Medical Blues
Posted on Fri Aug 7th, 2026 @ 2:13am by Lieutenant Dr. J.R McEntyre, M.D. F.F.C.S, F.C.E.P & Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez
1,095 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Prologue: To Boldly Go
Certain things in life were certain, death, and if you were in Starfleet, medical exams and counselor exams. B'Lakkam could hardly oppose them since he got the same look of dread when people entered his office for the psych exam, often feeling like they were a goldfish stuck in a bowl. However, that did not mean that he relished the onerous task of getting his medical exam completed, especially when he just had his annual a few months prior.
Nonetheless, B'Lakkam made his way to sickbay and called out cheerily, "Hello, everyone, new crewmember here to get poked and prodded."
"We do not 'poke' nor 'prod' here," J.R called out as he came out of his office at the sound of the new arrival. "We're Doctors, not Barbarians."
The Caitian was dressed much as a doctor would be. Scrubs, comfortable shoes and a well worn, well loved hoodie with the Starfleet Medical patch on the left chest.
"J.R McEntyre, what can I do for ya?" He asked in his Texan drawl.
"That's a rather interesting accent that you have for a Caitian," the blue orion observed. "I should like to hear the story behind it while you examine me, if you do not mind. By, the way, my name is B'Lakkam Slichez. I'm the new Chief Counselor, so I expect that we will be working a bit together."
"Not much to tell. I was born and raised in Dallas-Fort Worth on a ranch." J.R explained as he gestured to the biobed, pulling out a medical tricorder from his hoodie pocket.
"Come hop up and I get some scans of ya."
"Now, how in this universe does a Caitian get raised in Dallas on Earth?" B'Lakkam inquired, as he literrally hopped onto a biobed with a mischievous smile. "You can't tell me that there is no story there."
"It's where my family hails from. My great-grandfather was adopted by Starfleet Officers in 2237. His birth parents were killed in a Klingon attack. He was brought back to Earth and was raised as their son along with their human born children." J.R went on, running the tricorder over the counselor. "I'm 4th generation Texan Caitian."
"So, your great-grandfather never left and managed to get other Caitians to come to Earth to live and create lives. Now that's an interesting story. I should have liked to have met him and picked his brain." He kept himself near the edge of the biobed. "So, are you the Chief here or should I be looking for said being? I figure the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Counselor should know each other better given they will often have to consult."
"I'd consider Admiral S'rrel to have been the one responsible for most Caitians on Earth as a Starfleet Officer and the Caitian Ambassador to the Federation Council." J.R retorted.
"I do agree we should probably get to know one another and hammer out Chain of Command issues as well. Given Medical and Counseling being under the same umbrella."
"They do, but I think that you will find that I would prefer to stay out of the way." He then gave J.R. a secretive smile. "Still not admitting to being the chief, eh? Certainly implied it, but not saying it.... Interesting...." B'Lakkam mused. "I wonder how you break bad news to a patient...."
"With Dignity and Compassion," J.R retorted almost immediately. "I am perfectly capable of admitting I am the Chief Medical Officer of this ship. Though I prefer Ship's Surgeon as my title because that is what kind of doctor I am. A Surgeon." J.R went on.
Interesting, as surgeons tend to be slicers and dicers. Between that and his Texan history, there's a lot more layers to peel back. "I'm glad to hear that you're perfectly capable of admitting that because it would be extremely awkward if you could not," B'Lakkam replied with an amused tone.
J.R nods, tapping on his tricorder. “What about you? We don’t see many Blue Orions around these days.” J.R. Inquired of the counselor.
"I would not expect that anyone sees many blue Orions, at all. The green ones seem to be a bit more prevalent at coming over to Starfleet even if the Orions are not a part of the Federation. I have to admit that I'm not fully certain how so many get sponsors. I could suspect pheremones but I would rather think better of them."
“Could be possible.” J.R quipped before he closed his tricorder.
“You’re 4-O. Perfect health. Everything is in baseline for Orion.” J.R pronounced.
"Doctor, please make certain that for me, you pronounce it OR-ee-on, if you don't mind? Only the greens misprounce it as Oh-RYE-on. It is a long standing argument. I assume it is something like the pronounciation of TOE-MAH-toe versue toe-MAY-toe. It may not mean much to others, but it does to the disputants." He gave J.R. an apologetic shrug.
Switching the topic, B'Lakkam asked, "So what can you tell me about the ship and crew? I heard that the counseling department has been a bit overwhelmed. Any idea why?"
"Captain and XO got a good head on them. Crew know what they're doin. I've enjoyed my time here so far."
B'Lakkam blinked twice. The doctor did not appear to be a particularly good listener. He answered the first question but did not answer the second. "So far, is what? Three weeks, right? So what has been going on over the past three weeks?"
"Not alot of anything aside from getting the ship ready to depart from dock. Been mainly trying to acclimate to the ship and the new rotation schedules."
Was the doctor oblivious? Only time would tell. "I see. Well, doctor, I supposed that I should get on my way and get my office set up. So, unless there is anything else...."
"Not on my end. If there supplies and things you need, send the forms my way and I'll get them sent to Starbase Operations before we cast off," J.R replied, nodding his head.
"Of course," B'Lakkam answered, hopping off the biobed. "Thank you for the clean bill of health."
"You're welcome. Now I'm sure you got lots to do, and I won't keep ya" J.R smiles as he lets the new counselor leave.
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Dr. John Ross "J.R." McEntyre, M.D. F.F.C.S F.C.E.P
Chief Medical Officer
Ship's Surgeon
USS Fenrir
Lieutenant B'Lakkam Slichez
Chief Counselor
USS Fenrir
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