Big Changes

One month after Sergeant Major Mao had left, the Lieutenant saw that team efficiency was back where it had been and morale was almost back to normal. The exception in morale was Kurz Weber. He did his duty and worked as hard as the rest of the team but the easygoing Kurz just didn't have the same zest he had put into everything. He wasn't a loner or turned away friendship, it just seemed as if a spark was no longer there.

Sgt Sagara came to train with AL every so often or would go on missions. Those seemed to be the times that Kurz seemed his old self. When he came at the end of that month for training, he had an extra spring to his step. Kurz realized that over the last few months, there had been a change in Sousuke that he was just know noticing. Since it was the end of the training day, he asked Sousuke to drop by his room for something to drink. Kurz sat opposite Sousuke and just looked at him for a few seconds. Sousuke seemed more relaxed, comfortable, than he had been in the past. Somehow, more mature and confident. He, definitely, had an air of being pleased about something. Sousuke looked across at Kurz and was shaken by the change in his friend. His outward appearance hadn't changed much but Sousuke felt that he had lost something important and was suffering for that reason.

Sousuke took a sip of his soda and decided to try to get to the bottom of this change. He started by making small talk about the team but saw that Kurz tensed up on that subject. He asked how the Captain, Kalinin and Mardukas were doing and Kurz readily answered. Kurz asked in turn how he was doing in school and Sousuke said much better, that he hardly blew things up anymore.

Kurz said. "I'll bet Kaname is relieved about that."

He noticed Sousuke had a small smile on his face.

Kurz asked. "OK, whats with the smile? Does it have something to do with Kaname?"

That put a bigger smile on Sousuke's face.

"Alright," Kurz said. "Don't leave me in suspense. You finally asked her out on a date? You finally kissed her? Come on out with it."

Sousuke told him and Kurz's jaw hit the floor. Sousuke, the man of steel, had not only been dating and kissing her but had gotten engaged! Kurz got up, walked over to the window and looked out.

Sousuke asked. "What are you looking for?"

"Well," replied Kurz. "The sun hasn't gone nova and I don't see a bright star to the east."

Sousuke looked perplexed for a second and told Kurz. "But, your window faces west, so how would..."

Kurz waved his hand and said. "Just a little joke. So how did this miracle come about?"

Sousuke related how he had been trained by Melissa and other women on the base during a two week training in Hell. He thought Kurz would think it was hilarious but saw that it saddened him for some reason.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't seen or heard any mention of Sergeant Major Mao," thought Sousuke. "Kurz," asked Sousuke. "I haven't seen Sergeant Major Mao since I've been here. Is she on leave or has something happened to her?"

Kurz took a deep breath and faced away from Sousuke.

"A couple of months ago," he said. "Something of a personal nature happened between us and it affected the team so much, she transferred to another position."

He turned and looked at Sousuke with anguish on his face. "I've tried calls, e-mails, letters but she hasn't replied. I afraid she won't forgive me and I'll have lost one of my best friends I ever had."

Sousuke said. "Strange, she readily calls or e-mails us regularly, especially since Kaname found out she is pregnant."

"You didn't think that was important to tell me, your best friend," said Kurz.

Sousuke said reasonably. "Well, I thought Melissa would have already told you about both the engagement and the pregnancy."

Kurz said. "A month ago, you were scared to even hold hands, how did you two..." "Forget it, I don't need or want to know, " Kurz said as he shook his head and waved his hands in front of him.

With a very serious look on his face, Sousuke said. "I'm very concerned about Kaname's safety while I'm not there. Wraith watches but may not react fast enough. Kaname has a weapon and knows how to use it if needed but I need to speak with the Captain about additional protection."

A week later, Kurz was told to report to Lt. Commander Kalinin's office.

"Sergeant Weber," began Kalinin. "I have a request from the Captain for a special duty detail and would like to give you first choice because of your qualifications."

Kurz asked what the detail involved.

"Something you familiar with, protecting an individual."said Kalinin.

"Gah," thought Kurz. "Being a guard dog for some politician or something." "No, thank you, sir," replied Kurz.

"Really," said Kalinin. "It's a two person team."

"Really," said Kurz. "No, sir."

"Well," Kalinin said thoughtfully. "I guess I'll have to find someone else to watch over Kaname Chidori."

"Dammit, sir," shouted Kurz. "Why didn't you just say so in the first place. Of course, I want on that detail!"

"Well, if you're sure you want the assignment, understand that as she is pregnant, a woman will be the second team member." said Kalinin.

Kurz asked. "Do you know who the woman is?"

Kalinin looked at the paperwork and said. "No mention of the name but she would be picked for her special qualifications also."

Kurz only hoped that whoever she was he could work with her. Kalinin told him to report to the briefing room as the team will be leaving immediately.

Kurz walked toward the briefing room. As he got closer to the door, he heard the Captain answering a question. The next question asked, made him stand stunned. Was that Melissa's voice? He slowly approached the door and looked around the frame. It was her! Well, it only made sense that she be first choice since she was familiar to the community and Kaname's friend.

"Boy," Kurz thought. "Melissa must have been at a desk too long and not working out, she's gotten a little bit bigger in the butt. Geez, remember not to say that out loud. I need to make a good impression. This is our first meeting in months."

He stepped back a ways up the hallway and made sure his steps were heard and then entered the briefing room. He reported to the Captain. Melissa was still faced away from him.

"Great," He thought. "We're going to be working as a team and it looks like she still hasn't gotten over whatever is bothering her."

The Captain asked if he had volunteered for the special detail and he answered that he had. She looked down at the paperwork, snorted and giggled, straightened out her face.

"You were selected because of your qualifications," she said. "You were given first choice because of a special qualification only you have."

Kurz asked. "Was Sergeant Major Mao selected for the same special qualification?"

"Oh, no," said the Captain. "She has a special qualification all her own."

The Captain said. "Melissa, why don't you show Sgt Weber your special qualification?"

Melissa turned to face Kurz. Kurz heard a strange buzzing sound, the room appeared to be getting darker and as the room completely went black, he swore he heard women laughing and giggling.

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