Isolation

Chapter 36

Maria was upset as could be. When she found out Tim was in the Med Ward, she marched over and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

"You didn't tell me you were going anywhere!"

"I'm sorry, sweet pea. I didn't have time."

"You had my number. You could have called!"

"Sara was in trouble. She needed my help. There was no time."

They went back and forth like that for a while. It was giving Sara a headache.

"Can I go now?" She asked the practicioner.

"You were just exposed to space twice in the past twenty-four hours to all kinds of space radiation," he said. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"It's just..."

She lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I could use some quiet. It's been a long day."

"Mr. Barnes," he directed. "Everything checks out. If you're still experiencing some discomfort, come visit me later."

"Alright."

He looked at Sara.

"How ya feeling?"

"Tired," she said.

"We'll let you rest. Come on, Maria. Will you forgive me if we watch Glamour Girls?"

"Mmm maybe."

She relaxed when they left. She had a cold compress over her head. She closed her eyes. She felt the compress move and opened them.

"Howdy," Cassidy said.

She rubbed her eyes.

"How long was I asleep?"

"About thirty seconds."

"That's what I thought. What do you want, Cassidy?"

"Someone wants to talk to you."

She moved back. Sara blinked and sat up. It was Mr. Haas, Cassidy's brother.

"You?"

He didn't speak. He just leaned in and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Thank you," he sniffled. "Thank you for bringing her back."

"Yup. That's Sara, alright," Cassidy interjected. "She did all kinds of heroics today. She defeated an evil man, rescued me from an anomaly, and helped us save an entire ship of people. She did that in one day. She's special, that one."

"You did us a great service," he said.

He let her go. She twirled her hair awkwardly.

"Uh, yeah. No problem."

"She says it like it's nothing! She's a natural-born leader."

"That's enough, Cassie," he said.

Sara's lip quivered.

"It's my fault."

"What?"

"I should have taken the blame," she said. "Your husband is dead, and it's because of me."

"Hold on, child," he interrupted. "You don't put that blame on yourself, you hear? It's an insult to Fraser. None of this was your fault. That man had us all fooled. We're all responsible for believing his lies. When it comes to truth, ranks mean nothing."

"I could rebuild this entire ship in a week," Cassidy said, "but I'm only an academy student. So what? Being captain doesn't mean shit."

"Being a leader. That's different," he said. "Leaders aren't born. They're created. Mansell was never fit to be in the captain's chair. You... you risk your life, take risks, make mistakes, and fight to protect other people. You're the true leader on this ship."