Whose Bun Is It?

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Okay." Kurt said as he stood in place.

The ship really was tiny in a way. Not overly so, fine for two people...but add a third...no. He frowned slightly and glanced around the inside of the ship, then looked towards the hot tub. The thing took up a whole lot of space, and really made it so they couldn't take on any cargo at all. He frowned for a moment.

Would he have to remove it?

"I got this." That was said quiet enough for Kaile not to hear. This was technically his first job interview...ever. "I got this."

He repeated quietly to himself.

Kurt was nervous, not usual for him, but he needed this, Kaile needed this.

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] [member="Kurt Meyer"]

Vo had a folder of flimsiplasts open on his desk. A terminal on his right had a red border around the screen to indicate it was connected to one of the GADF classified systems. When back on Sullust it was always an opportunity to do some correlation and see if there was anything pertinent to his operations that hadn't been loaded onto SIS systems. People could be so protective of their information.

As the comm beeped that screen immediately went dark. Must have been a line from outside the base even if it was secured.

"Agent Vera, how can I help?"

Vo silently swore. He'd been intending to go to F Section and see if Wendal had any junior analyst positions he needed filling to give Kaile some desk work. Of course he could play it as a temporary position and then warm Wendal up to a permanent transfer in case that was the route Kaile chose. Vo's own wife worked at a permanent station now, moving from field work when she decided to have children.

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

Kaile's hand went drifting around along Kurt's shoulder, giving him a faint squeeze as if to say, 'It will be all right.'

"Hey there Lieutenant Vo." for a Sullusten's sensitive ears, he'd be able to tell there was an edge of uneasiness to her tone. Granted, with everything that had occurred with the Lorrdian, one could fathom that things had been a bit off-kilter for the young woman.

"Hope I ain't interrupting anything." she began, trying to make some small talk first so she didn't seem to be all sorts of rude.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] | [member="Vaal Pal Vo"]

Kurt stood quietly in the galley, not wanting to get in Kaile's way as she spoke to her boss.

This situation was strange beyond all measure to him. He'd never actually had to interview for a job, nor had he ever had anyone vouch for him. His first 'job' had been as a pod-racer, and that had been as simple as him and his father building his pod and then signing up for a few local races, from there things had taken off. As for the Navy? Well that had been even simpler. He'd stepped off the transport and immediately someone had handed him a flyer.

From there he'd simply gone to the nearest recruitment office, signed a few papers and boom, Navy. It had been easy.

Same with Mynock Shipping too. He'd seen the ad after being discharged and headed towards their local office. The man had been nice enough, and once he'd seen Kurt's service records no question had been asked at all.
Strange and friendly, but easy.

Kurt had a way of simply falling into occupation. It was neither graceful nor something to brag about, but it oddly enough seemed to keep happening. This time around though things were different. He actually wanted to try, he needed this.

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] [member="Kurt Meyer"]

“No not at all Kaile,” he replied amiably. “I was actually just considering some potential options for you.” Technically he’d starting thinking about it when he’d seen her name come up on the screen of his comm unit, but he didn’t need to disclose that. He kept the comment deliberately vague, she would understand. He doubted she would be pleased if there was someone in earshot and he’d mention the particulars of the situation.

“What is it I can do for you?”

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

"For me?" now that surprised Kaile. Granted, considering how she'd never been in such a situation before, the woman was rather in the dark about how procedures went.

"Oh." she blinked a few times, letting that register. At the prompting, the woman gave an abashed half smile.

"Well, you know about Kurt Meyer right?" considering he was the asset assigned to her after Kurt had made a deal to keep Kaile on the Messa, the pilot would be in her file.

"Well with how things are going, and if'n he's not gonna be taking me to places for missions..." she began, biting her own lower lip nervously.

"Been wondering if'n there be any positions he'd be able to take advantage of since he's already cleared for Cresh level clearance." and to make them both a little bit of money.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt slowly wandered past Kaile, tea still in hand.

He gingerly sat himself down on the couch and placed the tea on the table in front of him. There wasn't really much he could do at this point, just watch and listen to Kaile as she talked to her boss. He wanted this job, not just for himself, but for Kaile.

They needed this.

She needed to, for once in her life, she needed to relax.

Let him handle things.

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] [member="Kurt Meyer"]

"I see." There was no inflection in the voice. Vo was just considering the request. There were jobs but were they right for Meyer?

"I can't speak for the GADF but they'd be looking to take ten years from your friend and there would be no guarantees on where he would be posted from year to year.

"Now, Commodore Kolt just moved over to us," Vo said, choosing his words very carefully. He couldn't talk openly about the plans to expand SIS capabilities on this channel. "A lot of our forces are tired after the Sith war. He might have some openings for short term work, but I think Meyer would need an upgrade to Cresh Two, which given how mobile he's been could take a few weeks to process. Could you both come in to talk?"

The pair seemed close, he wouldn't feel good about sending Meyer far away but he could only place his agent's welfare so high. If he didn't want to be sent away for months they were starting to run some recon flights out of Sullust, Fondor, Copperline and Belsavis. Each had a suitable analysis and operational centre where he could perhaps find something for Kaile.

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

Even shortterm job was good, Kaile wasn't going to argue much.

"We can." the strawberry blonde would agree, giving a nod and a faint smile. "Can be there shortly." a glance was spared over to Kurt who had sat himself down. He was staring her a bit lost but letting her do her own thing. He trusted her to do that much.

"Where would you like to meet?" she inquired. Sullust base was pretty big, and Vo could be in any number of areas.

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"Kolt hasn't got much to do yet anyway. Head to Section 3 please, you'll have to escort Kurt through the checkpoint. I'll book...two meeting rooms."

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Vaal Pal Vo"] | [member="Kaileann Vera"]

Leaving Kaile's side at this point wasn't really something he was willing to do. He had no idea what the SIS would offer him, but a contingent of him doing anything was that Kaile got to stay on The Messa. This was her home, he couldn't kick her out.

If she was going to be staying anywhere over the next few months then it would be here, with her best friend and the place that the both of them had built together.

The Messa was more than just a ship. It was more than a momento, it was something that he and Kaile had built together. They had worked for months, poured credits into it, love, everything they had. She had decorated her own room, even helped him decorate his. This was more of a home than Tatooine was. Kurt would die before he let Kaile get kicked out of The Messa, he was more likely to abandon the ship himself than make her leave.

Even if only temporarily.

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

"Will do, Lieutenant Vo." A pause, then a faint smile. Her pale face seemed to relax but for a moment, a brief flash of mild relief. It was hope. She could work with that.

"Mighty grateful." she added, giving a small nod. "We'll be along shortly." Saying goodbye, the Lorrdian cut the transmission. Wide eyes came up to turn and catch the pilot sitting on the chair. It was still so surprising to see Kurt in his button up shirt. More so when that expression of uneasiness seemed to linger over his scruffy face.

"Reckon that's a start right." Kaile began, trying to sound a mite bit cheerful and positive. Had to be with all the gloom that seemed to have lingered upon the Messa.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] | [member="Vaal Pal Vo"]

"Yeah!" He sounded maybe a bit too excited.

It was true though, things on The Messa hadn't exactly been very happy go lucky as of late. Maybe getting a job would let them cheer up a bit. They had money, but what they really needed was a steady income for security. The next few months wouldn't be easy by any measure, that was for sure. Kurt was willing to go through it though, Kaile was his best friend, there wasn't anything that he wouldn't do for her. Even if it meant flying through a warzone.

"Let's finish our tea." Kurt said. "Don't think we should waste it."

Not with the amount of honey she had poured into it.

They weren't exactly made of cash, and that stuff was expensive. "It's good for you."

There was that to worry about too. Kaile was pregnant, she couldn't go running around everywhere eating unhealthy food. An ironic thought coming from him, but...well he'd ignore that fact.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

"Yeah." her fingers went flexing over her cup of tea. Kaile hadn't even realized that she'd been tightening her grip on it all through the comm call. A deep breath made her shoulders rise. She held her breath, letting it linger in her lungs. The strawberry blonde's mind was still racing, still going over what they could do. About money. About Kurt. About herself. About the baby. About Asmus.

Asmus.

It had been hard to keep the pilot out of her mind. Kaile had done her best to try and not think of him. To tell herself she was doing the right thing. Took some willpower but she was able to maintain it.. Well, at times. There had been the off night or so where she'd gone investigating things. He'd joined the academy now. Got his approval. Classes wouldn't start for a while but...

Swallowing hard, Kaile brought the cup up to drink her tea.

"Best finish this and no keep him waiting then."

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt took a small sip from his cup. "You know I'll be there for you, right?"

He hadn't come out and said it yet.

At the beginning of this he never could have imagined himself saying that. He never could have imagined that Kaile would become his best friend, his only friend. He never thought that he'd grow so fond of her. She was supposed to have been a quick tenant, dropped off at the nearest hostel. Yet after all this time so much had changed. She was a part of his family now, as hard as it was to imagine.

"No matter what happens." Kurt said quietly.

There was something about it, something he couldn't put his finger on. Even after everything that happened with Jamie, even after all the depression, the melancholy, Kurt had always known he wouldn't leave Kaile behind. She was his friend. Family.

You didn't abandon family.

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kurt Meyer"] [member="Kaileann Vera"]

Vo had managed to hurriedly make the call to F Section as well as book a room. Kolt was indeed short of things to do. He had a post but his carriers were a long way from being assembled, his resistance pilots still being brought together.

Kaile would be given a yellow badge at the desk, Kurt a red one for visitors. When they arrived her made the introductions and sat them all down.

"Well I've managed to open up some options for you as well Kaile, but whilst we've got the Commodore here, did you want to say a little about what you're looking for Kurt?"

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

Hearing him say it struck a cord within Kaileann's heart. It was the manner that he said it. His face slightly inclined, legs barely spread with his forearms resting upon the tops of his thighs. His hair had the look of far too many strokes of his fingers through his hair and his jaw still covered in stubble. Even with the button up shirt, Kurt Meyer was a looker. Affection rose within her chest, but it was the love she had for the only family Kaile had ever known. Of her best friend.

He meant it. Meant every word. It made her feel as if she belonged. As if perhaps they would be able to work things out. That maybe she hadn't screwed up, and she was making a right decision. With all the wonder and mysteries of having a life inside her, something had grown, been nourished. It wasn't just her now. She had Kurt to consider. And the baby.

A weak smile shone back at Kurt. "I know," she said simply. But that was her worry. The past two months had been Kurt moping around and being all sorts of melancholy. He was hurting. Hurting deep. Simply existing day to day with little cheer or charm that she'd known him to have. It wasn't the Kurt she knew. It was a fraction of him.

How long would he be like that? It was a question that Kaile didn't want to consider, but it hurt her as much as it did him. Those two weeks, when she'd first left him back on Tatooine, had made her wretched. She knew how it felt, and that had just been cause he'd been family. Kaile couldn't imagine what he was going through because he wasn't able to be with Jamie.

But it was the sort of hurt Kaile could read off him day in and day out.

"Drink your tea.... can't be having Vo wait. Maybe what he finds will help turn the tide for the better, no?"

Day by day. That's all they could do now. Take it day by day.

---

They met up with the SIS handler not too long after. Both now sat within the meeting area the Sullustan had reserved for them. Kaile sat on one side of the desk, the half swollen bump of her belly slightly protruding under her shirt. She'd taken to resting her hands right at the top of the curve, almost protectively and half due to her nerves. Couldn't ever really hide how much more she'd start wringing her hands.

Since the question was for Kurt, Kaile stayed quite. However, those big, chocolate eyes of her were reading and taking everything in.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] | [member="Vaal Pal Vo"]

He hadn't actually thought about how to answer such a question, but eventually he decided it was best just to be honest.

"I want." No, that wasn't the right word for it. "I need something Kaile and I can do together."

There would be no separating them. "The Messa is Kaile's home, sir, and with her situation I don't want her having to live away from home."

That was the crux of it.

"I would like to do something that will allow Kaile and Me to stay on The Messa, at least most of the time. I'm a good Pilot, probably better than most, and as I'm sure you know Kaile and I have made that ship one of the fastest in the entire galaxy." No denying that.

"There has to be something that we can do that fits that." There was always something. "Courier Service for the SIS, Recon, just no fighting."

 

[Jhyrack]

[member="Kaileann Vera"] [member="Kurt Meyer"]

Commodore Kolt stayed stony and silent as Kurt explained. Vo had burst into his office and jabbered at him until he had a rough idea of what was going on. He didn't like to look ill informed. He thought that was a very bad trait for an officer of his station. The SIS hadn't even found him a secretary yet.

"The Meesa..." He trailed off. He raised one hand for silence and flicked through a file in front of him. Vo offered Kaile a shrug. "Light freighter, exceptionally fast..."

He closed the file and looked back up at Kaile and Kurt. He had the bearing of a man who'd always known he would be a senior officer.

"Have you considered the Merchant Fleet? They've been running goods for us for a long time now. Alternativelt with the right aptitude tests and some further background checks we could look at you flying some reconnaissance missions from out of our forward bases, potentially from the Meesa.

"But not with a pregnant female on board, that's out of the question. I can't talk too much about what we're starting to do, but it involves short, sharp sorties into hostile territory. They tend to shoot at our pilots if they get seen."

He frowned for a moment and looked down at the file. He turned towards Vo. "You could try Section Six back in the GADF. They're carrying out surveys of our newly acquired worlds for Project Haelstrom. I'm sure we could fit a sensor package on the Meesa."

"I hadn't, no," Vo said. He looked up at Kaile. "Ironically Section F are a bit stretched by a lot of maternity and paternity leave at the moment. They've got some desk jobs, but they're just that, desk jobs. You could live on the Meesa, but the work means being behind a desk in a code yellow building eight to four."

 

[Kaile Vera]

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

Okay, the focus was on me now, Kaile thought to herself. Goodness, this was so awkward. She felt weird. Odd. A little bit as if under the microscope even if she knew that the Lieutenant didn't mean to. Also the talk about a 'desk job' was just so... utterly foreign to her.

Kaile didn't do well with paperwork. She was good at electronics and mech work. Not administration.

A grimace came to her.

"I see..." she began quietly. From her peripheral, Kaile took stock of how Kurt was taking all of this, reading to see if there was something he preferred.