Learning to Dance

“Come on,” Up said. “I’ll show you to your new
quarters.”
“Where have you been?” she asked as they entered the
labyrinth of hallways that made up the Academy. He raised
his eyebrows at her.
“Paperwork. There’s a lot of red tape involved when you
get reassigned.”
“Do you know-”
“Where I’ll be transferred to?” Up shrugged. “That’s for
the Admiral to decide. They’ll put me wherever I’m most
useful.”
“But it might be lejos,” she said.
She wasn’t sure if he knew the word, but he seemed to
get the idea. “I’m a Starship Ranger, Taz. I don’t stay in one
place for very long.”
A knot settled in her stomach. She didn’t say anything,
and after a while he continued. “Things will be a little
different here, Taz. You must know that. You’ll be bunking
with the other cadets, and I – I’ll be your superior officer.”
She knew it was true, but that didn’t stop her fists from
balling up in anger. Up stopped in front of a solid metal
door and checked the number.
“This is you,” he said.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, as coldly as she could.
He looked a little hurt. “Listen, I’ll be here for a while.
There isn’t another starship due for over a month. I’m not
going anywhere yet.”
Taz raised her arm in the best imitation of a salute she
could muster. Up sighed, and returned the gesture.
“At ease, cadet,” he said, and turned to leave.
Fuming, Taz pushed open the door of her new bunk.
“Soy tu oficial superior ahora,” she muttered. “Las cosas
van a ser un poco diferente aquí. De todos los estúpidos-”
“Bueno hola,” said a voice brightly. “¿Eres de México?”