The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 10

Taz had one hope- that Up was there to catch her once again. She relaxed as she neared the ground, squeezing her eyes shut. She felt her body hit something- something a lot better than the tiled floor of the library. Taz opened her eyes- she was in Up's arms. Up jumped a little as Taz flung her arms around his neck.

He had been watching her tear the head off the robot, and knew exactly what she was planning. 'I'll catch ya, Taz- I promise.' He whispered to himself.

She had almost knocked him to the ground with the impact, but Up stood strong. He lowered her to the ground and draped her arm around his neck again. Her limp had worsened, and her ankle was in terrible shape. They looked at the devastation the library had suffered- two human bodies lay crumpled at tables. Two humans, and nine robots. No matter the difference, it still wasn't fair.

The two of them limped to the cafeteria, which was currently set up as a large first-aid room. Privates who had skinned their knees while running were unfortunately common, and only a few had actual injuries from the robots.

Taz and Up passed one girl who was sobbing into her friend's shoulder. 'We were just studying, and then she was... dead.'

Taz's fears were confirmed- some cadets had died. As they passed the girl, her friend looked up. It was February.

Taz broke away from Up, feeling a little bad for February. Up followed her, keeping his hand on her shoulder. February broke down in tears, running into Taz's arms and leaving the other girl to be consoled by her brother.

'What happened?' Taz asked.

February stood back and wiped tears from her cheeks. 'Those effin' robots killed Vivs!'

She wobbled, and Taz stepped forward to catch her. February was only sixteen- her parents were rich, and she wasn't used to... this.

Taz clicked- it was Genevieve. Everyone else called her Gene, but Vivs was a special nickname reserved for February. Taz felt February melt, then stiffen and stand up tall.

'Are they dead, Taz? Are they gone?'

Taz nodded, hoping she was right. February resumed her position of consoling her friend, and Up and Taz made their way to a spare make-shift bed. He pulled her combat boot off carefully, lifting up her khaki pants to see her ankle.

'It looks bad Taz. Maybe we should get it checked out proper-'

'Si.' Taz answered, looking at the bright purple. She had to have it better before the mission- she was even willing to stay in bed all day if it meant she could go on the mission.

Up was shocked, but then he realised how much this mission meant to her. If it was botched, she might not get another chance to go into space for a while.

'Miss Zegarra? What are you- oh my. I'll get you fixed up in no time.' The nurse hurried away.

Taz muttered a gracias, and turned to Up.

'Dey keep saying it, Up.' Up looked at her confused. 'You don't think I'm too young, do you?'

Up knew exactly what she was saying, and exactly what she was thinking. He shook his head strongly. 'Not even close, Taz. It's the heart that matters- not the size or the age.'

She looked deep into his eyes, barely keeping herself from becoming swallowed up in his gaze. Up reassuringly put his hand on her knee, and turned away. She needs you, Up. You need to be strong- For Taz.

The nurse came back with bandages and fixed Taz's ankle. 'You have a mission soon, correct?'

Taz nodded.

'Well in that case, take my advice. I'm guessing it's your first mission as well, so just take the next few days to rest up.'

'I will- gracias.' Taz started to hop off the bed, receiving a glare from Julie. She sighed and swallowed her pride. 'Up? Would you mind...'

Up smiled. 'Why, sure thing Taz!' He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her down the hall.

They passed several privates who snickered at them, but one glare from Taz showed them that they were one hundred percent wrong about anything that could be happening between the two. Taz rested her hand on her knife, safely sheathed in it's pocket. Her arm was hanging over his shoulder, and he felt her relax. Looking down, he saw her asleep in his arms. After finally getting to Taz's room, Up typed in her password and kicked it shut behind him. He lowered her to the bed and pulled the covers over her, once again tucking her knife under her pillow.

This time however, he clicked the shelf above her bed a few levels higher, hoping she wouldn't hit her head when she woke up. Up thought back to the question she was asking him. He wanted to tell her that that there was no way she was too young- he was her age when he became a lieutenant, and he knew that she was tougher than him- even now.

Taz moved around in her sleep, her arm crooked and hanging over her head. Up shook his head- it reminded him of the day he met Taz. He really wished it was under different circumstances, but you can't change the past.