Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [4]
Janeway, chalking her cue, gave him a sympathetic glance. She knew he was referring to more than just the evening’s entertainment.
“We tried,” she said.
“I know,” he replied. “Two black sheep was just too much for Starfleet to swallow.”
“For right now,” Janeway said. “Thirteen, corner pocket. And besides, he’s still on parental leave on Boreth, with B’Elanna and Miral.” Before she shot, she regarded Chakotay intently. “Don’t worry, Chakotay. I’ve got my eye on Tom. I’m not going to let Starfleet forget about him. He’s too valuable an officer.”
Chakotay had wanted Tom Paris as his first officer. Despite—or perhaps because of—their clashes in earlier years, Paris was someone he had learned to trust completely. It had seemed so right, so logical a choice, that even now the memory of Janeway gently telling him that his request had been denied stung.
“They’re willing to gamble on you, and they’re willing to gamble on Tom,” Janeway had said. “Just not both of you on the same ship.”
“We were on the same ship for seven years,” Chakotay had said angrily. “We did a pretty good job then.”
It was at that point Janeway had revealed to him how hard she had fought to get him Voyager’s captaincy…and had revealed the compromise she’d been forced to make.
“But it’s adding insult to injury,” said Kaz, referring to that compromise. Clearly his mind was running along the same path as Chakotay’s. “I mean, not only did they refuse to let Tom back on Voyager as your first officer, but they foisted Priggy on you.”
Once again, Janeway’s shot went wild as she choked with laughter. “Kaz, I’m beginning to think this is deliberate,” she remonstrated. Sobering, she said, “It’s a good thing none of us is on duty right now or I’d have to reprimand you for that comment. Andrew Ellis is a sterling Starfleet officer. He’s highly decorated and long overdue for a first officer position. You’re lucky to have him, Chakotay, and I know he’s very much looking forward to serving with you.”
“Everything you said is completely true,” Chakotay agreed. “And so is the nickname.” He stepped into position and made his shot.
“He’s not a prig,” said Janeway, sounding unconvinced herself. “He’s just…a touch conservative.” She paused. “And by-the-book.”
“And far too stuffy for a thirty-year-old,” said Kaz.
Janeway glanced from one man to the other. “Somehow I think you and Chakotay will loosen him up a bit.”
“It’s not Ellis himself I mind,” said Chakotay, amending immediately, “Okay, at least not much. I just feel like Starfleet wants him to be my nanny.”
“Who knows,” mused Kaz. “Maybe beneath that starched uniform beats the wild heart of an untamed rebel.”
Chakotay came dangerously close to snorting his water. “Damn it, Kaz,” he sputtered. All three of them were laughing now.
“All right,” Janeway said, mirth still bubbling in her voice. “No more comments about Commander Ellis. He’s got the credentials and you’re to give him a fair shot, both of you. Agreed?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Chakotay obligingly, knowing the term annoyed her.
She glared at him. “Changing the subject,” she said, “I want to make sure you know that after the initial resistance, I’ve been hearing a lot of enthusiasm about your taking over Voyager. In fact, you were specifically requested for this mission.”
Chakotay was so surprised by this comment that he missed the shot. He was sure that unlike Kaz, who made every wry comment with deliberate calculation, Janeway hadn’t timed her statement purposely to throw his game off.
“Really?” he said. “Considering the nature of the mission, that surprises me.”
“It shouldn’t,” Janeway said. “It’s just one of those little ironies that make life so interesting. The odds that your first mission would take you back to areas of space that you fought to liberate as a Maquis might seem steep until you consider that nearly everything right now is revolving around recovering from the war.”
“The war we missed,” said Chakotay. “I’m tired about hearing how lucky we were.”
Janeway