Star Trek: Leonidas

Chapter 1

"Ensign Alexander Hawke... welcome aboard."

Hawke locked his green eyes onto his new captain as the two men shook hands.  "It's good to finally graduate," he said, "that was a tough four years."

"Yeah but you're still breathin', eh?  Name's William Kalvin.  Welcome aboard the USS Leonidas; you're gonna be my conn officer.  This Excelsior II class ship is staying in dry dock for another 72 hours for some last minute maintenance."

"I understand she's a brand new ship?"

"Oh yeah!  You studied the Excelsior II class in the Academy, I'm sure."

"Yes, sir, but I wanna learn more about the engines, the warp coil, the warp core... if I'm piloting this starship, I need to know all that stuff."

"I suggest you talk to engineering... but they've got that stuff covered.  At any rate, ah... where you from, Ensign?"

"Cardiff, sir; Welsh and proud!  Was the fastest guy there when it came to racing." 

Kalvin chuckled.  "Don't get too crazy.  Anyway, your quarters are this way."

When Alex arrived at his quarters, the first thing he did was hang a large Welsh flag over his bed.  His quarters consisted of a bedroom and a head, with a small vestibule just inside the door to the rest of the ship.  He hung up his spare uniforms, put his folded civvies in the dresser, and whipped out his PADD, reading up on the ship's specifications relating to the impulse and warp systems.  After about two hours of this, he headed to the crew lounge to mingle a bit.

"Hello, Ensign."  A blonde man walked over, smiling as the two shook hands.  "I'm First Officer Roger Devereaux.  I understand you're drivin'."

"I'll try not to go too fast," Alex joked with a smirk.  "Such a shame you can't hit warp ten."

Roger laughed.  "I like you, son!  Here comes our chief of security."

"Leon Kozlov," said the new arrival.

"Alex Hawke... what's your story?"

"I used to be Borg, but was mercifully liberated from the collective.  My designation was Three of Seven, so... Leon, three, either's good with me."

"Pleased to meet you, Three."

"The ship's doctor has yet to arrive, but her name's Heather Kelly."

"Our mission, as things stand right now," said Captain Kalvin, who'd just walked up, "is to patrol the Beta Quadrant and defend the Federation militarily."

"Sounds good to me, sir."

"Transporter room to Captain Kalvin," a voice said suddenly.

Kalvin activated his communicator.  "Go ahead."

"There's a free go asking for our help.  Says he's come from Ferenginar."

"Show him to my ready room, I'll be there soon.  Heading there now."  He narrowed his eyes.  "We might have to hurry our departure up.  Stand by."

Alex sighed.  "There goes that glass of brandy I was gonna have," he said ruefully.