Stephen Leach

Commander Stephen Leach was first officer of the USS Stargazer under the command of Captain Daithan Ruhalter in 2333. Although Commander Leach was a proficient Starfleet Officer he did not fit into the dynamic command structure aboard the USS Stargazer. Captain Ruhalter found a deep affinity in second officer Lieutenant Commander Jean Luc Picard. The Stargazer was ordered to investigate the threat of a Nuyyad attack from beyond the galactic barrier. After crossing the barrier, the Stargazer was attacked and crippled by the Nuyyad, which left Captain Ruhlater dead, and first officer Commander Stephen Leach in a coma. Picard assumed command and got the Stargazer to safety at Magnia colony.

Commander Leach did not hesistate to relay his animosity towards Lt. Cmdr Picard having observed that Captain Ruhalter would often confer with Lt. Cmdr Picard in command situations as well as assign him to his personal detail when speaking to high ranking officials. Captain Ruhalter like Lt. Cmdr Picard was a fencing afficionado and would often spar with Lt.Cmdr Picard in the USS Stargazer's gymnasium.

Commander Leach was often left in charge of the bridge as no form of punishment. He also failed to realized that Captain Ruhalter typically went along with his gut reaction making him oblivious to Cmdr Leach's feelings of displacment and animosity towards Lt. Cmdr Picard. Due to Picard's innate leadership abilities he found a kindred spirit with Captain Ruhalter.

Before his death, Captain Ruhalter had a private meeting with Lt. Cmdr Jean Luc Picard to discuss his true feelings about Commander Leach’s inability to fit soundly into the Stargazer’s Command structure and his wish to transfer him to a position in Starfleet where his skills and abilities were best utilized but not aboard a starship. Captain Ruhalter confirmed that upon Commander Leach’s transfer he would like nothing better then Lt. Cmdr Picard to assume the role of his new first officer which Picard accepted although somewhat reserved.

Following the successful completion of the mission, Admiral Mehdi promoted Picard to captain and placed him in permanent command of the Stargazer. (TNG novel: The Valiant). Although there was no documenation of Captain Ruhalter’s conversation with then Lt. Cmdr Picard about his wish to transfer Cmdr Leach, Admiral Mehdi conveyed the same feelings about Cmdr Leach and advised that once he recovered from his coma he would be transferred to a position within Starfleet that would benefit from his particular skills. Cmdr Leach’s activities post transfer from the USS Stargazer is unknown.

This same relationship can be seen being exhibited between Captain Picard and Lt. Cmdr Data. Although Captain Picard has seemingly learned from past experiences and maintained a healthy relationship with his former former first Officer Cmdr. William Riker aboard the USS Enterprise D and E as Riker went on to accept command of the USS Titan and Lt. Cmdr Data was due to ascend to the position of First Officer aboard the USS Enterprise E before his death in the battle with Shinzon.