Whose Bun Is It?

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"I don't." Kurt wasn't about to lie to her. She would know right off the bat if he started saying that he changed his mind for one reason or another, it was better just to be honest with her at this point. She knew him well enough to tell any lie he might have crafted.

"But it's really the only thing I can do." He shrugged and gently released her from the embrace. "I can fly, and I can shoot better than most."

It wasn't something he really minded or was mad about, Kurt just didn't have a lot of skills. There were many, many, better mechanics than him, he wasn't all that smart, and he'd never do anything like fleet tactics. Kurt was...well he was a simple machine that could fly and shoot. He may not have liked working for a government but it was just about the only work available for someone like him. It would also give them a steady paycheck, which at this point was more important than anything.

"I'm not all that smart, Kaile." This wasn't a pity fest, just reality.

"I'll do what I have to to keep my promise." No matter what. "The only other thing I can think of is we take our left over twelve thousand credits and find a nearby pod-race, bet it all on me."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

He was determined, that was for sure. At least when he got his mind set on something. And livelier than he had been the past two months. At least Kaile could be grateful for that.

"That's too much of a risky move." and he knew it. Oh, he was great at pod racing, Kaile had every faith in that. However, even the podrace out on Bazaar had been a combination of luck and skill. And he'd been racing against folks who weren't really up to the caliber that Kurt had been used to.

She poured herself and Kurt a cup of tea. He hadn't asked for one, but she did so anyways. Even added some honey to it. He'd been keen on the cups ever since they'd arrived on Sullust, seemed to be one of the few things he could keep down.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"I know." He had only been kidding about the race.

The Boonta Eve back on Tatooine wouldn't be happening for a few months and transporting his pod anywhere else would have cost them more than twelve thousand credits anyway. He shifted slightly and closed his eyes, trying to think of something he could do. Eventually a shrug rolled over his shoulders.

"I'll poke around here." He told her. "See what's available."

There had to be something. He and Kaile didn't need a lot, just a little to get them by. "If I have to fly for the Alliance...I will."

It wasn't that big of a deal. Maybe he could work something out with the SIS. They always needed pilots anyway, and since he was already an 'asset' whatever that meant...maybe getting more involved was the solution.

 

[Kaile Vera]

The clink, clink of her spoon stirring in the honey within the cup was a loud reminder of where they were at. Turning around, she took the spoon out and stirred her own tea while she handed him his own mug.

"But Kurt..." now the worry really etched over her face. Pearly white lips kept eating at the flesh of her lower lip.

"You said you ain't felt right about piloting in that way for a long while now." a repeat yes, but the issues, the concerns, the fears, everything that he'd been running from was still there.

The last thing they needed, that she wanted him to do was to go back to a place where he'll only end up miserable and ultimately start hating himself and perhaps even hating her.

"Don't go don't that path when you ain't feeling right about it. It ain't a reason to go back. This ain't one. You'll only end up harming yourself more and then hating the situation you are in."

The strawberry blonde head ducked and fell, fingers clenching at the mug.

"Hating me."

She shook her head.

"No. I can figure out something."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Kaile..." She always tried to sacrifice herself, always tried to the right thing for everyone else. It was sweet in a way of course, but...well it damaged her beyond anything else. Kaile had taken more hurt upon herself than anyone that he had ever known. More than his parents, certainly more than himself. Who was she to do all of this?

"I know what I said." He hadn't just suddenly forgotten. "I didn't hate flying for the Republic because I hated flying. I didn't even really hate doing it. When I was in the cockpit...everything was great. Even...even what happened with my squadron I got past that, it was part of the deal."

He paused. "I hated it because of the bureaucracy, because everyone tripped all over each other all the time and I felt like I...we the pilots got stuck in the middle of it all."

Kurt frowned for a moment.

"I don't know if the Alliance is any different." He shrugged. "But it doesn't really matter. I left because it wasn't right for me, because there was nothing there for me. I didn't love the Republic, my squadron was gone..."

The Courier slouched slightly. "Here I have a reason."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

That managed to sooth her a bit, but Kaile was always worrying about others. About what would be best for them. Strangely empathic due to her intimate knowledge of kinetic communication, she managed to glean more about intent and emotions much like an empath would.

Biting her lip, the Lorrdian searched Kurt's expression. Went over the bright blue eyes, the angles, and planes of his face. Over the scruff that covered his swarthy jaw and everything in between. He was determined. He meant it. But oh how will that turn out later? The last thing she wanted was to cage Kurt in a place where he wasn't happy. That would only break her heart even more.

She already had to leave once.

"Alright." she finally came out and said, but her expression was still troubled. Glancing over to her tea, she took a sip to calm her tummy.

"We'll see."

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"For once." Kurt began. "Let me be the one that has to worry all the time."

It wouldn't be easy, not for either of them, but for Kurt it was something he was more than willing to do. His friend needed him, and if that meant he had to fly for a few months in the Galactic Alliance Defense Force or go on some missions for the SIS, then he would do it. Didn't matter if it risked his life.

"I can do this." He was confident in that.

Flying, whether it was Speeders, Fighters, hell even cargo ships, was one of few things in life that Kurt was really good at. There were other pilots that were just as good as him of course, but Kurt liked to think he had a knack for it, a certain...feel that put him above normal people. Maybe it was ego, maybe it was deserved, but he still thought it in the back of his head no matter what. He just knew that he was better than others, as narcissistic as that was to think.

"We'll relax tonight." He told her. "Tomorrow I'll ask around."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

A sigh released from Kaile's lungs, and she gave another nod. Maybe he was right. Maybe they would be able to figure out what to do.

In any event, the SIS had taken her out of the running for any major missions. She'd been assigned to Sullust. There weren't really any jobs that she'd be able to do ground side, much the less in an administrative position. That just wasn't what Kaile was good at.

Maybe she could vet her other skills? It was thought, but it still bothered her. She didn't like being a burden to anyone, least of all Kurt.

"Tomorrow then." she reinforced.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt decided to start the day off early. There was a lot to do and he wasn't quite sure where he could start, he did know however that what he was essentially doing was going for a job interview...or multiple ones anyway. Thus he dressed nicely.

The Courier showered, put on a nice enough button up shirt, and some pants that hadn't been laying on the floor for the past three months. He looked somewhat out of place within the hangar bay, but well he doubted anyone would even give him a second chance. The important thing was that he didn't look like a complete schmuck. He frowned slightly as he caught sight of himself in the mirror, staring at his reflection and running a hand over the scruff on his face.

"Maybe I should shave." Kurt said to himself quietly.

The scruff made him look a bit worn, but...maybe he wouldn't part with it just yet.

He had to keep little pieces of himself, and overall he still looked pretty damn good in this getup. Hopefully the flight leader on this base was female.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Kaile was busy in the galley. She had taken upon herself to splurge an extra amount of credits to buy fresh produce from the base commissary. A large part of the produce was imported offworld, but there were a few biodomes here and there from PharmaTech that allowed the growing of fresh crops.

Breakfast would consist of fresh eggs and a couple of slices of nuna bacon. The scent of them cooking along with a pot of fresh tea would waft down and around the entire Messa.

Kurt couldn't argue with her on this one. He needed to eat.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt stepped out of the bathroom with a small frown, tugging at the shirt.

He'd never quite liked button up shirts, they made him feel a bit squished. He preferred to wear something more loose, not to mention warm, but the form fitting attire would at least make him look presentable for all of this, something he was rather glad for. He shifted slightly to the left as he dodged the narrow wall that stuck out between the bathroom and the galley. They had long since removed the door from the little hallway, mostly because his room and the bathroom already had a door and a third just got in the way.

"That smells good." He commented as he stepped into the galley.

Briefly he looked at what Kaile was cooking before walking over to the couch and scooping up his datapad.

He had spent most of the night researching exactly what his options were, despite his claim that he wanted to 'relax' eventually he found that he had four options. Approach the SIS, check with the local flight leader, approach The Galactic Alliance Logistic Corps, or find freelance work. Out of all the options, he thought the first was the best.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

"Just some eggs and bacon," Kaile replied with a faint smile, although the surprise and curious expression had nothing to do with him peeking over her shoulder and more to do with what he was wearing.

He was cleaned up. Well, as so much as Kurt could be. He was serious about this. Hair combed, fresh from the sonic, and a clean button up shirt she didn't even know he had.

"Ain't ever pictured you one for a button up." she told him, plating up his breakfast for him before handing it over.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Yeah." Kurt agreed with that. He wasn't really one to dress up or buy nice clothes in the first place. Granted the button-up wasn't exactly the fanciest thing in the galaxy, but it did look undeniably nicer than most of the clothes that Kurt owned.

"Jamie got it for me." He hurt a little bit explaining that. "I figure it's better than going in a T-Shirt."

The Courier had thought about wearing his uniform back from the Republic days...but he thought that might have been in poor taste given everything that had happened over the recent years with them, especially after the attack on Naboo. His hand came to the back of his head, scratching through his hair for a few moments. "I guess I'll find out."

There was no telling until he went.

A part of him was nervous, but not for himself. For Kaile, for all that was happening.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

"Oh." the smile Kaile had fixated upon her face faded a bit. Kurt's downcast expression and muted voice after told her as much as the way he played with the collar of his shirt what it meant to him.

"You look good." and he did. A little cleaned up but still handsome in that rugged sort of way.

"Brings out the blue in your eyes." taking a step closer to him, Kaile handed him his cup of tea.

"What's your plan?"

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt took the cup gently, smiling at her. "I figure I go to the SIS first."

That seemed like the easiest and most intelligent decision in all honesty. There was already a 'relationship' in place there, and it made sense that they would be more agreeable to some sort of deal. After all they already knew him, so who was to say they wouldn't give him work? All he was really doing was trying to...replace Kaile in a way. She didn't want to give up being an agent but they had to know that sending a pregnant woman into dangerous situations was wrong.

"Ask if there is something I can do that they'll pay me for." He was describing a job. "There's always a need for pilots."

He shrugged. "Plus I know some people in the smuggling community so maybe that helps."

It was a small pipe dream, but whatever worked.

"If they don't take me." He shrugged again, taking the tea from Kaile. "The Navy is here too, plus the logistics office. I'll find something."

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]


"Es ey es?" well, Kurt already had history with them. He had played the role of an asset by flying Kaile around when she had to do a mission or two. His security clearance only allowed him to a specific set of parameters, but there might be more that he could do. However, Kaile was still a bit hesitant about all this. He'd already sacrificed so much when he first went after her. Now he'll have to do more.

"The navy?" cradling her cup of tea, Kaile began to fret. "As a pilot?"

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

He shrugged. "I doubt they'll have me as an instructor."

Again he made the joke.

"Don't have the record for it." The only other skill he had was shooting, and that was even more dangerous than flying. He shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal, taking a sip of his tea before he continued on with what he was saying. "Someone will take me. The Alliance isn't exactly hurting, but Pilots, good ones, are hard to come by."

No matter who you were. "If there's one thing that they can't deny it's that I'm a good pilot."

His service record showed that much at the very least. He hadn't gotten kicked out of the Navy for being a good pilot, he'd been kicked out for fraternization and politics. It was a mark that Kurt always made sure to point out.

He had his pride.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Well if he was going to be stubborn about it...

"I can connect you to my handler." Kaile suggested, speaking about Lieutenant Vo. He was an Intel officer in SIS, but the Sullustan had connections all across the board. If there was anyone that could perhaps help Kurt with finding a placement within the organization, it was him. Not to mention Kaile held the Sullustan in high regard and trusted him.

"He might be able you help you." She elaborated. "Make things easier. "

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Yeah." Kurt said with a smile. "I've met him before."

That was of course when Kaile had run away.

The encounter had been an interesting one, quick, but interesting. It was what had locked Kurt into the SIS in the first place. He frowned for a moment and considered if he should just go and meet with the man directly. He supposed calling ahead would be the proper thing to do.

"I don't think I can call him though." Spooks, even the ones on the desk, didn't like receiving calls out of the blue.

Made them uncomfortable.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"] [member="Vaal Pal Vo"]

"It's okay." Kaile interrupted, a small gesture of her hand suggesting that Kurt didn't have to worry about that.

"I can take care of it," she added, taking her plate and her cup of tea over towards the common area. They had the acceleration couch there to relax in, but the Messa was already a pretty tight fit.

"Hold up a sec," the Lorrdian told him, setting down her cup of tea on top of a small shelf. On her wrist, she activated the comm.

"Shouldn't be but a quick ring if he's available." well, that is if Vo was available. With a few taps of her fingers, she sent a wave over to the Sullustan.