Title: Into the Fold
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Revised:
No Spoilers that I know about.
Why? This is my answer to the gap between Chakotay the renegade, freedom fighter and Chakotay the Riker and some time Mrs. Janeway. I love Chakotay but he was marginalized more often than not.
Timeline: This takes place in one of the Buick sized plot holes in Caretaker. I'm not too clear on the exact amount of time between blowing up the array, getting saved by Tom and Chakotay joining the V'ger "family." Canon, Smannon! This is AU.
Alternative Universe, Angst, torture, maybe slightly kinky. PG Could go in the" Die J/C Die" sub-genre; Janeway is not so nice in this universe. Bad, Janeway! Bad!
Into the Fold
Captain Janeway cast an icy look on her prime prisoner as she dragged a bony hand over her sweating brow. Chakotay, Maquis leader, criminal, renegade, was in her grasp and on his knees in her brig. She had chased him across space at her superiors' behest and it had cost her dearly. Her ship was now 75 million light years from home and the brig was full of Maquis renegades who must be brought into the fold for a return trip to be viable.
Defiance welled up in Chakotay's broad chest, forcing him to struggle to his feet. His hands bound painfully behind his back made his ascent more difficult. Anger and adrenalin buoyed him despite the hours his Federation captors had kept him awake. His clothing hung on his muscular form like a tattered spider web, revealing gashes and bruises on his brown skin. She nodded to one of the guards, who struck the helpless man, causing shockwaves of pain to course through his body yet again as his knees gave way and collided with the deck.
"I don't enjoy this, Captain Chakotay," she stated.
"Really? Could've fooled me," he blurted through parched and swollen lips.
"It's necessary."
"Just another Federation necessity. How convenient for you." His chest heaved as he coughed and spattered a spray of blood on the steel grey floor.
"Listen to me Chakotay," she insisted. "We are in a dire situation. The next few hours will determine the fate of both of our crews."
"You think they'll be looking for you? Starfleet will turn its back on you, just the way they turn a blind eye to everything and everyone they don't want to see."
"It's imperative that we unite our crews and work together."
"My people will never work for you!"
"There is a way."
"No! I told you. No! Keep me in your brig!"
"I can reinstate you to Starfleet and you will take your place at my side as my First Officer?"
He laughed a wheezing, agonized jeer. "You think I could ever wear that uniform again?"
"Chakotay, don't you want to belong again?" she asked in a motherly tone. "You could be a part of this team. Don't you want to come in from the cold?"
"Obey your bidding! Follow your rules! Be your lap dog?" he scoffed mustering all his remaining strength to drive his point home directly into her face. "You're crazier than I thought."
"You sacrificed your ship to save mine. There must still be good left in you."
"I had no choice. It had to be done."
"I can give you a choice or this can be done without your consent."
"So what is it? Are you going to brainwash me? You and your Federation swine!" he spat the words.
"You're all alike! Every one of you! All brainless drones!" he accused bitterly at the Captain and her guards.
"I would like you to make the right choice. On your own. Without this."
She held up a hypo-spray that contained the ability to erase even the powerful will that Chakotay possessed. She toyed with the hand held Neural Neutralizer device, testing its beam. Dots of light glinted off its brushed metal surface. The highlights burst out of the darkness of the brig causing more pain to Chakotay's tired eyes. It seemed to him that the light at the end of the tunnel was indeed an oncoming transport.
"When the Cardassians killed my father and my people, your precious Starfleet wouldn't lift a finger for justice! That's when I made the right choice."
"I don't think so. Starfleet regulations exist to promote the betterment of all species. We will deal with the Cardassians by the best diplomatic means possible for the good of all concerned. Not by your brand of terrorism."
"You deal from weakness and fear! The very qualities that the Cardassians admire. They'll kowtow to you in no time." His sarcasm split the heat and humidity that his captors allowed in his prison, another tool for persuasion.
She confirmed the decision she had already made; she must subdue Chakotay by the means that were at her disposal. His suffering would be over and she would have him exactly as she wanted him--as a viable and obedient member of her Starfleet crew. Everyone wins.
When the EMH prepared the hypo-spray and set the hand held Neural Neutralizer, it recited the potential side effects of the procedure, which included "an 87 chance of the occurrence of severe and permanent Stockholm syndrome. The subject may develop a deep love and devotion to his interrogator." She would have to be careful in that instance. It was a high probability; she had noted and mentally logged the look in his eye for a split second when he saw her for the first time. She could use that to her advantage, but she would always know his true nature. It would be fun to toy with his affection, but she could never return the drug induced love of a traitor like Chakotay.
"You're going to poison me with your technology. Go ahead. It won't work!"
"Don't be so sure. It's extremely effective."
"It's evil."
"It's for your own good and the good of both crews." She softened and made a final appeal. "I need you, Chakotay. I need your knowledge, your leadership, your strength, and your determination. I don't want to do it this way but I will."
She regarded the potion and the Neural Neutralizer device with a slight air of regret. The man before her was a magnificent specimen. It would be a triumph for her if she could manipulate him with only the powers of persuasion. She could consider him a prize, if he would only agree willingly. This technological alternative was too easy. Instead, she preferred a challenge but she would do what was required to attain her goals. By the end of this day, one way, or another, he would agree to her terms. He would step in line, and the Maquis would follow because they had no other refuge.
Even in his weakened state, all three guards were required to subdue Chakotay's struggle. Their arms clenched him dispassionately, like iron shackles. He prayed to the powers of the universe to free him, pleaded with the Spirits for the salvation of his will. He would not allow himself to beg anything from Janeway.
When he was properly constrained, the gaunt Captain stepped to him and grasped his chin, pulling his head to his right. She regarded the tattoo on his forehead. This mark, noted in his file as an identifier, had traced itself into her mind. She scribbled it repeatedly onto her Padds then erased it. She did not want to leave a record of her private obsession. She began her this mission with a virtual "Wanted" poster. It detailed the accounts of his many crimes against the will of the Federation. This was a good ending to her quest.
She tried to deny the thrill of pressing the hypo to his neck. The interrogation had taken a toll on her as well. She wanted this business taken care of so she could attend to the task of returning her ship to Federation space. It was the end of a difficult chapter. Yes, she felt elation as he moaned when the spray stung his veins. She allowed herself a split second to savor the finality of this moment as the guards slowly released their grip.
"No" he pleaded weakly as he felt his will rush away.
She used the hand-held Neural Neutralizer and began reforming his consciousness, reshaping him into the Starfleet ideal.
His woeful eyes met hers and she watched his soul change. She saw his defiance and anger washing away. Then his eyes pleaded for release and finally she saw his acceptance and then, perhaps...was that something else? So quickly?
"Get him cleaned up and in a First Officer's uniform," she commanded. "Now!" she barked when they hesitated for a moment. "Bring him to my ready room in one hour."
Chakotay entered her ready room well within the hour. The EMH had healed his bruises and wounds. His uniform appeared pressed and stiff; perfectly neat and regulation Starfleet.
"How do you feel, Commander?" she beamed a smile at him as he walked in as if she were an old friend.
"Terrible," he said but smiled wanly.
"Well, you almost died down there. If it hadn't been for Tom Paris…"
"Yes, I owe him my life." He intoned. "Tell him…I owe Tom my life."
"Get ready. We'll go to the bridge and address the crews. I'll let your people go when I know I will have their full co-operation."
"That shouldn't be a problem, Captain. I'll talk to them. Each of them. I'll make them understand what we must do."
"Good! Welcome to the crew Commander!" she extended her hand which he clasped warmly.
"Welcome back to Starfleet."
"Thank you, Captain. It's good to be back."