Chapter 3:

Wesley Crusher

Lieutenant Commander Wesley Crusher was enjoying some down time on the Starbase with his mother, Beverly Crusher. She worked in Starfleet Medical and was stationed on Starbase Armstrong. Wesley had just finished his assignment on the Titan two years ago. Now he's assigned to USS Enterprise-F as Second Officer and he ships out in less than two weeks. Wesley couldn't be more excited about being back on the Enterprise (no matter what letter it has); all he has to do now is tell his mother.

"Wes, I'm home!"

Wesley heard Beverly's voice and came in the main room.

"Hey, Mom." He greeted. "You're home, early."

"Commander Pittman and I switched shifts," Beverly explained. "So I have the night off."

"That's great!" Wesley said. He came over and gave his mother a hug. "Why don't I make dinner tonight?"

"That's sweet of you, son."


The Crushers had Sirloin Steak with baked potatoes and glazed apples. One of Wesley's many recipes. Beverly was talking to him about her day in Starfleet Medical. But Wesley was barely listening. He was busy thinking about ways to tell his mother that he's going to be leaving.

"The midwife wasn't here, so I had to deliver Lt. Grayson's baby," Beverly explained. "So I had to get out of the surgery room, and prepare myself to deliver twins!" Beverly looked at Wesley and noticed that he was distracted.

"Wesley," She asked. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You barley touched your food."

Wesley looked at his mother and sighed. He may as well tell her. She was going to find out anyway.

"Mom, I've been reassigned." He said, finally.

Beverly said nothing for a while. Wesley's been home for two years since his time on the Titan. Now her only child is leaving again. She can't say she couldn't have seen this coming.

"When do you leave?"

"In two weeks."

"Two weeks? Why are you just now telling me?"

"Because I know you would react like this. Besides, Mom, this is a really great assignment for me."

"What is it?"

"Second Officer on the USS Enterprise-F."

Beverly fell silent for a moment. She knew about what happened with the Enterprise-E but she never heard about Starfleet commissioning another one.

"Starfleet's commissioning another Enterprise?"

"Yep." Wesley confirmed. "But instead of being Sovereign-class, they're making it Explorer-class."

"That's new," Beverly remarked. "Who's commanding it?"

"Data."

Beverly was beside herself. She didn't know if she should be excited for her son or terrified. Wesley's served on an Enterprise before and so have she. Maybe it's the thrill of the adventure that's got her on edge.

"Well," She said, finally. "I'm proud of you, son."

Wesley smiled and hugged his mother. "Thank you, Mom."

"You're welcome. Just be careful, okay?"

Wesley smiled a rakish smile. "Mom, I'm always careful."


Wesley Crusher's Personal Log Stardate 2386.316: In a few short weeks, I start my assignment as Second Officer of the Enterprise-F. Although I am very nervous about the job, excitement usually takes over. But there is a matter that my good friend, Molly O'Brien, who's Chief Engineer of the Enterprise-F, has brought to my attention. Crusher out.


Wesley Crusher was in Molly O'Brien's quarters, helping her pack. They leave for their new assignment soon and, to their knowledge, Data still hasn't assigned a Security Chief, Transporter Chief or a Chief Medical Officer. Data needed to give Admiral Janeway a full roster of the Senior Staff. Molly gave Wesley a cup tea and sat down.

"Thanks, Molly." Wesley thanked. He took a sip of the tea and the taste of the tea was very strong. "What kind of tea is this?"

"It's a jasmine and saffron blend." Molly explained. "One of my mother's recipes."

"How are your parents, anyway?"

"They're doing fine," Molly answered. "My dad loves the Sivida Quadrant. Tells me it's the best place to retire."

"I've heard of that Quadrant. It's supposed to be better than Risa. So how's Data coming with the Senior Staff?"

"Geordi's told me that Data's picked a new Chief Medical Officer. Someone named Kylie Ramirez."

"Kylie Ramirez?" Wesley repeated.

"You know her?" Molly asked.

"I know of her. My mom works with her. She's the youngest Chief Medical Officer in Starfleet."

"Really? How old is she?"

"About three or four years younger than you."

Molly's eyes went wide. "That young?"

Wesley nodded. "But she's good. People say that she's smart for her age."

"What rank is she?"

"Commander."

"That's a good rank. Data must have a pretty good idea for his Bridge Crew."

"Yeah. Young & Crazy."

Molly smiled at that comment. "Does he have an idea for a Chief Security/Tactical Officer?"

"Yeah." Wesley replied. "Some Lieutenant Commander Michal Sands. I think he's Varian or something."

"No, not Sands." Molly whined.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He got transferred from his last ship for insubordination and poor misconduct."

"His last assignment was on the S.S. Curie." Wesley said. "They said that Sands was a great Security Chief."

"He may be a great Security Chief but he's a freaking jerk!" Molly exclaimed.

"If you have a better suggestion for Security Chief, I like to hear it."

"Actually, that's why I called you over here."

"Are you serious?"

"What?"

Wesley sighed. He should've seen this coming.

"Why can't you tell Data yourself?"

"Because I already asked Data to put one of my ensigns on the Enterprise."

"Sucks for you."

Molly frowned at Wesley. "K'Jai deserves to be on the Enterprise-F and so does this guy. It's just that after everything he's been through the past three years, no one's ever cut him a break."

"What's his name?"

"Cyrus Vale."

Wesley stood up and looked at Molly like she's really lost it. Everyone knew what Cyrus Vale did three years ago at Amador V. It was so gruesome and utterly disgraceful that no starship in Starfleet would dare assign Cyrus again as Security Officer. They wouldn't even assign him as Helmsman. Wesley was surprised that Cyrus was demoted to Lieutenant and not Ensign.

"Cyrus Vale?" He repeated. "You think Michal Sands would bring bad chemistry to the Enterprise, but you want me to recommend Cyrus Vale to Data? Have you lost it, O'Brien?"

"No," Molly replied. "I have not lost it."

"You do know what Cyrus did on Amador V?"

"Yes, I know what happened on Amador V. And I do not believe that Cyrus did it."

Wesley looked at Molly again. "You don't believe what?"

"I believe that Cyrus was doing his job and he was framed when his away team was vaporized."

"Molly, not only the away team was killed on Amador V, but that entire village!" Wesley argued. "And Lt. Vale was the only survivor!"

"Cyrus wouldn't kill a whole village!" Molly argued. "I know Cyrus when we were both serving on the Zeus. He's highly opinionated at times but he takes his job seriously and he puts his crewmember's lives before his own. He's never lost a life."

"Until now."

"Wes, Cyrus has been through a lot for the past three years," Molly pleaded. "All I'm asking, is that you give him a break. Ask Data to give him a break. Just one break."

Wesley looked at Molly. He thought what Cyrus did was an unforgivable act. But Molly was right about one thing. Cyrus wasn't the cruel type. He didn't seem the kind of man to massacre 50 people. Cyrus Vale needed a break.

"All right," He said finally. "I'll talk to Data."

"Thanks, Wes." Molly smiled.

"But if Data does assign Lt. Vale, how do we know if he's going to accept the assignment?"

"Don't worry, he will. Cyrus Vale won't pass up an opportunity like this after three years."