title: Nova Command (Star Trek the Next Generation: Starfleet Academy, No. 9)
author:  Brad Strickland 
description: Cadet Jean-Luc Picard is struggling through his first year at the Academy. He's near the top of his classes, right behind Roger Wells. Jean-Luc is determined to do everything better and bigger than Roger. But privately he has doubts. And the lack of communciation from home only reminds him of how badly he left things with his father.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  # CHAPTER 1
  
  
  
  
  
    
  " TARGET COMING in range now, Captain."
  
  
  Captain Benjamin Sisko nodded. "Thank you, Major." He leaned forward in the
  command chair of the _U.S.S. Defiant and_ stared intently at the viewscreen.
  "All weapons to full power. Raise shields."
  
  
  "All weapons powered." Kira Nerys glanced up from her panel to Sisko's left.
  There was a gleam of excitement in her eyes, and the-more-than-fleeting
  suggestion of a smile on her lips. "Ready on your command."
  
  
  Sisko could understand her feelings perfectly. It had been more than a month
  since any of them had been off _Deep Space Nine_ at all, and it felt really
  good to be back in space and back in action. Though commanding DS9 was hardly
  a simple desk job, it was good to spread one's wings and head out among the
  stars again. "Hold steady."
  
  
  "Shields at full, Captain," Chief O'Brien reported from his panel.
  
  
  "Thank you, Chief." Sisko could feel the thrill of the hunt now. He watched
  the forward image intently, waiting for 