New CMO

Posted on Tue Sep 29th, 2026 @ 1:54pm by Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon & Lieutenant Dr. J.R McEntyre, M.D. F.F.C.S, F.C.E.P

1,203 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Prologue: To Boldly Go
Location: First Officer's Office, Deck 2, USS Fenrir
Timeline: MD 13 - 18:00

[ON]

Commander Kit Hanlon wasn’t the sort to pace around, worrying nails or pulling hairs. He let the chair take his weight, one foot planted firm on the floor, the other ankle crossed casually over his knee. A cooling mug sat off to the side, something spiced and vaguely citrusy he hadn’t quite got around to finishing...a recommendation, not a preference. The rest of the desk was tidy-ish, but not performative. One old warp core schematic on the wall. A newer one taped beside it with an engineer’s corrections still half visible. This was a working office, not a showcase, but one that showed where Kit had originated.

The file on the new CMO had already been read. Kit didn’t need it in front of him. He remembered the broad strokes anyway. Field surgeon during the war, patching people up near Chin’toka under fire. Glasses, not for show. Texas drawl, likely...the Bostonian in him found that amusing. Something about cattle medicine before Starfleet, which honestly just made Kit want to ask about the engineering behind space-capable vet work. The man had backbone, no doubt about that. Anyone who walked out of a MASH unit into twenty years of frontier posts probably wasn’t in it for comfort. Unfortunately, he'd get some comfort here...at least if Kit could help it.

So here he was, no real agenda for the meeting....Just giving the new Chief some space to land before the impending mission, whatever it was going to be, would take their time. And he'd work with whatever version of the file that came through the door.

J.R had dropped his duffel in the small space of his quarters before heading up to the bridge. After almost two years exploring the wonders of a different galaxy, he was ready for a new assignment. Being a CMO was the top of his dream assignment list and coming aboard Fenrir had been fairly easy.

He smoothed out his uniform, giving it a small tug before he tapped the chime to the XO's officer with a soft paw and waited for the reply.

He wasn't nervous per se. J.R had been a Starfleet Officer for close to 20 years, seen horrors and combat in places that would make the hair on your body stand up right. He had fought off a Jem'hadar that had made it passed the soldiers into a field surgery. Was not his best moment but he held his own and saved the patient.

Now he stands here, ready to face the challenges and responsibilities of running his own Sickbay.

"Come in," Hanlon called out and then smiled as the doors opened. "Doctor McEntyre," Hanlon stood, looking at the Caitian with a respectful nod. "Please, come join me. I am Commander Kit Hanlon, the First Officer of the Fenrir. I trust you've had a good trip here?"

J.R nods as he enters. "It was a good trip, thank you Commander. I'm glad to be here. John Ross McEntyre, reporting for duty." He replied as he stood to attention.

"At ease, get comfortable Doctor McEntyre," Hanlon said with a smile as he watched the Caitian. It was a big strange, that accent coming from him. But Starfleet was nothing if not wonderful. "Can I get you something to drink? I might have another coffee at this rate, although I suspect I should consider decaf."

“I’m fine, thank you sir.” J.R nodded as he took a seat in front of the desk.

Kit nodded and went to the replicator, getting himself a decaf black coffee. He carried it back and took a seat. "Welcome to the Fenrir," he said with a warm smile. "I suspect you've barely had the chance to set your bag down...and I suspect the Guinevere will miss you. Their loss is our gain though..."

"I look forward to hitting the ground running with this new assignment, sir." J.R nods, not mentioning that he thought the Commodore can go take a giant leap. He wanted to run a sickbay, didn't matter the size of the ship nor where they were going.

Kit gave him a small smile, sipping his coffee and finding it too hot. So he put it down with a grimace. "I wanted to...well, my aim is for me to give you what you need so you can do your job, run your department fine and whatever progression you might hope for. So I wanted this meeting for us to...talk. And you can tell me what you want to do with the medical department."

"My goals is to run Sickbay in the most effective way possible. For the most part, I suspect nothing will really change with sickbay operations other than shifts scheduling. I am planning on meeting the med staff in the morning and getting their takes on things before I make any real major changes. My goal is for the med staff to be a collaborative force and that means everyone gets input into operations."

"A worthy goal," Kit said with no hesitation, meaning it as he watched the Caitian sitting across from him. "And your personal goals? Ambitions...or just wants for your career?" he asked and there was a slight tilt of his head as he watched him. "I see...my job as making sure that you don't just...have what you need for your department, but that we can make sure you have what you need for your own career."

"I won't lie and say I don't have ambitions for Command or Directing a Starbase Hospital. I just don't want to end up behind a desk at Starfleet Medical."

"I think a lot of us feel that way...no worse fate for someone who likes being in the middle of it, than being in bondage behind a desk," Kit said with a small smile as he looked at McEntyre. "Okay...so more responsibility. Do you have experience as a bridge officer? I...admittedly forgot to check."

"Some but not as much as I would like. Probably what's keeping me a Lieutenant instead of a Lieutenant Commander or a Full Commander."

"We can look into that," Kit said, knowing well enough that it was something he would have to juggle. It was fine, and there were luckily enough leeway with the personnel to make it doable. "Perhaps a couple of shifts a week, when sickbay doesn't need you, to get those hours under your belt."

“Thank you. I look forward to it,” J.R nods. “Is there anything else you need, sir?”

"No...no, and you must be eager to get to it," Kit said, realising that he was keeping their new CMO from his duties. He stood and offered his hand to the man. "Welcome to the Fenrir, Mister McEntyre. I will hopefully see you more in meetings than me in sickbay..." the last was added with a playful smile and a hint of warm humour.

"Thank ya, Sir" J.R stood and nodded his head before leaving.

---------
Dr. J.R McEntyre
Ship's Surgeon
USS Fenrir

&

Commander Kit Hanlon
First Officer
USS Fenrir

 

RSS Feed