Checking in

Posted on Mon Mar 17th, 2025 @ 5:25pm by Captain Robert Burke & Lieutenant Commander Dr. Jeremiah "James" McEntyre, Jr M.D.

1,097 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD001

::ON::

It hadn't taken long for the newly named Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jeremiah "James" McEntyre, Jr to get his office in Sickbay set up with the various knickknacks and personal touches. He had been aboard for a few hours, wanting to make sure that all the Sickbay systems were up to par, especially with a newly commissioned ship.

Stepping out from behind his desk with a purr, he gave it one last look over before he turned and headed out to the main floor of the facility.

He nodded as he passed several nurses that were going about getting equipment and gear stowed away in their places for the mission ahead.

Stepping through the doors to Sickbay, Burke beamed a smile as he caught sight of the newly-minted Chief Medical Officer. Raising a hand in greeting, the man made his way through the organised chaos to the relative calm in the vicinity of the Caitian. 'Doctor. Captain Burke, a pleasure to finally meet you.'

James turned and offers out a hand.

"A pleasure, Captain Burke."

He shook the man's hand for a moment.

"We're nearly ready, a few more supplies and we'll have a fully operational sickbay."

Looking around the Sickbay, Burke noted the crates and boxes of supplies being emptied, and nodded approvingly. 'I'm sure you'll get that 'New Sickbay' smell gotten rid of in double-time, Doctor. How was your journey over to Mars?'

“It was quite pleasant. I was able to read over the latest medical reports on the flight out from Earth Spacedock,” James replied with a nod.

Motioning towards the Chief Medical Officer's office, Burke smiled, 'shall we take a load off, Doctor?' As he headed in the direction of the office, he looked back towards the half-Caitian. 'You were stationed on a Starbase for a time, weren't you?'

James nodded as he sat in his chair behind his desk.

“I was Surgical Attending at the Starbase 12 Medical Complex. Before that I was Assistant Chief Medical Officer aboard the Hornet.” James leaned back in his chair some as he spoke.

Nodding in acknowledgement, Burke replied with an easy smile, 'yes, I read that in your file. What was your time at Starbase Twelve like? I've not been out that far on my assignments.'

"It was an interesting time. Being out there on the frontier was a welcome change from core world assignments. As a surgical attending, it was my job to help new interns and residents find their skills and marks as future ship or base surgeons. You've got to have the right hands for it as my father would say."

James leaned back a bit in his chair as he spoke.

"Can I offer you some coffee, or tea?"

He gestured to a hot caraffe of coffee behind his desk on a warming plate.

Flicking a glance in the direction of the coffee, Burke hesitated, then nodded, 'yes, if you wouldn't mind. A coffee is just what I need for the moment.' Changing back to the conversation at hand, he pressed, 'did you find it a challenge to be so far out? I imagine that supply runs out to Twelve were few and far between?'

"It was quite rewarding actually. Being on the frontlines of the frontier. Though between you, me, I asked for a frontier assignment. Wanted to get out there like my father did all those years ago aboard Midway."

Raising an eyebrow, Burke smiled and responded, 'your father was aboard the Midway, was he? What a coincidence.' His thoughts wandered to their young Chief of Operations. 'Lieutenant Faust might be interested in hearing that, given his own family connection to the ship. You father enjoyed his time aboard the Midway, then?'

"From 2268 to it's decommissioning. I grew up hearing about his time on the Midway. He was one of the Ship Surgeons under Dr. Kitchner." James smiled as he talked.

"It's one of the many reasons I became a Surgeon, that and it felt right to me."

'Your father was a big influence on you growing up then?' Burke replied with an inquisitive look. He tucked another question away for later, wondering at the Caitian doctor's parentage. He drained the cup of coffee he had been given earlier. It seemed that his personal blend had been bulk ordered for the ship, for which he could only be pleased.

"He was, owe a lot to his teaching me, and my internship on Midway as well. Like a second home for me," James nodded as he sipped on his own cup, leaning back into his chair.

'You served on the same ship as your father?' Burke inquired, intrigued at the prospect. He steepled his fingers as he leaned in slightly, 'surely not at the same time as your father? That would seem to be quite ... unorthodox considering she was off on the frontier.'

“Not directly under him. I was under the CMO at the time, his last before his retirement. He was a good man. A great surgeon.”

'I'm sure he was,' Burke replied warmly. 'And that your time on the frontier was useful - I certainly hope that you'll find it valuable here aboard the Hecate.' He leaned forward. 'I'm sure it's been impressed upon you, but the Hecate is leaving on a five year voyage.' His voice grew serious, deepening, 'beyond Klingon space, the unknown ... I trust you've organised your affairs for a long trip?'

“I have, sir. Sickbay will be ready for what’s out there and so will I. It’ll be good to get back to exploring without the constant threat of Klingons behind every corner.” James replied with a smile.

'Why Doctor,' Burke smirked, 'whoever said they wouldn't be a threat?'

"That's fair." The doctor replied. "Klingons are wily devils as my father says."

'He would be right,' Burke agreed. 'Now, I'm sure I've taken up entirely too much of your time, Doctor.' He got to his feet, and motioned the man to do the same. 'Please don't let me detain you further - there must be quite an amount of work to get Sickbay up to your standards before launch.'

“Anything you need from Medical, we’ll be ready and able.” The good doctor replied with a grin, a big kitty smile.

'Thank you - dismissed,' Burke replied, watching the Caitian go.

::OFF::

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant-Commander Jeremiah McEntyre
Chief Medical Officer
USS Hecate

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