramp. Several scorched holes were visible in his armor.
"We've taken too many losses!" one of the soldiers nearly shouts. His voice fills the air with fear and a sense of loss. "We must abort! One generator is enough-"
"No!" The soldier freezes at the captain's voice. "We have not come all this way, only to fail...but he is right. We cannot continue on." He looks to the two mercenaries. "But perhaps you can. We will fall back to the first generator and collect them. We should be away from it by the time you detonate them. Once they are destroyed, move to the command center. We will be waiting." Kyle hesitantly nods, and begins moving up the ramp, Jan following closely. Before entering through the door, they give one last look to the special forces troops. And with a flick of his wrist, Katarn gives a two-finger salute. The captain copies it, then leaves.
The hiss of the door closing behind them is the last that is heard of the area behind them. Now all is silent. Up ahead, they see their target. And for once, it is unguarded. Kyle goes first, having his lightsaber in hand. Once they get close enough, Jan plants the last of the explosives.
"It's done. Let's-" she is cut off by Kyle ramming into her side, getting to cover. A barrage of fire comes from a trooper holding an Imperial Heavy Repeater. Hundreds of burnt spots appear on the generator, narrowly missing all detonators. All but one. It explodes, setting the others off. Kyle's reflexes become heightened with the Force, and he rolls himself and Jan behind a console before the entire generator goes off. The station around them rocks. A searing heat covers his back as he covers Jan with his own body. The pain is held in, but his strained face shows it. The pain goes on for so long, then stops. He counts to five in his head; One, two, three, four, five. On the fifth number, he reveals his head to find a smoldering area that was once the generator room. Not even the stormtrooper was spared.
Jan stands up straight, sweat dripping down her face. She wears a shocked face at seeing Kyle's scorched back. He can sense her shock, and turns with a faked smile.
"I'm fine, I swear. Don't worry about me" he insists, trying to put on his most convincing face. Although it never usually worked, she let it go. Though he still sensed her worry. He really had to get used to sensing another's emotions with the Force. It just didn't feel entirely right, like he was intruding on something personal. She pushes past him, then sweeps the area with her blaster rifle. Kyle pulls himself up, groaning as he did. Before he can steady himself, another tremor runs through the station after Jan detonates the other generator.
"Warn me next time" he says, holding himself up with one arm. The injuries aren't bad enough to render him immobile or scar, but they still hurt.
"What? It was just a little shudder."
"A little shudder? A little shudder?!" She rolls her eyes and strolls off, leaving Kyle behind. He tries to follow, keeping his back as straight as he could. He attempts to relieve the pain the best he can, knowing he's had worse than this. Much worse.
The way to the command center was unusually shorter than Jan and Kyle had at first expected. And quiet. It was as if everyone just left. But that changes when they reach the command center, finding four New Republic troopers waiting outside.
"Ors. Katarn. Skywalker is waiting for you inside." Jan nods and passes through, Kyle following behind while taking it slow. His back is still in terrible pain, and she can see it very well. No one had to be a Jedi to see that. And it seemed that being a Jedi made it much easier. Luke came over quickly, putting a hand on a part of Kyle's shoulder that is not as bad as the rest.
"Medic! Get him to the infirmary-"
"I'm fine, Luke. Just need to sit..sit down somewhere." Luke, with Jan's aid, move him to the back of a console and leans his side against it carefully. Captain Anthorp came soon after, with a blaster mark on his right shoulder.
"Is the mission a success?" he asks towards Jan. She nods, earning a sigh of relief. "That's good news...the men are resting now, and we have sent the ones we lost to the hangar, where they can be returned to their families." Jan does not nod this time, and instead hangs her head in sorrow. Her eyes shift to Kyle, who wears a pained expression. Her attention goes to Luke when he begins to speak to her partner.
"Kyle, once you are ready, I need you to come to the Academy," he moves his gaze upon Jan and continues, "and Jan, I would prefer you stayed here." She ponders over why, but nods in the end. "Thank you." Jan dismisses herself and begins looking over some consoles, checking back with Kyle from time to time. At least it hadn't gone worse she thought to herself. What she doesn't know is that something is about to come and will make things worse.
"Master Skywalker! Over here!" Luke goes over, and Jan joins him. They come to a trooper looking over a screen that contained a list. A manifest of ships. And what draws their attention is what was on board.
"That's a lot of Artusian crystals."
"And Cortosis. This is worrying." Luke strokes his chin, and speaks again. "Can you track them down?" THe trooper shrugs.
"I might. But most of the data has been wiped. I'll contact you when we have a location." Luke nods and makes his exit. Jan looks back at the screen. This could only mean one thing. The Reborn weren't finished yet.