[FIC] Explanations, part 4 {Chapter 8}
Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 3:50 am
The transfer to the the Tuatha De Danaan by means of the modified V22 went smoothly and quickly. When the aircraft was safely positioned, the bay doors closed and the submarine once more took its station in the mid level depths of the Arabian sea.
"Hey, Sousuke, you go check in with Melissa. I have something I neeeed to take care of, man, and I'll join you guys in a little bit. Later." Kurz headed off, whistling happily, ceasing when he was out of earshot.
Sousuke shouldered his travel bag, and headed off to do as Kurz had directed. The other soldiers brought in by the VTOL aircraft headed off on their own business. The pilots headed off to the canteen for coffee.
Kurz was in a serious mood. With a serious goal in mind. He knew that his actions might seem inappropriate in a military sense, but he was not overly concerned in that regard. One of the great things about being Kurz Weber was the ability to do things that other people would never attempt, and get away with things that other people would never be allowed to get away with. Reputation wasn't a badge to be worn...it was a tool to be exploited. It was also helpful being an ace Arm Slave pilot and the best Marksman in the organization...it's amazing what one can get away with when one's uncommonly useful. And handsome.
He stopped outside of Captain Testarossa's cabin. Good fortune had placed some of the bridge crew in the hallway, and they had informed him of Tessa's whereabouts. Kurz was glad she hadn't been on station, as he would not had been able to speak to her for an uncertain amount of time. With an unconscious flourish, he selected the appropriate knock...neither too tentative nor too presumptive...and announced his presence. After a few moments, the door opened, and Tessa looked out to see him standing there.
"Is there a reason you woke me, Sergeant Weber?" Tessa asked unhappily.
"Well Captain, pretty as you are, any more beauty sleep would be unfair to the other ladies!" Kurz had just the right smile ready to accompany that doggerel.
"I see, Sergeant. I trust you have a better reason. If not, I will find something useful for you to do before I once more attempt to get some rest."
"I do, Captain" Kurz said, in a tone so uncharacteristically serious that it caught Tessa' attention more than any words could have. "I certainly do."
"Please, come in then. I only ask that you keep things as short as possible."
They both sat down around the table in the center of the room. "Tea, Sergeant?"
The inner Kurz immediately thought of a reply: "I'll take any can or cans of beer that Melissa might have left behind." The outer Kurz said simply "No, but thanks for asking." Tessa fixed herself a cup, and sat back down.
"Please, Sergeant, tell me why you are here...."
"Sousuke."
"Sergeant Sagara?" Tessa asked.
"Yes. I understand that it is officially none of my business, Captain, but I know that you and Sousuke had a major misunderstanding."
"I see. How is it that you know this, Sergeant Weber? And if you know that it is none of your concern, then why have you come to speak to me about it?!" Tessa's voice sounded deceptively calm, but her posture left nothing to the imagination.
"No captain, it is not my official business to mention it, but it is very much my concern, both personally and professionally."
Tessa became slightly less rigid, saying "Continue, then."
"Captain, I personally think that Sousuke, Melissa, and I make up a fantastic team, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, I agree" Tessa said, smiling slightly for the first time, briefly remembering prior and private thoughts of the trio. Images passed before her eyes: Melissa as Porthos...Kurz as Aramis...and Sousuke as a mix of Athos and D'Artignan. She shook her head slightly when her own image appeared in the robe of a Cardinal. "But I doubt you came here to fish for compliments, Sergeant."
"Tessa," Kurz started, his sincerity at that moment causing him to forget formality, "The reason we are such a good team, and the reason we are a credit to this organization, is not just because we are three world class soldiers. We are a good team because we trust ourselves, we trust each other, and we trust our leaders. We are each a good part of a team, because we know ourselves, we know our talents, and we know our limitations. We don't sit around worrying any more than we can help, and we don't screw things up by thinking when we should be acting. And each one of us carries all of that with us when we join another team, or go out on our own."
"And this analysis of yours is leading where, Sergeant? What does all of this have to do with a misunderstanding I have, and how have you become privy to this mysterious mistake I have made?" Tessa pushed her cup aside, leaned back in her chair, and looked Kurz in the eyes.
"You know me Captain, and you know how I like to tease Sousuke. Driving with him away from safe house, I had the golden opportunity to put him on the spot about something I heard about. In the interest of time, I will not tell you how I knew what to ask. Suffice it to say, I had been gifted with the divine knowledge that he been visited by a certain lady Captain." Kurz was savvy eenough not to say 'a certain lonely young Captain with a big time crush.' "Using my well known charm and taking advantage of Sousuke's patented gullibility, I was able to discover that there had been two lady visitors. I thought I had died and gone to heaven." Seeing Tessa's cross look, he quickly added "It was all in good fun Captain. I had no inkling of what had happened!"
"And," Tessa said, storm clouds brewing in her eyes, "You have come here to speak on Sergeant Sagara's and Miss Chidori's behalf?!" Kurz wanted to say that he really liked Kaname, but was rooting for Tessa...but this was neither the place nor the time.
"No, Captain...at least, only as a part of the overall picture. Tessa, I came here to bring the truth. I know your feelings are not my business...but they are my concern, just as Sousuke's well being is my concern." He paused a moment, trying to figure out how to continue, without seeming too personal, or too clinical. "I certainly realize you are my commanding officer, but I also hope you are my friend. I know how you feel personally about Sousuke, but I would never use that knowledge to manipulate you, and I have kept it in the strictest confidence." Well, he thought: he had told Melissa after drinking a little too much beer, but other than that he had been a good boy. Melissa was so zonked out, she might not even remember.
"I appreciate that Sergeant...it must have been hard." Tessa thought quietly for a moment and added "And I realize how hard this must be too. Please continue."
Kurz relayed to Tessa everything that Sousuke had told him, beginning with his receipt of the fax, and ending with her exit from Sousuke's apartment. He told of his concerns for Sousuke. He did not mention anything that took place after Tessa had left, but Sousuke had only been sketchy in his comments on those matters in any case.
Tessa had no trouble understanding the repercussions of that ill advised fax and all of the dominoes that had fallen thereafter. She had some thinking to do.
"Thank you, Sergeant Weber. You have done Mithril a good service. I shall follow your shining example."
"Captain, one more thing if I may. Seeing that you now recognize my brilliance and good judgement, I have a suggestion" Kurz said with a wicked gleam in his eye.
Against her better judgement, Tessa asked "And that is?"
"Well, you know that Machinist First Class Hofmeister was a talented and professional tattoo artist, right? I was thinking that it you were to get a tattoo of a fax on one hand, and a tattoo of a condom on the other, that might be a good way avoid this kind of happening in the future..."
"Dismissed, Sergeant!"
********************************************************
At the moment Kurz had been refusing the offer of tea, Souske refused the offer of stronger drink. He had stowed his gear and headed over to Melissa's cabin, to see if there was any word yet of the upcoming mission.
"Where is Kurz, Sousuke? I was certain he would have followed you in here, tail wagging."
"He said he had something he had to do first, something important."
"Damn him. One of these days I am going to have to get him fixed. Or get him a collar and a leash. He thinks that anything he wants to do is important. No doubt he's hitting on the new supply clerk, or spreading some hot gossip with the support staff!" Melissa sighed, resigned to eternal nature of Sergeant Kurz Weber.
The word 'gossip' made Sousuke uncomfortable, and if Melissa had not serendipitously been looking at his face at the moment, she would not have noticed his brief grimace. "Sousuke, is something wrong?"
"Wrong, Sergeant Major?" Melissa knew Sousuke all too well. "No" meant 'no.' "Wrong? Sergeant Major" meant 'something other than no.' Most times, she would would just let things slide. But, as she was annoyed at Kurz and looking for something to do until he made his appearence, this would not be 'most times.'
"Wrong, Sousuke. As in 'not right.' As in 'what's bothering you, Sagara.'
"Sergeant major, I assure you...."
"Seargant!!!" Kurz had his way of playing Sousuke. Melissa had her own, and it was just as effective. "I am not talking to you as Melissa...I am talking at you and thinking for you as Sergeant Major Mao." She stood up, and told Sousuke to remain seated, both feet flat on the floor. She crumpled an empty beer can and threw it in the general vicinity of a full trash can. She placed her hands on her hips.
"OK, Sousuke, let's get this done before our wandering team mate gets here. First...did Sergeant Weber do something to disturb you?"
"No, Sergeant Major."
"Damn. Well, I still have plenty of reasons to kick his ass. Second, did Kaname do something to cause this problem?"
Sousuke paused to think before answering "No, not Kaname." Melissa took notice of the pause, the way a hawk takes notice of a young rabbit.
"Sousuke," Melissa asked in a more offhand manner, "what did Tessa do that's got you upset?"
"Uh--" Sousuke started, with no finish.
"Bullseye," Melissa thought. And one plus one: "Sousuke, what did Tessa do regarding Kaname that's got you so talkative?"
"Uh---" Sousuke repeated.
"Sergeant Sagara! One more 'Uh' and I will have the barber cut off every hair on your body! Now, let's hear it...!"
"Uh...I mean..." Sousuke needed a moment to frame his reply. "There was a misunderstanding, Sergeant Major. Actually...many misunderstandings."
"Let's hear them. Most important ones only. In order. Now." Melissa put out her smoke and pushed away a fresh beer. Sousuke had her full attention.
Sousuke dutifully listed the important events: "The Captain sent a fax. The fax said only two words, return and arranged. No other explanation was given. I thought I would have to quit the mission. I was confused, and returned to my earlier level of vigilance, and walked behind Kaname. She thought I was angry or upset. She tried to be nice to me, and told me to not make any plans, as she was going to cook me dinner. I mistakenly put the fax paper in with my Algebra homework. I was supposed to do Japanese History, but Kaname was kind enough to evaluate my Algebra any way. She found the fax. She came to cook dinner, even though I had no longer planned for her arrival. First, she wanted a tour, and then she started looking through my possessions." Souske stopped.
"There's more Sosuske. Don't leave anything important out. Keep going."
"Kaname found the condom..." Souske offered, and Melissa asked "Condom?"
"Yes, the condom that was with the standard teenage items I was given to assist in my mission...Ahh-I must apologize."
"Apologize?"
"When Kaname asked about the condom, I intended to tell her of our discussion so that she might understand. When I mentioned your name, she at first thought...."
"Sousuke," Melissa's eyes widened, and then narrowed considerably, "did you leave her with the proper impression?"
"Of course, Sergeant Major. The doorbell rang, and I went to answer. I forgot to put the condom away. Captain Testarossa was at the door, having left a survey assignment to check up on me. She wore nice clothes and perfume. She said the fax was in part a joke, and that she wanted to see my reaction. She said she had wanted me to give thought about my mission, and whether I had wanted to continue in that capacity. Kaname heard the doorbell. Tessa saw the condom. Tessa saw Kaname." Sousuke paused to catch his breath.
Melissa had already sifted through the story and picked out the key items: Sousuke. Sousuke's Apartment. Kaname. Tessa. And condom.
"Sousuke, what did Tessa do after that?"
"Captain Testarossa got angry. She said she was disappointed in my actions, and in my judgement. She said she was not surprised by what she thought I had done. The Captain said I might be in too deep, and that she might be forced to pull me out. She considered the possibility that my actions might endanger people, or jeopardize the mission. She said she would discuss matters with Lt. Commander Kalinin and inform me of their decision."
At first, Melissa just shook her head...then she grinned...then she burst out laughing. She took a quick pull of beer and said "Soususke, I'm sorry, I know this is no laughing matter. But you...you are really quite a terror!!!"
That's what Sergeant Weber said," Sousuke said with a sour expression.
"He did, did he? I suppose I will need to take steps to make certain he does not blab this information all over the sub. He is so useless!" She sat down again, took another sip of beer, and said "Sousuke, I thought you had better judgement than that. Why on earth did you tell that story to Kurz?"
"He made it sound like a good tactic. He said it would help me focus on making a detailed and efficient report to you. He was very convincing."
"I bet he was. I may be talking to the barber after all." Melissa stood again, and placed her arms across her chest. "OK, Sousuke, I can guess some of the things that are bothering you, but I need to get inside that mysterious head of yours."
"Sergeant Major?"
"Sousuke, we have a mission coming up. If you are to be involved, I need to know if you are ready."
"Of course I am ready. I will do my best to perform whatever role I am assigned."
"I understand your intentions, Sousuke. But we know what the road to Hell is paved with, don't we? I don't need to figure out how hard you are going to try. I need to know just how well I can expect you to perform. If you had a physical injury, I would send you to the ship's doctor. But we don't have a shrink on board, Sousuke. So it's my job to figure out if somethings bothering you, and if you are bothered enough to be at risk...and to be a risk."
"Uh--I understand."
"Sousuke, we've all been there before. We've all had things that threaten to keep us from playing our best game. You need to help me understand whether or not you can play on the team this time. And if I can't find the answer, I'll either need to enlist the help of someone who can, or I will be forced to recommend you be held in reserve."
"I understand."
"That reminds me, I have a message to pass along. You are to meet with Lt. Commander Kalinin, in his office, at 1500 hours. Perhaps his discussion with you will provide some answers."
At that moment, the door opened, and Kurz traipsed in happily. "Oh, I'm so brilliant, I'm such a great guy, oh I'm so brilliant, and...I...can't...tell...you...why...heh heh!" He walked over to his comrades. "Sousuke, how about a big hug. Melisssssa, how about a really big smooch...annnnywheeere you want?"
"Sousuke, Sergeant Weber and I have a few things to discuss" Melissa said, wrapping an arm painfully tight around Kurz' neck, and banging his head against the cabin wall. "Why don't you take the opportunity to clean up and relax before your meeting?" she added sweetly.
"I understand, Sergeant Major." The look he gave Kurz held no sympathy.
"Hey, Sousuke, you go check in with Melissa. I have something I neeeed to take care of, man, and I'll join you guys in a little bit. Later." Kurz headed off, whistling happily, ceasing when he was out of earshot.
Sousuke shouldered his travel bag, and headed off to do as Kurz had directed. The other soldiers brought in by the VTOL aircraft headed off on their own business. The pilots headed off to the canteen for coffee.
Kurz was in a serious mood. With a serious goal in mind. He knew that his actions might seem inappropriate in a military sense, but he was not overly concerned in that regard. One of the great things about being Kurz Weber was the ability to do things that other people would never attempt, and get away with things that other people would never be allowed to get away with. Reputation wasn't a badge to be worn...it was a tool to be exploited. It was also helpful being an ace Arm Slave pilot and the best Marksman in the organization...it's amazing what one can get away with when one's uncommonly useful. And handsome.
He stopped outside of Captain Testarossa's cabin. Good fortune had placed some of the bridge crew in the hallway, and they had informed him of Tessa's whereabouts. Kurz was glad she hadn't been on station, as he would not had been able to speak to her for an uncertain amount of time. With an unconscious flourish, he selected the appropriate knock...neither too tentative nor too presumptive...and announced his presence. After a few moments, the door opened, and Tessa looked out to see him standing there.
"Is there a reason you woke me, Sergeant Weber?" Tessa asked unhappily.
"Well Captain, pretty as you are, any more beauty sleep would be unfair to the other ladies!" Kurz had just the right smile ready to accompany that doggerel.
"I see, Sergeant. I trust you have a better reason. If not, I will find something useful for you to do before I once more attempt to get some rest."
"I do, Captain" Kurz said, in a tone so uncharacteristically serious that it caught Tessa' attention more than any words could have. "I certainly do."
"Please, come in then. I only ask that you keep things as short as possible."
They both sat down around the table in the center of the room. "Tea, Sergeant?"
The inner Kurz immediately thought of a reply: "I'll take any can or cans of beer that Melissa might have left behind." The outer Kurz said simply "No, but thanks for asking." Tessa fixed herself a cup, and sat back down.
"Please, Sergeant, tell me why you are here...."
"Sousuke."
"Sergeant Sagara?" Tessa asked.
"Yes. I understand that it is officially none of my business, Captain, but I know that you and Sousuke had a major misunderstanding."
"I see. How is it that you know this, Sergeant Weber? And if you know that it is none of your concern, then why have you come to speak to me about it?!" Tessa's voice sounded deceptively calm, but her posture left nothing to the imagination.
"No captain, it is not my official business to mention it, but it is very much my concern, both personally and professionally."
Tessa became slightly less rigid, saying "Continue, then."
"Captain, I personally think that Sousuke, Melissa, and I make up a fantastic team, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, I agree" Tessa said, smiling slightly for the first time, briefly remembering prior and private thoughts of the trio. Images passed before her eyes: Melissa as Porthos...Kurz as Aramis...and Sousuke as a mix of Athos and D'Artignan. She shook her head slightly when her own image appeared in the robe of a Cardinal. "But I doubt you came here to fish for compliments, Sergeant."
"Tessa," Kurz started, his sincerity at that moment causing him to forget formality, "The reason we are such a good team, and the reason we are a credit to this organization, is not just because we are three world class soldiers. We are a good team because we trust ourselves, we trust each other, and we trust our leaders. We are each a good part of a team, because we know ourselves, we know our talents, and we know our limitations. We don't sit around worrying any more than we can help, and we don't screw things up by thinking when we should be acting. And each one of us carries all of that with us when we join another team, or go out on our own."
"And this analysis of yours is leading where, Sergeant? What does all of this have to do with a misunderstanding I have, and how have you become privy to this mysterious mistake I have made?" Tessa pushed her cup aside, leaned back in her chair, and looked Kurz in the eyes.
"You know me Captain, and you know how I like to tease Sousuke. Driving with him away from safe house, I had the golden opportunity to put him on the spot about something I heard about. In the interest of time, I will not tell you how I knew what to ask. Suffice it to say, I had been gifted with the divine knowledge that he been visited by a certain lady Captain." Kurz was savvy eenough not to say 'a certain lonely young Captain with a big time crush.' "Using my well known charm and taking advantage of Sousuke's patented gullibility, I was able to discover that there had been two lady visitors. I thought I had died and gone to heaven." Seeing Tessa's cross look, he quickly added "It was all in good fun Captain. I had no inkling of what had happened!"
"And," Tessa said, storm clouds brewing in her eyes, "You have come here to speak on Sergeant Sagara's and Miss Chidori's behalf?!" Kurz wanted to say that he really liked Kaname, but was rooting for Tessa...but this was neither the place nor the time.
"No, Captain...at least, only as a part of the overall picture. Tessa, I came here to bring the truth. I know your feelings are not my business...but they are my concern, just as Sousuke's well being is my concern." He paused a moment, trying to figure out how to continue, without seeming too personal, or too clinical. "I certainly realize you are my commanding officer, but I also hope you are my friend. I know how you feel personally about Sousuke, but I would never use that knowledge to manipulate you, and I have kept it in the strictest confidence." Well, he thought: he had told Melissa after drinking a little too much beer, but other than that he had been a good boy. Melissa was so zonked out, she might not even remember.
"I appreciate that Sergeant...it must have been hard." Tessa thought quietly for a moment and added "And I realize how hard this must be too. Please continue."
Kurz relayed to Tessa everything that Sousuke had told him, beginning with his receipt of the fax, and ending with her exit from Sousuke's apartment. He told of his concerns for Sousuke. He did not mention anything that took place after Tessa had left, but Sousuke had only been sketchy in his comments on those matters in any case.
Tessa had no trouble understanding the repercussions of that ill advised fax and all of the dominoes that had fallen thereafter. She had some thinking to do.
"Thank you, Sergeant Weber. You have done Mithril a good service. I shall follow your shining example."
"Captain, one more thing if I may. Seeing that you now recognize my brilliance and good judgement, I have a suggestion" Kurz said with a wicked gleam in his eye.
Against her better judgement, Tessa asked "And that is?"
"Well, you know that Machinist First Class Hofmeister was a talented and professional tattoo artist, right? I was thinking that it you were to get a tattoo of a fax on one hand, and a tattoo of a condom on the other, that might be a good way avoid this kind of happening in the future..."
"Dismissed, Sergeant!"
********************************************************
At the moment Kurz had been refusing the offer of tea, Souske refused the offer of stronger drink. He had stowed his gear and headed over to Melissa's cabin, to see if there was any word yet of the upcoming mission.
"Where is Kurz, Sousuke? I was certain he would have followed you in here, tail wagging."
"He said he had something he had to do first, something important."
"Damn him. One of these days I am going to have to get him fixed. Or get him a collar and a leash. He thinks that anything he wants to do is important. No doubt he's hitting on the new supply clerk, or spreading some hot gossip with the support staff!" Melissa sighed, resigned to eternal nature of Sergeant Kurz Weber.
The word 'gossip' made Sousuke uncomfortable, and if Melissa had not serendipitously been looking at his face at the moment, she would not have noticed his brief grimace. "Sousuke, is something wrong?"
"Wrong, Sergeant Major?" Melissa knew Sousuke all too well. "No" meant 'no.' "Wrong? Sergeant Major" meant 'something other than no.' Most times, she would would just let things slide. But, as she was annoyed at Kurz and looking for something to do until he made his appearence, this would not be 'most times.'
"Wrong, Sousuke. As in 'not right.' As in 'what's bothering you, Sagara.'
"Sergeant major, I assure you...."
"Seargant!!!" Kurz had his way of playing Sousuke. Melissa had her own, and it was just as effective. "I am not talking to you as Melissa...I am talking at you and thinking for you as Sergeant Major Mao." She stood up, and told Sousuke to remain seated, both feet flat on the floor. She crumpled an empty beer can and threw it in the general vicinity of a full trash can. She placed her hands on her hips.
"OK, Sousuke, let's get this done before our wandering team mate gets here. First...did Sergeant Weber do something to disturb you?"
"No, Sergeant Major."
"Damn. Well, I still have plenty of reasons to kick his ass. Second, did Kaname do something to cause this problem?"
Sousuke paused to think before answering "No, not Kaname." Melissa took notice of the pause, the way a hawk takes notice of a young rabbit.
"Sousuke," Melissa asked in a more offhand manner, "what did Tessa do that's got you upset?"
"Uh--" Sousuke started, with no finish.
"Bullseye," Melissa thought. And one plus one: "Sousuke, what did Tessa do regarding Kaname that's got you so talkative?"
"Uh---" Sousuke repeated.
"Sergeant Sagara! One more 'Uh' and I will have the barber cut off every hair on your body! Now, let's hear it...!"
"Uh...I mean..." Sousuke needed a moment to frame his reply. "There was a misunderstanding, Sergeant Major. Actually...many misunderstandings."
"Let's hear them. Most important ones only. In order. Now." Melissa put out her smoke and pushed away a fresh beer. Sousuke had her full attention.
Sousuke dutifully listed the important events: "The Captain sent a fax. The fax said only two words, return and arranged. No other explanation was given. I thought I would have to quit the mission. I was confused, and returned to my earlier level of vigilance, and walked behind Kaname. She thought I was angry or upset. She tried to be nice to me, and told me to not make any plans, as she was going to cook me dinner. I mistakenly put the fax paper in with my Algebra homework. I was supposed to do Japanese History, but Kaname was kind enough to evaluate my Algebra any way. She found the fax. She came to cook dinner, even though I had no longer planned for her arrival. First, she wanted a tour, and then she started looking through my possessions." Souske stopped.
"There's more Sosuske. Don't leave anything important out. Keep going."
"Kaname found the condom..." Souske offered, and Melissa asked "Condom?"
"Yes, the condom that was with the standard teenage items I was given to assist in my mission...Ahh-I must apologize."
"Apologize?"
"When Kaname asked about the condom, I intended to tell her of our discussion so that she might understand. When I mentioned your name, she at first thought...."
"Sousuke," Melissa's eyes widened, and then narrowed considerably, "did you leave her with the proper impression?"
"Of course, Sergeant Major. The doorbell rang, and I went to answer. I forgot to put the condom away. Captain Testarossa was at the door, having left a survey assignment to check up on me. She wore nice clothes and perfume. She said the fax was in part a joke, and that she wanted to see my reaction. She said she had wanted me to give thought about my mission, and whether I had wanted to continue in that capacity. Kaname heard the doorbell. Tessa saw the condom. Tessa saw Kaname." Sousuke paused to catch his breath.
Melissa had already sifted through the story and picked out the key items: Sousuke. Sousuke's Apartment. Kaname. Tessa. And condom.
"Sousuke, what did Tessa do after that?"
"Captain Testarossa got angry. She said she was disappointed in my actions, and in my judgement. She said she was not surprised by what she thought I had done. The Captain said I might be in too deep, and that she might be forced to pull me out. She considered the possibility that my actions might endanger people, or jeopardize the mission. She said she would discuss matters with Lt. Commander Kalinin and inform me of their decision."
At first, Melissa just shook her head...then she grinned...then she burst out laughing. She took a quick pull of beer and said "Soususke, I'm sorry, I know this is no laughing matter. But you...you are really quite a terror!!!"
That's what Sergeant Weber said," Sousuke said with a sour expression.
"He did, did he? I suppose I will need to take steps to make certain he does not blab this information all over the sub. He is so useless!" She sat down again, took another sip of beer, and said "Sousuke, I thought you had better judgement than that. Why on earth did you tell that story to Kurz?"
"He made it sound like a good tactic. He said it would help me focus on making a detailed and efficient report to you. He was very convincing."
"I bet he was. I may be talking to the barber after all." Melissa stood again, and placed her arms across her chest. "OK, Sousuke, I can guess some of the things that are bothering you, but I need to get inside that mysterious head of yours."
"Sergeant Major?"
"Sousuke, we have a mission coming up. If you are to be involved, I need to know if you are ready."
"Of course I am ready. I will do my best to perform whatever role I am assigned."
"I understand your intentions, Sousuke. But we know what the road to Hell is paved with, don't we? I don't need to figure out how hard you are going to try. I need to know just how well I can expect you to perform. If you had a physical injury, I would send you to the ship's doctor. But we don't have a shrink on board, Sousuke. So it's my job to figure out if somethings bothering you, and if you are bothered enough to be at risk...and to be a risk."
"Uh--I understand."
"Sousuke, we've all been there before. We've all had things that threaten to keep us from playing our best game. You need to help me understand whether or not you can play on the team this time. And if I can't find the answer, I'll either need to enlist the help of someone who can, or I will be forced to recommend you be held in reserve."
"I understand."
"That reminds me, I have a message to pass along. You are to meet with Lt. Commander Kalinin, in his office, at 1500 hours. Perhaps his discussion with you will provide some answers."
At that moment, the door opened, and Kurz traipsed in happily. "Oh, I'm so brilliant, I'm such a great guy, oh I'm so brilliant, and...I...can't...tell...you...why...heh heh!" He walked over to his comrades. "Sousuke, how about a big hug. Melisssssa, how about a really big smooch...annnnywheeere you want?"
"Sousuke, Sergeant Weber and I have a few things to discuss" Melissa said, wrapping an arm painfully tight around Kurz' neck, and banging his head against the cabin wall. "Why don't you take the opportunity to clean up and relax before your meeting?" she added sweetly.
"I understand, Sergeant Major." The look he gave Kurz held no sympathy.
