We're Different Than the Rest

Chapter Three: Alliga

Haar'chak. Kriffing seppies blew up their own building. 

As quickly as he could, Reno was running again. As he rounded the corner, the LAATs came into view. 

Finally. Almost there. 

Reno was running as fast as his legs would carry him, the fire from the explosion seeming to chase him. He ran until the sight of two final prisoners caught his eye. They were huddled together on the ground, both unconscious from the explosion. 

"Caro, I need back up, immediately." 

Within a minute, Caro appeared to see Reno assessing the best way to carry the two prisoners. "I'll get the man, you get the girl!" 

Reno, grateful for Caro's help, moved as quickly as possible, without trying to hurt the girl. He winced as he heard multiple bones crack as he picked her up. 

Kriffing explosion. 

.oOo. 

The medbay of the Liberty was close to full by the time Reno and Caro arrived with their prisoners. Sid was busy at work, but instructed the clones to stay and wait until he could inspect their freed prisoners. Ever the professional, Sid quickly made his rounds around to the Republic freed prisoners. 

"Sid, I don't think this man can wait much longer, his breath has been getting more shallow for the last five minutes." Caro said, urging Sid to hurry. 

Rushing over, Sid examined the man on the stretcher. "His leg has been shot, and he's lost a lot of blood. Looks like it's getting infected too. Oddo, get this man a..." Sid was running into the medical storage closet and yelling orders to his nurses. 

The med bay had calmed down considerably by the time that Sid made his way over to Reno and the Pantoran girl. "Looks like some broken limbs and some burns on her back. I'll get a bacta tank ready and the tank casts." 

"Sid, can I help with anything?" 

"Reno, you just got back from a mission. Go rest. You can come visit tomorrow though, but not for too long." 

.oOo. 

Reno visited the med bay for hours each day for the following week. Sid had even kicked him out multiple times. Eventually, Reno began bribing Sid to stay in the medbay longer than he should have. He enjoyed getting to know the people that he had helped. Many of them were grateful for the distraction of a joke or story that Reno brought. 

Like the last four days, Reno walked into the medbay with a smile and ready to tell some stories. He immediately noticed a difference in morale when he entered the pristine white room. He didn't receive the usual responses of smiles and 'hellos' when he greeted people, instead receiving a half-smile or a grunt. 

Reno sat himself down on Sid's desk just seconds after coming into his office unannounced. "What's different with everyone today?" 

"Remember Caro's guy?" Reno nodded at Sid's question. "He passed in his sleep last night. Too much blood loss, and the infection just kept spreading." 

"Oh." 

"Yeah. Apparently he was pretty young, but really loved in his community. They're saying his mom will want a funeral when we drop them all back at their town." 

"That's... tough." 

"They probably could use some good 'ole Reno spirit right now. Just maybe not too strong to start off." 

"Yeah, of course. How is everyone else recovering, though?" 

"Good. We haven't lost anyone else, and I don't think we will. The girl you brought in should get out of the bacta tank right as we land to the group's town." 

"Where are they from?" 

"Sicemon. Smaller planet." 

"Never heard of it." 

.oOo. 

General Secura was walking back from the medbay when she ran into Commander Bly, who was walking towards the medbay. Everyone on the mission had been visiting, but none as much as Reno. 

"General." Bly nodded in respect. "Reno in there?" 

"Do I really need to answer that?" 

Bly chuckled. "Good for him, I don't know how he has all that energy." 

Aayla smiled, but it seemed a little sad. "I don't really think he does. He just wants to make sure everyone else is okay, before he is. Make sure to check on him, yeah?" 

"Of course, General." 

"Are you holding up okay, Commander?" 

"Of course, sir. I was bred to-"

"Commander. How are you?" 

"I-" Bly stood shocked. "I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before." He thought for a minute. "I don't know how to answer, General. I'm always fine, I've never sat down to think about-" he waved his hands around to motion 'the war' in general. 

"how the war has impacted you?" Aayla finished his sentence for him. Bly nodded. "Well, think about it. You and Reno are always putting others first, and not thinking about how you are being impacted. It's okay to need a minute to yourself, Commander." 

For the second time in a minute, Bly stood, stuck to the ground. He was grateful for his helmet, because his mouth was hanging open in surprise. "Um... thank you, General." 

"Have a good day, Commander." Bly stood in shock, watching as the General disappeared down the hall. 

.oOo. 

Hi readers! This chapter was added after the original story was published. I think it turned out pretty well, though!