“Let’s get him to medbay quickly, please!” Lt Redrol yelled as loudly as he could muster in order to ensure he was heard over all of the commotion. Away team alpha had returned by shuttle to the USS Sausalito without any complications or surprises. Of course, Captain Bernard McCauldy was causing quite the scene trying to order people around. He was currently holding onto Lt Redrol and motioning for a young ensign to do as she’s told and come help him on the other side.

The young man just stood there motionless. It was clear that he was confused about what was happening and was afraid to make a move. He opened his mouth a few times as if attempting to speak but nothing came out. That’s when Lt Redrol decided to just get the man to sickbay and try to quiet him down. He had been this way ever since telling the away team about the attack on the USS Bell Rock. He couldn’t blame the man but Redrol needed him to stay calm and being in this shuttle bay surrounded by these people were not helping.

“Come on, Captain McCauldy. Let’s get you to medbay so you can get some rest,” he spoke softly to McCauldy. 

McCauldy’s eyes softened and he looked down. Redrol could see that the man was exhausted both mentally and physically. The man had lost members of his crew and one was missing. Redrol could only imagine that kind of impact this was making on the man and he wished that he could help him more but he didn’t know how. He would do whatever he could though and that thought brought Redrol some reassurance. 

Redrol started moving with McCauldy towards sickbay. He let McCauldy set the pace and didn’t try to rush him. When they reached sickbay, Redrol helped the man slowly lay down on the bed. He had already examined McCauldy and knew he didn’t have any life threatening injuries and Redrol was quite sure that may be what some considered to be a miracle. 

“Alright, Captain McCauldy. Try your best to lay back and relax. It’s important you get some rest and get back to us quickly,” Redrol flashed the man his brightest smile. That smile had been the biggest tool in his arsenal to calm down patients and reassure them throughout his whole career. He hoped it would do the same here for Captain McCauldy.

“Just call me Bernard,” McCauldy spoke the softest Redrol had heard the man up to this point. He knew McCauldy must be exhausted. He worked quickly getting McCauldy hooked up and settled down.

“If that’s what you wish, Bernard. I must say that’s strange for me though,” Lt Redrol responded.

McCauldy let out a small grunt. “Huh, you don’t say! I understand that…” his words faded away and he began staring off in the distance looking slightly over Redrol’s shoulder. Redrol turned just slightly to look but didn’t see anything. He knew he didn’t have the proper training for this type of situation but he had already decided to try and help if he could.

“You’ve been through a lot in the past 24 hours or so. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. Just know that I am here and willing to listen if you do need to talk with someone,” Redrol spoke while continuing to look over McCauldy and didn’t look up to meet his eyes this time. He didn’t want McCauldy to feel uncomfortable. 

Bernard McCauldy let out a large exhale. He continued to look away while speaking. “It’s….it’s just…..It’s just that I don’t feel much like a Captain right now. I failed my crew today and I don’t deserve to hear those words.”

Redrol was taken aback. He couldn’t imagine bearing that kind of weight on his own shoulders and he knew that McCauldy had done everything he could do to protect his crew and ship. “I think your actions today only reinforced your right to hold the rank of Captain. I’m not the right kind of doctor to try and heal your mind. But I’m pretty sure you’ve got this all wrong.”

McCauldy lifted his eyebrows and finally turned to look at Redrol. “How can you say that? You weren’t even there. I lost too many people today.”

“That’s a valid point. I don’t have to be there though. Your reputation speaks for itself and I saw evidence of a crew fighting to it’s last breath. I know that you also know that a crew only fights as well as it’s Captain. You saved them, Captain. Hold your head high and continue to be there for those you still have with you. They need you,” Redrol offered another smile to the man.

This time McCauldy finally returned it. He looked at Redrol and smiled for a few seconds before closing his eyes and laying back. “I think you are right, Doctor.” He let out a small laugh. “I thought you said you weren’t that kind of doctor,” he said before rolling over to his right side. Redrol just chuckled and walked away. He was glad that McCauldy was finally going to get some rest. Both he and the crew of the Sausalito had many obstacles in front of them for the next few days. He took a long breath and held it for a few seconds before releasing it. Bring it on he thought to himself before returning to his work.