Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall
Book 3, Part 1: Fall of a Man
Chapter 4: Shared Suffering
A/N: Hello to one and all and welcome to Chapter 4! Forgive my not posting for a time. I've been traveling for work recently and finally got a short break to work on this. I want to let everyone know if you're willing to follow through this and one more chapter, I've started watching a game reply and quickly writing down what I'm seeing. I also received a copy of the book my friend David helped put together and got to autograph it for him. It turns out the process of ordering the book is a little different than I expected, but nothing insurmountable. Thank you again to everyone for your reading this. Let's so some shoutouts!
PaperRebellion: Homework can be a pain. I know well the challenge of catching up on multiple assignments. I hope it goes well for you and you succeed. I'm glad the new chapter came at the right moment for you. When I get some time, I'll check for you on Discord. I look forward to reading your stuff! I'm also glad to hear your bathroom is less chaotic now
Fulcrum-1115: These early chapters are primarily what I'm making up in my mind that will lead to the first mission in Jedi Outcast.
Anon: Thank you! It's good to be back. Sorry I was gone so long.
Jan's eyes went wide with shock, the blood draining from her face.
"What?"
Isabel gestured. "Come with me.
The pair silently followed the medical technician to a medical bay. A gurney sat inside the room, a body lying on it, face covered by a sheet. Jan's eyes fell on two horns poking out from underneath.
Jan stared in disbelief at the shape, not wanting to believe what she was seeing.
"But he was fine!" she exclaimed, "okay, maybe not fine, but he wasn't gravely wounded. What happened?
"We weren't sure at first, "Isabel said, "until we examined that." She pointed at the knife blade sitting on a table inside the room. "The blade was poisoned. A very strong, multi-spectrum agent that's lethal, even to Devaronians."
"But look at it," Jan said angrily, pointing at the blade, "that blade is tiny, and Alvie said it wasn't even in that deep."
"Doesn't matter," replied Isabel, "we're still analyzing it, but this poison has penetrated through his entire body. He never had a chance."
"It had to be something else," said Jan, "Alvie said his chest was hurting. He said the pirates hit him, maybe broke a bone."
"We performed a complete examination of him," Isabel countered, "Alvie had some bruising in the chest wall, but the bones were all intact."
"But he said his chest started hurting."
Isabel nodded. "It's probably when his first heart exploded."
"Exploded?!"
"Devaronians have two hearts," Isabel explained, "my examination determined both of Alvie's were destroyed. I can't call it much less than an explosion."
"But how?"
"The poison," Isabel said, "from what we've been able to determine, once it gets into the bloodstream, the poison seeks out vital organs and destroys them, lungs, liver, heart, the organs being need to stay alive."
"But he sounded fine. You saw him, heard him."
"I did," Isabel said, "we're still trying to understand what the poison can do. Do you recall how long it was since he was attacked?"
"I'm not completely sure, an hour or two."
"More than that," Kyle said, "closer to three."
"And you said the knife was in him all that time."
"Most of it," Jan admitted, "a group of pirates attacked the bridge right around the time Sten killed the captain."
"That might be the answer," Isabel said, "once he was stabbed, the blade stayed inside his body, allowing the poison to keep spreading."
"So, even as I was talking to him, telling him it would be all right, the poison was spreading."
Isabel nodded. "If I'd be able to get to him sooner, maybe I could have stopped it. But with things the way they were… Jan, I tried, I swear I tried. I didn't want him to die."
Jan considered this for a moment, then nodded.
"Can I… see him? Just for a moment?"
Isabel considered, "For a few minutes."
"Thank you," Jan said.
She stepped to the entrance of the room, the door sliding aside. She walked to the gurney slowly, seeing the body lying there. So still, so quiet.
Reaching out a hand, Jan took ahold of the sheet, drawing it back. Alvie's face came into view. Most of the color was drained from his face, his eyes closed. The bruise on his face was still visible. But otherwise, he looked peaceful.
Jan stared down at him, remembering the conversation they'd been having only a short time ago, how he'd reacted to her compliments, how he wanted to know what she'd looked like. Had she begun having feelings for him? She barely knew him. But he'd been so kind, so sweet. Was it possible? Had she really begun to like him? Was that why she felt this way now?
She reached a hand down to touch his face. His skin was cold to the touch. Her throat suddenly felt very thick, her eyes burning, her heart wrenching.
"I'm sorry, Alvie," she said, biting back tears, "I'm so very sorry. You didn't deserve this. I wanted to talk with you more, learn more about you. Maybe we could even have had dinner together. You were so nice to me, my sweetie. So kind and sweet. I could tell you were embarrassed when I asked you."
Tears began streaming down her face, her throat so full she could barely get words out."
"I was so sure you'd be okay. I wasn't lying to you. I thought I'd come here and find you recovering. Not…like this. I am so so sorry. I wish I could ask you to forgive me. You deserved better, Alvie, so much better than this. I…"
A strangled sob came from her throat. She couldn't talk anymore.
"I.." she managed to say, "I'm sorry, Alvie. I have to go now. I'm sorry."
Her body felt like it was moving through molasses. Just turning and moving away seemed to take all of her strength. It seemed to take forever to pass through the door again.
Seeing her condition, Kyle moved towards her.
"Jan…"
She held up a hand. "Not now, Katarn, not now."
He stopped, not advancing.
"Thank you," she said to Isabel, "I…what's going to happen to him?"
"His family will be contacted," Isabel replied.
"Good," Jan said, fighting to keep her voice even. "I need…to take care of something. Is there a room I can borrow?"
"Of course," Isabel said, "just down the hall. But Jan?"
"What?" she responded sharply.
"Before he lost consciousness. Alvie told me something. I think he knew he was dying.
"What did he say?" Jan asked.
"Tell Jan I'm sorry."
Jan took a moment to absorb this, her expression softening.
"Thank you."
And with that, Jan turned and walked away. Kyle started to follow her.
"Jan…" he began.
She whirled around on him so quickly he backed up in surprise.
"What part of 'not now' is unclear to you, Katarn?
Her eyes were pits of fire, burning into his. And the message in them was clear.
Wanting, but not knowing what to say, Kyle dropped his eyes from hers. He wanted to do something… say something to help her. But…
She'll slug me if I try.
Instead, he watched her go.
"Were they close?" asked Isabel, "did she know him?"
"They weren't." Kyle answered, "but after what happened… maybe… maybe there was something."
New Republic Hospital Ship Betony
Some moments later
Jan opened the door, stepped inside, waiting for the door to close before using the controls to lock it.
The room turned out to be a small conference room, with half a dozen chairs arranged around the table in the center.
Jan pulled one of them out and sat down, resting her head in her hands.
What's wrong with me? I barely knew him. We talked for a what, an hour?
But what an hour it had been. She'd talked so easily with Alvie, so casually, bordering on intimacy.
She'd called him sweetie.
She'd called him honey.
She had told him what she looked like, and he had called her beautiful.
He'd been so scared, seeing the entire bridge crew massacred around him. Had he been friends with any of them? Maybe close to one or more.
How would I have felt if that had been me?
Her home world, Alderaan, had been destroyed by the Death Star. She grieved over its loss, the loss of family, friends, so many others.
So why is this different?
Realization dawned upon her a moment later.
"Because he believed in me. He trusted me and I…"
Her voice was suddenly full of emotion, the words choking off.
He was dying the whole time I told him he wasn't. I told him, I got angry at him. I point blank told him he wasn't going to die. And he…he believed me. He trusted me that he wasn't going to die and I….
She remembered his eyes when they'd finally penetrated the bridge, how kind they'd been, how cute she'd thought his smile was….
"He…," she said in a low voice," he told me I was beautiful and I…."
Had she actually begun to like him? True, she felt admiration for him enduring so much, holding on despite the fear, despite the pain.
He'd endured so much and all I did was ask more of him.
And he done it. Everything she'd asked of him. Even…
"Even…when…he…he was…dying, Jan barely managed to say, each word harder, more painful.
And even at the end, when Alvie knew he was dying, what had he thought of?
"Me," Jan said, unbidden tears coming from her eyes, her words nearly strangling in her throat, "he… thought…of…me."
His face suddenly appeared in her mind, the image so clear and vibrant.
"You're beautiful, Jan."
She could feel herself crumbling. Her eyes burned, her throat thickened, her heart beating painfully in her chest. Her body had begun to shake, the grief she was feeling threatening to overwhelm her.
"Al…vie."
In the midst of her grief and pain, her feelings suddenly changed, anger replacing grief, rage replacing pain.
Before she quite knew what she was doing, Jan rose from the table, raising both fists and smashing them down onto the table, the sound echoing in the space.
"It's not fair," she said angrily, her rage still rising. She grabbed ahold of the chair and with a scream of pure rage and grief, lifted it over head and threw it as hard as she could.
"IT'S NOT RIGHT!" she screamed, even as the chair hit the far and bounced off, falling to the ground.
Feeling surprised, she stared silently at the chair before the grief rose up in her once more and she dropped to the floor, covering her face as she sobbed, the pain and grief pouring out of her in a torrent.
She called his name, apologizing to him for what she'd done, how she'd talked to him, all the false hope she'd given, how her kindness to him meant nothing knowing that he was dying. Over and over, she repeated the words until nothing was left. She dry-heaved a few times, breath gradually settling, her mind settling. Nothing was to be gained by more of this, she told herself. Alvie was dead and there was nothing to be done about it.
His face came to her mind once more along with a fresh wave of grief, but she forced it down, refusing to it let have control.
No, I can't let this overwhelm me again. I have to move forward. Alvie… is dead and I can't change that.
But what she could do, Jan realized, was continue her work and hopefully, stop someone else from doing this to another innocent soul.
Nodding to herself, Jan rose to her feet. Amazingly, neither the wall nor the chair showed the least bit of damage.
Guess they're making these things stronger.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, she steeled herself and walked out of the room.
New Republic Hospital Ship Betony
Waiting area outside the hospital wing
Some time later
Kyle sat and waited, trying to control the anxiety and worry he felt. Jan had been gone a while, no indication of when she'd return.
She'll be alright, he told himself for the umpteenth time.
When Jan had come into view, her face an unreadable mask and walking with purpose, he rose from the bench he'd been sitting on and waited.
Jan approached him and without looking at him…
"What's our status?" she asked, her voice flat, but clear.
It took Kyle a moment to understand what she was asking.
"Oh, um, Commander Devas advised the transport to take passengers home has arrived. His team has taken charge of them. As for the….rest, they're being taken care of.
"Are next of kin being contacted?"
Kyle nodded.
"Any reason we need to stay here?"
"N-no," he said, feeling unnerved at how Jan was acting. Her voice flat and wooden without a hint of emotion in it. "Actually, Commander Devas said we're feeling to leave at our discretion."
Without acknowledging him, Jan turned and moved towards one of the turbolifts, Kyle catching up to her. The lift took them to the hangar deck, where Jan stepped off, looked around for a moment, then moved towards where the Raven's Claw sat.
Kyle followed her onto the ship, Jan moving to the left-hand seat. She began pressing buttons and manipulating controls, talking so quietly Kyle had to strain to hear her.
"Clearance," she muttered.
"What?"
Jan suddenly lifted her head and glared at him. The look was so fierce, it was frightening to him.
"Are you listening, Katarn?" she said angrily, "I said, radio for clearance."
Thinking what Jan had said was anything but, Kyle decided saying so would be a very bad idea. Instead, he turned to the communications panel and sent the message. After receiving a positive reply, he carefully spoke to Jan.
"We've got clearance."
"Good," Jan said, powering up engines and repulsors. The Raven's Claw lifted off the deck and slid out of the Betony's hangar bay. Just ahead and below them was the Galactic Odyssey, her hull scorched, several lights out along her surface.
The New Republic frigate Paladin hung nearby, shuttles moving between the ships.
Kyle took a deep breath and let it out.
What a mess.
Even as he continued to watch, a flicker of pseudomotion caught his eye as another ship flickered into existence. It wasn't nearly as large as the Odyssey.
"Must be the transport," Kyle mused.
Jan looked up for a moment, eyes taking in the new craft.
"Must be," she said absently. Then to Kyle, "you have the hyperspace beacon?'
It took only a few moments.
"Got it, beacon A-27G."
Jan did answer, punching in the coordinates.
The computer took some time to digest them. The Raven's Claw flying away from the gaggle of ships.
When the computer dinged its confirmation, the coordinates were correct, Jan reached for the hyperspace lever.
"So," Kyle asked a bit uncertainly, feeling he was taking a chance talking to her, "what's the plan?"
Jan replied to him that way an adult would respond to a child.
"We get back to Coruscant, report in and debrief with Mon Mothma. Clear enough for you?"
Kyle was about to respond when Jan added. "And then I'm going to get drunk, rip-roaring drunk."
She paused briefly. "Alone."
Having nothing he could say in response, Kyle was silent as Jan pulled the hyperspace lever and the Raven's Claw accelerated into hyperspace.
Coruscant
Shopping Arcade
Planetside Evening of the same day
The first time Kyle had come to the Breakers Rest, the name of the restaurant had given him pause. But once he'd gotten past that, the place had turned out not only to have great food at a reasonable price, the name belied the comfortable, relaxing atmosphere that had allowed him, time and again, to decompress after a mission.
Or so it had been, at least until this evening. Despite her expressed desire to be alone, Jan had approached him after the debriefing with Mon Mothma.
"Just where do you think you're going, Katarn?" she'd asked.
"Oh, I just thinking of getting dinner and settling in for the evening."
"Where?"
When he'd told her, Jan had considered for a moment.
"They've got a bar there, don't they?"
"I think I remember seeing one," he'd said.
"Good enough," she said, "let's go."
She had barely talked to him during the trip home, talking only when it was necessary and then falling silent once again. It was during the debriefing that her mood had seemed to change.
"How terrible," Mon Mothma had said when they'd finished telling her what had happened, "so many wasted lives."
"It was pretty bad," Kyle offered.
"Thank the fates you two were there or who knows how many more would have been lost. That reminds me, Kyle, Jan, I received word from a Senator Zol Movar. She said your exploits not only saved her, but her child as well."
After the operatives acknowledged the praise, Mon Mothma continued. "There was also a report about a bridge officer contributed to the efforts to save the ship."
Mon Mothma shifted some of the pads in front of her.
"Ah yes," she said, "here it is. An Ensign Alvert Gordon."
Jan stiffened.
"Apparently he was instrumental in restoring communications so you could call for help."
"He was," Kyle replied, "we would've been stuck without him."
"You mean…?"
"He didn't make it," Jan said in a soft voice.
Mon Mothma stared at the padd a moment more, then set it down.
"I'm sorry."
"He died a hero," Kyle said, "If it could be, I'd like his record to reflect that."
Mon Mothma considered for a moment, then nodded.
"I'll see to it."
When the meeting had finished, the pair had walked out together where before, they'd entered the room separately.
So, it was Kyle who made no objection to Jan joining him, ostensibly for dinner. But as he soon found out, Jan had other ideas.
The sound of a glass striking the bar drew his attention to the present.
Seated next to him, eyes bloodshot with her pupils wider than normal, Jan raised her hand for the umpteenth time.
"Gimme another!" she called.
The bartender, looking somewhat uncomfortable, moved her way.
"Miss, I think you've had enough. You really ought to eat something. I could…"
"I said, gimme another!" Jan yelled; her words slurred. She slapped a handful of credits on the counter.
"One more," the bartender said. Stepping away to make the drink. When he returned a few moments later, Jan practically snatched the drink from him.
"Tells me wha do," Jan muttered, "c'mon Kyle, lez toas.' What are we toasting?"
Next to her, having finished his dinner a while ago and nursing only his 2nd drink of the evening, Kyle sighed. How many toasts was this? Five? Eleven? It occurred to him he'd lost count.
"Jan," he tried once more, "maybe you'd better slow down. You're…"
"I's what?" she said, leaning forward so that some of the drink spilled. "I's what, K-yle? "
He'd been holding back all night, knowing what was causing this.
I think she really cared about him.
He'd been trying to remain calm, knowing Jan was probably hurt and angry and this was how she was dealing with it.
Still….
His patience was all but exhausted. Being upset was one thing. But this… letting her feelings control her so she was acting like this…"
She was poking at him at now, trying to make him respond.
"I asss-ked you…question, Kyl-e. I's…what?"
He turned towards her, trying to remember the circumstances, who she was, what she'd been through.
"You're drunk, Jan, and you're being ridiculous."
She stared at him for a long moment without saying a word. Then, she began to laugh. A giggle at first, then a full-throated laugh.
"I'm drunk?" she said, smiling like it was the greatest joke she'd ever heard, "I's drunk."
"Yes, and I wish you'd stop."
"Do you," she said," do you. I tole you. I'm gettin' drunk tonight. I told… you I waz."
When Kyle said nothing, she continued.
"Oh, diz I upsetz yous? Did I's make you madd? Thaz it, isn't it? You's mad. Well, guezz wha?"
Kyle was about to ask when…
"I DON' CARE!" Jan yelled, throwing the glass at him. The liquid spilled everywhere, and the glass bounced painfully off of Kyle's head.
Crying out in pain, Kyle lifted a hand to cover the affected area.
"Okay! Okay!" the bartender called, "that's it! You're outta here! Both of you! I don't put up with that behavior in my bar!"
Jan attempted to protest, but the bartender was having none of it. Some part of her mind must have been still working, because when the bartender announced he was calling security, Jan backed away. Kyle was still clutching at his head when Jan grabbed him and pulled him away. Nearly falling, Kyle managed to keep his footing as Jan pulled him outside the restaurant.
"Move it!" she called, pulling him along.
"Slow down!" he protested, "Dammit, Jan, slow down! I can barely see!"
Jan suddenly released and only reflexes honed by training kept him from falling.
"Whaz did you say?"
They were somehow eye to eye and despite the pain in his head and one eye partially covered, Kyle could see she was still drunk.
"What?"
"Youz hear'd me,"
"Jan, I don't know what you're…"
The other side of Kyle's head suddenly exploded as Jan punched him, her blow landing just above his other eye. The pain was immediate and intense. Suddenly dizzy, he stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Aaahhh! He cried out, head spinning, mind trying to make sense of what was happening.
"Getz up!"
Barely able to see, his vision clouded, Kyle looked up at her even as he groaned in pain.
"Jan, what…"
"Get up!" she called again, fists raised, her cheeks reddened, breathing heavily.
"Can't, I can't Jan," Kyle said, "I can barely…"
The air exploded from his lungs as Jan kicked him, the blow landing in his midsection. He cried out in pain once more, collapsing on the ground, unable to move.
"Getz up, Katarn!"
Part of his mind was surprised he could still hear her. But the rest was closing down. He was losing consciousness. The last thing he saw was Jan's face, now looking scared.
"Ky-Kyle?"
Thar was all he heard before her lost consciousness.
Coruscant
New Republic HQ
Medical Bay
The Next Day
Kyle was sitting up in the hospital bed, his middle wrapped in bandages, an eyepatch over his right eye, a bruise over his other one.
"Please try not to move, sir," the medical droid said as it held up an injection needle.
Like I could
He'd been brought to the facility early that morning, his body having lain in the street until a passing patrol had come across him and, recognizing his face despite the injuries, had summoned help.
Fortunately, he had no broken bones, just a few nasty cuts and bruises. The droid had done an effective job of healing him, pausing to issue an apology each time he had called out in pain.
I wonder what Dr. Berth would say if he could see now, Kyle said.
The doctor who'd treated and healed him when he'd served previously, it felt like a lifetime ago, had been a friend that never let Kyle go without a jibe or two, remarking how he was tired of seeing him in the ship's Sick Bay. They'd lost touch after Kyle had left for Altyr 5. It occurred to him he had no idea if the doctor was even alive or not.
I need to look him up sometime.
He felt a brief pinch as the needle touched his skin and slid aside. The droid finished injecting the substance inside before removing the needle, using a surgical laser to close the wound.
The pain which had been his constant companion she'd woken began to fade within a few seconds.
"Is that better, sir" the droid asked.
"Very much, Kyle said, looking at the droid, "thank you."
"You're welcome, sir." The droid replied. "I have finished the treatment protocol and will summon the doctor to check the results.
"Alright," Kyle said.
The droid scuttled away on its undercarriage, leaving Kyle alone for a few minutes. He was feeling a lot better.
"So, you're Kyle Katarn," a voice said, coming closer.
Into his field of vision, a middle-aged woman appeared. She had dark hair with a gray-silver streak running down one side. Her face had the lines of intense concentration indicating a person who squinted a fair amount. For some reason, the way she'd spoken made Kyle feel like…
"Well, there goes my disguise," he said.
The doctor smiled, even chuckling a little.
"Yes, well, if you don't count all the newsnet reports along with every spacer this side of the Inner Rim having heard the name, then it's possible I wouldn't recognize you. But I wouldn't count on it."
The two exchanged a look, then smiled at each other.
"Dr. Patricia Everhart," she said. "I'd offer to shake your hand, but you're not exactly in shape for that."
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Everhart." Kyle said in greeting.
"The droid just administered a local. Feeling better?"
"A lot better, Doctor, thank you."
"I suppose you're curious how you're doing."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to know."
The doctor studied the hand-held display.
"Well, the good news is your injuries are all minor to moderate. Nothing needing surgery or reconstruction."
"What about my eyes?" he asked.
"Ah yes, "the doctor," checking another section of the report. "The area around your left eye took the least damage. I'd say a day, maybe two and the swelling should go down enough. As for the right eye, there is some bruising around the eye socket that will take a bit longer to heal. The eye itself is undamaged."
Relief washed over Kyle.
"I don't need to keep you here. How about you let me monitory you for another hour and we'll release you."
"You're the doctor," Kyle replied.
"I keep telling my patients that. Nice to see someone actually believed me for once."
The comment caught Kyle so by surprise, he was laughing before he realized it. But a moment later, he regretted it.
"Owwww. Don't make me laugh, it hurts too much."
"Now, now," the doctor said, "they say laughter is good for the soul."
"What about the rest of me?" Kyle said with a grunt of pain.
"That I can't account for." She smiled at him. "Don't worry, Mr. Katarn. You're going to be just fine."
"Kyle."
"Excuse me?"
"Everyone calls me Kyle. Mr. Katarn is…. was my father."
"Alright then…Kyle. You rest here a while. Let the medicine work."
He nodded. "Okay."
Coruscant
New Republic HQ
Medical Bay
90 minutes later
Kyle finished pulling his boots on, grimacing a little. He'd been cleared to leave the facility, but under a warning from the doctor to take it easy for a few days. His body, still aching, added an additional reminder.
The medical droid's watchful eye observed as Kyle rose to his feet.
"How are you feeling, sir?"
"Little sore, "Kyle admitted," but a lot better than before."
"Very well, sir. Your discharge paperwork has all been completed. You may leave at your discreti…"
The droid suddenly paused, head turning as if hearing another voice speaking to it. It then turned back to Kyle.
"Sir, I am told there is a message waiting for you at the front desk."
"From who?" Kyle asked.
"I am afraid I do not know, sir."
Feeling a little puzzled, Kyle shrugged. "Well, guess I'll go find out."
"Take care, sir. We wish you good health."
Kyle gave the droid a grin. "Thanks."
Coruscant
New Republic HQ
Briefing Room
10 minutes later
Kyle passed through the door to the room apprehensively, not knowing what to expect.
"Kyle, greetings."
He looked at the table in the center where Mon Mothma rose from her chair.
"Please come in and have a seat. Do you require any assistance?"
"Um, no. I mean, no thank you," he said, stepping over to the table and sitting down. Second later, the form fitting material of the chair adjusted itself to cradle his back and spine. The initial discomfort he felt upon sitting down began to fade.
"Are you in any pain?"
"Some," he said, "but I can manage."
"You're certain?"
"Yes, ma'am, certain. Thank you."
This felt strange. Mon Mothma was normally never this polite to him, especially since he'd returned. So, what was going on?
"Good," she said, resuming her seat, "I received a rather disturbing report this morning about an incident last night."
Kyle closed his eyes for a moment.
I should have realized. Is there anything this woman doesn't know?
Mon Mothma reached down to press a control on the table-mounted panel.
"Bring her in, please."
A few minutes passed before the doors opened and a figure entered, accompanied by a pair of guards. It took Kyle only a moment to recognize who it was.
Jan!
"Bring her over here please," Mon Mothma ordered.
The guards complied, guiding Jan forward, her hands bound behind her in a pair of stun cuffs. As she got closer, Kyle could see marks on her face.
As the trio reached the table, one of the guards pulled out a chair.
"You may remove those," Mon Mothma said.
One of the guards hesitated, but nevertheless complied, removing the cuffs even as the other put a hand on the hilt of his blaster.
Fortunately, Jan didn't try anything.
Dismissing the guards, Mon Mothma spoke to her.
"Sit down, please."
"Before that, I would like to…" Jan began, but Mon Mothma cut her off.
"I said" she said, enunciating her words, "sit…down."
Jan and the older woman locked eyes for a moment before she dropped hers and sat down.
"Thank you," Mon Mothma said in a tone that expressed anything except gratitude. "Now, to the matter at hand."
She paused for a breath.
"I have multiple reports here of an incident last night that, at first, I found myself rather incredulous at. One of my operatives, completely inebriated, causing trouble at an eatery including striking someone with a drink. And then, when asked to leave, this operative commenced to assault upon her fellow operative to the point he lost consciousness and was then left in the street, subject to anything or anyone that might come upon.
Continuing, this same operative, when later found by security, commenced to initiate an attack upon those personnel. The security officers, recognizing the operative in question, attempted to de-escalate the situation, but were forced to physically restrain the operative and eventually stun her into compliance. Rather than involve the local constabulary, the operative was brought here and secured in a cell until this moment. And fortunately, another security patrol happened upon the unconscious operative and brought him to the medical facilities here.
The room fell silent, no one saying anything in response.
"I am not someone who wishes to get involved in the personal business of my operatives. We are all supposed to be adults here and conduct ourselves as such. Both of you are free to act as you wish outside of an assignment. However, this kind of reckless and vulgar behavior is simply not acceptable.
She paused again.
"Kyle, may I have an update on the status of your condition?"
"Yes, ma'am," he said, "Dr. Everhart confirmed I don't have anything broken. There is some bruising that still needs to heal. My eyes are…"
Kyle paused.
"Yes?" Mon Mothma asked.
"My left eye should be okay in a day or so. My right eye will need a bit longer due to damage around the eye socket.
"You are able to see?'
"Only out of this side," Kyle said, pointing to his unpatched eye, "I need to keep the other covered for another 12 hours, then see how it's doing."
"I see," Mon Mothma said, "thank you. As soon as we're done here, I would like for you to return to your quarters and do as the doctor says. You are on restricted duty for the next 48 hours."
"Yes ma'am," Kyle acknowledged.
"As for you," Mon Mothma, turning to Jan, "I confess I am at a loss to understand your behavior and actions.
Jan said something under her breath.
"Excuse me? What was that?"
"I'm sorry," Jan said in a small voice.
Mon Mothma looked at Kyle, who gazed back at her.
"I see, so you create a scene that gets you thrown out of a restaurant, assault Kyle and leaving him lying there, then turn your attention on a security force to the point they had to physically restrain and stun you and you think a mere apology is sufficient?
"I…didn't mean…"
"You didn't mean?" Mon Mothma repeated, "Are you saying you didn't mean to do any of things I just enumerated?'
Jan nodded, not looking up. "Yes."
"Look at me."
When Jan didn't comply, Mon Mothma raised her voice. It wasn't much, but in the room, it echoed out loudly.
"Look at me, Jan, now.
Slowly, the woman lifted her head, brushing the hair out of her eyes until they became visible.
"Do you have any inkling of the gravity of what you have done?"
Jan nodded.
"I asked a question."
"Yes ma'am, "Jan said finally, "I do."
Across the way, Kyle looked at Jan in surprise. He couldn't recall seeing her like this.
The elder stateswoman continued.
"Then you will understand an apology given so casually is completely insufficient. As I told Kyle before, trust is a key element of this relationship. I need to be able to trust in you, your behavior, and your actions. And of late, Kyle has given me reason to trust him. You have not."
"Ma'am, may I…"
"I'm listening."
"I…I never meant to hurt anyone," Jan confessed, "I take responsibility for what I did…"
"This does not answer my question, Jan. Why?"
Jan hesitated, her expression showing she didn't want to answer.
"I…was angry, upset. The incident aboard the Odyssey… I was troubled because of it and… I… struggled with what to do with…my feelings."
"Feelings," Mon Mothma said," Jan, I have a few years on you to be certain. But do you really think I'm a fool?"
Jan gave her a surprised look.
"I read the incident report," Mon Mothma said, "and spoke to Commander personally. I know what happened. The young crewman, Gordon I believe his name was?"
"Alvie," Jan whispered.
"Yes," Mon Mothma said, "our newly minted Lieutenant Commander."
"Lieutenant…?"
"At Kyle's request, I reviewed his service record along with information on the incident, and as such, it was agreed by High Command to posthumously promote him. A dispatch was sent to his parents advising them of this."
A small smile came to Jan's face. "Good. That's….good."
"And so, we return to the original question, Jan. Why?"
"Mon Mothma…"
"Commander Devas also explained you were in close communication with 'Alvie.'
Jan nodded.
"Yes ma'am, I was."
"And, sadly, he did not make it."
"That's right," Jan said.
"A terrible loss," Mon Mothma said," especially for one so young. I understand he hung on despite his injuries for some time."
"Yes," Jan replied.
"As Kyle said previously, a hero to the end. Jan, I will not pry further except to say I am sorry for what you endured in that time. However, this in no way excuses your behavior. All of us here around this table have suffered significant losses, friends, family, others. It does not make you unique and certainly does not mitigate recent events."
"Yes ma'am," Jan said.
Mon Mothma took a deep breath.
"I believe some reflective time in a detention cell while Kyle is recovering is the appropriate response to this matter. Afterward, you will make restitution to the restaurant in question, all right?"
"Yes ma'am," Jan said, "I will."
"Very well," Mon Mothma said, pressing a button on the table. "Then I believe we can consider this matter settled."
The guards who'd brought Jan in returned.
"Please return Miss Ors to her cell, "she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," one of the guards said, producing the cuffs.
"I don't believe those will be necessary," Mon Mothma said, looking at Jan, "will they?"
"No ma'am," Jan said, "I won't make any trouble."
Despite the words, one guard stood back, weapon at the ready as the other approached Jan.
"Please come with me, ma'am."
Jan rose from the chair and allowed the guard to grab her arm, leading her away.
The door to the room slid open as the guards and Jan exited.
"You are dismissed as well, Kyle."
"Yes ma'am," he said, getting up and walking out of the room.
Coruscant
New Republic HQ
Corridor outside Hangar Bay
2 weeks later
"Katarn."
He didn't answer.
"Katarn."
No response.
"Coruscant to Kyle Katarn, come in."
He stopped walking, turned to face her.
"What?"
"Finally," she said, "he speaks!"
"What do you want, Jan?"
"I want to talk to you."
"About what? We've already gone over the mission briefing."
"Kyle, we've gone two missions in the last couple of weeks barely speaking to each other. I'm tired of it and…I want to change things."
"Change what?" he asked.
"Kyle…."
"If this is about what happened before Jan, I'm not interested."
"Can't you at least let me try? I sat in a cell for almost a week while you recovered. And I had nothing but time to consider what I did."
"And…?"
"Kyle, all I want is to talk to you."
"We've got a mission, Jan, and I don't want to talk about it."
The two stared at each other.
"Fine," Jan said, "but we are going to talk, Katarn, eventually."
The pair entered the hangar bay and boarded the ship, taking their usual positions.
The Raven's Claw lifted off and headed spaceward, sliding into hyperspace a short time later.
"You have the contact information?"
Kyle nodded. "Once we exit hyperspace at the specified coordinates, we should find the transport waiting for us. From there, we escorted it to the Hyperspace Voyager. Once we confirm the transport has successfully dropped off its cargo, we should be able to leave."
"What's the transport carrying?"
Kyle shrugged. "Don't know, we didn't get any details."
"Are we sure it's safe?"
"I doubt the transport would carry something unsafe. But…"
"What?"
"It might not be a bad idea to visually confirm the cargo is off-loaded."
"Agreed," Jan replied, "good thinking, Katarn."
He acknowledged the compliment with a nod.
It was about an hour later when the Raven's Claw slipped smoothly out of hyperspace. Taking the controls, Jan guided the ship around in a gentle arc. They were alone, with no sign of another ship.
Jan was just about to offer a comment when the hyperspace alarm sounded. A moment later, a larger ship flickered into view.
Jan opened a channel.
"This is Raven's Claw to incoming vessel. Please identify yourself."
"This is transport TR-97 to Raven's Claw. We're glad to see you."
"Confirmed TR-97," Jan replied, "we'll be serving as your escort."
"Appreciate it, Raven's Claw. We're sending over the coordinates for the Hyperspace Voyager."
Jan looked at Kyle, who nodded.
"Coordinates received."
Taking up a position just above and behind the transport, Jan set the throttle to a speed matching the transport.
"How long?" Jan asked.
"A little over an hour," Kyle replied.
"You sure you don't want to talk? We've got time."
"No," Kyle said flatly.
Great, Jan thought, he's not gonna make this easy.