Posted by Commander Brad Walker (Chief Of Staff/Second Officer) in Pre sim- Reporting to Chief of Staff

Posted by Lieutenant John McCandless (Head Nurse) in Pre sim- Reporting to Chief of Staff

Posted by Commander Brad Walker (Chief Of Staff/Second Officer) in Pre sim- Reporting to Chief of Staff
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
John woke with a start after being licked on the face by Garry, his silver Maine Coon Cat. She was slim but not underfed. She had a long bushy tail and large mane. She was two years old and was a gift from his sister. John had let his 4 year old niece, Lucy, name the cat and she had landed on Garry. John had tried to change the name but Lucy had been very upset when he suggested alternatives.

He groaned as he opened his eyes and yawned. Garry tilted her head suggestively.
“Meow?” She questioned into his face and sat on his chest purring. John sighed and stretched and petted Garry on her head. She began to purr softly and she leapt up and hurried over to her bowl. “Meow.” She said looking towards John and then her bowl.
“Yes, yes alright. Give me a minute.” John said as he got up and headed over towards the wash basin. He rinsed his face, pausing to rub a hand over his close cropped black beard that was beginning to show flecks of grey. He brushed his teeth and walked over to his clothes chest. He put on the first uniform he came to, looked in ten mirror and swore.
“Blast, blast, blast bloody useless…” He trailed off and sighed. The fools had done it again, they’d given him the female version of the uniform. “I should have checked, why didn’t I check? They always, always do this!” He said to Garry, who gave him a look that said ‘hurry up feed me I’m starving. He quickly undressed and ruffled through the chest for another. Fortunately this time they had only managed to mess up once and there was a male version that fit at the bottom. He hurriedly put this on, filled Garry’s bowl with wet cat food and left some kibble and headed out the door to report in to the Chief of Staff.

10 minutes passed since leaving his quarters and he reached the Chief of Staff’s Office. He straightened out his uniform and pressed the chime waiting to be called in.

John McCandless, Head Nurse

The call came, while not immediately, quick enough for any waiting to not be truly uncomfortable.

And, unusually, without the sound of something being knocked over and the resultant swearing.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

John entered when called. He didn’t feel nervous about meeting Brad . Despite this he could feel his hands shaking slightly. He clenched his fists to stifle them and walked in. He looked around the office and walked over to Brad.
He smiled and said “Lieutenant John McCandless, reporting for duty Sir.”

Lt. John McCandless, Head Nurse

Brad gave him a once over, then a second.

“Huh, I suppose that makes more sense,” he said out loud. “I thought John was a weird name for a woman, but Personnel was insistent.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

John blinked. It wasn’t the warm welcome he was expecting. Was the Commander disappointed he wasn’t a woman? He wasn’t surprised though, he’d had this for his entire career and was almost expecting it to be mentioned. Being a male nurse definitely had it’s challenges.
“Well, I can assure you Sir I’m most definitely not a woman. Although procurement seems to get it wrong constantly.” He replied.

Lt. John McCandless
Head Nurse

“No, I didn’t think you were,” Brad assured him. “But apparently we can’t get past 19th century gender roles even as we approach the 25th. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant,” he said, standing and offering his hand.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

John nodded and shook Brad’s hand firmly. His father used to say:”Whenever you shake a man’s hand, be sure to stand Johnny boy, and grip firmly. But not too hard mind!” John smiled at Brad.
“Apparently so.”
“Thank you Sir, it’s good to be hear. I’ve heard great things about the ship and crew.”