The Doctor's In

Posted on Sun Apr 28th, 2024 @ 9:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox

1,079 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Opening Moves
Location: Sickbay | Deck Four | USS Thunderbird
Timeline: MD024-0930

It was not everyday that one has to go on the hunt for a doctor, but Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox was aware that the USS Thunderbird had been assigned a Ship’s Chief Medical Officer. Something that he knew certain members of the crew avoided like a plague while others utilized openly. Knox had known Rylan for years. They had served together for some time, and both knew how crucial a good Chief Medical Officer having was. Knox believed it was in the best interest of the crew that he got to know the Chief Medical Officer. His intention was to work closely with them as he oversaw personnel matters, and they, the Ship’s Physician was responsible for the physical health and wellbeing of the crew on a medical front.

Knox studied the woman’s personnel file before seeking her out, and carried the PaDD with him, glancing at it while he was in the turbolift. Doctor Hart was a little younger than Knox and Rylan were, a human female from Earth. Radiant, Hawkesbury, and Armstrong her previous assignments through her Starfleet service record. Unlike some that entered Starfleet after working as a physician as a civilian, Doctor Hart appeared to have gone through Starfleet Academy on a pre-med track and continued through Starfleet Medical Academy to become a physician.

As Knox walked through the doors of Sickbay, he immediately caught sight of the blonde whom he had been studying on the PaDD. “So, this is where you’ve been hiding,” he proclaimed with a wide smile and approached the woman. “Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox” he said announcing who he was and extended a hand towards her.

"Damn, you found me!" the doctor feigned disappointment, before grinning mischieveously. "Charlie Hart. Welcome to sickbay, Commander." She finished signing off on a chart and handed it to the nurse on duty, then turned her full attention to the ship's first officer. "Is this a social call, or can I be of medical assistance?"

Harrison smiled at the woman. She was certainly one that was going to keep him on his toes. "I do not require medical assistance. I'm planning on keeping it that way if I can help it" he said with pure honesty. He did not want to be lying on a bio bed unless standard check up and post away team examinations. "Not exactly personal though. Let's call it professional curtsey. I wanted to see how you were settling in, Charlie."

Knox was not avoidant of Sickbays, not like some officers were. Though he wouldn't exactly grab a mug of raktajino and lounge there if he did not have too. It was sterile and it did remind him of friends, shipmates of the past that didn't return home.

"So far, so good," Charlie reported, resting her hands on her hips. "My team and I are getting sickbay squared away between physicals and the odd injury. It's been a good way to start meeting the crew." She paused to consider her personal adjustment. "My quarters are nice and cozy. I haven't really had the chance to fully unpack, but I'm sure I'll find the time once we've finished unpacking here."

Knox gave a pleasant nod of understanding. "Doc, I have been going over personnel files," prefaced the First Officer. "Our Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn, have you met them yet?"

The CMO's face brightened. "I have. Remarkable woman."

Pressing on with what was on his mind, Knox continued "I'm not privy to all the details. Medical is your jurisdiction and I respect that confidentiality to a point, but I have an otherwise fine officer that's not rated for away teams due to something medically related. I hope you can understand how perplexing that is to an inquisitive First Officer."

Charlie pursed her lips an arched an eyebrow. "Of course I can, Commander. I'd imagine it's about as perplexing as those 'need-to-know' orders a captain and first officer are often privy to that the rest of us just have to take on faith."

"I was never that good with faith," Harrison ricocheted with a smirk. He was not afraid to acknowledge that. "I suppose what you are saying is that I had better get used to it." He chuckled a little. "So... I shouldn't expect that status to change anytime soon? She's going to stay off away team assignments." That was a frustrating niche to a department head, but he would make it work if necessary. It was better to him that he protect the crew and the Chief Engineer than put anyone at risk if she was not approved for away teams.

The doctors stance softened the moment she realized she wasn't going to need defend her patient's confidentiality. "I would say that is reasonable expectation. If it's any consolation, I'm always ready to hit the ground. I'm little help with engineering concerns, true, but I believe my medical expertise can be useful in most scenarios. Oh, and Lieutenant Baas should be able to confirm my skill with a phaser." She couldn't help but grin as she shared that last piece of information.

"This will be my first posting where I am the First Officer, Doctor" prefaced Knox. "I am still learning who I am in this role. I do not entirely know what my leadership style will be like, but I am confident that whenever it is agreeable to you and to Captain Gray that I would prefer having the Ship’s Chief Physician at my side."

"You've got me, Commander. And for what it's worth? You're doing fine so far." She offered Harrison a reassuring smile. "Anything else I can do for you?"

Knox smirked a bit and looked at the blonde. She was easy on the eyes, but he was not there for a social call, and he knew he was not ready to dare try to venture back into the dating pond. He took a deep breath, a momentary flash in his mind back to his previous starship. "No," he said calmly. "You've been most patient and helpful, Doc. Thank you. If I need anything, I'll reach out. Best I let you get caught up on everything."

"Fair enough. Thanks for stopping in, I suppose I'll be seeing you... um, often, I mean, um..." she blushed and turned to find something urgent to follow up on. There were just too many attractive men on this ship. "Bye!"

 

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