Chapter 4 & 5 Intermission 4: Unwelcome Reunion II

[Ray of Meep]

Co-authored by: Ray of Meep (GM), Ikate Keda Studios

???? A.D, five days after the incident at the market center

Silbern System, Stahl Belt, Nikolaus Otto dwarf-planetary system, Daheim One

The Grau couple were once again standing outside Daheim One's airlock, maglocked to the walls of the tube. Eberhard had his hands behind his back, then crossed his arms, then placed both hands on his sides, while Ulrike watched unamused with her hands in her pockets. Eberhard opened his mouth, but his wife put a finger in front of it.

"I know, you don't like the situation, but what are we going to do?" Ulrike pulled her hand back. "We're still on thin ice with the higher-ups. Having a legal battle over custody isn't going to help our situation."

"I feel like we had a similar conversation when we just got here a few weeks ago." Eberhard frowned. "And I remember you saying us having to do things we don't like. I didn't imagine it would be bowing to political pressures. What happened to being an organization that did the morally right thing instead of the politically right one?"

Ulrike didn't respond. Eberhard continued. "I'm giving you a heads up. If you won't give the team a job beyond this mind-numbing cop duty, I will."

"You better not get us into trouble." It was Ulrike's turn to frowned.

Eberhard shrugged. "That didn't sound like a no."

Ulrike was ready to protest, but her watch beeped. "Do me a favor and look friendly. His shuttle's about here."

"Fiiiine." Eberhard made a exaggerated gesture of licking his hand and fixing his hair, then put up a clownish smile bearing his teeth as another shuttle approached. Miranda and Jacob had been on the first one, alone, which was odd given how Joan almost never let them out of her sight when she was off duty and they weren't on the Daheim One.

It stopped, and Joan got out of the shuttle, followed by Tyler as she pushed herself to grab her bags from the trunk. Tyler just waved at Ulrike and Eberhard with a smile, floating over to them as Joan followed behind, one bag on her shoulder, the other in her opposite hand.

"Hey! Rikey! Eberhard!" Tyler said, stopping himself delicately on the hull. "Been a while since I saw you guys! I hear you two gave Ms Page a job," He chuckled. "How're you two holding up? And how's Hayden doing? He's about Jacob's age right?"

"A couple years older." Ulrike smiled back and stepped over, giving her old friend a hug. "We're doing just fine. Decided to settle down for a few months before we go on our next big adventure." Eberhard simply smiled and nodded, while going over to Joan to help her with her bags.

Joan quietly thanked Eberhard, letting him take one of the bags but otherwise being fairly quiet all things considered. Tyler, however, pulled Ulrike's attention. "You know, we should really grab a drink some time, you know? Like we used too back in the academy. You and Eberhard were always playing this song and dance I had to sit through," He teased, carefully looking around so as to not loose his balance in the zero-gravity. "So this is your ship huh?"

"Yep." Ulrike chuckled. "Got it with a discount and named her Daheim One. Home One. We can head up her bar once we get the paperwork done for your employment and living arrangements." Eberhard flew past the two as he pulled Joan's bag through the airlock.

"Man, it's nice to hear that," Tyler said, looking at Eberhard with a smile. "Thanks for the hand man, I appreciate it!" He added, looking back at Ulrike. "I'll gladly take you up on that drink, but living arrangements shouldn't be hard. Joan and I are going to see if we can make things work again," He said, offering Ulrike the lead. "If you would like to lead the way?"

Eberhard stepped out awkwardly. "Of course." Ulrike responded first with a metal card, ignoring his comment about Joan. "You'll need this first. A badge to carry around so the ship doesn't tag you as an intruder. You'll have to carry it around until we microchip you, which also means, unfortunatley, somebody will have to let you in every time you come."

Tyler shrugged. "Sounds reasonable to me. Wouldn't want me setting off alarms every few minutes. Joan can let me in if I ever need to leave, but I know these ships pretty well. You never really need to leave if you don't mind being on a ship. I've spent enough time on ships so I should be good," He smiled, taking the card.

Ulrike led him inside. All the corridors were naturally closed off by airlocks, only opening as the band moved from one to the next. She didn't show much of the command module to Tyler, instead led him straight down the central spine of the frigate to the rotating habitation module. Here, they were able to walk around normally. Eberhard helped get Joan situated back in her room, while Ulrike brought Tyler into the ship's bar. At the coffee table was a datapad already placed. Tyler was to take a seat while Ulrike poured him a jug of beer.

 

[Ray of Meep]

"Enjoy yourself first, before we discuss our plans." Ulrike commented.

"Certainly," Tyler said, taking the jug of beer. "You always did know how to have some fun Ulrike, so what are ya doing now? Joan's out gallivanting as a police officer, and obviously she isn't there for show! Most of the security on this station are lazy bums who would sooner file an insurance report than chase down a shoplifter," He chuckled, shaking his head a little.

"A little business we're doing with the government, may involve smacking some heads once in a while." Ulrike winked mischeviously, "And you'll be joining us." She tapped on Tyler's datapad, showing a form. "I've already secured you a job with the police and an apartment to live in. The Hings ring needs some folks with technical skills who also know how to give a beatdown once in a while. Once you fill out your preferences you can walk away, or stay around, with employment."

"Awe, Ulrike," Tyler smiled, leaning back in his chair, looking having looked over the form for a minute, "I appreciate the help! I'd love to work for Security, but I don't think the apartment is necessary! Me and Joan are trying to work things out," He explained wth a shrug. "For the kids you know? They need both parents, I've learned that much at least."

"Of course." Ulrike nodded, "But I just wanted to give you the oppurtunity to live somewhere not the size of a closet."

"I'll talk to Joan about it," Tyler said, taking another drink fro his jug. "I mean, she could probably do with settling down. So, what is it that she does exactly? I mean, she was in the military for a while, but she never exactly saw the worst of it," He said, looking around. "She went into her first combat op when Jacob was four, terrified," He chuckled.

Ulrike raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

"Hmm?" Tyler asked, looking at Ulrike. "Something up?"

"Your son was right to be terrified." Ulrike avoided Tyler's gaze for a moment, instead got herself a drink. "Joan ran into Chongwu on a mission, after you left, soldier-class. She was... hurt pretty badly. Pretty much all her internal organs had to be replaced."

Tyler frowned. "Wow," He said, going quiet for a moment. "Well, she seems up and about all right," He smiled. "I'm glad she made it through that."

Ulrike went quiet for a few seconds, gave Tyler an inquisitive look, then spoke up. "You know that Joan doesn't like to show her pain, right? She didn't tell you she can't have children anymore?"

Tyler shook his head. "No... No she didn't," He said, crossing his arms. "That's unfortunate. I should go tell her that's okay," He sighed with a frown. "Thank you for telling me."

"I hope you do more than that." Ulrike gulped her drink. "She's been raising your kids by herself for a while now. You have a chance to be a good father now, Tyler. Don't fu--, don't mess it up."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Tyler smiled, setting his cup down. "Thanks for the help, and the drink. I'm going to go help Joan get the room set up. Again, thank you for everything you've done," He said, leaving Ulrike in the bar as he passed Eberhard walking in.

Eberhard waited until Tyler was gone gone, before looking at Ulrike. "I really don't like this Ulrike," He said, crossing his arms. "She isn't acting like herself."

"Of course she isn't." Ulrike emptied her pint. "Her ex came out of nowhere just as she was about to start anew." She paused, the poured herself another one. "If we didn't have the legal troubles, or that I didn't owe Tyler a favor back at the academy, I wouldn't be pulling so many strings." She went for another swig, but Eberhard held onto the glass and looked at her knowingly.

"Fine." She mumbled, handing Eberhard the beer. "I'll tell you what. If Joan gives me any excuse to get Tyler out of her life, I'll pull the trigger. I already gave him a job and a place to live."

Eberhard sighed. "My only concern is the fact she probably won't give you one," He said, sitting down at the table. "She tried getting back up and completing the last mission after she got thrown down a flight of stairs by a grenade. Not to mention she's working for her kids. I don't have anything concrete, but I've got a feeling not everything is how it should be."

"Defenitley not. I'm still trying to figure out where she's dumping all her earnings." Ulrike sighed. "Please tell me Juan and Bee are taking all this alright."

"Juan's super depressed," Eberhard grumbled, "And we got a ping that Beatrix is searching up torture equipment. So... As well as can be expected. Joan didn't paint a pretty picture of him, and now she's helping him out."

"We're going to have to talk to Juan more." Ulrike massaged her nose bridge. "As for Bee, I really hope it's just BDSM toys. I'll check her browsing logs to make sure."

"Well," Eberhard said, standing up. "All we can do now is wait," He said, walking over and massaging her shoulders a bit. "Why don't I help you relax a little, hmm?" He offered.

"Sure." Ulrike yawned, then pinged Montgomery. "Mont, take care of the kids and make sure nothing blows up. Eber and I will be in our room. Don't disturb us unless it has something to do with the Lancers." She then looked back at her husband. "Carry me, would you?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Eberhard chuckled, easily lifting Ulrike up and carrying her off.