Star Trek Voyager : Starfleet Treachery
CHAPTER 14
Still standing behind her desk Janeway watched as the ready room door slid back into position. Slowly, reflecting on Chakotay's parting words, she resumed her seat.
Sitting quietly, sipping her coffee, Kathryn Janeway tried to comprehend this strange quiet man. Admitting to herself that he was both intriguing and puzzling. She too wanted to continue their conversation, but doubted that they ever would.
A man, who appeared, to hold no hatred toward those responsible for sending him to prison. Nevertheless, a man, who had become the leader of a powerful and dangerous rebel army. A man, who had grown so powerful, that all the Federation had wanted him stopped.
Obviously someone not to be trusted.
With her coffee finished Janeway left her ready room, returning to the bridge and the running of her ship.
She was even more mystified when, two weeks later, she sat in the courtroom.
The room was packed with representatives of the Federation, almost every member species, all waiting to see this famous leader of the Maquis. Every inch of available space contained a body. The room full of voices, each shouting to be heard over the others. Comments, opinions flying from one side to the other, all voicing their perspectives concerning one thing, Chakotay and the Maquis.
The hall was rectangular, with several rows of raised observer seats along the walls. The twin public doors were located at one end, while directly opposite stood the platform where the Chief Justice was waiting. The wall to the left of the platform contained the door through which the prisoners entered.
Seated not far from the Tribunal podium, on the side of the courtroom opposite the prisoner's doorway, Janeway would have a clear, unobstructed view of the outlaw.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the door opened. Escorted by two guards Chakotay walked quietly into the room.
Silence descended as if a switch had been thrown. No one moved, no one spoke. Not even a whisper.
Despite the crowd his eyes found and locked with hers. No animosity, only sadness. Sadness, not for himself, but for her and the others.
Taking his place before the Chief Justice he stood quietly, hands by his sides. The guards behind, slightly to the side.
The timbered voice of the aged, white haired justice resounded through the room. "Commander Chakotay, you are charged with actions violating the laws of the United Federation of Planets. With endangering the lives of the citizens of said Federation. Of actions jeopardizing the peace of said Federation. Of attempting to destroy the peace treaty which said Federation has with the Cardassian Empire. How do you plead?"
Without moving a muscle, without hesitation, Chakotay responded quietly, but firmly. "I have no plea."
Placing his hands on either side of the dais, the Judicator looked intently at the Maquis leader. "I understand that you have declined council."
"Yes Sir." Chakotay stared straight ahead, eyes fixed on the podium.
The judicator carefully accessed the Maquis leader. "Very well Commander, that is your right. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"No Sir." Chakotay's features were as emotionless as a Vulcans.
Janeway watched with growing interest. Her eyes never wavered from Chakotay's face. She leaned forward, this trial was nonexistent. He was saying nothing. Nothing at all.
Then almost before it had started the process was over.
She sat there, watching Chakotay's ridged face and body as he calmly waited for the sentencing. Why, she asked herself, why did he not offer some defense? What better forum for voicing the Maquis doctrine. A captured audience to hear his strong beliefs and claims.
Once again his words rang in her ears, 'providing evidence would endanger those who are risking their lives gathering it'.
The courtroom held its collective breath as the head of the Judicial Tribunal pronounced sentence:
"Commander Chakotay, for crimes committed as stated in the official records, you are hereby sentenced to thirty-five years in a maximum security penal colony. Due to the serious, and dangerous nature, of your offenses there will be no chance for parole. Furthermore, you are hereby declared a perpetual danger to the Federation. At the conclusion of the thirty-five years, this court reserves the right to evaluate the existing conditions, and situations, to see if you are still a threat. Should this assessment prove positive you will serve an addition term of ten years. Each time that you are scheduled for release a determination will be made. Each time, if deemed warranted, you will be sentenced to addition time."
It was over!
Quickly the guards moved to Chakotay's side.
Turning to leave, again his eyes found hers. Again for an instant they locked.
Then he was gone. Walking calmly between the two security officers.
The room now a complete contrast to what it had been only moments before. Like invisible birds racing around, the air buzzed as voices flew back and forth. All disappointed at so short a spectacle.
Standing up, Janeway saw her father approaching. A big smile graced his face.
He reached her side as she stepped down from the seating area. "Well Katie, Chakotay will never cause any more trouble. Thanks to you we've seen the last of that rebel."
Little did he realize, that in the future years to come, someday he would be glad to see the Maquis leader.
Side by side the two Janeways walked the length of the Judgement Hall. They paused in the corridor where they stood up against the wall, out of the way of the lava flow of society exiting the latest of attractions.
Kathryn turned to her father. "What about the other Maquis. Any sign of a rescue attempt?"
"Nothing," replied the admiral. "Don't worry, we have him under very heavy security. Since Chakotay's capture there has been no Maquis activity anywhere. We cut off the head, the tail will soon die."
"What about this Ro Laren?" Inquired Kathryn. "According to Tuvok, Chakotay had ordered Evans to meet with her."
The admiral shook his head. "There has been no further word from my contact. As far as I know there was never a formal alliance. I doubt that there will be one now. No, I expect that the Maquis will slowly fall apart."
Admiral Edward Janeway had no way of knowing that he was in for a shock. That the fate of the Federation lay in the balance of his being wrong.
Kathryn glanced about her, at the now almost empty corridor, then back at her father. "Dad, did Chakotay have anything interesting to say during questioning?"
Her father appeared uneasy. "What do you mean?" He asked cautiously.
Puzzled by his tone Kathryn looked at her father. Her eyes probing his face. "About the Cardassians and the colonists?"
The elder Janeway was visibly relieved. "No. In fact, I understand that he had very little to say. I did not attend the interrogations. At the moment I have nothing to ask him, Chakotay would never betray the Maquis."
Slowly they began to make their way down the long passageway.
Turning her head Kathryn, once again, scrutinized her father's face. She had the feeling that he was holding something back. This he never did. Strange that her father had not been present at the interrogations. Something was not right.
Before she could say, or ask, anything more Admiral Janeway interrupted his daughter's thoughts. "Now, enough of Chakotay and the outlaws, back to business. Would you like to return to the Gamma Quadrant"?
Her eyes lit up. "You know that I would. There is so much to be explored."
"Good," replied the admiral. "I have a short three month mission for you. I knew that you wanted to be here for the trial so I waited. Drop by my office tomorrow."
The mention of the just completed trial diverted Kathryn's attention. Coming to a junction the captain was only half listening. "Okay Dad, I'll see you then."
Leaving her puzzled father standing in the hallway, quickly, without fully understanding why, she headed toward the shuttle bay. Upon entering Janeway walked toward the far side, watching as the security team prepared the Maquis leader for the short trip to the penal colony.
Where, as far as the captain was concerned, he would be spending the majority of his life. Possibly the rest of it.
As before he was standing quietly. One guard was securing Chakotay's arms behind his back, while another examined the escape alert anklet. The Maquis leader moved to enter the shuttle. Catching sight of Janeway he stopped. One foot on the ramp, one foot on the platform, he turned toward her.
He smiled. "Well captain, I guess that you're happy. It will be a long time before we again have coffee."
She returned his steady gaze. "It should have been longer. Thirty-five years is not enough. Treason does not deserve leniency."
Lightly he replied, "I guess that you don't want my opinion. In thirty-five years I hope, that you, will not be on the review board. That is if the Federation still exists."
Shifting his weight, bringing both feet firmly down onto the platform, the Maquis leader looked Janeway directly in the eye. "Captain, be careful. I know you feel, as do many others, that the Cardassians will honor the peace treaty. They will not! At least not all of them. The ones who will not are, unfortunately, in the top ranks. Keep your eyes and ears open. Not only for yourself, but for the good of the Federation."
Janeway returned his steady star. "Do you mind explaining!"
Chakotay shook his head. "I can not. At least not at this moment. I hope, before it is too late, that I will be able to do so. Perhaps someday we will no longer be enemies."
Her voice carried the chill of a winter's morning as she very firmly replied. "There is not much chance of that!"
"No. I guess not." He replied slowly.
She continued, "Nothing justifies breaking the law. Within the constricts of the edicts which govern a society there are always opportunities."
"That is true," he responded, "only when somebody listens."
Without another word he turned, starting up the ramp. The guards behind him.
Janeway had one last question. "Why did you not offer any defense?"
He stopped. Looking up his eyes stared at the metal dome above him. Seeing not the physical barrier, but the limitless regions of space which lay beyond.
Without turning he replied softly. "You know the answer."
Saying nothing further he continued up the ramp, disappearing inside.
Janeway remained silent. Did she have the answer? Was he protecting others? On the other hand, was he nothing more than an outlaw without a justifiable defense, trying to make her believe that he did have one? Too bad she thought, there would never be the opportunity to know which it was.
As far as Kathryn Janeway was concerned that was that. Or so she presumed.
Watching the door of the prison shuttle slowly closing Kathryn Janeway did not realize that fate had other plans.
When the shuttle lifted off she turned away, walking back to her life as a Starfleet captain.
While Maquis Commander Chakotay started his life in a Federation prison.