The lame leading the blind

Posted on Mon Mar 3rd, 2025 @ 1:53am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Rutherford (RJ) Milton & Pix Osheena

Mission: Those who are left behind

Slight backpost

"Doc, Pix a word." Toni said after the staff meeting ended. She was really peeved that Milton was not taking care of himself enough. Pixie's bodylanguage had told her as much. And as first officer she was his superior. She gestured for her office.

Pix took note of Toni and her little head tilt as if to show wary concern towards her BFF.

"I thought I was being a good Boy." Milton hated when his guy gave a warning chime. ' We are in a room alone if you need a sword or two."

Milton sat in a chair.

"Take a load off." Milton gesture to s close open chair.

"RJ..." Toni started. "I know I am one to talk but you need to take better care of yourself. You need to rest more." She sat down opposite him and leaned forward. "Look... I get it. When I was second officer I had a nearly full caseload of counselling patients and it was hard, damn hard. But we need you at your best."

Milton look Toni in the eyes.

"How well are you holding up after the Away Mission Incident." Milton countered. "My gut says not well. Now between us Pix here cannot even get a soft soothing glow for Jennifer while sleeping." He chuckled. "So if I say will get rest; will you take some of the same advic? You do recall I have some Betazoid blood in me and since we are close My gut reacts to your emotions, you are family after all."

Toni cursed inwardly. There was a reason she had been avoiding him. "I did go to sickbay and I rested there for a while and a few hours in my quarters after. I am mostly ok now." She still sounded a bit hoarse which she hated. "Right now you have the more important job and one of us has to be there for the captain. I will take it easy and not go on any away missions and I will rest when I can." She countered.

"So are you suggesting that I keep leading the Medical search and rescue while you support the Captain in the stratigy aspects of thinks?" Milton asked calmly. "Splitting the major Tasks between us?"

"Yes. I am fully committed to you being second officer, but right now have to make choices and do what is best for everyone." Toni hoped he would understand.

"So how do you want to split things up?" Milton asked. "For this mission the SHip operations are you and Cappy while I lead the rescue operations?"

"If you can be spared from medical. Saving lives is our first priority." Toni said. "and if you are up to it. I don't think I am fit enough to go on another away mission but you have to be honest about how you are feeling as well."

Maybe I should get out more; go to the Front lines you might say?" Milton was asking.

"Not if you are not sure or not up to it physically. Please be honest with me. It is a big step for me I am not physically fit enough for example."

"Can you think of another more qualified person to run a front line search and recovery rather than being a coordinator safe on a star Ship?" Milton asked. "I could be of help with those in the field?" He shrugged. "Having a doctor on scene might be better right?"

"Maybe one of your junior doctors? So you can stay here and have the oversight of all that needs doing in medical? I am not sure either but I want you to have a good think about it and be honest to yourself as well." Toni said.

"I have run surface Triage in a plague." Milton shrugged. "But I was young and dumb back then, pushed myself a bit." Looking at Toni. "I want to rest just my Brain is going all the time; worry about those whom might be saved and praying we get to them but not knowing if and where they might be nagging me I admit."

"I know." Toni gently touched his arm in support. "That makes it so much harder for us healers to be in command. It is tearing me up as well. We have to be aware of that when we decide what is best for the ship."

"I have decided not only best for ship but others." Milton stare in her eyes as he spoke. "I cannot allow one good person to be killed by any of them; I have to let them die so no one dies at their weapons. Knowing that is right feels bad but it IS the right thing to do and I am trying to do it."

"You have done your utmost to help them." Toni said. "More than most would have done." She knew it would not help much, but she needed to say it anyway.

"No matter how I help... someone has to die." Milton pointed out. "Command can be a Bear Cat to face."

"I know. There are days I wish I had not started with it myself." Toni admitted. "Now can you give me something more for my throat? It still hurts like a bitch."

"I know you like Candy; a strong Local, the sweetness counter acts the bad taste. No more than one every 4 hours or you might not be able to talk due to numb throat. " He chuckled. "But they taste like cherry candy you suck upon."

He moved to his replicator that can make meds.

"Best I can do until swelling and the physical strain to throat muscles heal."

"Thanks doc." She grinned. "I will really try to take it easy and how we don't run into more emergencies for a while. We all need rest."

When we get wounded to real hospitals on station I will collapse and let Larissa pamper me a bit... okay?"

"As long as you don't collapse before then." Toni smiled. "It feels weird to see our usual roles so changed."

"Yeah, that is rather strange." Milton agreed. "I really would rather be on Earth on the plantation with a mint Julip and such to be honest. Rissa on the swing with me."

"Oh hell yes." Toni said thinking about their family plantation outside of Savannah. "You owe me one there once this is all over."

"It would be My All pleasure." Milton winked.

Toni got to her feet. "Let's keep an eye on each other for now."

AS the Lady rises, so does the gentleman. "As always." He winked.

OFF



Commander Toni Sorrel

&

Lt. CMDR Rutherford Milton.
Chief Medical Officer