The Toughest Lesson

by TheAwesomeMudblood

Taz is about to learn the toughest lesson in the world, with the help of Commander Up. But will she be able to do it? A/N This is a very short story: written on the back of a receipt while it was quiet during my shift at a small shop.

"You ready Taz?" Up asked tentatively. "Si." she replied, nervously. Commander Up intimidated most people on the Starship, but to Taz, the youngest and newest Starship Ranger, he was like the father she never had. He was about to teach her the toughest lesson of all. Or so he had said. "It's time for calculus." Taz took a deep breath. All the other Rangers had told her horror stories about calculus. She would be lying if she said she wasn't scared. No, scratch that, petrified. She had killed thousands of robots on alien planets, she could stab herself repeatedly and feel no pain, but calculus filled her heart with fear. "Well are you ready Taz?" Up asked again. Taz jumped. She didn't realise she hadn't answered him. She nodded. "Don't worry, we'll get through this together" Taz smiled. Commander Up always made her feel safe, whether it was in the rage of battle or the vast expanse of outer space.

Up signalled for Taz to sit at the small desk he had set up. On it were a calculator, some worksheets, and a pencil. She sat down, and Up started to explain the basic concepts of calculus. Numbers and strange symbols floated around her brain; nothing making any sense. She was NEVER going to understand this. But Up persevered, and before she knew it, she was whizzing through the worksheets with ease. Calculus was tough, but thanks to Up, Taz got through it.