Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [28]
The reason given for this was twofold and contradictory: Starfleet needed to study the modifications, and Starfleet needed to remove the modifications so as not to pollute the timeline.
It was, as Vorik had said, illogical. But it was not unexpected.
“As painful as this may sound to a chief engineer,” said Chakotay, “a ship is more than its technological components. Voyager was special because of her crew, and what we underwent together. Now that there’s a different crew, she’ll still be special and unique, but in a new way.”
“It would have assisted this special and unique crew if the ship had been permitted to keep its special and unique technology,” Vorik replied.
“Vorik,” Chakotay said, grinning, “if you don’t watch out, you’ll develop a sense of humor one of these days.”
Vorik looked slightly taken aback. “I sincerely hope not, sir.”
Unable to help himself, Chakotay clapped him on the shoulder. He could have sworn Vorik winced.
“Come on. Introduce me to your staff.”
Vorik obliged. Most of them were former Voyagers, so it was more a matter of getting reacquainted rather than introduced, but there was one newcomer.
“Ensign David Chittenden,” the young man said, standing stiffly at attention.
“Oh, the whiz kid,” said Chakotay. Chittenden cringed, almost imperceptibly. “Vorik mentioned you. We’re lucky to have you. Welcome aboard Voyager. This is your first assignment on a starship, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir,” said Chittenden. He didn’t meet Chakotay’s eyes and looked a bit uncomfortable. Chakotay wondered why. He thought of himself as a pretty good judge of people, and Chittenden’s demeanor struck him as more than rookie nerves. Chittenden’s résumé was outstanding, and Chakotay knew all the engineering staff to be friendly and approachable people. Why, then, did they all seem to be standing somewhat apart from the newcomer? Bad blood already? He hoped not.
“You’re in good hands,” Chakotay said kindly. “I’m sure your fellow engineers are doing everything they can to make you feel welcome.”
He eyed them meaningfully. Whatever had happened between Chittenden and the other engineers, he wanted them all to get over it.
“Of course, sir,” said Chittenden. “It’s a privilege to serve.”
Chakotay wondered if he really meant it.
Voyager had one stop before it could head to its final destination, Deep Space 6. There was someone else who needed to be included in the mission. Janeway had described the person as a “spiritual adviser,” someone who could work with Astall in helping the colonists adjust to resettling in a place they had left under such unhappy circumstances. Despite his own spiritual nature, Chakotay had questioned the need for this adviser.
“Surely whatever the colonists personally believe, there’s someone in their group who would be better able to assist them than a stranger,” he had said one evening over coffee at Janeway’s apartment.
“The colonists with that kind of training chose to stay behind on Loran II,” his friend and former captain had replied. “They asked for someone like this, someone who could empathize with them in a more spiritual capacity than a counselor might. This is an important mission, Chakotay. Starfleet wants to make sure the colonists feel that their every need has been met.”
Chakotay had been unable to get a name from Janeway; she said that Starfleet hadn’t decided yet. It would depend on who was available.
So it was with mild curiosity that Chakotay was in the transporter room when the so-called spiritual adviser beamed up. Ensign Thomas Stefaniak, who had taken over Lyssa Campbell’s position as transporter operator, manipulated the controls and the adviser materialized