STAR TREK VOYAGER: HOMEWARD BOUND
CHAPTER 29
"No!" Chakotay's one word thundered through the room. His reaction automatic, without thought.
Looking at his commander Tuvok raised both eyebrows. If ever there was a time that the Vulcan looked startled it was at that moment.
Trying to hide his amusement Evans turned towards Kathryn. Giving her a quick wink, he could not prevent a grin from spreading across his face.
Kathryn herself was shocked. Slowly leaning back, coffee cup in hand, she stared at her co-captain. Slightly embarrassed, and amused, by Chakotay's show of emotion she found herself in a rather unusual position. Not quite sure just how to respond, with a slightly raised eyebrow she sat there, quietly pondering the situation.
Startled by his own, very unusual, response Chakotay tried to cover up his slip. "Kathryn, you're just recovered from serious, life-threatening injuries. Your body might not be able to cope with the alterations."
Taking a sip of coffee she managed to hide the smile tugging at her lips however, she was unable to keep the twinkle out of her eyes. "If that is your main concern….I'm sure that the doctor will let us know if there is any danger. But I doubt that there will be. Enough time has passed, and he gave me a clean bill of health as far as my physical injuries."
Chakotay ran his hand along the arm of his chair, his unease at the situation clearly showing. "I don't like it. You may have, under normal circumstances, recovered however, making you look Cardassian may have unforeseen complications. Surely there must be someone on this ship that we can trust. Perhaps one of the former Starfleet crew."
Kathryn shook her head. "It's too risky, this could be a very delicate mission where both diplomacy and authority will be needed. The situation could escalate, very quickly, into a mission with serious complications and we might not be able to communicate with Voyager. I am the best choice. First of all I'm Seska's commanding officer and second….I know Gul Oyal."
He locked eyes with her. "I know, that is one of my worries."
For a moment Kathryn did not reply. "Javis, please report to the ready room!"
Expecting the summons the young lieutenant had been waiting on the bridge. Seconds later he entered. "You wanted to see me Captain?"
Placing one arm across the back of the chair Evans looked up. Devilment written across his face. "Well, well….don't tell me we have another spy onboard. Seska, myself, Tuvok and now you."
Javis looked down, his face serious. "I needed the training to ensure, should the necessity arise, that you and Tuvok remember what to do."
Shaking her head Kathryn glanced down at her cup.
Chakotay looked at her. Merriment danced in his eyes. "See what you did? We're becoming a Maquis ship full of spies. Whatever will your father say?"
Deadpanned Kathryn returned his stare. "That he should have met with you at the prison."
She took a sip of coffee to prevent laughing at the look, not only on Chakotay's face, but the others as well.
Chakotay decided not to pursue the topic. Instead he turned to Javis. "What did you get from Seska?"
Javis, knowing how important his answer was, placed his hands on his hips. Glancing down he thought for a moment. Looking up he chose his words carefully. "Honesty, hope, fear, there was no deception. What she said was the truth."
Both Kathryn and Chakotay nodded. They had felt the same.
Chakotay tapped his fingers on the desk. "Return to you duties but, when possible, try to remain close to Seska. Keep reading her, anything, anything at all that is suspicious contact either myself or Captain Janeway immediately."
"Yes Sir." Turning, Javis winked at Tuvok and Evans before leaving.
Evans grinned at his captains. "I think Javis is enjoying his new duties."
This time it was Chakotay who shook his head while Kathryn shrugged her shoulders.
Tuvok looked down at Evans. "Humans appear to enjoy engaging in subterfuge."
Kathryn placed her arms on the desk. "Not exactly the subterfuge. It's the challenge that spying, or undercover work, offers. The rush of adrenalin that humans love."
"Well," Chakotay remarked, "whatever it is we're fortunate to have Javis onboard. His insight into Seska is invaluable. Tuvok what is you option of Captain Janeway accompanying Seska."
The Vulcan looked first at the subject of the question then back to Chakotay. "I concur with Captain Janeway, she is the best choice. The captain knows the Gul and will be able to make difficult decisions, should the away team run into unforeseen difficulties, that could be necessary."
Chakotay knew Tuvok was right but he was finding it hard to voice the okay. He had come so close to losing Kathryn he did not want to place her in a dangerous situation. "Evans what do you say?"
Knowing, and understanding, Chakotay's feelings the Maquis commander shifted uneasily in his seat. "I also have to agree. When Tuvok and I drew up the plans we had Captain Janeway in mind. Being that she knows Seska's husband is an asset however, I also concur that we need someone of authority on this mission. And….most importantly someone who we know can be trusted around Cardassians. Even a member of her former crew, we cannot be sure of their self-control."
Chakotay heaved a deep sigh. He knew that they were correct. This mission was risky enough, they could not afford mistakes. As the commanding officer he had no other choice but to make the difficult decision.
The Maquis captain also realized that the command team could not play favorites. No matter how dangerous. Not if they wanted to work together, and not if they wanted the respect of the crew. And the respect of each other! "All right."
He looked over at his second-in-command. "That is….if the doctor says okay. If there is the slightest doubt that the genetic manipulation will cause harm….we will find someone else!"
Chakotay looked at Evans and Tuvok. "Is that clear!"
Evans nodded. "That goes without saying."
Kathryn hands clasped together. "I admit that this is one away mission I'm not looking forward to. But I am curious about this Gul who was a war hero, now turned resistance leader. I remember him as my guard, I can not picture him as a man of peace."
Chakotay ran a hand alone his chin. "I'm also anxious to met him. He had an extremely well organized rebel group. I did not know who the leader was but I was hoping to someday meet with him."
He gave a deep sigh. "Of course I never thought that it would under these conditions."
Patting the arm of the chair he looked at Kathryn. "Now….since we have made our decision report to the doctor, be very sure that there will be no problems."
He turned to the others. "Evans and Tuvok back to your stations. I'll begin meeting with the members of the Beta shift to let them know about Seska….that I am not looking forward to. Evans, arrange for the rest of the crew to assembly in the mess hall later this afternoon."
Nodding in silent acknowledge Evans rose to his feet. "I don't envy you. Most of the crew will not like having, not only one Cardassian on board, but knowing that we might have more….that will not go over easy."
Glancing down at the desk Chakotay's reply was barely audible. "Being the Maquis leader has never been easy."
Kathryn, rising to her feet, walked around the desk to join the two commanders.
With respect and admiration she looked down at Chakotay. "No….it has not been easy. But you have a loyal crew, people who respect you. If they did not, then none of us would have survived the events of the past few weeks. The crew may not be happy with this new twist….but they will follow your orders."
Evans, looking from Janeway to Chakotay then back to Janeway, spoke with deep sincerity. "Kathryn, it is not only Chakotay that this crew respects. They will follow, not only his orders, but also yours. No….they will not be happy about Seska, or the rescue mission, but will but their heart into it because both of you are asking them to do so. Both of you taught this crew a lesson that not one of them will ever forget. Neither of you fully realize just how much it means having Captain Kathryn Janeway and Captain Chakotay standing side by side on the bridge. If you say that they have to accept a bunch of Cardassians onboard, they will do so. Not because they want to, but because this is what you want."
For a moment Kathryn and Chakotay locked eyes. She then turned back to Evans and Tuvok. "Well, before they have to accept the Cardassians first we have to rescue them. Shall we get this mission under way."
With that she headed toward the bridge. Tuvok and Evans followed her.
Chakotay remained at the desk, his face dark with worry.
