Spirit Walk_ Old Wounds (Book 1) - Christie Golden [8]
Naomi looked thoughtful. “I’m not quite sure yet. Either quantum mechanics theory or mythology and culture. Or maybe genetics.”
“That’s quite a variety of interests. Whichever you pick, I’m sure you’ll do your parents proud,” Chakotay said. Looking at her mother, he added, “Congratulations, by the way, on your promotion, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Samantha Wildman formally before breaking into her easy grin. Chakotay exchanged pleasantries with Greskrendtregk, then continued to greet his guests.
If only Tom and B’Elanna had been able to attend, the circle of companions would be complete. But the Paris family was on Boreth. After B’Elanna had undergone a traumatic ordeal in an attempt to find her mother, she discovered a need to immerse herself in Klingon tradition for a time. Tom, a full-blooded human, had been permitted to reside in the sacred place only after special dispensation from Emperor Kahless himself, and it would have insulted the famous Klingon honor to request permission to leave for anything less than a death in the family—and, Chakotay mused wryly, knowing Klingons, perhaps not even then.
He wandered around for a while, permitting himself to enjoy the moment. All too soon his attention was directed back to his duties by a soft cough from Kim.
“Captain,” Kim said, “we should be departing shortly.”
“Of course,” said Chakotay. Janeway had been watching him without appearing to do so, and now she stepped forward.
“Everyone have a glass of something?” she asked, smiling a little as Seven took a glass of apple juice instead of champagne. The former Borg did not handle alcohol well. “I would like to propose a toast.”
Janeway turned to Chakotay, her blue eyes sparkling like the champagne she lifted in his honor.
“To Captain Chakotay,” she said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. “The best first officer anyone could ever have, and a captain who will do Starfleet proud. If I could make one wish for you, Captain Chakotay, it would be that you have a crew on Voyager who serves you as well as mine served me.”
“Three cheers for Captain Chakotay!” said Harry Kim. Chakotay blushed at the old custom. “Hip hip—”
“Hooray!” everyone chorused.
Twice more Kim led the cheers and then the guests broke into applause. Chakotay waved, calling for silence.
“It really is good to see so many of you,” he said. “I hope I will indeed do Starfleet proud. After all,” he added, “I did learn from the best. I’ve got a toast of my own. To the former captain of this noble ship—Admiral Kathryn Janeway!”
They toasted Janeway and drank. After a few sips, Chakotay returned his half-finished flute to the serving tray.
“Time to go on duty,” he said.
The quick shuttle ride to the ship, a tradition held over from the times when transporter technology was iffy at best, was a pleasant one. Kim and Chakotay were at ease with one another and felt no need to make small talk. Chakotay was looking forward to greeting—and in some cases, meeting—the rest of Voyager’s crew.
His crew.
Kim looked up from piloting the shuttlecraft. He smothered a grin.
“Nervous, Captain?”
“A bit,” Chakotay admitted. “It’s not every day you get your first command.”
“But you’ve been captain before, sir,” said Kim.
“Yes,” agreed Chakotay, “a rebel captain of a tiny vessel that Voyager could eat for lunch. It’s not quite the same thing. Changing the subject,” he said meaningfully, “how are the passengers doing?”
“They boarded about an hour ago. Commander Ellis showed them to their quarters. They have been informed that Astall is happy to talk with them when they feel up to it, and that we’ll be picking up a spiritual advisor as well.”
“If they don’t take advantage of Astall’s counsel on their own, I may have to nudge them to do so,” said Chakotay. He still couldn’t believe his good luck in getting a Huanni counselor.
Over a hundred years ago, when the Huanni first joined the Federation, they acquired a slightly tongue-in-cheek reputation for being the antidote to the Vulcans. Whereas Vulcans prized