Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall

Book 1: Rise of a Hero

Part 3

Epilogue

A/N: Okay, I know I said I was done. But after posting Chapter 24, this little scene popped into my mind and I just had to write it. It's a little more comical than what I usually write but given the topic matter, I figured that was okay. Please enjoy!

The Jedi Temple on Yavin

Hangar Bay

Many Years Later

"Kyle?"

"Over here, Jan."

Attired in her mechanics' outfit, Jan moved through the intervening until she caught sight of Kyle, stepping down from the cockpit of the Raven's Claw.

"What's going on?" she asked.

He shrugged.

"Search me. I was trying to do a systems diagnostic when the main computer starting issuing error messages. The next thing I knew, it had completely shut down."

Jan smiled even as she shook her head.

"This crazy old ship," she muttered, "sometimes I wonder if somehow assimilated the spirit of the Moldy Crow."

Kyle chuckled.

"Wouldn't that be something? That old ship gave plenty of mechanics headaches, including us!"

"Sometimes I considered just blasting it out of the hangar bay," Jan said.

"Mon Mothma would've loved that!" Kyle said, laughing, "still the Crow did get us out of one or two scrapes."

"True," Jan said, looking at the Raven's Claw, then at Kyle.

"Both of us have been through some pretty crazy stuff since the day we met."

"You're telling me" Kyle exclaimed, "It's a wonder we didn't kill each other sometimes."

Jan smiled.

"You never would have killed me, Kyle."

"Oh?" he said, looking surprised at her, "and what makes you say that?"

"Because," she said, walking up and embracing him, "we wouldn't have gotten together like this."

Kyle wrapped his arms around Jan, smiling down at her.

Something occurred to him.

"You're forgetting one thing."

"And what is that?" she asked.

"Shanesnest," Kyle said.

"Oh," Jan said, gently releasing Kyle and stepping back, "that guy. What of him?"

"C'mon, Jan," Kyle entreated, "He did take the time to write about us and all. And how about all those "fun" scenes?"

She wasn't buying it.

"What about all the times you got hurt or I did?" she challenged, "He had General Mohc practically break both of my arms."

Kyle nodded.

"But he did have me rescue you, didn't he?"

Jan shook her head.

"And how long did that take? One chapter? Two? More like ten! And how about long he took to finish just one part of the story? Something like four years? I mean, jeez!"

"Look, Jan, I wasn't any happier about being put on hold either. Heck, that crazy Shanesnest treated me like I was his own personal beanbag, knocking me into whatever or whoever he chose to. You don't think I've forgotten about the hotbox on Ergo, do you?"

Seeing Kyle's stricken expression, Jan went to him. They embraced again, shared a quick kiss.

"I'm sorry, Kyle. It's just that thinking about that Shanesnest gets me so angry sometimes!"

"I know, Jan, me too. But at least he's finally finished Part 1 and is getting Part 2 under way."

"You're right," she admitted, "and who knows? Maybe he'll be a little more consistent in updating this time?"

"Have you ever thought about his reviewers?" Kyle asked, "they've been victims as much as we have."

"Don't I know it," Jan said, "especially those two sisters who used to live in Singapore, Tinuviel and Nerwen."

"Right," Kyle said, "just like our two senior intelligence officers. Shanesnest put them all kinds of angst with the Blaze story arc."

Jan's face clouded over.

"I never liked her."

Kyle smiled at her knowingly.

"Sure Jan, whatever you say."

"I didn't!"

"Uh-huh, and that's why…"

"Katarn?"

"Yes, Jan?"

"Shut up."

"Yes, Jan."

"Oooohhh, when I think of you and that witch Blaze together…"

"I'm sorry about that, Jan."

"It wasn't your fault, Kyle. It was all that Shanesnest!"

"Well, Tinuviel and Nerwen weren't the only victims," Kyle said, counting off on his fingers, "there's Millen Stryker, Jonny #5, da un known reviewer, Catiene Tails, Lunatic Pandora 1, Miscellaneous Soldier, Dominus Magnus, Fensta, Rebel Metal, Darth Red, Dav Flamerock, your local dealer, Gall-1485, Bjrn Fallqvist, Val of Crimsonblade, Hitman Nx, Bjorn, Richard wellington fanboy, pirate 88, Dash-Rendar, Darth Demon 2, Mach Farcon, Gunslinger Roland, brolly 501, star galaxca, The Wineglass, Alieth Dracaran, Morgain McGarry, Manus Dei, Nightdew, Kyesantis and tig94."

"Don't forget your favorite," Jan teased.

"Hmmm?"

"Katarn da man," she said.

Kyle smiled broadly, then saw Jan's smirk.

"So sue me if I like the guy's screename. You'd feel the same if someone had Jan the warrior or something like that, wouldn't you?"

"How about Jan the Wise?"

"No comment," Kyle said.

"I see you're learning," Jan said, "in any case, that Shanesnest needs to do better by us."

"Yeah," Kyle replied, "you're right. Maybe he will. He did finish Part 1 after all."

Jan nodded.

"And he does so enjoy the reviews he gets from everyone."

"True," Kyle said, "Shanesnest does have some pretty special people reading and reviewing his stuff."

"Yes," Jan said, "they are."

"Well," Kyle said, taking a deep breath, "as long as we're together in the end, I can put up with pretty much anything."

"I suppose I can too," Jan admitted, "Now do you want me to take a look at that computer?"

"Maybe later," Kyle said, smiling at her, "right now, I'd like to take you out for a walk. Join me?"

Kyle held out his hand.

"Hmmmm," Jan said, appearing to appraise the offer, "That sounds like something I'd enjoy."

Joining hands, the pair strode from the hangar bay out into the warm sunshine of Yavin 4.

The End

Thank you to everyone who made crafting this story such a joyful endeavor. I look forward to earning your praise in Kyle Katarn: The Rise & Fall Part 2: Birth of a Jedi