Getting To It

Posted on Sun Oct 11th, 2026 @ 1:44pm by Lieutenant Hank Jacobs M.D. & Captain Cassandra Hawk
Edited on on Sun Oct 11th, 2026 @ 2:29pm

2,047 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Sheriff in Town
Location: Sickbay, Observation Lounge
Timeline: Current

Doctor Jacobs had arrived at Starbase Mojave just a few short days ago and found himself tying up more than a few loose ends left by this predecessor before they became real problems. It seems Doctor Vox exited the base rather quickly which of course was neither here nor there at this point.

After treating a few patients with minor incidents, Hank knew it was time to get to it and have a conversation with Captain Hawk. Tapping his comm badge "Captain Hawk, this is Doctor Hank Jacobs. I'd like to meet....at your convenience of course," came the request.

The commbadge chirped in reply a moment later. "Ah, Doctor Jacobs, I heard you'd arrived while I was off station. I appreciate you jumping right into your duties. I've actually been meaning to give us a few minutes of face time before too much time has passed." After a brief pause, the Captain's voice resumed speaking. "I'm currently down on Deck 32 overseeing some supply offloading. Once this all wraps up, I should be headed back in your direction. Would you prefer to meet in Sickbay or would your rather stretch your legs and meet elsewhere on the station."

Thinking a moment "Actually, I wouldn't mind meeting in the Observation Lounge; less distractions not being in Sickbay. Let me know when you're finished with the offloading and I'll meet you there; I'll see you soon, Captain Hawk." Hank responded eager to meet his new C.O. since he had heard very good things about her from his previous First Officer.

Cassandra looked out the viewport toward Docking Ring 1. The space around the station had been particularly busy over the last week. New crew arrivals, civilians moving aboard, the last of the supplies needed to bring Achilles up to spec. Brick by brick, they were building a place for themselves here, even if they had needed to deal with a crew shuffle when Starfleet had urgently needed personnel in a different quadrant. Apparently the Tzenkethi were stirring the pot again. By necessity their little slice of the frontier had had to sacrifice some of its attention.

A freighter of unfamiliar make settled into its berth just on the far side of the ring, giving the Captain something to let her eyes trace as she mulled over the to do list that she was halfway through. There were still a number of Engineering concerns, so Commander Kopec's arrival would be welcome. And of course, there was the timely arrival of the man she'd come to the Observation Deck to meet.

Though Mojave had started making a lot of progress under his predecessor, Dr. Jacobs would be stepping into an already sticky situation. There'd been more than one infections viral outbreak in local space, they'd taken in more than one round of refuges from local pirate violence, and she was sure this was only the start.

Making his way to the meeting place Hank entered the Lounge without any fanfare seeing his new C.O. standing gazing out the viewport. When he was within a respectable distance he smiled then spoke "A credit for your thoughts Captain" as he approached closer "This is quite the installation you have here Ma'am."

"Might need to offer you a discount on those thoughts. They're a bit scattered today," Cassandra said, returning a welcoming grin as her attention shifted from the viewport to the arrival of the doctor. "It's a pleasure to get to meet you in person, Doctor Jacobs. I hope the trip out wasn't too arduous."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Captain; I've heard good things about you from my previous C.O." Hank responded "I've experienced worse travels so no the trip here wasn't too terrible" as he paused a moment wondering how direct he should be with his new Captain but decided to put it out there anyway "If you ever need someone to help reorganize your thoughts please don't hesitate to reach out...I'm a good listener; goes with the territory."

Cassandra, all too aware of her habit to keep her many concerns internal, gave a small nod and smile. "I will try to keep that in mind. It's good to occasionally make sure everything isn't just rattling around up here," she said, giving a playful knock against the side of her head. "But I imagine you've had an interesting first few days aboard. Your predecessor put a good amount of work in getting us on our feet, but with things getting antsy along the Tzenkethi front, we had a few good people get pulled away. And as I'm sure you've noticed, local traffic is only increasing. With the pirate attacks in the region and a few dozen refugees from the local violence currently occupying temporary housing on station, we've got a fair bit of medical needs, I'd imagine."

"Sounds like it's a good thing the base is here to try and keep a lid on this sector of space," as he paused a moment. "Yes I've noticed an increase in patient visits but it's nothing my Staff and I can't handle. With Sickbay occupying parts of two decks we have the facilities and the ability to have extra beds if the need arises merely by shifting area usage." Hank explained then continued "Also with the numerous First Aid Stations throughout the base, my hope is civilians will take advantage of those area first before coming to the Primary Sickbay."

"I'm sure you'll get it all handled," the Captain said, nodding her head. She leaned against the wall next to the viewport, her left boot hooking behind her other leg with a casual feeling that diffused the more professional air in the room. "But enough about business. I'm sure we'll be talking about sprained tibias, infections agents, and some outbreak of fungal bronchitis in no time. I want to take advantage of our brief period of downtime to get to know a little bit more about one of the new members of our little village we're building here on Mojave. Tell me a bit about Hank Jacobs."

"Ok but be warned I may end up boring you," Hank stated with a grin. "My parents owned a horse ranch in the countryside in Kentucky on Earth. From the time I can remember I was learning about ranching and all that entails. If I had a credit for every shovel of horse poop I shoveled I'd be a rich man," as he chuckled lightly then continued. "When the Doctor would come to check or treat the horses I was always at his side asking questions. I was surprised now that I look back on it he didn't tell me to beat it and not be a bother."

"Fast forward into my teen years; the love of these animals over the years translated into wanting to help sentient beings and that's when I decided to join Starfleet and train to become a Doctor. Of course being a country boy at heart, I'm the most comfortable when off duty in a pair of bluejeans along with a flannel shirt," as his demeanor turned more serious. "My patients, being Starfleet and of course now civilian, are my number one priority always." As he paused a moment, "Of course my service record is in my personnel file which I'm sure you've read already; although there was a fairly recent situation which was a little tricky to navigate."

He'd let his last statement linger to see where it went.

"Another rancher kid, huh? We seem to be forming a collection here on Mojave. I grew up on one myself," Cassandra said, with a laugh as she straightened up a bit. "I imagine the incident you're talking about is the business on the Endeavor? I read up on that a bit. That's a tough situation. I don't think any of us look forward to a moment where we need to relieve a superior of command, let alone your direct CO. Can't imagine that was easy."

Hank couldn't help but laugh "Now that's funny, I'm serving with a country girl.....I knew there was a reason I felt at ease around you. And yes the incident on the Endeavor is what I was eluding to. That was probably one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do but with the support of the First Officer and Chief Counselor I managed to get through it.....hopefully I'll never have to do that again" as he paused a moment "That was one of the reasons I mentioned if you ever need someone to talk to I'm available. Not to sound like a Doctor but internalizing certain situations isn't healthy physically" then Hank decided to lighten the mood somewhat "If you don't mind my asking what type of ranch did you grow up on."

The Captain looked out the window as she mused, as if somehow her eyes would pick out the pinprick of light that was once home. She knew internally that she couldn't of course. Sol was not discernible here with the naked eye, and even if it was, they were on the wrong part of the station for that. Still...it was the thought that counted, she told herself. "It was actually my Aunt Selene's, but I basically lived there for years. Even through the Academy, it was my getaway. Centuries ago, it was a functional cattle ranch, I think. Of course, that all stopped during the wars of the 21st Century. At that point, it became more of a rural enclave and commune than anything. After that, with the ecological changes and the introduction of food synthesizers and replicators, it just stopped serving that function. For as long as family records stretch back, it's been a small agricultural ranch, but more importantly, a horse refuge. And it's really the latter part that always captured my imagination," she said, cracking a smirk. "Just miles and miles of desert to ride off into. Not a soul in sight. I do love my time in Starfleet, but that quiet is something I miss."

Listening to Cassandra speak of her earlier years on her family's farm, Hank was starting to get a sense of who she really was; someone who seemed very down to earth as wasn't afraid to let herself be known. While he knew there would be times she would have to be a captain, Hank was very much looking forward to serving under someone of this caliber.

"While I didn't have desert to ride in we did have saddle horses, besides the thoroughbred horses we raised, and I would ride for miles over hills and down into valleys" as he paused a moment. "I can remember riding up this one particular hill during the fall time of the year and looking over the wooded valley below admiring the trees after they'd changed color. I'd sit in the saddle for quite some time and enjoy natures beauty so yes I know what you mean about missing the quiet and the solitude of being on a horse in the middle of nowhere."

Realizing the time, "As much as I'm enjoying our conversation I have a meeting scheduled with my Alpha Team shortly to go over a few things so if I may be dismissed Captain," as he paused. "Oh yes if you need anything from Medical please don't hesitate; that's what we're here for."

“Ah, got caught up reminiscing it seems,” Cassandra said, checking her own chronometer. “Speaking of which, it’s about time I went to check in with Ops. I’m almost certainly over due for my next five meet and greets. It was a pleasure getting to speak to you, Lieutenant. I’ll certainly check in with Medical if I need anything. But in the meantime, don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome to swing by Ops and get to know the rest of the crew. And with that, you’re dismissed. Catch you around, Doc.”

"Yes it would seem that way" as a smile graced his face "Thank you Captain for your time and yes you'll see me in Ops from time to time" and with that Hank gave a polite nod of the head before leaving for Sickbay.

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