Darwin watched restlessly as Cassidy delivered aid to the fourth patient. She had seen her and the other doctors and nurses give shots, draw blood, and even fix broken bones. It was all very… fascinating. More than flying a bomber, being on the security team, and even researching new alien life. This could be her future.

Cassidy worked on the broken bone and motioned Darwin over, “Let’s walk through the process.”  She had asked the engineer’s permission.  “We’ve already alleviated the pain through the hypo-spray.  Now we need to get the bone reset.”  The deputy director gently attached a unit to the leg, “This will gently and quickly reset the bone back to where it needs to be so we can start the mending process.”  A click, the machine was attached as it scanned, adjusting its position to ensure the bone reset was correct.

Observing, Darwin eyed how precise Cassidy’s movements were. She could tell she had earned her title and rank with such ease; this came to her. She wondered if she would get to that point in her career.

Cassidy chuckled, “In old Earth times, they’d do it by hand.”  The unit beeped as its indicator light turned green.  “There we go.  Now, we need to clip on the bone regeneration unit.”  An orderly handed her the long and thin unit, which she demonstrated as she attached it.  A second later, it began to work on the bone, and the patient smiled in appreciation.

Darwin watched as Cassidy and one of the aids helped the patient. As they smiled, it filled her with a warmth she hadn’t expected. She was starting to like the idea of healing people.

Suddenly, alarms rang above them as a calm voice announced an isolated accident near one of the cores.  Montgomery turned to Darwin, “You’re with me – they’ll be coming into triage. Grab a dermal regenerator and a medical tricorder – we’ll be the first to receive patients.”

Grabbing the regenerator and a medical tricorder, Darwin turned to follow Cassidy. They rushed over to triage as they waited for the first wave of patients to arrive in the facility. To say she was nervous would be an understatement. This would be her first real medical crisis, and she would be right next to Cassidy, helping to heal. Maybe she had found her calling after all.

The biobeds rolled into triage, and Cassidy motioned Darwin to the first incoming, “Get the report, hear the vitals, and assign them a priority level.”  The Deputy Director took the second bed and directed the orderlies to tackle the third incoming.

“Human, male, approximately early 30s,” a nurse said as they wheeled the biobed through the door. “Mild concussion and third-degree plasma burns to the lower right arm. BP 110. Respiratory rate 24, stable.”

Darwin’s eyes darted across the recorder as she read the readouts. “No signs of intracranial pressure. Burns cover 21% of the right arm circumference. No airway compromise. Priority Two.” Inhaling softly, she steadied her voice as she devised the best solution. “Apply cooling gel and cover burns with sterile sheets and monitor vitals.”

Cassidy had completed her patient’s triage and sent the young ensign to the intensive care unit.  She returned to Darwin’s side as she finished her evaluation.  The cadet had remained calm as she had worked down the list of symptoms and measurable diagnostic variables.  She did her once-over and gave the cadet a nod of approval. “Good work, Cadet Darwin.” She turned to the orderly team lead. “Move her to treatment.”  She asked Darwin, “What did you learn and what do you want to learn?”

The two continued their conversation as Cassidy led her through several more departments.  She hoped Cadet Darwin had the time worth the experience.  There was something special about the young cadet, and Cassidy would be lucky to have her on the medical team.