Routine came quickly at base unit X702. It didn't take long for Taz to become accustomed to her new life.

The highlight of Taz's day was any activity that she shared with Up; be it cleaning duty or fitness center. Up made everything a little brighter for Taz.

Taz's favorite-yet at the same time least favorite-activity of the day was study hall. X702 stuck everyone in a library for time to do anything they wanted, so long as it involved sharpening your mind.

Much to their convenience, the library carried multiple standard-issue textbooks. The helper at the library informed them that the textbooks were the ones that the Academy currently used.

Everyone gathered around a large table and prepared to learn. Different types of textbooks were laid in the middle of the table.

"Okay guys, now like I should warn you now: I'm not a very fast learner," February said. "I can barely remember all that schience-y stuff!"

"We know, Feb," Bug said.

"We can help jou," Taz said irritably. Taz wasn't much of a quick study herself—calculus was proof of that. It had taken her weeks in extra tutoring to get together a passing grade. But that was years ago. Maybe Taz's learning abilities had improved since then.

"Alright now," Up said with a drawl. "First, do any of you guys know even the slightest bit about the law?" Everyone's heads shook in unison. "Well then, let's start with the very basics."

Up flipped open the first edition of the Academy textbooks.

Taz leaned over Up's shoulder and looked at the contents of the first chapter. It looked to just be an explanation of the common courtroom roles.

"Okay, first we gotta know who's who," Up said. He skimmed the page for a minute before beginning. "There're two sides to the court: the prosecution—which in our case is the G.L.E.E.—who's doing the accusing. Then there's the defense, which is us. We're the one bein' accused of wrongdoing."

Taz felt confident; this seemed easy so far to her.

"There's also the judge, who keeps the peace. He don't decide who wins the court case though. That's the jury's job. For the jury, the Galactic League just picks 12 random members of the Galactic League to listen in on the case and decide who wins: prosecution or defense," Up continued. So good, so far for Taz. "Sometim's, the prosecution or defense'll call up what they call witnesses."

"But the only witnesses for what happened on Bug World are, like, us man!" Krayonder cried.

"They aren't literally 'witnesses,' Krayonder. They're more people who know stuff about what's happening, you know?" Everyone nodded whether they understood it or not. "Alright, now. They've got a bunch of other names and stuff here, but I don' think that we need to know them. They can't be that important."

Taz was grateful; less learning for her.

Up scanned another chunk of pages in the book. "Hmm."

Taz pushes her hand out to stop Up from turning the page. "Mirate."

The chapter was titled Courtroom: The Basics.

"Thanks, Taz," Up said quietly. Taz couldn't help but smile at the gentleness of his voice. Taz liked it when Up talked to her like that.

Specs grabbed a bunch of the same textbooks and passed them around so that each person could share a book with the person next to them.

Everyone turned to the correct page and waited for Up to continue.

Taz looked around the table and noticed: Up became the leader of the group without even trying. Up had always been a born leader.

Up cleared his throat. "Alright now, we're kinda out of time here, so how about we take these books back to the cells with us so we can read the chapter and everything then we can talk about it next time?"

Everyone agreed to Up's proposal.

They all walked off to go and check out with the guards and be escorted back to their cells. Taz and Up stayed behind for a minute.

"How're you holding up?" Up asked Taz.

"As fine as I can be, in prison," Taz mumbled.

"And with the learning…?" Up asked.

"Estoy bien, okay?" Taz snapped, but immediately regretted saying it. Up was only looking out for her.

"Alright. 'See you around, then," Up mumbled before leaving to check out.

Estupido, Taz kept muttering to herself. Why did she say that? She asked herself over and over again. She always did that. She would always snap at Up for him simply caring.

Taz would never learn.


A/N: Guess which girl is walking on air right now? THIS GIRL. And which girl just got tickets to the Joe Moses One-Man Showses featuring Team Starkid in Chi town? THIS GIRL. Ba-bam. Livin' the dream, right here.

Kateword