The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 20

Taz tilted her head confused, then rolled her eyes and slammed her hand into her forehead. 'Sí! Dat's right! Dey're tryin' to find a place off Earth so personas can escape the robots!'

Up nodded, then raised his zapper quickly. He felt the ground shake- a tremor? He looked over at Taz, trying to resist laughing at her pose. She was in a half-crouch, pointing her zapper up at the trees with a confused look on her face.

Taz noticed Up looking, and quickly re-adjusted herself. 'Cállate...' She mumbled, walking in front of him.

Up chuckled to himself and followed her, an eerie noise growing louder. In front of them was a huge, blue plain with a single orange tree- the largest on the whole planet, it seemed.

He nodded to Taz, and she jumped into action- they fired their zappers straight up as three large yellow creatures reached for them.

'Sígueme! Sígueme!' Taz jeered, blowing them apart.

'Let's go, Taz.' Up grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the chittering creatures, towards the larger tree.

She turned around (after firing icy glares at the remaining creatures) to see that her and Up had reached the base of the big tree.

Up pulled a few pieces of equipment out of his belt, then radioed into their Starship. 'Come in Starship 15-A2. We have landed safely and reached what seems to be a great spot to set up. Wildlife surveys beginning now, Over.'

Taz rolled her eyes. 'Dey don't say "over" anymore Up.'

He looked at her with a confused look, and she burst out laughing. 'I'm only jokin', Up.'

Up smiled at her terrible joke, then wiped his forehead- Damn it's hot down here. He looked at Taz as she reached up to the tree and plucked a pink fruit.

Her mouth watered, and she went to take a bite. Up slapped it out of her hand and quickly put his hand over her mouth.

'Don't. Move.' He mouthed.

Taz's eyes drifted to the pink fruit, and she noticed several of them on her shoulder. What de... Before she could flinch as one of the pink creatures opened it's mouth, Up had blown it to smithereens with his zapper. The other pink, bug-like creatures hissed and ran off, leaving the injured one to die.

The second Up's hand was away from her mouth, Taz shuddered and wiped off her shoulders. 'Lo siento Up- my stomach got de best of me.'

Up shook his head. 'Just be careful Taz- It's mighty dangerous here. We don't know these things, and I don't want you to get-'

Taz dropped her zapper and ran to Up, jumping into his arms and throwing her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. Up was a little shocked, especially after what had happened that morning, but he reached his arms around her back to stop her from slipping.

Taz pulled back a little, realising what she had done. She hit the ground a foot below, falling onto her butt. Up dropped to his knees and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her up. Her face was a mix of daze and confusion, and her head started to spin.

'Well I was gonna say hurt, but I don't think you're gonna take it easy anytime soon.'

Taz's head was whirling, but she managed a smile. Why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat why did I do dat. She tried to form a sentence, but only air came out of her mouth.

Up saw her struggling, but stayed quiet in case he made it worse. Her face was getting redder the harder she tried, so he put his hand on the side of her face. Taz stopped, took a deep breath, and collapsed on the ground.

'Taz!'