Learning to Dance

G.L.E.E. is not so big on exceptions.”
It was a little like watching a candle flicker out. Taz
seemed to shrink even smaller as she hugged her knees.
“Eighteen,” she said.
“It’s only three years,” Up offered. “You can keep
training, and by the time you enlist, you’ll shoot straight to
the top of the class. Taz, you’re already the best student I’ve
ever had.”
“You – you mean that?”
“Hey,” he said, pointing at the respectable bruise
purpling on his cheek. “Do you know how many opponents
have left a mark on Lieutenant Up?” He struck a pose, and
the corner of her mouth twitched. “I can count them on one
hand.”
There was a hint of a smile on her face. What he
wouldn’t give to see a true one there.
“Red Alert! Red Alert! All Rangers to battle stations!”
Up jumped to his feet. Taz scrambled out of her bunk as
the emergency call repeated, testing the weight on her foot.
“Red Alert? ¿Qué es Red Alert?”
“We’ve been boarded,” he said tersely, swinging his gun
over his shoulder. “Stay here.”
“Boarded? Up, wait-”
There was no time for waiting. In the hallway, red lights
glared and Rangers were running, shouting orders to each
other. Up hailed another lieutenant on his way by. “Where’s
the breach?”
“They’ve got the Commander and flight crew held
hostage on the bridge. Nobody knows how they got in.
Rogers thinks there may be more-”
The unmistakable pew, pew sound of a laser and a look
of surprise came across the lieutenant’s face. He sunk to the
floor, a hole smoking in his chest.
Up lifted his gun and fired two, three, four times. The