CHAPTER Forty One
Coruscant
380 Days after Geonosis
It took a few seconds before she realised what the siren meant.
Attack on GAR base.
Where? She had friends, family on bases.
Her adrenaline spiked with the familiar ache in her stomach; she had just been compiling her daily report, winding down and was looking forward for some sleep. It had become more difficult again recently, lying there for hours, staring at the ceiling, worrying about Den and Brud, and then her mind racing.
"Baey!" An urgent shout came through the door, Dr Cahu, chief of medicine, "Come on now, you're on call." He pushed a high vis jacket and mobile medical bag in her hands. "Landing bay 1."
Pulling on the fluorescent yellow jacket, she automatically followed him, at the double, putting into practice what they had rehearsed; the medical bag dragged her shoulder down with the weight. She grasped it tighter to her side. Following Cahu onto the landing platform, the LAATi was waiting; she strapped herself in just as it took off.
She watched Cahu sitting opposite, his face grim; she appreciated that Cahu still took part in operations, that he knew what his people had to deal with.
He said he liked being on the 'shop floor' occasionally.
"Where are we going?" she asked through the headphones.
"GAR logistics base. Works District."
A guilty wave of relief swept over her, as she didn't know anyone based there. It took minutes of hair raising flying to reach their destination and Ryssa's stomach was all over the place. The first responders were supposed to have right of way through the sky lanes, their LAATi was marked but judging from the expletives uttered by the pilot, that wasn't happening. Suddenly she was pulled back into the restraints and the doors opened. The smell that met her as she leapt out, brought back images of the carnage wrought by the Zillo Beast. Momentarily distracted she stumbled, pushing the memories away, as she righted herself; she was needed here, fully aware. She followed the directions of the waving arms of the CSF officers on the ground. She didn't envy them being first on the scene, a terrorist attack, bomb planted and they were being hyper vigilant; even as a medic she was frisked and scanned. The Separatists were getting bolder, this was the third attack in as many weeks. Disrupting supplies, they called it; they had already tried Kamino.
How the Fek did they do it here?
Dr Cahu headed towards the rubble, Ryssa followed; she was his partner. 'Plumber and mate' he called it; one Doctor, one medic. She ought to be insulted but this was the reality of it; she still wasn't re-registered. Although still based in the Treatment Room, she was now rotated on call in the Trauma clinic; something was happening, sometimes she felt sidelined. Cahu wasn't saying anything.
Running forward, she could see few walls were left standing, the remainder of the building rubble and droids were scanning for survivors.
"Medics! Medics!" The cries came from all around.
White and red-brown plastoid armour, was interspersed among the durasteel and concrete rubble; shards of transparisteel rose up like crystal stalagmites and the dust would have choked her but for her mask. She froze. Everyone was rushing around her. It wouldn't be anyone she knew, it couldn't be but the face would be the same. She took deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth, calming herself; then the adrenaline kicked in again and she rushed forward with Cahu. They all needed her and this was what she had trained for.
Triage, stabilise, evacuate.
They worked on autopilot; the bodies, not all clones, there were civilians working there as well. All kinds of species; some she had never treated before. There were specialists and droids here; Cahu had called out everyone that he was responsible for. She saw staff that she didn't recognise and they all worked in tandem with the Clones. Despite the carnage, this was heartening to see and Ryssa felt proud being part of it.
It was hours before they could finally leave; the number of dead higher than the survivors. As they walked away the CSF Forensic Investigation team moved in; Ryssa thought she saw an ARC Trooper Captain talking to one of them but was distracted by Palpatine's face blaring from the huge overhead screens, mouthing platitudes to the masses. Just as he had done when the Zillo Beast had been here. She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat.
This attack was worse than the Separatists attack on the energy plant and was the latest in a series specifically against the GAR. 'Only the GAR,' The Holonews had said, she could feel the anger rising and Palpatine was already asking for more security but nothing seemed to work. How he remained Chancellor, she didn't know. Already Coruscant was reverting to its non stop status, as if nothing had happened, as if the Separatists had not breached its defences, yet again.
Finally, the LAATi rose slowly from the remains of the base; she was one of the last leaving with Cahu, who had stayed to ensure everything had been done, all protocols followed. All survivors cleared. He signed off the scene with the Forensics Team.
As he sat opposite her, he looked as exhausted as she felt; he wiped a gloved hand over his face, leaving blood in its wake. He realised and pulled them off, shoving them in a Med - disposal bag. Ryssa handed him a bottle of water; they had been shoved in her hand by the pilot. She took a drink. It tasted better than the best Alderanian wine, as her throat soaked up the moisture. She watched as Cahu did the same; the man drove himself too hard. He should be retired now enjoying some time with his wife, his family; although she realised that was all she knew about his personal life.
"Thanks." He finally croaked. He took another longer drink. "Admin notified me that you'd made the payment."
Ryssa looked at him, confused.
"Payment?"
"For the Doctor's re-registration programme."
"I didn't…."
"It's been paid, in your name; so I booked you in for the next available programme."
"It must be a mistake. I haven't paid."
"I was notified that the fees have been paid."
"By whom?"
"I thought it was you. I was surprised when you didn't say anything. I'll check."
She shook her head, too tired to even comment. She closed her eyes; she would think about that another day. All she wanted now was a hot, wet shower and bed; not necessarily in that order.
.
Her mind slowly registered the buzzing of the the comlink and opening her eyes slowly she could see the blue flash on her wrist com on the dressing table.
No! Not so soon. I need more sleep.
She struggled to get out of the bed, the need for sleep dragging her back, which was why her comlink was across the bedroom. She had to get out of bed to stop it buzzing.
She hated being on call.
Everywhere ached, from the lack of sleep, only Caf and occasional adrenaline kept her going; worry and anger stopped her sleeping. She picked the Com up.
Two hours sleep.
"Kal?" Her voice was scratchy. She gulped some of the tepid water she had left on the nightstand. "What's the problem?"
"Ad'ika, I need your expertise."
Kal was the master of the quick explanation, so she had a very, very quick shower, pulled her hair back in a ponytail on top of her head, threw on soft cotton trousers and top, retrieved her med bag and waited. The chime on her door went off soon after and answering it, she was met by a Clone in fatigues.
"Morning, Ma'am."
"Morning." she grunted barely managing a smile and looked questioningly at him.
"Scorch, Ma'am"
"Ryssa." and put her hand out to shake his. He seemed a bit nonplussed but shook it nonetheless.
He escorted her to the speeder on the landing platform and they were soon at seedy looking hotel. She asked no questions and he volunteered no information but it appeared that she was honoured, to be allowed here. Two thoughts crossed her mind: Kal must really trust her. This looked illegal.
Qibbu's Hut. It was a step down from the Kragget. They walked through a restaurant and bar, which had a number of clones in it; they received some odd looks and Scorch got the odd congratulatory back slap, which he ignored. As they waited at the lift, Ryssa turned, saw the dais, which she knew Hutt's used. The name made sense now and two Twi'lek waitresses, one older and one who looked really young were serving. She hoped it wasn't one of those establishments, or she would have to revise how she felt about Kal and that didn't sit well with her.
Scorch saw her looking back. "If anyone as much as looks the wrong way at any of the waitresses, they will have to deal with several angry clones and Kal."
"Good." She muttered, thankful that she would not have to face that awkward conversation. Ryssa watched as the lift doors closed.
They entered the living accommodation, again Ryssa was surprised by it and then Kal was in front of her.
"Good to see you Neryssa." He still used her full name, she only just noticed that. "Just need you to check someone over. You OK with that?"
"No probs." she replied expecting to be directed towards a Clone but no he gestured towards a female, statuesque with blonde hair and dark eyes. Breathtaking. She turned to look at him.
"PEP blast." Ordo interrupted. "You can use my room."
Ordo indicated with his hand and the female went into the nearest room; Ryssa following.
"Where were you hit?" she asked.
"Chest." The woman replied.
She didn't waste any words. A little like Ordo.
"Could you take your blouse off and I'll do some tests."
By the time she turned, the woman was lying back on the bed and Ryssa saw where the discharge area of the PEP gun had hit, a painful looking bruise blossoming out from her sternum.
Neryssa activated her portable scanner and prepped some Bacta patches from her medikit. She scanned this impossibly beautiful woman, with perfectly formed breasts that she suddenly felt inadequate, plain.….
Kriff! Neryssa keep your mind on the job.
Ryssa cleared her throat. She hoped the woman hadn't noticed her looking or the embarrassed blush that she felt heating her face.
"Are you cold? I won't be long."
The woman shook her head.
She passed the portable scanner over her sternum, several times, and took a deep breath.
"The good news is it doesn't look as if the bruising will spread any further; the injury is quite deep but the are no broken bones, or damaged breast tissue. I'll put bacta patches on and bandage you but you may find in a week or two you develop some lumps. Don't worry, these are normal. They're the deep bruises coming out and should disperse in another week after that. If they don't you will need to see your own Doctor for further tests. Just to be on the safe side."
She looked up and could see the woman watching her closely.
"You can get dressed now." She pulled a bottle from her bag and pushed it towards her. "Oh, here, pain killers."
"No thanks." She slowly buttoned up her blouse, " Are you the Captain's girlfriend?"
"Oh no," Ryssa chuckled.
"Does he have one?"
Ryssa frowned, she had never heard A'den mention one, "I don't think so."
Ryssa swore she heard the woman say "Good" under her breath.
"All done." She declared, thankful to get out of the room; the woman was distracting but now she had some gossip for A'den, whenever she heard from him again.
Turning to go into the large lounge area, she was pulled back into a clone's chest. She knew it wasn't A'den, he was off planet, when she turned she saw Fi's face. She was always amazed that she could now clearly differentiate between them all.
"Why Fi, I didn't know you cared?" She quipped. He didn't come back with a retort, which was unusual.
"I need you to look at something."
"I'm a medic not a …."
"It's medical." He interrupted. She allowed herself to be propelled into the room; inside there was another Commando, one who she didn't know, sitting on the bed and he was grimacing in pain.
"What's happened?"
"Dislocation and torn ligaments." The treatment he had given so far was correct but Sev, was still in pain and the area was still swollen.
"Well, the treatment's good but the joint needs resting so, no Ops." She was explaining.
Sev sat bolt upright; he didn't have the easy manner and social graces of those trained by Kal, therefore, she deduced he must be part of another squad.
"Can't fekking be on med leave, you... fix it!" He ground out and leant towards her menacingly. Ryssa backed away.
"Whoa there!" Fi got between them holding Sev back.
She looked questioningly at Fi and he nodded.
"Ok. I have to say this is against my better medical judgement."
"I ain't gonna sue you." Retorted Sev.
"You wouldn't get much, if you did."
Fi sniggered. Sev glared.
Ryssa ran the scanner over him; she loved that portable scanner. It wasn't GAR issue. Ryssa had only mentioned it once, in passing, to A'den and the next time he was back he'd brought it with him, apparently Kal had got it for him, to give to her. Through it she could see the injury, almost to a cellular level and the potential damage to nearby cells, depending on its severity and what treatment had been administered, already.
"Osik!" She swore. "How the hell did you mange this?" Sev raised an eyebrow, in preparation of some cutting one - liner. Fi mouthed 'A'den's girl' and the eyebrow went down; he knew the Null, one of Kal's boys, he wasn't going to antagonise him, he was one of the bonkers ones, full on Mando. Not for him. It was bad enough being partnered with this one that couldn't Fekking keep his mouth shut. Yak. Yak. Yak.
"You've got muscle, tendon and bone damage to the area. A triple whammy; It's a mess in there, even with just the normal inflammation associated with it. It's that, restricting your movement and the pain." The woman's voice broke into his thoughts.
"Don't want a biology lesson, just fix it?"
"It'll be a couple of injections but one will be directly into the bone and it's very painful. It's normally done under anaesthetic."
Fi held the scanner looking at it. "Nice bit of kit." the medic in him commented.
"Yes, it is. A present. Now just hold it steady so that I can get it in the best possible area to achieve longest and highest amount of pain killing and inflammation reduction."
This was old fashioned medicine, with a touch of Bacta, that miracle cure.
"What exactly is it?" Asked Sev.
"Now you ask?" She rolled her eyes, as she produced a large looking needle. He backed off slightly.
"It's a cocktail of Cortisone, analgesic, and Bacta. I need to get it right in the middle of the injury to have any effect."
"Fi. It may be better if you sat on him and give me the scanner."
Fi did as asked, with much swearing and grumbling from Sev. "Imagine I'm General Secura."
Sev glared.
"Ready Sev? Think of something nice. Kal's Verpine rifle, something like that."
"Yeah, sweet..aargh." Fi pressed down for a few seconds as Sev struggled.
"Chakaar! You didn't give me any warning!" He finally grunted out.
"Yes I did, you just didn't take it." She wiped the needle entry with a disinfectant anti bacterial wipe.
"Keep still for a few minutes now."
She watched Sev, as he leant back against the wall a sheen a sweat on his face; he really was different to the clones trained by Kal, he had looked scared when she said, no ops and not being able to go on this op. She couldn't think who or what scared him so much.
"How are you feeling now?" She asked.
"How do you fekking think?" He leaned towards her.
"Hey, Sev! Cool it. She's just treated you." Fi coming between them; Sev just slumped back.
"Fi just check the joint rotation in 15 minutes." She scanned again. "But it should be okay. I'll be going."
"You won't tell Ordo will you?" Sev double checked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"You're my patient, I abide by whatever you want." She said, looking him straight in the eye.
"Thanks." came the grudging reply.
She walked out of the room straight into Kal. "Wondered where you'd got to, Ad'ika."
"Just showing Fi my new scanner."
"Nice kit for a medic, can I have one?" Came a voice out of the bedroom.
Kal laughed, put an arm around her and guided her to another room; "We've got an op going down over the next few days. Would you be on standby, just as backup for any medical problems? My go to medic isn't available."
"Yeah. No problem. Just com me."
"Good girl, now go home and get some sleep." He shooed her out of the Apartment towards the waiting Scorch.
She took a deep breath, after the smell of sweat, stale carpets and caf, there had been another particular smell in the rooms; musky, not unpleasant but all pervading. She felt as if she should recognise it but it eluded her.
"That smell?" She asked Scorch.
"Strill." He said with a grimace.
.
A day later she got the com and went to the safe house luckily, she wasn't really needed, everyone checked out, including Darman, who had had a close encounter with a flamethrower.
On the journey home she went over in her mind what had happened. There had been a lot of clones at the safe house, a lot; she dint know them all. A number of people she hadn't seen before and a strange animal that whimpered when she went past it. Was that the Strill? A Mandalorian dressed totally in black who had stared at her making her feel so uncomfortable she was glad to get out of the apartment. The restaurant also served criminals, she wasn't that blind when she walked through the front; the bulges from the blasters they carried gave them away. She wouldn't want to be anyone who just walked in off the street to this place. Ryssa hadn't asked any questions about what had happened, to any of them or what they were doing on Coruscant. She knew better than to ask; it was safer not to know.
.
A/N: fake medicine.