Ruckus in Munich Chapter 6

[Andrei Burnside]

Major Kudos to Kelek for helping me edit this. Apparently my grammar is as reliable as the King Tiger's engine. Which is to say, It's a miracle if it works. I appreciate Kelek's help immensely. Right. Kurz and Melissa will be Tokyo for a short while, then comes fun with International customs.

A preview:

"Sir...You can't carry that onto the plane. "

"Who says I can't?"

"The law sir."

" I say he can. I'm his CO and I've got a loaded weapon. Care to argue? I'll shoot him if he does something stupid, will that make you happy?"

"Awwww...Sis!"

XXXXXXXXX

Kurz disentangled himself from the blanket he had been using and walked over to the couch. After putting his feet on the “coffee table,” he swept his legs across it and knocked off approximately 15 beer cans.

“You were saying?” Melissa had an impatient edge to her voice. He was stalling, and doing a particularly good job of it. This reminded her of the phone taps on one Kaname Chidori in regards to whenever Sousuke was mentioned in regards to a relationship.

It was a nice perspective on the gal that Sousuke is in love with, whether either of them will admit it or not.

A loud cough brought her attention to the present.

“Ahem, Melissa, would you mind listening?” Her normally jocund subordinate bore a sphinx-like expression. Unreadable, and until now, close-mouthed about his upbringing, Melissa had finally cracked the “Mannerheim Line” as she so deemed his unwillingness to talk about his past; and like the Soviets before her, Melissa had crushed the zigzagging fortification with heavy artillery. She had brought out the big guns, including her own past. Not quite the 300,000 shells the Soviets used on the first day, but close enough.

“My father was the international rep for Krupp ATLAS Elektronik organization. He was on an extended tour there, basically to help with the integration process. Previously Krupp Japan had been the subsidiary of Fried, Krupp and Essen, which was in the business of iron- and steel- making and processing. When ATLAS decided to make the switchover from metals to marine electronics, they sent my father to smooth it over. As a result of his work in Japan, SAM electronics was created.” From his tone it was clear Kurz did not think much of his father.

“I was born in Wiesbaden, but shortly after that, my father had to transfer his operations to Kobe. It was the heart of the shipbuilding district and a pretty important port. So when I wasn’t even a year old, I had dual citizenship. Because of an error on the translator’s part, he assumed I was born in Japan. I practically was; I stayed 2 months in Germany before my father and I left for Japan.” Kurz appeared comfortable that he had left his mother completely out of the picture.

Melissa decided to hold a little on the question about that. It was inconsequential for now.

“Why wasn’t I living Kobe, right? Edogawa had some of the best German and English speakers around, so my father entrusted me to them so I could learn both from native speakers that were in the area. So I spent more time under the care of tutors and friends than under the care of my own father.” Kurz sounded bitter; derision permeated his tone.

“They were actually pretty good to a spoiled brat like me. I was some pipsqueak who cursed at them in three languages and then clumsily tried to apologize. My English teacher was the wife of the one of American transport pilots at the base at Yokota. In addition to teaching me English, she was very motherly towards me; I don’t know why--could have been pity, instinct, or something else.” Pausing only to catch his breath and gather his thoughts, Kurz plowed on through his history.

“I actually owe my dad my talents in marksmanship. First he became good friends with Lt. Culler, the husband of my English teacher, and then convinced him to take us to the range at the base. It might have been a little out of regulations, but that’s why my dad talked to the German Consulate about it. The head of it talked to the American Embassy, and decided it wasn’t worth making a fuss about, something about ‘promoting NATO unity’. I was 6 at the time, and did well for someone with my age and experience. This is to say, I didn’t shoot anyone or anything off. Then what would have Mithril done without the esteemed Kurz Weber, eh?” He cracked a sarcastic smile, and then let it grow into a smirk.

“Because of that, I was allowed to shoot at the range, except when they were running drills or there were a large majority of base personnel there. Most of the barge fliers could shoot pretty well. So I learned little tricks from all of them. Some weapons I can just shoot better with iron sights, rather than using a scope, 'cause of the tricks I learned. 'Course, it could just be familiarity.” He shrugged and rummaged around for a full bottle of seltzer water.

“That explains how you learned to shoot, but you had to have done something else, right? You don’t learn to shoot flipping coins at a US range.” This was merely a matter of curiosity for Melissa, which could lead to further cracks in the dam.

“Melissa, I never did ask this question, but why do you care? I mean, it’s nice and all, but why? I’m not a superior, or someone you’ll be fighting, and I’m guessing you’re not doing this for the shrinks. So why?” He remained stoic.

Melissa was caught off guard with this question, but quickly recovered. The ferocity of her own reply stunned her.

“Are you that stupid, Weber? Standard military protocol--I want to know what makes you tick so I can motivate and command you better. Knowing about your past just gives more barbs to throw at you and allows me to determine how I can best be your CO. It helps to know so I can either send you in or hold you based on how you’ll react. If you thought anything otherwise, you’re a bigger fool than even I thought.” Her expression softened after this fusillade.

Can’t let this idiot think I’m softening towards him. I’m his CO and he’d just take it the wrong way. Besides, I don’t need a relationship--I joined Mithril to help people and make money, not to date German sergeants 6 years my junior. Kurz is a good guy, but from what I know of him, his perversion overrides any sense of decency he has. His girlfriend must be pretty tolerant.

Don’t kid yourself, Mao. You know you joined Mithril for 3 reasons: to help people, to find a new family, and to forget about Joseph. You’ve done your share of killing for the Corps, and Mithril was supposed to be your white knight idea. You can’t go get involved in another combat relationship, even if you like the guy. Don’t even think about it. It just gets in the way. Emotional baggage is not what you need to command these men. Then you’ll be blind and too concerned to save the guys who you aren’t in love with.
Why am I talking about Kurz in reference to dates and love? Love of beer maybe, but Kurz and I don’t have that kind of relationship. Not even close.

Really now, Melissa? How can you be so sure? You got mad at him when he was flirting with Kyouko and Kaname.

That was unprofessional and sick; he’s robbing the cradle!

He was 19, for chrissake! That’s 3 years difference in age; what’s so wrong with that? Is it because you didn’t want him to flirt with other girls? Yet saying crude sexual comments to you is okay? That’s even worse...Yet he just gets called a stupid bastard, he’s perverted around other women, and he gets knocked around?

He can’t act perverted with anyone under my watch. It’s unbecoming and an insult to Mithril.

When he’s undercover he can’t exactly disgrace Mithril’s name, can he? Think about it, for a minute, how many suave 20 year olds do you know? How elegant are they in expressing their affections? Kurz has been better than most, and yet you hold him in high standards. Why? With most guys you’d brush it off, yet with Kurz you find it disappointing. Could it be that you like him as more than a comrade? You shove him away because you don’t want to find out what will happen?

Of course not! Kurz and me? That’s impossible! No way in hell he and I could have something together! That’d be on the order of Sousuke…caring about something other than his mission…

Odds don’t seem so bleak when you factor in Sousuke’s growth. Admit it, you like Kurz more than you let on, you care about the idiot playboy. Why else would you have tolerated him, after he groped you like that?

Because he’s the best marksman I’ve ever seen.

That might be true, but the only reason he and Sousuke even made the cut is because they volunteered for something over their heads and performed admirably. You still took them didn’t you? You admired that. Plus you clocked him well enough he’d never try it again. Remember he’s tried with Kaname too. Plus you could have taken him off the list easily, but you didn’t.

I don’t like him like that! He’s a good soldier and a decent friend and that’s ALL!

Would you let a decent friend hold you in your fudgie underwear while the TDD-1 was under mutiny? One with perverted tendencies? C’mon Mao, you got to stop denying your feelings.

ALRIGHT ALREADY! I like him, more than a comrade. He’s charming in a bizarre way, and usually means well, but he’s a pervert…

That’s done some good things in his life, and serves a noble cause. Plus that can be fixed, or you can fix him!

Melissa snapped out her dialogue and her consciousness broke the surface of reality. She looked at Kurz, whose brows were furrowed in thought. It was an expression that she had not seen before…

Obviously she didn’t mean everything she said. Still was a great way to tell me off. Well, Kurz, You’ve always tested the limits, and you might as well test the limits of her patience and temper. She throws facts my way…I’ll have them snap right back.

“Since when have you ever been for military protocol? The self-proclaimed rebel decides to throw the book at me? I know one thing, and it’s you never use regs unless you don’t feel like answering something from the lower ranks. What’s the matter, Melissa? Afraid you actually care about your squadmates? Do you long for the days in Khanka when you left us to dry and then took part in a split-second rescue to salvage your credibility in our eyes?” Kurz was livid, and he was glowering at Melissa’s statement.

Melissa did the only thing she could think of at the moment that would best resolve the situation. She grabbed him by his collar and knocked him against the wall. Kurz grimaced. She just couldn’t knock him into a flat section of the wall; instead, she had to throw him into where the fire extinguisher was placed.

I tested the limits of her temper all right. She does care a lot more than I thought.

“Don’t ever think that I left you behind voluntarily!” Her voice had a drilling edge to it as she stressed each word.

“I already told you I couldn’t leave you to die. Get these facts through your skull, Sergeant Weber. I am your CO, I care about the lives of my men, and I don’t need to be questioned on my actions by my men!”

This particular scene was reminiscent of when the Minotaur corned Theseus. Only this time, poor Theseus was unarmed and ill prepared. The anger faded from her face quickly, seeing as Kurz’s had been properly told off, and she then sauntered over to her chair and left Kurz to sit back down on the couch.

“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by myself...” sarcasm dripped from that sentence.

“Around when I was 8, Lt. Culler got promoted and was transferred elsewhere, and my German tutor was strictly scholarly. So my father began to take me to Kobe more. On business trips, to meet with associates, and generally to spend time with me. Those trips earned me several things, and I got into even more trouble than even Sousuke could.” Kurz looked serious obviously these weren’t exactly happy times.

“When I was 9 I got into a real mess involving business negotiations. It turns out that the business had been hampered by Yakuza tampering. They were demanding protection money, hassling workers, and generally putting a damper on the business. My father, along with several local reps and their bodyguards, went to talk with them. I tagged along and brought my Walther P88. My father had been so impressed with my shooting, he bought it for me. He told me not to bring it, but I, of course, didn’t comply. The whole mess involving my gun made me the Icarus of SAM Electronics.” Melissa had a cagey look on her face, and motioned for him to continue.

“As luck would have it, I got bored of these adult talks and went outside. I left the mansion with the yakuza’s permission and wandered off into some side alley. Some teenage punks had bought a pistol from one of the local fences and were shooting cans that were placed on a fence. They nearly had knocked out some windows and were generally having a great time. Being the innocent kid, I asked if I could join in. Of course I was laughed at until I knocked down all 7 cans and had still 8 rounds left. I don’t know what they were more surprised at--that I knocked down all of the cans, or that I had a gun.”

“Either way, they were quite surprised to have a pint-sized marksman make them look bad. Following street code, I was challenged to a shooting match by their abashed leader to hit all 15 cans without reloading. He was allowed a reload, because he was carrying a Tokarev TT with only 8 rounds. In the contest I managed to knock down 12 cans, and their leader, around 8. Needless to say, these dilettantes were not pleased with their leader’s defeat by the great Kurz Weber. Having run out of ammunition, I was stuck. I couldn’t defend myself and expected to get pounded. I might have been if I hadn’t agreed to accompany them on some simple vandalism. Throwing bricks into windows and the like, just stuff stupid kids do.” He looked at the walls of Melissa’s quarters, with various calendars, and letters, and artwork from orphanages she had visited.

“We ended up sneaking into the Ashiya district by sheer luck. We had arrived when the guards were changing, and this allowed us to sneak through the fence. We were all skinny enough. Being a rather ambitious group of young punks, we picked the biggest house we could to brick. The leader threw his brick first, and it fell short. I couldn’t contain my laughter, so I had to go next. Two things went wrong when I threw that brick. First, I was throwing it at the Yakuza enclave where my father was negotiating, and my brick went through the window. It hit the Senior Yakuza in the head. Nearly gave the poor guy an aneurysm and once the guards fanned out and found us. Well...let’s just say they thought I was a corporate child assassin. If my father hadn’t kept his cool, the Yakuza would have killed both of us.” His boots continued to rest on the battered supply locker that served as a coffee table.

“Needless to say, the Yakuza actually stepped up their efforts to halt SAM Electronics. My father had a death warrant on his head if he ever returned to Ashiya district with me again. He wasn’t exactly pleased. At least he didn’t find the Walther 88 I had brought. Over the next few years my dad and I went back to Kobe on weekends. Since I was prohibited from hanging out with him, I hung out with the punks that I had met that night we bricked the house of the Yakuza. I never could figure out how they picked up so many chicks, after all I do the same as them to show that I like a girl…They were rude, crude, and perverted, and the chicks actually liked them. It hasn’t ever worked for me…Of course there was a 3 year difference, so while they were putting on the moves, I was gawking. Apparently, I missed the most important part of their lessons.” He had an innocent look on his face.

“Obviously so, Kurz. It seems you missed the entire lesson,” Melissa remarked acidly. She took a long drag on her cigarette.

“It could be that some of the techniques only work in Japan and Italy…” He winked at her.

“I honed my marksmanship hanging with those guys. The various contests that our street gang entered, we won hands down, even with Yakuza competing. This punk Gai-Jin beat ‘em all, and wasn’t exactly the typical foreigner. I grew up in Japan, so I understand the Japanese. It’s all about saving face, so usually other groups were awarded primary winnings, and they challenged us again, in a head to head. That’s where stuff got difficult. I’d have to do insane things like shoot the targets standing on my head, shoot them with the gun in between my legs, and shoot with my off hand. The targets were even more bizarre than the positions they made me shoot in. I remember shooting at numbers on a clock tower, street signs, so they’d make a new word, signs on particular parts of kanji, chain links, neon lights, street lamps, blowing the locks off parking meters, through the suit of an ace, buttons off trenchcoats, and the hardest was hitting coins flipping through the air. It’s really no wonder I can shoot because of all those insane challenges they heaped on me so I’d lose.” Kurz was absentmindedly juggling 3 beer bottles while he told this story.

“Anyway, around when I was 13, my dad decided to ship me home to Wiesbaden. Something about ‘Being a true German' and all that. I arrived alone, and lived alone.” It came out in a flat monotone. He tried to melt into the couch.

“Kurz, I’ve been meaning to ask to you this…Whatever happened to your mother?” Melissa looked at him with concern.

“Oh, my mother? She worked at the American Embassy. She was an aide to one of the senior diplomats. She met my father while skiing in the Alps. Apparently, they liked each other enough and were going to get married after I was born. My mom was transferred to the embassy in Russia right before my dad moved. My dad did not want me growing up in an enemy country, and my mother was fine with that. When I came home to Weisbaden she was overjoyed to see me, but because of her promotion in the Diplomatic service, she rarely had time to spend with me. The best memories I had of her were those at the State Dinners. She sure was a good diplomat, and was loose on the reins, unlike my dad. Only problem was, I never really felt that she was around enough to actually be a mother towards me. Our relationship was rather…distant.” He had a vacant look in his eyes.

“On one of my more memorable jaunts around Weisbaden, I tried to sneak into the Parkcafe bar when my 16th birthday was 2 weeks away. I wasn’t stopped by a bouncer, but I was stopped by a teenage waitress. She gently turned me away from the bar and told me to come back in two weeks. Then she’d make sure I got the best service available, and she winked. Being an idiot, I didn’t exactly get the innuendo. If there was ever a more pathetic sight, I can’t find it; me ogling her all the while standing openmouthed was apparently enough to make her think I was cute. Her name was Lorelei…”

Melissa had seen Kurz look this way twice--when Gauron was apparently killed, and when he found about the “Run around the base naked” contest. It was an expression that seemed more appropriate now.

“I visited every day of those two weeks after her shift, and we got to know each other better. I still don’t know why she even bothered to talk to me. Maybe because I was persistent or maybe because my stumbling was so pathetic it was cute. She wasn’t the stereotypical German beauty, exactly, but she sure was pretty. She had brown hair, and the most gorgeous set of brown eyes you’ve ever seen.” At the beginning of the latter part of the statement, Melissa had dropped her beer, but then regained composure. Kurz had begun to look wistful, the emotion worming into his expression, when he mentioned Lorelei.

“It was interesting, getting acclimated to western culture again, remembering that the women aren’t exactly doormats and are more aggressive. It might have endeared me to Lorelei; I’m not really sure. Most chicks would slap me if I made such a blatant come-on, but perhaps…” He let the sentence trail off.

“She saw something in you that others didn’t. She was flattered by the attention, and it must have just seemed to be cute, because it was from a guy like you, someone with an earnest look on his face, someone who was just looking for a relationship or a friend. She must have been pretty compassionate.” Melissa finished it for him.

“Truer words never spoken, Sergeant Major. You’d laugh if you heard what I said to her at times, either that or slug me. I clung to her like a child does his mother. It wasn’t the lost puppy act either, but getting to see her was the highlight of my day for those two weeks. She always had something nice to say, and actually thought I was funny. Guess humor doesn’t cross the Atlantic does it Sis?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Melissa just sighed and waved her hand for the idiotic Kraut to continue.

“On my 16th birthday, I did come in as promised; I stayed until her shift was over, and invited her to sit with me. I don’t know how I conjured up the guts to ask her that, but I did, stuttering and blushing the whole time I did it.”

“Did she accept your invitation, Kurz?”

“She did. That night was one of the best I’ve ever had. For once, Melissa, I felt like someone cared deeply about me, how I felt, and who I was. I had never felt so attached to somebody before. Spending time with her was like a drug, and I was addicted. We sat and talked until the bar closed for the night about everything you could think of that two teenagers would talk about. The thing was, Melissa, she didn’t sit across from me, and she sat next to me. Like she just wanted to be close to a friend. I was a little…nervous. It was a nice feeling. I had been wringing my hands in anxiety until she stopped me. I really had never done this sort of thing before, yet she grasped my hands in her own and just laughed. Told me to calm down, and try to relax. I had never felt so peaceful before. It was like gravity couldn’t affect me. Melissa, the weird thing was I liked everything about her. Her laugh, her smile, everything.” Kurz’s tone of voice suggested he was on cloud nine, at this point in his life.

Kurz was in bonafide love? Well, if that doesn’t take the cake. Shows he isn’t just a pervert after all.

“I had learned earlier that she was helping to support her family by working at the bar. She had actually promised her parents she’d be home right after her shift. Of course that didn’t happen. I told her to cash her paycheck, say she worked overtime, and I was escorting her home. There are advantages of being liquid. I basically gave her 3 days pay for her “overtime work”. She refused this at first, but then realized it was the only way to stay out of trouble with her dad. I walked her home, and made sure I was aptly rewarded for my “gallantry” as she put it.” Kurz’s countenance was unreadable.

“After that, I asked her out on a real date and we became like this. Even her old man approved of it, seeing as she was hooking up with guy who was going to go places, and would treat her well. My mother says it reminded her of dad and herself. I kept that observation away from Lorelei. I already explained how I had been with a street gang, any other unsavory details I’d tell her when we weren’t just starting out.”

“How’d she take that one? Even this Lorelei isn’t that tolerant, right?”

“She took it at face value, considering me a dashing rogue from society. She also warned me if I did that under her watch, she’d clock me one.”

“Sounds like a pretty good woman to me. Why aren’t you doing some plush trick shooting or diplomatic job then? The way you talk about her, I’d assume you’re already married.”

“When I was 17, I took Lorelei to the Alps to go skiing. Sort of a 1 year anniversary present for her. She and I were thinking of getting married soon, and I was planning to give a pre-engagement ring…While we were at the lodge, I took her out for lunch at a gourmet restaurant. A certified chef offered us a sample of puffer-fish. Melissa, you don’t want to know how I found out the guy was certified. I was stuffed, but asked Lorelei if she’d like some, and she accepted.” His voice was barely audible now.

“How’d you find out he was a certified chef?”

“I jammed my pistol down his pants, and said I’d blow his dick off if he didn’t show me certification pronto.” The smug smile replaced the melancholy scowl.

“Well…after lunch we decided to go skiing. That’s when it happened.” He paused and collected his thoughts.

“The fish…” His voice was a harsh whisper, “Was undercooked. Lorelei suffered a reaction to the poison while we were skiing. She went limp in front of me and slammed into the tree.” His voice broke. Melissa could have sworn she heard water slosh over gravel, as the German spoke. “She fractured her neck…and she became a quadriplegic. The doctors later said it was tetrodotoxin related, apparently she lost consciousness as she went over a bump.” His face was a mask of twisted agony.

Kurz thinks that’s his fault? Oh god, that’s a hell of a guilt complex to carry around. I understand why he’s so lighthearted all of the time now…Anything to forget or push the burden out of his mind.

“I still was devoted to her. As soon as she regained consciousness…I gave her the ring…she wouldn’t take it…said it wouldn’t be fair to me. I didn’t listen and said I’d stay by her side. She really couldn’t do much to stop me, and I don’t think she wanted to. She just wanted what was best for us. After that, I desperately wanted her to heal, and got into some serious debt getting treatment. My mother sent me to John Hopkins University to talk to Doctor Enzo Sakeri. He was and still is a specialist in neurosurgery, and suggested a radical new treatment for her: nerve knitting. I’d have to pay some of the R&D costs, along with the actual treatment, which would rebuild and reconnect the nerves in her spine, as well has forming a stronger framework so it couldn’t happen again. The total cost for me was around 7 million dollars, American money. 5 for research, and the other 2 for micro/nano surgery she’d have to undergo. My father’s company, the US government, and the owner of the bar, who also owned a lot of other property, all chipped in. They shaved around 23 million off the cost. I’m eternally grateful to all of them, because it’s only 7 million instead of 30. I tried modeling for 6 months and chipped around 1 million off the cost. But I just didn’t like it, It wasn’t too my tastes. Lorelei was a little afraid of the impact it might have on me. So I quit."

“I decided to go merc. Put my skills to good use, y’know? It was terribly lonely, and got a little…desperate. So I want to apologize for the whole incident at the training camp.”

“The 1st year in Mithril took 500,000 off the costs, and hopefully I can get out of debt. I think I’ll stay in Mithril, though.”

“Why? Don’t you want to finally be reunited with Lorelei?” Melissa’s voice was pained, She didn’t want to lose her best marksman, and a good friend.

“Remember that week I went binge drinking? Didn’t come out of the bar for a week?”

“Yeah? Why?” Melissa was intensely curious.

“Lorelei…Treatment was proceeding extremely well, she had been upgraded from a paraplegic to being completely healthy. However, she had grown lonely while I was gone, and and and…” He faltered.

It came out in a whisper. “She sent me a letter informing me it was over, and that I could transfer costs to the doctor if I wished. I still cared about her, and so I wanted the money to be a rather sick reminder that she left me. Even though I had been fighting and shedding blood for her sake. It left me in ruin, emotionally…and then--and then--AND THEN!” Anger dominated his face.

“She said she'd dumped him and wanted to get back together with me! Apparently the doc wouldn’t foot the bill! She and him had some real intimate relations, and I hadn’t even gotten close to doing stuff like that!” His face was clouded with rage.

“I was betrayed. That’s my story, Melissa. Hope it gave you enough barbs to ‘motivate me’. I’ll see you later, I’ve got a date with some beer. Can I have one more of your hangover pills?”

“Sure, why not? What for, exactly?”

“I want to be sober before Stoneface and Highpockets debrief us and we go back to Tokyo to help Sousuke.”

She handed him the pills, and took his hands in her own. Partially because she thought she should make a gesture, and it would prevent Kurz from leaving.

“Listen Kurz, this makes us two of a kind. We both were betrayed by the ones we loved the most. I’m only going to say this once, so listen good. You are a good man, damn well better, than most guys women bring home. Don’t forget and don’t doubt it. You’ll find someone, trust me.”

She gave him a hug, just to clarify the message. Because she was off duty the day before, she was not wearing her service uniform. Kurz’s face was appropriately red, and Melissa decided it was worth whatever the pervert thought of the gesture. It allowed her to exorcise her feelings for now.

He got up from the couch, and turned towards her. “Melissa?”

“What’s up Weber?”

“Thanks. For listening, for being there, for being one of the best authority figures I’ve served under.”

“Anytime.”
He exited the room.

“I must be crazy, but love is...a madness most discreet. I’m not in the mental ward yet, but I might be going there…” Melissa mused.

[Kelek]

Argh. Don't thank me.

[Flushes red]

[Avlor]

Woo hoo!

You did a great job describing Kurz and telling his story. You've made him even more lovable in girls' eyes. I could almost cry! (Sniff!)

Thanks for making Mao be supportive of him.

sigh... (now to wait for more....pout)

[Kelek]

Yeah, I think you've made their characters more developed than in the first chapters. Those chapters had a "stereotypical abusive relationship" type of thing going on.
By the way, Melissa calls Kurz either "Kurz" or "Urz 6," and he calls her either "Urz 2," "Mao," or when not in battle, "Sis." He probably doesn't call her by the first name because she's his superior. Something like that.
Keep going...

[Andrei Burnside]

I've figured out the general details of the two sequals to follow it, including what happens who dies, who doesn't, etc, etc. Now that I finally closed myself away and thought about the plot for a good 2 hours, I now have to write it. Expect RIM 7 to shy away from Melissa's and Kurz's perspective. I had an idea . You who like the story probably would have crucified me and TK for thinking of such mean things about what to do and how to end this. Fortunately I decided to have a ending that suited my tastes, and ran more towards jubilant than melancholy. Expect it to be completely in character. The ending of the entire story...that is.