Caught and Released

Rescue

A poacher ship had just been apprehended. Amarvus walked with a fast pace towards his assigned containment unit, pushing a cot in front of him. Once he found the cell, he braced himself for what lay beyond the door. Poachers always came up with new ways of tormenting the animals they transported. He opened the door and winced at what he saw.
In the middle of the room there was a -well- he didn't know. Amarvus had never seen anything like the little thing that was strapped to a chair in the dark room. Whatever he was, he was clearly suffering. He tensed up when the door opened and had his eyes closed tightly. Amarvus slowly approached the creature, causing him to start shaking. Amarvus tried getting his attention by placing a hand on his shoulder. He visibly flinched with the contact.
After a few seconds, the little one looked up at him. He was clearly terrified by what he saw. Amarvus tried to look as nonthreatening as possible, giving him a small smile. "Hey little one, it's alright. I'm going to get you out of here, ok?" He slowly moved his hands to unclip the feeding tube attached to him. The little one gagged as it was removed and had a coughing fit right after. Amarvus helped him through it while fiddling with his restraints. Soon the little one was completely out of the restraints and swaddled in a blanket. As soon as he had him in his arms the poor thing started crying.
"Oh, oh sweetie, it's ok. Shhhhhhh. You're ok. It's alright. You're safe now. Shhhhh." He kept on hushing him and started to rock him a little. Amarvus's translator was trying to decipher the words coming from the little one in strings of sobs, but it couldn't quite understand him. "It's alright little one. It's alright. I'm going to help you feel better. Shh, it's alright." There was a lull in the cries, but after a second, they came back even stronger. "Oh, sweet thing, it's ok. You're going to be alright. Shhhh." Amarvus tried to console the little one, but he could only do so much. He didn't have enough time to calm him down completely, making his way out of the cell and into the hallway. He set the little guy down on the cot and strapped him in. He started squirming against the bonds. "It's alright, darling. You're alright. Shh, shhhhhhhh. You're going to be just fine." Amarvus tried to put the gas mask on him, but he jerked his head to the side. He kept dodging the mask until Amarvus held his head still. The scared, desperate look the little one gave him as he put the mask on nearly broke his heart. Amarvus could tell when the gas started to take affect. The little one looked like he was trying to stay awake but was not doing very well. His eyes were starting to close. "There we go little one. Just go to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." After a minute or so, he was fast asleep.
"I need some help over here!" Amarvus turned around and saw Ghantin struggling to hold onto his patient. Amarvus quickly walked over to him. "Hey. Can you help me keep him on the cot?" Ghantin put the little one on the cot and held him down as Amarvus strapped him in. The little one was screaming his head off as he tried to break out of the straps. Although he didn't know what he was saying, Amarvus knew the sound of cursing someone out when he heard it. Ghantin got the mask out and tried to put it on, earning a bite to his arm as soon as he got close. "Ahh! Can you keep him still?" Amarvus carefully placed his hands on either side of the little one's head and held him there as Ghantin held the mask to his face. The little one's anger was turning into panic with every second he couldn't get free. Tears started to fall as he was held on the cot. "Hey, shhhh. Hey. I know little one. I know you're scared. It's alright. I won't hurt you. I'm going to help you." Ghantin started to speak softly to him, wiping away the tears. The gas eventually took effect, and he passed out. Ghantin let out a sigh, "Thank you."
"No problem." Amarvus hadn't seen much of Ghantin yet. He was new: just transferred from a sanctuary on Lonnetra. He currently had his face in his hands, shaking slightly. "Are you alright?"
"That was so hard. He was so scared, a-and I couldn't do anything to calm him down."
"I know. It's normal for these guys to be scared right now. The important thing is that you are helping him."
Ghantin let out a breath. "Yeah, I know. Thank you." Amarvus pat him on the shoulder and walked back over to his own patient. He took the mask off of him and started pushing the cot back to the veterinary ship where he could get him more comfortable.
Amarvus made his way down the long hallways towards Ihina's office to look the little one over for injuries. He knocked before he was let in. "Hey, just put them down on the scanner and I'll be right with you." Amarvus picked him up and gently placed him on the scanner, unfolding the blanket to look him over. "Anything wrong that you can see?" Ihina asked from the other side of the room.
"Just some irritation from the restraints, but nothing major. Based on what they were giving him, he might be malnourished and dehydrated."
"Do you want an IV sent to the room?"
"Yes, that would be great." Ihina walked over right as the little one was settled.
"Aww. These things are so cute!" Her voice became a sweet whisper, "Hey little guy," she ruffled his hair a little before closing the lid. She started up the scanner. "Everything looks to be fine. Can you hold him for a second? We were able to get the translators working for them." She opened the scanner and Amarvus picked him up. Ihina felt around the little one's upper back before finding a good spot. She quickly injected him with the translator. He groaned in his sleep. "It's ok sweetie. I know. I know it hurts." A bandage was put over the spot. "And there. Once you get him settled, come back and I'll update yours.
"I will, thank you." Amarvus put him back on the cot. He then left her office, leaving the door open for the next person in line. He walked down the long hallways to the little guy's room and carried him into the adjacent bathroom. Once everything was ready, Amarvus started washing the little one off. It went fairly quickly since the little one was -well- small. He was soon finished, drying him off with a towel. Once he was dry, Amarvus applied some medicine on the irritated skin, wrapping a bandage around each spot when he was through. He then went through a short check-up with the little one. After checking him over, Amarvus grabbed the clothes he laid out for the little one and dressed him. He chose something warm and comfortable; picking him up once he was done and heading back into the bedroom.
Amarvus put the little one down in the bed. He made a displeased noise as he was let go of and blindly started feeling around the sheets. Amarvus couldn't help but smile at the action. He grabbed one of the pillows and gently placed it in between the little one's arms. He gave a little hum as he cuddled into the pillow, sinking into the bed. Amarvus tried to hold back a laugh. A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Upon opening the doors, he was greeted by someone sent to deliver the IV to him. Amarvus gave a quick thanks and headed back to the room. "Ok little one, I have to borrow one of your arms, alright?" As gently as he could, Amarvus searched for a suitable vein and stuck the neddle in. He tucked the little one in and brushed the hair out of his face, causing his nose to twitch. He really was a cute little thing. He turned off the lights and closed the doors, letting his little patient get some much needed sleep.

A/N: Chapter 2 has been officially updated! What do you think? Better? Worse? I'd love to know what you think!