Prompt: Jonathan Hays - "I thought he might prove useful." - 'Earth Star Voyager'
Chakotay wasn't the first captain I had served since joining the Maquis. He was however, the first one I respected. It was why I had chosen to stay with him instead of throwing my lot in with another crew. After all, I was in this fight to avenge my wife's death, and killing Cardassians was on all the cells minds no matter what their reason for fighting was.
However, I liked it here on this ship. I respected the choices that Chakotay made. We were obtaining our objectives for the cause, I was getting my revenge, and our casualties were relatively low compared to some of the other groups. I had never once questioned an order or decision he had made.
Until now.
The one recruit Ckakotay had come back with was just a kid. One that looked as though a strong wind would blow him over, at that. Despite the anger, which reminded me of myself, and hard edge to his demeanor, I wondered just how long he would last. Not to mention, I couldn't see what skills he could possibly possess to aid us.
Who was part of this crew was Chakotay's choice though. The best I could do was try to steer clear of any whom I thought were dangerous to be around. If the kid turned out to be a liability than I would do just that.
Grabbing a couple of boxes of the supplies that had been brought back, I turned to head back onto the ship. Seeing that Chakotay was now alone, I saw my chance to find out the reason for the second addition to our crew, when he had intended in only meeting with one person.
"So, is there a reason you brought the kid back with you, sir?" I asked as I stopped beside him, shifting the boxes slightly to redistribute their weight.
"I thought he might prove useful."
As much as I respected Chakotay, I didn't like being lied to. Apparently the look I shot him conveyed that feeling.
"Okay, so I got a bit sentimental on this one. He was looking for a ship to join. Given the anger he's harboring for the Cardassians, he's going after them whether he found a crew or not. If he's with us, then perhaps he won't get himself killed in the process."
I nodded. I wasn't sure I liked the reasoning, but it was the type of decision I had come to expect from Chakotay. He had his reasons for fighting this guerilla war against the Cardassians, and they were a whole lot more nobler than mine were. However, he wasn't letting this fight change the code which he lived by. His fight was with the Cardassians and he would try to protect anyone else from being a casualty of this war if he could.
As for the kid, perhaps I'd see what I could do about making sure he wasn't a liability to himself or the rest of us.