The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 57

Taz slung a few bags over her shoulder, and strapped her belt around her waist. She had passed the mirror, almost collapsing at her reflection. She quickly dropped the bags and ran to the mirror, grabbing at her face. Taz had dark bags under her eyes, and her dark hair hung rattily around her shoulders. She hadn't cut it for a while, let alone worry about taking care of it.

'Time to go.' Taz reached into the draw, and pulled out a familiar pair of scissors.

Piece by piece, she cut it away as she stared in the mirror. As each strand fell to the floor and gathered around her feet, she remembered every single moment with Up- the way he held her, comforted her, was always there- Promise. No- I have to be tough. For Up... She made her way down the familiar halls, down to their old Starship. The crew waited out the front, but Up wasn't there. She held her breath, and saw two people she never would have expected.

A week later, a red planet lay before their eyes. Taz hadn't seen it yet, let alone go to the control room and risk seeing Up. The whole crew had stayed in their rooms, and Taz didn't care.

Up hadn't moved from the Control Room since they arrived, and he didn't plan on revealing himself until it was time. Taz had left him a message, but refused to see him.

-Up

I know we haven't been close. But I still want to help.

All you have to do is act tough, and they won't know.

Just like we promised- no matter what, I'll be there.

Just don't make yourself look estúpido and I won't

have to do that again. You can do this- I know it.

-Taz

Taz's combat boots, khakis, dog-tags and gloves were as much a part of her as the hair that lay on the floor in her room. She pulled a singlet down over her head, and without realising, pulled down another. Taz had met the crew, all except one private who was stuck in the infirmary with food poisoning. The tech was nice and all, but kept blabbering on about facts and science things that Taz couldn't keep up with. She had curly, light brown hair and thick black glasses, and was slightly nasally, which made her slightly more inaudible. Taz met her a few times during lunch, and the girl managed to mumble her name- Specs.

The other private, unfortunately, was the same idiota she had to rescue from a simulation during her first year. He remembered her, and could not shut up about how excited he was to meet their commander.

'Krayonder! Shut it, or I will slam jour head in de door so hard it will explode!' Taz was fuming, her hand only centimetres from her knife.

He mumbled a "woah", and Taz took off mumbling angrily under her breath in Spanish.

The Science Officer was a different story. Taz hadn't recognised her at first, but those bright blue eyes and short, blonde hair were unmistakable- February. Taz ran up and stopped mere metres away from February.

'What are jou doing here?'

'I was sent to the Academy training camp, and they said I improved! So I was sent here the second I graduated! Aren't ya happy, Tazzy?' February smiled.

If only jou knew who jou really were... 'Uh, sure. See you on de ship.'

February nodded happily, then ran off giggling to Specs about things to do with her hair. Taz rolled her eyes, and sent Krayonder off on some odd jobs around the Starship. It's only some colonisation plot to- to what? Everts keeps saying plot... What de hell is going on? Her comm device beeped- Admiral Everts was calling her.

'Sí, ma'am?' Taz answered stiffly.

'TAZ! THANK DEAD GOD YOU'RE ALIVE, DARLING. I HAVE NEWS ABOUT THE G.L.E.E- THEY WANT YOU-'

Beep beep beep. Beep beep beep. Taz ripped the comm away from her ear, beating it with her hand. 'Dey want me for what? Admiral!'