Previous chapters are available by request.  The STAR TREK universe is
copyrighted by Paramount Communications.

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Star Trek: The Leone Legacy
Book One of ?, Volume Two of Three
"In a Rush to Grow Up"
by Michael D. Garcia


Chapter One


	Cadet First Class Dominic Leone had finished packing his personal effects
for the voyage on the Excelsior.  As he was heading out of the door, his
communicator sounded.  He tapped it, "Leone, here."
	"This is Commander Selak.  Please report to my office immediately."
	Alarmed, but calm, he responded, "Aye, Commander.  I'm on my way."
	What in the devil would Selak want with me?, thought Dominic.  He had
received his assignment on the Excelsior two days ago along with the other
eight hundred or so cadets in his class and the following class, and was
excited about it as they were.  Dominic was now fearful of being denied of
that assignment because of his last prank on his classmates.  He
reprogrammed the computer to only replicate Klingon gagh at any request for
food from any cadet, making the sole Klingon cadet absolutely ecstatic.  His
immediate superior was not pleased with the fact that he couldn't get a
decent egg salad sandwich from any one of the replicators on campus.  
	Leone walked into Selak's office and sat down at the Vulcan's gesture.
	"Cadet Dominic Leone reporting as ordered, sir."
	"Cadet, the Excelsior will be arriving shortly, and unlike the other
cadets, your assigned position aboard that ship will be given to you right now."
	Dominic thought to himself, Great.  One prank and I'm assigned as the
ship's janitor.
	"You will be assigned as the ship's first officer."
	Leone's eyes widened.  "E-Excuse me, sir?  Did I hear you correctly?"
	"First Officer.  Cadet, you will be responsible for the ship as much as the
captain is.  I hope you will not take that responsibility lightly, Mr. Leone."
	Cadet Leone coughed, "No, sir.  I won't, sir."
	Selak eyed him with scrutiny.  "Very well.  Admiral Brand has requested
that you beam aboard ship at fourteen hundred.  You will have two hours to
familiarize yourself with the ship before the rest of the crew beams aboard
at sixteen hundred.  Do you understand, Cadet?"
	"Aye, sir."
	"After sixteen hundred, you will assume the temporary rank of Commander.
That will be all, Cadet.  You are dismissed."
	"Aye, sir."
	

	"Computer, enter into synchronous orbit above Starfleet Academy, San
Francisco campus."
	"Altering course accordingly."
	Captain James looked out the viewscreen at Earth.  
	"Incoming communication, Captain.  Originating from Starfleet Academy,
Admiral Brand's office."
	"Onscreen."
	The screen flashed the insignia of Starfleet Academy, and then shifted to
Admiral Brand.  "Hope you had a pleasant trip, Captain."
	"As pleasant as any automated trip could be, Admiral."
	Brand frowned.  "Commodore Fox tells me you weren't happy about this
assignment, Mr. James, but like all other assignments, this one is as
important."
	"Yes, sir.  I understand.  I would like the crew manifest as soon as
possible, sir."
	"Contact Commander Selak for any or all information regarding this mission.
Bon voyage, Captain.  Brand, out."
	"Humph.  Old hag.  Computer, contact Starfleet Academy, Commander Selak's
office and download crew manifest.  Filter information and prepare a report
starting with first officer."
	"Working .... information downloaded, report standing by."
	James sat down at the operations console.  "At ops, please."
	

	The chronometer on the concourse wall read fifteen fifty-nine hundred.
Leone was becoming agitated.  He tapped his communicator, "Excelsior, this
is Cad-, er, Commander Leone.  One to beam up."
	"This is Captain James, stand by."
	Dominic held his breath, then let it out slowly.  "Aye, sir."
	Meanwhile, James was making final arrangements.  
	

	"Computer, prepare to initiate drills staggered to these specifications,"
said James, entering in times and dates into his terminal.  "Initial
announcement to take place at sixteen thirty hours aboard ship: Full crew
meeting on recreation deck at one-seven-one-five hundred hours."  Captain
James wasn't looking forward to that meeting.  Nor meeting his "first officer."
	"Computer, lock onto Cadet Leone's signal and transport him directly to the
bridge."
	"Energizing," replied the computer.
	James heard the transporter's hum and did not turn around to face his new
first officer.  "Welcome aboard, Commander Leone.  I'm Captain Todd James,"
he said holding out some isolinear optical chips.  "Take these with you and
study them.  They contain all the information you will need to know as
ship's first officer.  You will have one hour to familiarize yourself with
the Excelsior.  Meet me in the forward observation lounge at fifteen hundred
hours.  After our meeting, you will be responsible for the placement and
posting of the crew roster."  At this, James turned to face Leone.  "I hope
you will enjoy your tenure aboard the Excelsior."

-------------------------------------------------------

As always, comment is invited.

Michael D. Garcia


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Tenchi Muyo! +-------------------------------------------------+        YUA!
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Data: I have found that food has a profound psychological effect on most
      humans.  How do you feel?
Q: I'm in a dreadful mood, order me somthing appropriate.
Data: When Counselor Troi is in a bad mood, she usually orders a chocolate
      sundae.
Q: Fine. [to bartender]: I'll have ten chocoloate sundaes.
Bartender: Ten?
Data: I have never seen anyone eat ten chocolate sundaes before.
Q: I'm in a really bad mood.
- From "Deja Q" Star Trek: The Next Generation [Paramount]
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           Founder of Ranma-chan's Ever-faithful Disciples (R.E.D.)
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