One Headlight

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

The transport rose, a slight shudder resonating through it as its engines roared. It began to rotate, turning in the volcanic landscape of Sullust. It would be some time before Kaile would return, her assignment consisting of a long term operation assessed to be important for the next step after Lujo.

That step being Corellia.

Kaile nibbled on her lower lip as she continued her sketching, making notes here and there about what she knew of the Varactyl Class. Time passed and she found herself enthralled. With an hours worth of work, the Lorrdian set down her stylus and would lean back. Arms went stretching high over her head, feeling the satisfying cracks of her spine, and a yawn erupting from her lips. Stretch done, her right hand came up to rub the nape of her neck.

Not too shabby, she thought to herself. There was a small smile on her face. Something that she had been lacking. It was just a tiny bit of that connection to Kurt she would allow herself.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

The pile was eventually scooped up into a trash bag, a flowery smelling plastic thing that Kaile had picked up in some market. The trash items, the things that had been damaged and shredded beyond repair went into the bag. Among the damaged items were a few pillows, some models, a tiny sculpture that Kaile had bought, and a few other knick knacks that had been brought aboard. The most painful thing, at least for Kurt, that went into the garbage was his mothers lamp.

It was a gift that his mother had given him for The Messa, a gift that held small amounts of sentimental value not only because it came from home, but also because it held memories of another woman from his life. The memory flared in his mind for a momeny as he put the lamp into the bag, remembering Jamie lifting up the small light with nothing but a thought. For a brief moment he allowed his mind to wander, a much needed distraction that he had been mired in. A sigh escaped from his lips, his eyes closing as a shutter wracked over his body.

His head shook again, and slowly Kurt tied the bag closed.

The other pile was quickly picked up as well, though none of it was placed into a garbage bag. Instead it was all neatly lined up onto the kitchen counter. There was no particular order to the items, but he placed them all within a row, a reminder that Kaile would soon be coming home, a reminder that he had something to look forward to. His eyes caught on the cube for half a moment, his teeth sinking into his lips for half a second as he fought the urge to pick it up. Another shake of his head and Kurt turned away from the box. "No."

He couldn't place the odd pull, his vision becoming hazy for half a second as he wandered over to the ladder, though that was quickly chalked up to the injuries.

Kurt would be on Sullust soon, he didn't have time for games.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Hunger is what drew her to stand, her stomach growling and twisting as it had the past few days. To say that she'd lost her appetite would be putting it lightly, but for some reason, she was quite hungry at the present time. Perhaps it was due to having toiled over the project for Kurt she was working on, and that gave her a measure of an appetite for the present time.

There was a small galley on board, buffet style. It allowed for passengers to come and go as they pleased to gather what they would like to eat. It also offered a small seating area. With her pack in hand, Kaile would make her way there. Along with the hot and cold food were various protein bars and nutrient energy bars. Knowing that her appetite may be fleeting, she decided to purchase a few of those for later.

Her hands curled around a package of nuts and pretzels, the bag crinkling just as another memory came to her. Cloud Nine. Kurt had been so hungry then. The corner of her mouth perked. That hadn't been the first time. He was the reason why she would pack extra snacks in her pack along with a few bottles of water. He was always hungry, and if he had his way, all he would eat would be your basic space fare.

It was one of the reasons she did the cooking around the Messa. It made sure that Kurt was eating healthy, but also... it was nice. Both of them would work together, even if it was helping with prep while they would talk. Sometimes it would be about where they would go the next time Kurt had leave, others about his routes. More than a few times the topic of conversation had been about the upgrades of the Messa, while others resulted with them both being silly and far more food spread on each other than on their plates.

It had been fun.

She missed that. Terribly.

What she would give to have Kurt sit and eat with her again.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

The Messa dropped out of hyperspace several thousand kilometers away from Sullust.

Almost immediately a dozen or so alarms went off within the cockpit. Sensor systems, targeting alerts, and even a missile lock instantly flared to life, the defense systems of the Galactic Alliance targeting the lone vessel mere seconds after it had dropped back into realspace. Out of reflex Kurt let out a series of curses, his hands jumping away from the controls and immediately reaching out towards the holo-communicator to his right. He typed in the frequency fast and quickly began broadcasting. "To all Galactic Alliance Defense Installations, this is Kurt Meyer with the Sif Shipping corporation of the Varactly-Class Freighter The Messa."

He tried to sound as official as he possibly could, his voice even and steady even as his heart pounded in his chest.

Silenced reigned within the cockpit, only the steady thump thump thump of his heart resounding within his ears.

"Confirmed, Messa. Please state your destination."

For a moment Kurt wasn't quite sure what to say. Should he lie? Be direct? Should he say that he was only here for a small visit? No that didn't really make any sense. It was likely that the Carrier had already reported back to FLEETCOM about the escaped Freighter that they had found. There was no use in lying to them, especially considering that if he did they could shoot him out of the sky within half a second passing.

"Alliance Intelligence Headquarters." Kurt finally spat out, his heart beginning to thump louder.

This time the silence went on for longer, a good two minutes passing before the voice finally echoed again.

"Confirmed. Please proceed to the following coordinates."

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

The buffet line wasn't to overcrowded. Most of the passengers had settled to find their own seats. Not many were hungry as of yet. Kaile went from one line to the other, walking slowly to see what she would like to eat at the time. Something that wasn't too heavy. Maybe soup? Stew?

Stew.

The noodle and veggie stew Kurt's mother had made had been delicious. Kaile had intended to ask the woman how to make it, figuring that Kurt would enjoy having it on the Messa when they were traveling. Now she'd never be able to do that. A hand went reaching out for the small basket of fruit. Her fingers would curl around a geldun-sun apple. She brought it up, her thumb running across the waxy skin.

What would he do with her room? Sell it? Throw it away? Her thumb began to sweep small circles. The thought didn't bother her as much as the following one. Would he get someone else to live with him? The possibility that Kurt would bring in another roommate made her stomach clench. It made her chest hurt. It was such a strange sensation. Kurt had every right to, but the thought that someone else would be sharing the Messa with him made her stomach churn.

Hot air blew out of her cheeks, puffing them up.

Yeah, so much for being hungry.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

He probably should have questioned that a bit more, but then again who truly questioned their own fortune? Instead he only smiled a wide smile, thinking finally he had managed to catch a break. Quickly Kurt turned The Messa in towards Sullust, zooming past the space traffic and through the shipyards. The planet was surprisingly active, thousands of ships hanging in orbit and hundreds of capital class vessels simply roaming around the system. He had expected something, but not this.

It looked like the Alliance wasn't just ready for war, but at it.

That thought made Kurt chew on his lip. Perhaps they were at war. Perhaps there had been an attack. For a moment he pondered that thought, shaking his head and realizing that it didn't matter. Whether or not the Alliance was at war, Kurt had a job to do, that job was getting Kaile back, no matter what it took. He pressed The Messa forward, slicing into Sullust's toxic atmosphere and heading directly towards the coordinates that he had been given.

The air seemed to slow The Messa, the thick atmosphere making it difficult for the engines to properly operate, though of course there was no real issue.
Eventually a building came into view, Ray shields surrounding it. Kurt slowed the vessel, his hands loosening on the control for a moment as The Messa crawled through the Ray Shield and onto the landing platform. A peek out the cockpit told him that they were expecting him, Two Galactic Alliance guarding standing watch.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

In the end, Kaile knew that she had to eat. She had to get something in her system, otherwise, she wouldn't serve any good for the mission or anything. She bought the apple along with the snacks. A small cup of Nuna noodle soup joined on her tray to eat right now. That wouldn't be too harsh on her stomach, considering how unsettled it had felt not a few minutes ago.

Kaile paid the credits, giving a small smile in gratitude at the droid server. "Thank you for your patronage."

A small nod, and Kaile's fingers tightened around her tray. Now to find a place to sit. The closest seats were already taken, but there were a few booths at the far end with decent views through the viewport. Hyperspace would streak in a white stream across the port. For Kaile, it gave her a little bit of nostalgia. Living with Kurt had given the agent more opportunities to travel than her entire career. It had been nice.

She enjoyed sitting beside him in the Messa's cockpit, helping him with preflight checks and working side by side. If there was any place that Kurt Meyer found true joy, it was flying. You could see how it brightened his face, completely took him over while using the VT Throne. Honestly, she thought that Kurt could do so much more than be a simple courier... but that wasn't her place to suggest such things.

No that was a discovery Kurt would have to find out all on his own.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Well, this was odd.

Kurt walked down the ramp of The Messa, a small hobble still located in his step.

The two guards that had been standing waiting for him almost immediately approached him, both of them not drawing their weapons but each remaining tense enough to snap at any moment. Perhaps they thought of Kurt as a threat, though he had left his blaster on the ship and his knife on the table within the galley. He had thought it best not to be armed for this, whatever this was. "I don't have anything on me, boys."

Kurt said the words as he raised both of his hands, the universal sign for innocents. Both of the guards looked at one another, then slowly shook their head.

"We'll have to search you anyway, Sir."

A grimace crossed Kurt's features, but he nodded to two men in order to give them the go ahead. One of them stayed back, his hand loosely held by his blaster while the other moved forward and slowly began to pat Kurt down. It was a slow process, and the man was slightly more thorough than Kurt would have liked, but eventually the man gave his comrade the all clear and the two nodded at one another. The Courier simply watched them, observing how they moved and what they did. He didn't plan on anything happening, but he didn't know if something would. It was better to be prepared then to get caught off guard.

"This way, Sir."

Kurt nodded, lowering his hands and following the guards.

The facility opened up in front of them quickly, Kurt unknowingly following the very path that Kaile had earlier walked.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Sliding into an empty seat, Kaile set her tray down upon the table. It was quieter her, a little bit more private. That suited her fine. There was still more that she needed to do about the shield and the reactor. Even utilizing a secondary Isotope 5 generator would do well, it was just a matter of space and what we could do.

What we could do.

It was hard to take herself out of the equation. Kaile had been a part of the Messa and its aftermarket development. She'd toiled, worked, got covered in hydraulic fluid and grease from head to toe with Kurt. The first time they tried to tweak the engines had been a hilarious venture. Nerves running hot and wondering if they were about to explode then and there during that first test run. As they'd pushed the ol' girl past the standard stock max speed, Kalie recalled vividly reaching out to take Kurt's hand and holding it tight. It hadn't been in fear. No. It had been in vivid excitement.

A wild ride for them to break through together. Maybe it was silly, certainly very reckless. It could have failed, and to be honest, could have died, but their trials lead to that day when they managed to get her to break the .5 Hyper-class drive.

The only other time that could compare and beat that rushing high had been on Tatooine, racing nature itself.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

The winding halls and corridors reminded Kurt of his walk to the Court Martial that he had received. He had been flanked by guards then too, though they had been much more amused. His vision blurred for a moment, his eyes glazing over as the member caught him unaware.

"Well, lads." He remembered saying to the guards before they entered the courtroom. Kurt had been wearing his Navy Dress Uniform, a deep blue with decorations for several battles pinned to his chest and his rank hanging from his shoulders. He had always looked rather good in that uniform, it was part of the reason why he had received the court martial in the first place. "Looks like this is the end of the rope. I'm sure they'll be putting me down. Stuck my thread through one too many needles."

They had laughed at that, though in the inside Kurt had been terrified to open those doors.

He suddenly flashed back, his head shaking from left to right as he dispelled the thoughts of the past. It wasn't something that he wanted to think about, especially not now. The future lay ahead of him, a future that would be filled with his friend and good times. Turning down the hall Kurt watched as the two guards began to move ahead of him, both of them picking up speed as they approached and office just head of him. The Courier's lips thinned for a moment.

The guards took up station beside the doorway, both of them standing at attention.

Kurt raised an eyebrow, though he said nothing, instead waiting for the door to slide up and open.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Hydian Way________
Public Transport
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Pushing those thoughts from her mind, Kaile brought out her journal again. This one was acquired during one of their stops in the Colonies. She had a bad tendency to jolt down all of her ideas on napkins, which made it very difficult to keep track. Kurt suggested a journal instead. This was the result of that.

Without further ado, and eating a spoonful of the Nuna Noodle soup now and then, Kaile went to work. A standard ray shield would work well. Since her new assignment had her at Talus and the Corellian Sector, she could actually use the nearby salvage yards to gather what she needed. The remnants of Corellia still had a vast asteroid field, along with a large amount of salvage from the event and the Battle of Corellia. She could get all she needed from there.

I just need to get a ship...

​

SULLUST______
Sullust Base


The doors slid open with a faint hiss, revealing the same wide circular room that Kaile had stepped into not forty-eight hours ago. Retii, having been given advanced noticed of just who had requested clearance to Galactic Alliance Intelligence, had allowed his entry.

Normal protocol would have transferred Meyer to the civilian sector. There he would have gone through a series of security check-points and had to apply for a pass with a voucher. Considering the Director had allowed his entry, Kurt had not idea just how lucky he was.

"I must say, Mister Meyer." his lips would move against his tusks, saying his name. His orange eyes would appraise the courier, his wings giving a slight twitch before moving in a quickened beat. That creamy pudgy belly came in sight, his wings picking him up and over his desk.

Why was he here?

"I am surprised at your presence." three fingers would gesture to him, inviting him in. "Please, take a seat."

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt didn't quite know what to say or do at first, or rather, he was hesitant to do anything at all. He wanted to make sure that he did this right, he wanted to make sure that this went well. He had but one goal in this facility, but one objective, get Kaile back. All he needed was her location, he didn't need anything else, if he left with that then there would be no trouble, anything else...well then Kurt would have to take up a few issues with the alien in front of him.

He just wanted her home.

That was all.

His lips thinned slightly, his eyes wandering over the Toydarian, following him slightly as he began to reply. "Sure."

That was all that he granted the alien for now, not that he wasn't likely to say more. Truthfully, he hadn't expected the spymaster of the Galactic Alliance to be a Toydarian. They hadn't really been a common species to see throughout the galaxy, most of them preferring to stick to their own world. Kurt had never judged them, though many found them to be utterly repulsive. Perhaps it helped that Kurt had grown up on Tatooine and had seen many aliens of many different cultures.

"Where's Kaile." Kurt said simply skipping straight to what he wanted.

 

[Kaile Vera]

SULLUST______
Sullust Base
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Now that would surprise Retii. His bulging yellow eyes would curiously peer at the former Republic Lieutenant. He appeared to consider his question for a moment, his arms moving to clasp his hands behind his back. They were alone in the Director's office, and would be left as such as long as nothing went array. In the meantime, Retii was rather curious at this turn of events.

Given the file they had on Meyer, it seemed unlikely for him to come here to search for his agent. Much the less, after what Kaile had debriefed.

"You seem to have suffered some injuries." he would first comment, one hand slipping from his grasp behind his back to gesture over to him, his snout moving with every slow methodical word he spoke.

"Would you care for any medical attention first?" he would offer first, taking note of just what were the reactions of the young Human male.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt blinked.

"No." He didn't need medical attention, or rather, he didn't want medical attention. His body might have looked broken, beaten, and dragged through the mud but Kurt wasn't about to stop his hunt for Kaile just because he had an injury or two, no, he had a mission to take care of. "Where's Kaile."

His demand was simple, easy to follow.

There was no doubt in his mind that she had been reassigned by now, that the Alliance had sent her on her way to some other place in the galaxy. He didn't much like the thought of it, Kaile alone in the galaxy, it was a dangerous place after all, but he knew that it was her job. That also meant however that these people, this man to be specific, would know exactly where she was. He could tell Kurt, and that's what mattered. The fierce gaze that he offered the Toydarian told of his determination.

He wasn't leaving here without a location.

 

[Kaile Vera]

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Retii paused in his hover. He would take in Kurt's determined expression. The rigidity of his body. The terseness.

"Mister Meyer," he would flutter over back to his desk. "For your safety as well as that of my agents, their location cannot be disclosed." He began. There was no use playing coy.

" I am curious why you seek a particular agent despite the risk to you." He would glance over at Kurt. "It was suggested that the probability of you being a physical threat to an agent low based on your previous records, but you must understand my concern if you come demanding her whereabouts."

Three fingers gestured to Kurt.

"You need not concern yourself over the agent, Meyer. You are free." Another probing search. "While her assignment to you was beneficial, she has made it clear that she no longer will participate in the assignment. Your safety and that of your family has been looked into. There is no need to get in contact with the agent, nor will I place her at risk."

He gave a small sigh. This was as much as he could do for both.

"Go home Meyer. This is an Alliance matter. "

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"No." Kurt repeated simply. "I'm not leaving here until I can get my friend back."

That really summed up his entire want and reason for being here, why he was so keen on being at the Alliance Intelligence Headquarters and why he had made this trip in the first place. Everything revolved around that, everything. Kurt wanted Kaile back, he wanted his friend to be back at home, he wanted her to live with him again.

That probably seemed childish to the Toydarian, maybe even idiotic, but Kurt didn't really care what others thought.

Kaile had opened up his life, had given him a sense of home away from home. She had traveled with him, taken care of him, done everything that she could have done to make him happy and to see him through the toughest of times. She had saved his life on more than one occasion, taking care of him for three days straight when he had come down off of a spice and stim bender that would have killed most organics. He wasn't about to just leave her, wasn't about to just let her run off and go back to the life that he had been living before. Kurt didn't want that, he couldn't handle that. His lips thinned, and his eyes set on the Toydarians.

"No matter where she is, no matter where you sent her. She's coming back home with me." Childish, selfish, and completely and entirely Kurt Meyer.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Sullust__________
Sullust Base - Galactic Alliance
Space Port
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

The thick ridges of Retii’s brows rose, his bulging orange eyes curious peering upon the pilot, searching.

“Your friend?” that seemed to surprise the Toydarian. The beat of his wings grew as the pudgy Director flew closer to where Kurt sat.

“And you want her to come back home with you?” he seemed to consider this, his snout moving over his tusks. The scent of sweet spice lingered.

“Meyer, we are discussing an agent of the Alliance.” he wasn’t trying to be cruel, or ignore the courier’s desires, but it had to be said. Kaile was an agent, with duties and responsibilities. It had been her decision to return to base and terminate her current status with the pilot; albeit unknowing that it had been an embedded mission all along.

“The only reason I left her in your care for the better part of a year, is because she was in the perfect position for her objective.” there was no reason to deny it. It made sense.

Three fingers would uncurl to gesture to him. “You had an extensive military career. Psyche profile suggested you would be a suitable candidate to work along with our agent. Your profession allowed her to be in various locations without any suspect --” a pause then a pointed emphasis,” All passive, as it was determined by your own selection of courier jobs.”

He flew to hover about a meter away from the pilot, that pudgy belly bare like a ripe melon.

“This, in its entirety means nothing, if I cannot have her pursue the same role as she has before. Her skills save lives, Meyer.” his lips thinned.

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

"I don't care." Kurt said as though that were enough.

He knew what Kaile did.

He knew what it meant.

Yet he just didn't care. Kurt wanted his friend back. He didn't care about the galaxy, he didn't care about the greater good, he didn't care if people got hurt because of it or if he had to hurt them. He wanted his roommate back, he wanted to be selfish. He had done his time in the Navy, he had been nice to the galaxy, he had done his job. It was time for him to get something, it was time for him to benefit. He deserved it, no, more importantly, Kaile deserved it.

She had done so much.

So much for him, for others, for the galaxy itself probably. Kaile deserved to be at home, she deserved to have a friend, to have a family. Kurt was that family, he knew that, he had seen the way she'd enjoyed spending time with him, just being on The Messa. She deserved that feeling, she deserved to be at home with him.

"I'm getting her back." Kurt said again. "I don't care about the consequences."

 

[Kaile Vera]

Sullust__________
Sullust Base - Galactic Alliance
[member="Kurt Meyer"]

Retii would bore his bulgy orange eyes at the former Republic Lieutenant.

“You may not care.” Retii told him carefully. “But my agent does.” And that was the fact. His wings began to flutter him back towards the desk.

“Why else would she take another assignment?” he would state with an uncurling of his fingers. His shoulders rose as he took a deep breath. He hovered in front of a large viewport, starting out into the Sullust volcanic landscape.

His hands went curling to the small of his back. He was silent for a few moments. His tusks would move as he shifted his jaw. Thinking.

“There might be a way.”

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Kaileann Vera"]

Kurt sighed. This had to be something to do with work for the Alliance. Something to do with infiltration or maybe a strike on the Sith. It would be breaking a promise to himself, a promise that he had made after his court martial. The Sith had taken a part of him, they had torn a piece of him out and thrown it onto the floor. The Republic wasn't innocent in this regard either of course, they had taken a piece of him and just...his head shook to the side.

This wasn't about him.

"What..." Kurt trailed off, did he want to do this? "What do you want me to do?"

There was so much hesitation in his voice. So much to be weary of, but this wasn't about him. Kurt had been selfish for most of his life. Sure he had helped his parents, sure he had helped one or two innocent waitresses, but that hardly made up for everything he had done. "Anything to get her back."

Anything.