Chakotay’s
sense of justice demands he discontinue his Starfleet career and become
a Maquis resistance fighter in 2370. This decision accidentally lands
him in the Delta Quadrant and back in Starfleet uniform in 2371 when he
teams with the remaining U.S.S Voyager crew as Captain Janeway’s first
officer.
This is
not an easy choice for Chakotay, but it is the only chance he can give
his crew to return home. During the first year on Voyager, Chakotay is
at odds with both his former Maquis crew and with Janeway as everyone
struggles to peacefully coexist.
Seska, a
former crew mate and romantic interest, proves a particular problem as
she leads an enemy force against Voyager and taunts Chakotay with the
possibility of having fathered her child. This proves false, but
discovering the truth nearly ends Voyager’s travels home and leaves
Chakotay a changed man.
Not until
Chakotay and Janeway are stranded, possibly for the rest of their lives,
on a Delta Quadrant planet, in 2372 does the pair reach an understanding
as people, not just as fellow officers. When they are able to return to
the ship, sharing command easier.
Chakotay
still does not hesitate to disagree with many of the plans Janeway
conceives. To Chakotay’s practical mind, her strict adherence to Prime
Directive protocols, plans to make an alliance with the Borg against
Species 8472 and various other schemes seem to invite disaster. He does
his best to support his commanding officer, but sometimes turns to Tuvok
for advice on Janeway’s state of mind. Through Janeway’s actions,
however, Chakotay renews his own belief in Starfleet and its principles-
coming to peace with the Federation politics that indirectly killed his
father.
Chakotay
remains a strong believer in the faith of his native American heritage,
which means that his family is very important. However, some of
Chakotay’s deepest fears are about becoming crazy like his
grandfather- a recurring theme in his vision quests.
Chakotay
enjoys a very close friendship with Janeway, but this does not prevent
him from a meaningful encounter with ex-Borg Riley Frazier in 2373, or
Kellin, the Ramuran tracer, in 2374, or a brief flirtation with Valerie
Archer of Species 8472, in 2375. He has a lot of affection for his
captain but there are some barriers he won’t cross. He and Seven have
embarked on a relationship, in 2377, where that may lead no one knows.
