Warnings that wouldn't fit into the summary bar: edited sexual content, language, and violence.
The President was alive. Reno was amazed that any of the Shin-Ra Troops had enough loyalty and balls to check on the President after Diamond Weapon attacked. They found Rufus alive, but in bad shape. Yes, the President was alive, but he was going to have a long recovery. The man was in a wheelchair for the time being. His horribly burnt flesh concealed by a white robe.
"Reno."
"Yes, Mr. President?" Reno asked, snapping out of his daydream.
"Tell me again the fate of my subordinates."
"Tseng was killed by Sephiroth, Palmer ran off with his tail between his legs, Scarlet and Heidegger were killed by Cloud, Hojo was killed by Cloud..."
"Reeve?" Rufus interrupted.
"He is alive...somewhere. We don't know where exactly."
"And...Cloud?"
"We assume he is alive, sir."
"And the remaining Turks?"
"Except for myself, Elena, and Rude the Midgar division abandoned you. However the Junon divisions remain loyal."
"Reno."
"Yessir?"
"You are promoted to first in command, Rude is promoted to second, and Elena third. Find a replacement for Tseng. Promote one of the soldiers who rescued me." Rufus replied, handing Reno a list of names.
"Right away, sir."
Reno turned and left the President's temporary office. Shin-Ra had moved operations to Junon temporarily. It was better guarded then Midgar at the moment.
As Reno approached the elevator he saw Rude and Elena waiting for him.
"I'm the boss, Rude's the second mate, and Elena's still the rookie. However, Elena, there will soon be someone greener than you on this team. I get to promote someone to replace Tseng. Rufus wants one of the soldiers who rescued him to be promoted."
"Mm, great. Another rookie..." Was all Rude said.
Reno smirked and shoved the taller man's shoulder. "At least you don't have the pleasure of promoting and training the little shit."
"True enough." Rude replied with a smirk of his own.
"However...you two have to take orders from me now."
"The world really did end. I'm dead and in Hades." Elena muttered.
"Was that a burn, Elena dear? You're learning a bit more each day!" Reno grinned. "Your orders are... dick around until the President orders us out on a mission. Make sure to look important and busy."
"Yessir." Rude said with a sarcastic little salute.
The redhead chuckled and stepped onto the elevator, riding it down to street level.
"Ugh. Imagine...I have to set foot in soldier's barracks."
With a sigh Reno rested his weapon against his shoulder and strolled down the street. Even though these soldiers had saved his life Rufus was still Rufus. There was no way in hell the President was going to put them up in a hotel. He did, however, give them one of the cleaner barracks to live in. Reno found this quite amusing but decided that the soldiers probably wouldn't appreciate it as much as he did. The man entered the barracks and looked around. A skinny kid that Reno could hardly believe was a soldier jogged up to him.
"What can I do for you sir?" He asked.
"Tell me your name for starters." Reno replied.
"Timmons Lei." The teen replied.
The redhead dug Rufus' list out of his pocket and looked it over. "Yup. You're on here."
"Oh god...you're not going to kill me are you?" Timmons asked.
Reno stared at the scrawny blonde kid before shaking his head. "Uh, no. I'm actually here to promote someone. Gather your comrades in the kitchen area."
"Yessir!"
Timmons saluted and ran off. Not even a minute later seven people had gathered in the kitchen. They all stood in a rigidly straight line. Reno pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd forgotten most of his military terminology.
"Uh...you can relax." He said. "When I call out your name please respond. Timmons Lei."
"That's me. We met before remember?" Timmons replied.
Reno leveled a glare at the kid from over his paper and continued reading. "Tawana North."
The only woman in the group responded. "Here, sir."
The redhead nodded and continued reading from his list, "Aries Damalis."
"Right here, sir." A tall dark-skinned man replied.
"Vadin Ultman."
"Here." A handsome brunette answered.
Reno nodded again. There were three more names on his list. "Jonathan Williams."
"Here, sir." A spikey-haired brunette replied.
"Chester Ortiz."
"Here, sir."
"And Merrick Keane..."
"Here." The squadron leader replied.
"Congratulations, you saved the President. I didn't think anyone in Shin-Ra had the balls to go back and check on the President. Because of this...one of you is going to be promoted. Same order I called your names in, tell me if you can use a weapon other than a gun."
"I have no other weapon's expertise." Timmons replied.
"I'm good with my fists, assault rifles, and a whip." Tawana answered.
"Sword and assault rifles." Aries said.
"Assault rifles." Vadin answered.
"Sword." Jonathan replied shortly.
"Assault rifles, sword, fists, nunchuku, and spear." Chester answered.
"Fists." Merrick said.
Reno logged all this away and nodded. He walked up to the man called Jonathan and looked him over.
"Think you can protect the President?"
"No sir, I don't." Jonathan replied.
Now that was a surprising answer. Reno looked at the other soldiers. Everyone except Timmons and Jonathan were smirking slightly.
Ah, I see what's going on here. The veterans are hazing the rookies. Well...since I love to stir shit up...
"Well...good thing I train you first then. You're promoted to Turks." Reno said.
Jonathan's eyes widened slightly but he quickly hid his emotions. "Thank-you, sir."
Reno grinned. The smirks had been wiped off the vets' faces. He loved being a shit disturber.
"Well don't just stand there and gawk, boy. Go pack your shit and let's go." The redhead ordered.
Jonathan saluted and rushed off.
"The rest of you are dismissed." Reno said.
The man could tell the vets wanted to grumble about Jonathan's promotion but didn't dare to do so in front of him. A few minutes later Jonathan returned with his things. He didn't have much, which wasn't surprising for a soldier.
"Come on now. Follow me." Reno said, turning and leaving the barracks.
Jonathan said a short goodbye to his squadron then followed Reno out the door.
Unsurprisingly I got writer's block a lot while writing. I rewrote this chapter around 5...6... times before I was satisfied with what I came up with.