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From: "Keith & Jessica Bratcher" <campbratcher@psci.net>
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Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 10:15:05 -0500
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW: VOY: The Maquis Way (1/7) NC 17 C/P C/Various
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Title:        The Maquis Way 
Author:        Darksusie (December 2003)
Series:        Voyager
Pairing         C/Various   C/P
Rating:            NC 17 
Disclaimer:       Voyager and her crew are the property of Paramount.  
Summary:        The Captain and Tuvok have been left on New Earth.  
WARNING IN A LATER PART THERE IS A RAPE SCENE.  PLEASE DO NOT READ ON 
IF YOU FIND THIS IN ANYWAY OFFENSIVE

Told from Tom Paris' viewpoint

Today has been a really bad day, not the worst I've had but it's up 
there in the top five.   Because of a virus the Captain and Tuvok 
have been left on New Earth and Chakotay is now Acting Captain.  It's 
been an emotional time, not just for me but also for all the crew.  
But the Captain has a special place in my heart, after all if it 
wasn't for Kathryn I'd probably still be doing time.

We have been travelling about 30 minutes when Chakotay calls B'Elanna 
and me into the briefing room. I'm not looking forward to the 
Commander being in charge.  My hopes are pinned on us finding an 
antidote to the virus. We may be friends but he can still ride my ass 
from time to time.  He looks grim faced as we sit down.  

"We will continue to look for a cure and I am sure Janeway will also 
be working towards that.  But there will come a time when we have to 
cut our losses and say it is too late to turn back.  I am saying that 
will be in 5 days time.  By then we will have travelled to far 
towards our goal to be turning back, cure or no cure."

I begin to protest but Chakotay puts up his hand to stop me.

"I'm taking 24 hours to review the situation.  You're in charge 
Paris, Kim's your second.  Torres, you and Ayala will do second 
shift.  Call me only if it's an emergency."

I nod at him and wait for him to expand on things, then he 
says "dismissed," and that is it.  I exchange a glance with B'Elanna, 
who is equally as baffled as me, and we leave for the bridge.  

Thankfully it's an uneventful shift and afterwards, in the mess hall 
a few of us discuss what could happen under the Commander's 
captaincy.  Harry's convinced that I'll be Chakotay's First Officer, 
and if that's the case he could be in for promotion.  I can't quite 
see this happening, though I'm the most qualified.  Harry in his 
naivety and excitement of possible promotion cannot see that Voyager 
will be a different ship with Chakotay in the captain's chair.  He 
didn't know Chakotay in his Maquis days and I didn't know him well 
but I do know he ran a tight ship and when crossed he has a very 
unforgiving nature. 

Twenty-four hours later, exactly, Chakotay calls the senior staff in 
for a meeting.  I don't know why I'm nervous, what I'm most scared 
of.  I suppose if I'm honest with myself I'm afraid that he'll make 
me his commanding officer and that I can't live up to his 
expectations.  But I'm equally afraid that he'll just dismiss the 
idea and not think me worthy.

I look around the room.  Chakotay is sat in the captain's chair with 
Ayala sat at one side and Tabor at the other.  This is the first 
thing that comes across as strange, Tabor's not senior staff so I 
can't imagine why he is here.

Chakotay begins to speak, and I watch how tightly controlled he 
is.  "Ayala will be my temporary First Officer."  Harry begins to 
interrupt and I give him the look, but Chakotay continues.  "Not now 
Ensign.  Ayala, Tabor and Torres I want you to do bridge duty for the 
next hour.  I want the rest of you to gather all non-essential staff 
into Cargo Bay 1.  All essential staff must be Maquis.  I want this 
meeting to start in 30 minutes, precisely."

I set off to round up the people I am responsible for but all I can 
think about is that he's made Ayala second in command.  Now I've 
nothing against the man but Einstein he isn't, and another thing, how 
come suddenly Tabor's with the in crowd.  I've seen him before 
sucking up to the Commander, well maybe it's just worked.  That's all 
I need, having to watch the Bajoran fawning all over the Chief.

So far I don't like the feel of things.  Chakotay seems guarded, 
insular, so far removed from how he acted as Janeway's second.  Since 
we left the Captain and Tuvok, the Maquis have been mentioned far too 
many times for my liking. 

By the time I've rounded up all the staff I have worked myself up 
into a temper.  Yeah the first chance I get I'm going to give him a 
piece of my mind.  Though I am getting worried why he's asked for all 
essential staff to be Maquis.  Maybe he is going to space the fleet 
crew and I know that will include me.  Without a doubt.

I stand at the back of the Cargo Bay, better to see what's going on, 
or run, whichever is the best option.  The doors open and the room 
immediately goes silent.  I can't quite see what's causing this 
reaction so I move a little to the left.  Well, fuck.  Here's 
Chakotay, dressed all in his leathers from the Maquis days.  He has 
the same look as when I first saw him.  Not just the clothes but also 
the look of strength and power that I haven't seen since he became 
Janeway's sidekick.  I have a momentary stirring of longing, exactly 
the same as in that bar.  But now isn't the time or the place so I 
try to concentrate on what he is saying.

"The first thing I want to get straight is that I am the Captain of 
this ship.  Not acting captain, not commander but the Captain." He 
looks around and nobody moves, nobody makes a murmur in 
protest.  "Voyager will be run as a Maquis vessel with Maquis rules.  
At the moment Greg Ayala is my First Officer but that post is 
available for the person who proves him or herself best for the 
post.  Fleet or Maquis."  He glances my way as he says the last bit.  
I 'm not sure if he is saying I could be up for the post or don't 
even think about it.  He's unreadable as usual.

"I want you all to listen carefully to what I say next, as this could 
decide your future on Voyager.  We will continue to look for a cure 
for the next five days, if in that time a cure is found we will 
return for them.  Otherwise after that the Maquis rules of discipline 
will be used on this ship.  Equally the rules of rewarding crew, who 
have been exceptional, will also be by the Maquis way. Crew may 
decline rewards but discipline will be accepted.  There will be no 
discussion on this subject. My word is final.  I, personally will 
hand out the discipline and rewards.  In four weeks time we will be 
passing a friendly planet.  I have been in communication with them 
and they are very happy to accept settlers. When we arrive, if anyone 
is unhappy with my captaincy, they may petition me to leave.  I will 
be fair but firm.  I will treat Starfleet crew and Maquis crew 
alike.  There will be no favouritism. It is up to individuals if they 
wear uniform or not.  Let me make this plain.  I will not tolerate 
insubordination or tardy work.  We are still the same crew with the 
same goal, to get home as quickly as possible.  Thank you."

I watch the crew for any reaction.  When the Captain, and I suppose 
I'd better get used to calling him that, mentions Maquis discipline 
and rewards, the fleet crew visibly pale.  As do some of the Maquis, 
the troublemakers.  But the funny thing is, the rest of the Maquis 
have grins on their faces, or a knowing look.  

Chakotay leaves and the fleet crew naturally want to know the 
specifics of Maquis discipline and rewards.  Not one of the bastards 
will say anything.  They just smile knowingly and say better to wait 
and see but make sure you're not on the discipline end.  Well it 
doesn't take brains to work that out.  I mean, even Ayala could 
figure out that one.

The first week everything settles down well.  I manage to keep my 
tongue firmly in place.  All the former Maquis are back in their 
leathers, even some of the fleet are wearing them.  I think they're 
just trying to get on the good side of Chakotay.  Quite a few still 
wear the fleet uniform and some just wear casual.  I've opted for 
casual, that way nobody can tell whose side I'm on.  That's if it 
comes down to taking sides, I'm still not sure.  

I'm even getting on with Ayala.  He isn't so bad, he's asked me for 
advice quite a few times.  Of course Tabor's pissing me off, he is 
stuck to the Captain like a bad rash.  I don't know if he's angling 
to get promotion or to get fucked by Chakotay.  I suppose one could 
lead to the other.  

My first thought when Chakotay took over was that I would be the 
first one to leave Voyager at the next planet but it's turning out 
not so unpleasant.  

At breakfast Harry's discussing the merits of me becoming First 
Officer, as if, when Torres joins us.

"Good morning gentlemen, what a beautiful morning."  Harry nearly 
falls off his chair.  She is never cheerful first thing in the 
morning and she never, ever calls us gentlemen.

Before we get a chance to ask her, Geron comes over, smiling like 
he's won the jackpot in one of the Casinos on Emrys Prime.

"I hear you were in the Captain's good books, yesterday, Torres.  
Diverted a big malfunction in the Doc's matrix didn't you?"  Geron 
grins at her, knowingly.  

"Yeah that's right Geron.  I hear you've been visited yourself."  

I glance at Harry to see if he can understand what the hell they are 
talking about. He seems as puzzled as me.  

"Bronze or silver, Geron?" 

"Afraid only bronze. What about you?"  

"Silver," Torres answers with a smirk.  

"You lucky bastard, but I'm not complaining.  Got to go, don't want 
to get in his bad books."  Geron sets off for his shift, still with 
that inane grin on his face.

"Ok spill, Torres, what's with the Bronze and Silver and what did the 
Captain do to put that grin on yours and Geron's face."

"Can't talk about it Paris.  But let me tell you, just don't get on 
the Captain's bad side."

This conversation comes to mind a few days later because I'm going to 
find out personally what the big chief's been handing out. But 
somehow I don't think I'll be smiling.  Famous last words, don't get 
on his bad side.  So what do I do, decide I know better.  Chakotay's 
distracted so I think I'll just put in this little course change.  
Wham, bam we end up in a battle.  Luckily I get us out of it pretty 
quickly but I can tell from the looks that Ayala's exchanging with 
Tabor that things don't look good.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



 
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