Distant Shores - Marco Palmieri [19]
“Rated? That’s awfully presumptuous! I have to pass some computer test in a simulator before you give me the codes? That’s absurd, Tuvok. You know what I can do!”
Tuvok heard a sound from behind him, noting that Seska seemed on the edge of her seat, almost ready to spring in his direction. She was going to prove an ally to Chakotay, and Tuvok tensed himself for the attack. However, reacting to a calming signal from Chakotay, her expression went blank and she nodded once.
“I know what you think you can do and a bluff the magnitude of which you are suggesting puts us entirely at risk,” Tuvok continued. “Should the Dresh pierce our shields as the warp core builds to critical, we may all perish.”
“Tuvok, I am in command,” Chakotay reminded him, controlling the anger in his voice. “I have the captain’s authority and her trust.”
“Do you?” Tuvok countered. “The decision was logical at the time, to provide harmony between the crews, but as our present circumstances demonstrate, it may have been made in haste.”
“Do you want command? Is that what this is about, Vulcan? Jealous I’m sitting beside her?”
Tuvok shook his head. “No. However, your actions to date suggest a reckless approach to problem solving, more Maquis than Starfleet. We would not be in this predicament had you followed Starfleet regulations.”
Again, they all shook as another shot found the shields. Tuvok heard Paris curse at the helm for not reacting fast enough. They clearly had to settle the argument quickly, but no clear solution presented itself while Chakotay’s emotions were this naked.
“I know when it’s time to run,” Chakotay said. “I also know when it’s time to stake our place in the ground and not get pushed. Even Neelix has no idea how far the Dresh’s reach extends. We bloody a nose or two now, then maybe we’ll be left alone.”
“The mines and the Dresh’s current actions prove that to be an erroneous conclusion.”
“We don’t have time for a debate,” Chakotay said, holding firm with his convictions. He was clearly set on his singular course of action. “I want the authorization restored… now!”
The repetition was tedious. Tuvok silently sighed and then said, “Starfleet regulation 104 section D provides for the security chief to act when the ship’s best interests are being compromised. I have done that, and your current orders indicate it was the correct move.”
“This is mutiny, mister!” Chakotay yelled, clearly at his wits’ end.
“One could make that argument. I would not.”
Chakotay remained stunned by Tuvok’s calm resolve as well as the reasoning. Were there time, he’d happily engage in a debate over rules, regulations, and issues of trust. Instead, he had to regain control and keep Janeway’s ship out of danger. Oddly, he was putting things in her terms, imagining her actions and reaction to the insurrection on her bridge. He barely knew her, with no real frame of reference for how she’d act or perceive things, but he felt it was important. He had to do things her way to win the day.
“Starfleet regulation 104 gives me complete authority in this case,” Chakotay countered, glad he could recall the basics from his school days.
“Unless section C was to relieve you of command.”
Chakotay laughed mirthlessly. “I’m not about to leave the bridge so a hologram can declare me fit for command.”
“I also believe you did not fully carry out Directive 010. Your actions continue to run counter to standard guidelines for commanding officers.”
“Tuvok, while we’re dancing around the rules and regulations, five enemy ships are trying to peel us apart like a grape. Give me the full authorization to do my job so I can save the crew.”
The two men stared at each other; no one else on the bridge dared make a sound. For the moment, the ship was quiet. Chakotay was quickly sifting through an avalanche of conflicting thoughts and feelings. His distrust of Tuvok, mirroring Tuvok’s obvious feelings toward him, his concern over how