I forgot to put a disclaimer in the last chapter, so here it is: I DON'T OWN STARSHIP OR ITS CHARACTERS. ok, there we go.
Whoo! Two chapters in two days. And you get some Up. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! 3
Chapter 2. Lieutenant Up
Lieutenant Up stepped away from the drop-off pod and took in his surroundings. It was humid and hot. Of course it was going to be; he was in the middle of Guatemala. The pod closed it's door, and after a three second count off, levitated into the air, and zoomed its way back to the academy on Earths' moon. The starlit night was hard to see through all the trees surrounding this G.L.E.E. base. That sure was a shame. He hadn't seen the Earths sky for years. But he shouldn't have expected anything less for being posted in the middle of the jungle.
Picking up his duffle bag packed full of G.L.E.E. issued leisure clothes and unforms, he made his way accross the landing site to the base entrance. Stripping off his camo jacket as he did so. Dangit, it was hot out here. And what time was it? Nine at night or something? Pausing at the door to scan his fingerprints to gain access, Up rubbed his temples. How the heck was he going to survive here? He took french in high school... he didn't understand a word of spanish besides burrito, taco...pico de gallo. Hmmmm, they all sounded pretty delicious right now.
The door slid open to reveal an air conditioned interior. Ah, sweet relief. Now to find his commanding officer and report for duty. but where to go? His black combat boots thumped down the empty hallway. The base seemed surprisingly lifeless. Where was everybody? Was everyone asleep?
Up continued his search. According to the sign at the end of the hallway, the Commanders office was right around the corner. Once he reached it though he sighed and turned around. Tacked to the door was a handwritten note saying: In mess hall. Come find me or wait half an hour. Up grinned and rubbed a hand over the light stubble covering his mug. Now he had an oppurtunity to grab a taco.
It took him another five minutes to find the mess hall, using the sound of laughter, and the delicious scent of food to eventually lead him home. Unlike the rest of the metalic base, the Mess hall seemed to be made mostly out of wood. It had a homey feel. Ensigns, a few lieutenants and hopefully the Commander as well were all seated at round wooden tables, laughing, joking, eating spanish food, as well as watching a poker game take place. His eyes roamed around the room, the occupants oblivious to his presence. Ah, there was Commander Thomas. Over there in the corner eating a tamale.
"Sir." the commander looked up. He was a man in his late 40's with black hair and a receding hairline. The mans' eyes widened slightly. Commander Thomas sat up straight in his chair and held out his right hand for a shake.
"Buenos dias. You must be the famous Lieutenant Up. Glad to have you here son. Grab a seat." Up sat down, and dropped his bag to the floor, glad to have its weight off his shoulder. Who knew a couple-a articles of clothing could be so darn heavy?
"Now, it's a bit late to brief you on what you'll be doing here, so you'll report to my office at first light tomorrow, alright?"
Up nodded. "Yes sir."
"Good. Your room is number 308. the lieutenants all have private bathrooms, so no worries there. All the ensigns have to share. You can drop off your bag and return here to grab some grub." The men exchanged a few more words, shook hands once more, and Up was excused to do whatever he liked.
Taz watched the new guy over the top of her hand of cards. Tall, young- probably in his twenties, sandy blonde hair. Lean, but definitely had stong muscles. He looked pretty good in that form fitting shirt of his. 'Bet he sucks at poker though.' Taz fought the urge to smirk at her self-assuredness and slid a couple more chips into the pile. Not a muscle on her face moved. She had the best hand. Everyone knew it. But she wasn't going to show them anyway. WHere was the fun in that?
Fifteen minutes later Taz had won and was munching on a taco when the new guy walked in again. She'd get to know him sooner or later. This fiesty latina took pride in knowing each of the rangers personally. And they all knew her. Her brother Pedro had known everyone too,and was the one to introduce Taz to 'her boys.' Looks like she would be adopting a new one to approach him though?
"Hey, Newbie!" She called out over the crowd, who fell silent. He froze where he was, red plastic tray of food in hand. He raised an eyebrow. Unfortunately he was too far away for Taz to see his eye color. "Got an empty seat right here!" Direct and right to the point she had decided. No point in wasting time.
Up grinned warily. Who was this kid? She seemed to have everyones respect though, seeing as they shut up for her. She leaned back in her seat, the front legs of it rising into the air. "You talking to me?" He called back. Taz tried not to grin at his accent. He was obviously from some southern part of the United States. An American... and he sounded funny. She patted the chair next to her.
"Of course I am,estupido. Does it look like i'm having a conversation wit anyone else?" Her own accent came out a little thicker than normal, but she sent him a wide grin to show that she was harmless. He blinked.
"Well, no."
"Get ever here then, por favour." Her chair lags slammed back down to the floor, signaling this part of their conversation over.
Up racked his brain. Por favour meant please, right? Well, since this kid said please... "Yes, M'am." He grinned sarcastically. Up sauntered over to her and sat down. Slowly the noise level in the mess hall returned to normal, once everyone saw that Taz was done talking.
He looked her over out of the corner of his eye as he ate his burrito. She was small, no doubt about it. Maybe 4'10"? This girl was the size of a twelve year old maybe thirteen, but her confidence and ego was definately bigger. Her black curly hair was held up out of her face by an elastic, and she was dressed in baggy G.L.E.E sweats. She was wearing a black tank top that covered her skiny frame. She was taking him in too, he noticed. Up straightened his back slightly, without realizing it.
He had blue eyes, Taz realized. Beautiful, sparkling blue eyes. She'd never seen a man with azul eyes before.' This guy was special'. She decided without thinking. Oh look, he has a moustache!
"So," she spoke up, "what's your name Senior..."
Up realized she was talking to him. "My name's Up. Lieutenant Up."
"What de hell kind of name is dat?" She spurted out before she could help it. A faint blush tinted her cheeks, so she took a bite out of her taco to hopefully cover the embarassing action. Mama was always saying: think about what you say before you say it. Taz always seemed to do that process backwards. Luckily the lighting was bad enough that he couldn't tell she was a few shades redder than before.
He chuckled, his moustashe moving with his lips into a grin. " It's the only name i've got. more of a nickname really. And what's yours little miss?"
She glared at him. "I'm not pequeño, Senior Up... I'm vertically challenged. There's a difference. And the name's Taz."
"Now what the hell kind of name is that?" Up said teasingly. Revenge.
"A name that replaces all the other ones!" Yea, two middle names, and a gazillion other nicknames her familia had given her over the years.
"Well, Taz is a pretty good name. I'd keep it."
"You think so?" She placed her half eaten taco back down on her plate and looked at him with her big brown eyes. He was the first person to say outright that they liked her name. Up found him tearing his gaze away fom her eyes and focusing on her nose because her stare was so intense. He counted three freckles that dotted it's browned tip.
"Yep." He finally said after an awkward silence. That quieted her for another minute, and he was able to finish his burrito. She leaned over to an ensign behind them.
"Hey, Joey, could you get me a refill on this lemonade?"In Taz's accent, Up noticed, Joey sounded more like Jouey. The guy grinned and ruffled her hair.
"Sure thing." He grabbed her glass and walked away, his bright red hair like a beacon. He had to be an ensign, the Lieutenant decided. He was tall, and scrawny... scrawny like the girl sitting next to him finishing off her third taco.
"Taz, how old are you anyway?"Certainly too young to be a ranger here. Maybe she was the daughter of someone. The commander maybe?
"I'm fourteen... but i'm turning fifteen in two days." She scrunched her face up in disgust.
What was so bad about growing up to be fifteen? Up wondered. So he asked.
"I'm being forced to have a quinceañera. So estupido. I don't want to wear a dress, or heels, or have my face caked in makeup. I'd rather be here playing cards wih my boys."
"Do you win?" He thought back to the poker game that had been going on when he showed up. She must have been here already.
"Every time." She grinned, and pulled out a wad of money from her pocket. He noticed what could've been a blade peeking out of the pocket too. Hmmm. " I just won thirty bucks, a back rub, two free lunches, an ancient ipod, and a hug from Larry over there. Larry always gives me hugs...Don't know why though. He must mot have much cash."
Up laughed. This Taz sure knew how to scrub a guys pockets clean. She laughed with him, though she didn't know what was so funny. This Up guy had a nice laugh though; it made her want to smile. She frowned suddenly. "Do you have the time?"
"Um...yea, wait a sec." He shoved his sleeve up above his elbow, feeling un unnatural urgency in her tone of voice. Up glanced down at his G.L.E.E. issued watch. " It's almost 11."
"Mierda!" She shot up out of her seat, and almost knocked over Joey who was returning with her drink.
"Tengo que llegar a casa antes de que mamá se dio cuenta de que he dejado!" Up's eyebrows creased together. He turned to Joey who translated and gave a back story.
"She has to sneak out of the house to hang out with us chaps. If her mum knew what she was up to, she'd be grounded for life. Hey, do you want this lemonade?" He held out the glass.
Taz had already taken off towards the exit, everyone's eyes following her. Right as she reached the exit, she spun on her left heel and waved to Up. "Adios Up. See you soon!" Without thinking, the Lieutenant found himself waving back.
Some Spanish for you:
-estupido: stupid
-azure: blue
-pequeno: small
-mierda: Crap, dung, whatever is your preference. I prefer not to cuss.
-"Tengo que llegar a casa antes de que mamá se dio cuenta de que he dejado!" : I have to get home before mama realizes that I'm gone!
-Adios: bye
Well that was a bit longer than my first chapter. What's coming up next? Only I know! Muahahahahaha!*coughsputtercough* Reviews and critiques are always welcome! :) ~Emma.