Uneven Ground

Part 2

They arrived at February and Specs' room, and Taz flinched as she heard the unmistakable sound of February's screams. Specs was shouting at her to calm down, but clearly February was far too excited. Taz heard a few thumping sounds, and quickly knocked on the door. After a lot of shuffling, the door flew open to reveal February. The wide grin faded from her face as she saw Taz and Up. She stumbled for words, but only air escaped her mouth. Specs sat on her bed, curly hair sticking up everywhere and glasses siting crookedly on her nose.

'M-morning, Lieutenant. Commander.' February finally managed.

'Mornin', Feb. Mind if we have a little chat?' Up smiled.

'Sure thing, sir!' February stumbled into the hallway and followed them down to the Control Room.

'If this is about two minutes ago I swear I didn't see anything. Well, not nothing- but you know what I mean.'

Taz shook her head from the corner of the room and Up ignored her. 'Look, February. It's not about that- but I am sure that Taz would like to have a word to you about that later. Anyway, I just wanted to ask you- where did you grow up?'

'Tarakra with my mom and sister, Lucy. But she died, so it's just my mom now.' February added quietly.

'And Lucy's son.' Up finished.

February raised her eyes. 'H-how did you know about him?'

Up sighed. 'Do you remember anythin' from your childhood? Before goin' to Tarakra?'

February shook her head. 'No- I already said, I grew up on Tarakra. There was no before.'

'But do you remember it?' Up pushed.

February racked her brain. 'No. What are you trying to say, Commander?'

Taz held her breath as Up explained what happened to February. At first she was confused, but pieces started to shift in her mind. Taz walked over and sat on the arm of Up's chair.

'So, you... are my brother? And my name isn't February?' February asked, still thinking things through in her mind. 'Then what is it?'

Taz saw Up struggling to grasp the fact that February was his sister, and saying her name could send them both running.

'Ally.' Taz cut in.

February nodded and thought for a second. She looked at Up, and smiled. 'I... remember you, big brother.'

After an awkward hug that Taz was dragged into, the three separated. 'Oh wait. Now we have to talk about this morning, don't we? Awkies, big bro.'

Taz buried her face in her hands and dropped into the seat behind her. 'Look- I don't think it's worth saying don't tell anyone, because we both know jou will.' She took a deep breath as a smile spread across February's face. 'Up and I are... together.'

February squealed and giggled into her hands. 'I totally knew it! OMDG I have to tell Spe-' She froze. 'Oh right. Um, can I at least tell Bug? He won't tell anyone!' February started rattling off reasons why Bug wouldn't tell anyone, then stopped in shock.

'Wait. OMDG- you guys met Charlie! I'm supposed to go back there for his birthday when we get back from this mission! You guys should totally come! But how did he not say anything about you guys? I mean, I know I don't get to see him very often, but that kid is a chatterbox!'

Taz smiled sleepily as February listed the funny things Charlie did, and slowly drifted off to sleep. February wandered around the room, not noticing Taz had fallen asleep. Up tapped her on the shoulder and gave her another hug, then asked her to wake up Krayonder and Specs to take over the Control Room shift.