CHAPTER 36
Janeway breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Chakotay looked confused. "You're welcome, I guess. May I ask what I did?"
"For helping me justify the course of action which I had already chosen." Replied Janeway innocently.
"Oh!" Handing the padd back to the captain Chakotay gave his head a small shake.
After placing it into her padd organizer she then turned off her monitor. "How about an away team of myself, you, Tuvok along with three Starfleet, three Maquis. With emergency beam out procedures?"
He nodded agreement. "That should be sufficient. We could have another team standing by, just in case we run into trouble."
"All right lets do it." Janeway stood up. "I'm going down to the science lab. Will you join me?"
Chakotay rose to his feet. "Of course. But first, if you don't mind, I'll like to contact my ship."
Entering the bridge Janeway and Chakotay walked into the center of the command area. The captain addressed the man standing at the ops station. "Mr. Evans, open a comm line to the Maquis."
"Yes Captain." The Maquis temporary Starfleet officer tapped the control panel.
Watching his man efficiently carry out this Starfleet captain's order, Chakotay ran his hand along his chin, trying to hide the amused smile on his face.
When a Bajoran face appeared the Maquis leader turned toward the viewscreen. "Seska, we're heading for that M-class planet. Set a course to match this ship. Once we're in orbit three of our crew will join the away team."
"Which three?" Inquired Seska.
"I'll let you know." In truth, Chakotay was not sure which three of his crew to choose.
Seska grinned. "Afraid that you'll have a mutiny on your hands. Not everybody will welcome working with Starfleet."
"Perhaps they would prefer to lose B'Elanna. Chakotay out."
With interest Janeway listened to the exchange. Chakotay had been correct, she was not the only captain with crew members harboring strong feelings. The two crews would never be able to co-exist, just the thought of that necessity occurring sent a shiver of apprehension down her spine. They had to find a way home. If not, how long could she and Chakotay maintain their truce, how long before the crews began turning on each other. Hatred had strange effects on people, destroying discipline and human values.
Janeway walked toward the helm. A young ensign sat at the controls. Still working on the panel, Tom Paris was standing beside her.
Janeway addressed Paris. "Tom, what's the condition of the conn?"
He glanced up from the display. "It's operational Captain. There's still a few minor repairs to be done but they should not interfere with navigation."
Worry and hope mingled on his young face. "Do you have some information?"
"Not yet," she replied gently. "We're just checking out a couple of ideas. I'll let you know the moment that something develops. Ensign, lay in a course for the planet. Maximum impulse."
"Yes Captain." The ensign tapped her controls. "Course laid in."
Janeway walked back to Chakotay. "I don't trust our warp-core. It will take longer, but a lot safer."
With Chakotay beside her she headed toward the turbolift. Coming abreast of the ops station she stopped.
Janeway looked at her new crewman. There was a touch of mischief in her voice. "Well Mr. Evans, how are you getting along?"
"Fine Captain." Evans replied. "Your systems are comparable to Chakotay's."
"Hey Evans!" Joked the Maquis leader. "Don't get too comfortable. Remember, you're part of my crew."
"Hell Chakotay!" Evans retorted with a grin on his face. "Her coffee is better than yours."
Chakotay looked at the Starfleet captain who was fighting to keep a straight face. "The price of loyalty these days. Deserted all for a cup of coffee."
For the first time since their abrupt arrival, at least for a brief moment, the bridge crew had smiles on their faces.