Jumping In

Posted on Wed Sep 30th, 2026 @ 6:13pm by Lieutenant Hank Jacobs M.D.
Edited on on Wed Sep 30th, 2026 @ 6:24pm

1,705 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: A New Sheriff in Town
Location: Medical Decks 50 &51
Timeline: Shortly After Arrival

[ Deck 50]

Doctor Hank Jacobs was working on his first inventory of medical supplies, since he was new to the department he wanted to do the job himself as opposed to one of his subordinates, when he was interrupted.

A young Crewman entered main sick bay looking for some help. Seeing a Doctor nearby he approached “Excuse me Doctor I was wondering if you could help me.”

Turning with his usual smile “Of course Crewman” noticing the rank on his uniform collar “How can I be of service” Hank inquired.

“I think I may have done something to my wrist; it hurts like hell.”

“Alright. Why don’t you lay back on this bio-bed and I’ll take a look; by the way I’m Doctor Jacobs” as Hank grabbed his scanning device out of his pocket “Do you have a name Crewman?”

The patient did as requested “Yes Sir, I’m Crewman 3rd Class Brian Hopkins; I work in Operations and it’s nice to meet you Doctor Jacobs” as Hank started to scan the wrist while watching the screen over the head of the bed.

Watching the readout screen carefully “So Crewman Hopkins how did you come to hurt yourself” as the scans continued.

Letting out a sigh “I guess I did something stupid trying to lift something heavy by myself. After I had the object up in the air my foot slipped causing me loose my balance then my wrist turned and I ended up dropping it back onto the deck” came the explanation.

Finishing the scans on the young man’s wrist Hank pulled up a wheeled stool and sat facing the Crewman “Well that would certainly do it; maybe next time ask one of your crew-mates for assistance” he respond with a grin “I agree that probably was not one of the smartest things you’ve ever done but the good news it’s just a slight sprain.” Grabbing a tissue regenerator Hank went over the wrist area repairing any micro tears that may have resulted from the accident.

Standing he walked to a medical cabinet grabbing a hypo and a couple small bottles of drugs. Returning he sat “Ok, I’m going to give you two hypos, the first is a muscle relaxer so your muscles will finish repairing themselves and the second is Flexural to keep you relaxed; the latter of the two will most likely make you drowsy which isn’t a bad thing so don’t be afraid to take a nap once you get back to your quarters” Jacobs explained.

Thinking a moment “So what about my duties the rest of the day” Hopkins inquired.

“I’ll contact your Chief and let him or her know you’ll be able to resume your duties tomorrow. For the rest of the day you’re on a very short medical leave and if there’s no improvement by zero eight hundred tomorrow I want to see you back here” the Doctor ordered “Think of it as a legal way to play hooky for the day” as a grin came across his face.

The young Crewman grinned back “Okay I’ll take it I was just doing busy work anyway.”

“Let me ask you Mr. Hopkins what will you differently next time you find yourself with a heavy object to move” Hank inquired wanting to see if Brian was really listening or not.

“I’ll ask for help moving something heavy in the future” he responded.

“Right answer; I guess you really were listening to my advice. You’re all set Crewman so you may leave for your quarters and like I said earlier if your wrist still hurts in the morning I want to see you back here; is that understood.”

Sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed “Yes Doctor, I hear you loud and clear” as a smirk came across Brian’s face.

“Good, now get out of here” Hank commented smiling.

After the young Crewman left sick bay Hank went back to the tedious job of inventorying the supplies jotting down a few notes on his PaDD. He normally would have one of the Medics perform this job but since he was new to this department Hank wanted to perform this task himself being he arrived only a few days ago.

Being close to completion Hank was interrupted “Excuse me Doctor, I was wondering if you could take a look at me” came the request.

Setting down his PaDD Hank looked up seeing a young Lieutenant sort of hunched over a little “Yes of course. I’m Doctor Jacobs what seems to be the issue Lieutenant” he inquired with a smile.

“Doctor Jacobs nice to meet you, I’m Lieutenant Katy Winslow by the way. I woke this morning and it hurt to straighten up; not sure what I did to cause this” she replied with a forced smile due to the pain.

“Please sit on this bio-bed and let me have a look at you” Hank commented with a smile.

Doing as requested Katy sat despite the pain she was experiencing.

Taking the scanner out of his pocket he started to scan her lower back “So what are your duties on the base, if I may ask.”

“I work in Stellar Cartography….we’re mapping out one of the many quadrants in our area” she explained as the scan continued.

“I see; what is your work surface like and how do you sit or stand to perform your duties” Hank inquired finishing the scan.

“The work surface is a large holo-table which projects the quadrant then we scan the area and the various objects show up on the table while the computer catalogs each one” then she paused a moment “We do have seats but I prefer to stand while working; it’s just easier to move around that way.”

Thinking for a few moments “So do you stand with your back straight or do you lean over your work area” came the inquiry.

“I guess I lean over the table now that you mention it” Katy responded not sure why he asked that particular question.

Looking at his patient “Ah I see. Looking at your personal information I see you’re thirty eight years of age is that accurate.”

“Well yes but what that has to do with anything” Katy inquired.

Grinning “Well you’re not a young person anymore, which is not a bad thing but as we get a little older our bodies start to object to our younger habits. What I mean is your lower back is not liking you bending over working anymore” Hank explained.

Katy grinned back “Thanks Doctor for telling me I’m getting old; that’s not exactly what *a girl wants to hear you know.”

Chuckling “I didn’t say you’re old I said you’re getting older….there’s a difference. Anyway you have strained your lower back muscles which tend to contract and that’s why your in pain” Jacobs explained.

Becoming more serious “Ok so what can I do about the pain then; I still have duties to perform.”

“For now we’ll take the lift and go one deck up to Deck 51. There’s a Specialized Testing Area where we have a special bed where I can stretch your lower back muscles which will help stop the pain; if you have some time.”

“Sure why not; anything to get rid of this pain” Katy responded as she got off the bio-bed “Lead the way Doctor.”

[Deck 51]

Walking into one of the many rooms there was a low bed with a hole at the top where your head goes and a second part of the bed about where your waist would be “Ok, lay on your stomach and place your face in the hole then I’m going to press gently on your spine to shorten your muscles and stretch them for you” Hank explained “It won’t hurt and should make your lower back feel much better.”

“Ok I’ll try anything at this point” as Katy reclined as directed.

Grabbing a lever Hank released the bottom one third of the bed then placed the heal of his hand over her spine a short distance from her lower back “Now I’m going to move the lower part of this bed sideways which will help stretch your muscles in your lower back.” Moving the bed back and forth slowly about six times he then moved to the other side and repeated the same process going in the opposite direction. When finished he resecued the bed into it’s original position.

“Now move over onto your back and grab my hand and I’ll help you stand up” he instructed as he extended his hand towards her. Once on her feet “So how does your lower back feel now?”

Standing Katy smiled “Wow! My back feels much better and the pain seems to be gone. You’re a lifesaver Doctor Jacobs.

Hank grinned “Thanks, I try. Now you’re going to have to retrain your work habits. It’s imperative you keep your back as straight as possible when working. If you can’t raise the holo table up then use an adjustable chair and raise it to a comfortable position that’ll allow you to keep you back straight when performing your duties. It’ll take about a week for your back to repair itself if you do what I advise. If for some reason your back starts to feel the way it did when you walked into Medical then please stop back and I’ll give you another treatment.”

“I’ll make sure I do as you instructed so hopefully I won’t have any more problems but yes I’ll return if I start having problems again Doctor" Katy responded free from pain and a genuine smile on her face.

“Great! You’re free to go and continue with your duties” Hank answered with a smile.

The Lieutenant left the area and Hank returned to Deck 50 to finish his task of the inventory; hopefully he’d be able to finish this time without distraction.

 

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