Author's Note:

I am back, after a very long time! Hello everyone and welcome to another collection of one-shots set in my 'Unofficial Rules/Dysfunctional Family' verse. It will, as always, have lots of Enterprise family stuff, based around three new characters. These characters have taken their physical appearance and names from other franchises, but we'll see where their development goes (and see if you guess which franchises they come from).

I hope you all enjoy this short, opening chapter.

I do not own any aspect of Star Trek, nor of any other franchises mentioned within.

The New Kids Arrive

Jim Kirk glanced over the personnel files once more.

Since the events of Yorktown, the newly rebuilt Enterprise had continued its five-year mission, its captain's desire for exploration rekindled. Unlike most ships, the Enterprise didn't receive new crew that often, but Starfleet's latest set of prodigies had just graduated from the academy, and they wanted them on board their most famous vessel.

Jim wasn't sure how he felt about it.

Normally, he'd welcome new crew, especially those with the results these ones had, with open arms, but there was one thing that made him uneasy about the whole thing.

The three of them were sixteen.

Sixteen! Who put sixteen-year olds on a mission like this, regardless of their skills?

That was even younger than Chekov had been, and that was bad enough. While he understood that there had been a massive recruitment gap after what happened with Nero, this seemed a bit unsuitable.

He put the files down with a sigh.

Well, there wasn't much he could do about it, except to try and make sure these kids were looked after as well as they could be.

His ready room door swished open, allowing entry for a very irate McCoy.

"Jim, who the hell puts kids this age in space!?"

The captain didn't answer, knowing the question was rhetorical.

"Sixteen Jim! They're sixteen! What are they thinking!?"

"Well, Pavel was seventeen when he started, and he hadn't even been seventeen that long either."

The doctor was not pacified, and Jim did kind of agree with him, despite his argument.

"Well Pavel has had very different life experiences from these kids." McCoy retorted.

Jim sighed, "Not as different as you think." He nodded at the files, "It seems the three of them were street kids for a bit, then their technical skills were noted, and Starfleet effectively raised them."

Leonard's furious expression softened, "I see, that explains how they went through the system so quickly." He sat down with a sigh of his own, "So, what do we do?"

"Look after them Bones." Jim answered, "I mean, we managed with Pavel and he's turned out alright."

His friend smirked, "Already thinking of them as your kids?"

A glare was flung his way, "They won't be my kids." He smiled, "Besides, Scotty already called dibs."

"What!"

Jim shrugged, "Well, they are mostly Engineering based, he'll be their main commanding officer."

The doctor closed his eyes in mock despair, "Why Jim why? Scotty will corrupt them!"

"They're coming to the Enterprise Bones, corruption is unavoidable."

"Good point."

Jim stood waiting in the transporter room, flanked by Spock and Scotty.

They were waiting on final checks before beaming their three new crew members over from the USS Mayflower. The rendezvous had been pre-planned, since the Enterprise was often a long way from well frequented Federation space, and the Mayflower had brought them all the way out from Earth.

The transport officer nodded, indicating that everything was ready, and Jim swiftly gave the order.

"Energise, Lieutenant Harvard."

Within moments, three sets of whirling lights appeared upon the transporter, rapidly forming their three new crew members. In mere seconds, Jim finally met them face to face.

Often, with talented cadets in particular, they arrived upon the ship with an attitude of arrogance, heralding a difficult period of grinding down their rough edges. Fortunately, his crew seemed to have a knack for converting this arrogance into genuine talent and creating exceptional officers. Sometimes, they arrived as complete and utter fans, who worshiped the very ground Jim and the others walked upon, leading to a period of teaching them that the crew were still just people and that particular individual did not have to keep comparing themselves to them.

These three however, were neither.

They were confident, but it was an attitude of confidence lined with an understanding that they still had more to learn, there was no teenage arrogance here.

Recognising them from their files, Jim glanced them over individually.

First was Kieran, average height and hair almost as red as his uniform. While not obviously gazing at them with awe, there was sparks of fanboyism in his eyes.

Second was Draug, and he was huge. Though fully in proportion, he dwarfed the other two, and was already looking taller than Jim himself, and possibly still growing. He was only half-human, as indicated by his green hair.

Lastly was Naotsugu, also showing signs of a decent height. Bearing what seemed to be an irrepressible grin and greyish/brown hair, he instantly looked like someone who'd be easy to get along with.

They stepped off the transporter and smartly saluted, speaking in unison, "Captain."

Jim nodded in approval, there was no sign of sucking up or arrogant challenge in their tone, only respect for their superior officer, they were doing well already.

"Ensigns." He gestured to his two officers, "This is Commander Spock, my First Officer, and Lieutenant Commander Scott, who'll be your main commanding officer, he'll let you know where you'll be bunking and where you'll have to be for your first shift."

Jim then dispersed the formal mood with a light smile, "Though you won't need to worry about that until tomorrow. In the meantime, why don't you try and work out your way around the ship once you've sorted yourselves out." He winked, "It'll probably only take you about a month to manage without asking for directions."

At that the three ensigns chuckled, "Aye Sir."

PS-Thus, we meet Draug, Kieran and Naotsugu, please let me know what you thought and if you have any suggestions for future chapters.