The redshirts were always the partiers. No party was ever complete without one. They were usually young because of their high death rate. But they didn't think about that. There was one that I knew once, back on the Starbird, he was old, probably in his forties and already balding. I felt bad for him, he was probably lonely, all of his friends had died long ago. He was probably the most aware and the most disconnected of us all. We all had amazing respect for him. Though I doubt he ever noticed. The captain thought about sticking him in mental health clinic on Starbase Eleven because he was becoming a risk to himself and landing party personnel. His decision came too late. One night I found that I could not sleep, I decided that I would go down to engineering to visit my friend. That's where I saw him, standing on the deck overlooking engineering. I asked him what he was doing. He said nothing. He seemed bothered and suspicious. This is when he started climbing over the railing. I tried to stop him, negotiate with him, something. He wouldn't listen. That's when he let go. I lunged for him, trying to grab him and almost ended up going over myself. I screamed and then a rush. Before I knew what was happening I was wrapped in a blanket in sickbay. I had gone numb, shock. They kept me there for several days, observation. Before I knew it, I was the one heading off to Starbase Eleven. That's where they almost put me. Instead I got transferred to another ship. One with an actual psychologist. They decided it would be better for me. It was better I guess. But I could never forget the look of his face and how he looked when he hit the ground. That's how I ended up on the Enterprise. The captain greeted me warmly, the second in command was without emotion but pleasant. The doctor greeted me happily but with respect, he knew what I was going though. That's how I started out on the Enterprise, traumatized and alone. But then I learned, and met people, and worked. And now I'm one of the top officers. But I will never forget that man.