Quoted By:
"You're right, you're definitely underappreciated, Kou," you nod.
"Damn right I am! You think being a techie is tough? Twenty years I've spent in the ducts! And it does not begin to compare with the amount of shit I have to deal with now!"
"Supervisors definitely have it the worst," you nod.
"Command keeps demanding the impossible. Other sections always call to bitch cause they think their needs are above everyone else's. And as if getting shat on from above wasn't enough already, I also get shit from my own employees. Calling in sick. Clocking it drunk or high. Giving me lip over how I assign work."
"It's a rough job, but somebody's gotta do it," you nod.
"Not to mention a certain smartass I have to deal with every fucking day, and whose antics will drive me to an early grave," he gives you the stinkeye.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," you nod.
All in all, the chewing out lasts another fifteen minutes. You listen, you nod, and you make vaguely sympathetic statements while listening to Kou complain about his job. You figure you owe him as much - he did stand up for you to the guy from Command. And he was an ok boss overall. Letting him vent at you for a bit was the least you could do.
"Anyway, here's that commission from ExtSec," he hands you the sheet of paper finally. "They asked for you by name, so I figure they want it done fast."
"This is in 252," you say with a groan, your eyes running over the text. "You know, if you wanted to punish me Kou, you could've saved your breath and just handed me the page."
"Well, this is what you get for being so damned competent all the time. You're the only one they'll trust to deal with 252."
"Yeah, cause the last guy from their side they sent fell down a shaft, got stuck for three cycles and came back with claustrophobia and a nervous breakdown."
"Just sort out whatever the problem is and fast," Kou sighs. "I might need you for whatever Command decides to do about this tram mess."
"Hey, as long as there's overtime, I'm all for it," you turn to head for the door.
"Yeah, yeah..." Kou mutters. "Hey, Elne?"
"Yeah?"
"Would it really kill you to try and be more... flexible, sometime? You've been at it for what, fifteen years? You're quick on the job, smart as a whip, you learn shit fast. You could probably have my job - hells, you could probably make Admin if you really tried. You'd just need to-" he hesitates.
"Ain't my style, Kou," you shake your head with a chuckle. "You know me. I don't kiss ass, don't suck dick, and don't spread legs for nobody."
"Oh come on, I wasn't suggesting that you should-" he sputters, flustered.
"I know. See you around, Kou."
(cont)
