Star Trek The Next Generation The First Duty rewrite

Chapter 1

4/13/20-4/15/20

"Captain's log, star date 45703.9. We are en route to Earth, where it will be my pleasant duty to deliver this year's commencement address at Starfleet Academy. I'm also looking forward to seeing Wesley Crusher again. His flight team will perform a demonstration near Saturn that will be transmitted to the graduation ceremonies." Picard said.

Picard, Troi and Riker were on their seats at the bridge; Worf was at tactical and Data is at ops.

"Captain, Starfleet Academy is requesting an update on our estimated arrival." Worf said.

"Mister Data?" Picard said.

"We should arrive at Earth in ten hours, sixteen minutes, sir." Data said off console

"Please inform the Academy and send my regards to Superintendent Brand." Picard said to Worf.

"Aye, sir." he said.

Worf worked his console and sent the message.

"Do you know Admiral Brand?" Troi asked Picard.

"We've met a few times. She's a, formidable woman."

"If she's anything like my superintendent." Riker said ruefully and off Picard's look. "When I was at the Academy, we had a Vulcan superintendent who memorized the personnel file of every single cadet. He knew everything. It was like having your parents there with you. All the time.

"My superintendent was a Betazoid, a full telepath. When he called you into his office, he didn't have to ask what you'd done." Picard said.

"You got called into the superintendent's office? That sounds like a story I'd like to hear." Riker said very curious.

Picard wasn't about to tell; he self-consciously straightens his uniform. They're interrupted by a beeping from Worf's console.

"Captain, we are being hailed by the Academy again. It is Admiral Brand." Worf said.

"On-screen."

There's a short beat as Picard waited for the screen to activate.

"Sir, she is requesting a private channel."

Picard and Riker exchanged a puzzled look. He got up and headed for the ready room.

"In my ready room." Picard said.

As the doors open and he entered he sat down and activates his monitor.

"Admiral Brand... what can I do for you?" he asked.

Admiral Andrea Brand, a mature, elegant woman with a commanding voice was on the monitor.

"Hello, Captain." she said then pauses. "I know you're a close friend of the Crusher family.

"Yes?" he said slowly.

"I wanted to inform you personally. There's been an accident."

He froze.

Later Beverly and Picard were seated across from each other in her quarters. Beverly was trying to stay calm; she was quiet and subdued, but there's an edge in her voice. She's concentrating on the medical angle for now trying not to let her emotions show through.

"... he had second degree burns on his chest and a multiple fracture of his right arm. But he's going to be fine." Picard said.

"Have they completed the regeneration series?" she asked.

"I'm, not certain."

"Wesley's allergic to metorapan treatments, they'll have to use a bicaridine substitute."