Disclaimer: The usual. Paramount owns all of Trek. No infringement intended, just borrowing a couple of characters for my story.

The Family Series - Book Eight

The Chakotay Legacy

by Dee Price


Jonathan sat quietly on his back porch looking out at The Family. He smiled. That statue, carved by Bartu and given to his parents, Chakotay and Kathryn the day they left the planet to return to Earth, was so much a part of his heritage, not only representing his parents and his brother Adam and sisters Katie and Maori, as well as himself, but also expressed all the love his parents had felt for each other and their children. In addition, it was an area of solitude and relaxation and where the families gathered for various functions or activities, a place they expressed gratitude, sadness or joy for various events that happened in their lives. Many times they all just sat quietly and absorbed it's embodiment of love.

He slowly rose, stepped off the porch and walked towards it, stopping a few feet away to just gaze lovingly at this inspiring carving. It was well worn now, from weather and loving hands touching and embracing it. He reached out with his hand and caressed the father's face, gently moving his hand on the cheek. Turning to the mother he did the same, then glanced down at the four children.

A tear broke loose from one eye and slowly coursed it's way down his cheek as he stood and looked at this marvelous carving, and he once again placed his hand on the father's cheek. He was only six years old when Bartu had given them this carving, just before their trip to Earth, and the memories it held flooded his senses now. Both parents, somehow knowing their time was up had come out here, sat down in front of it and quietly left, surrounded by the love and serenity this place offered. He glanced at the rose arbor the statue sat under. It was loaded with flowers again this year and their scent filled the air.

He smiled as he looked at the flowers and recalled poppa planting and caring for the plants with such loving care. It seemed to set off not only the statue but the area as well. Looking back at the statue he nodded and smiled.

"The roses are beautiful again poppa. Maori tended them with as much love and care as you did." Another tear coursed its way down his cheek, he sighed and added quietly, "Give Maori a hug from me."

Jonathan was 110 years old now and the last member of his family. He had lost his brother Adam ten years ago, Katie followed a few years later, and now Maori had joined them three days ago. All had enjoyed long, full lives, but Maori's passing was unexpected and just as shattering for him as when he lost his parents. He had been on a mission when his parents died and there were no final goodbyes or 'I love you'. They had both been buried by the time his emergency transport got him home. At least he had been at Maori's bedside holding her hand when she passed on and they had told each other of their love. Another loss was last year when he lost his beloved wife Annie. Time was invading his life and taking his family.

But this 'Family' statue had become more than a statue to the Chakotay clan. It was now part of their legacy. All of his children as well as Adam, Katie and Maori's kids, as well as their kids and their kids, had learned the legend and embraced it with all their hearts. Jonathan smiled. The Chakotay family had certainly enlarged. He was a great, great grandfather several times over and twice a third great grandfather, and every one of the children loved and revered The Family.

He gently caressed the father and mother's cheek once again and whispered, "I'll be seeing you soon poppa, momma," and turned and slowly walked back across the lawn to the house.

His son Kolopak, now 75 years, stood in the kitchen door watching him and smiled as Jonathan stepped back onto the porch. "You all right, poppa?"

Jonathan nodded and clapped Kolopak on the shoulder as he went by and into the kitchen. "As good as can be expected, son." As he moved inside he could hear all the children laughing in the family room and he smiled at the sound. A cacophony of voices reverberated throughout the house as following Maori's service all the families came here.

When Annie had died last year Maori had him move in with her. She was alone again, having lost her husband, Nick, several years ago. Jonathan and Maori had a special bond and though he loved Adam and Katie as much, when Maori was born he had proclaimed himself her 'teacher,' passing on all the legends and stories poppa had told him, and a special bond had developed between the two of them. His throat constricted as he thought of Maori and he sat down at the kitchen table and put both hands to his face.

Kolopak's Grandson, Jeremiah, son of Chakotay, and now 25 years old, moved over, knelt down and put his arm around Jonathan's shoulder. Leaning over he kissed Jonathan's head, placed his cheek there and didn't say a word. That action alone said it all.

It wasn't long before Mary, Kolopak's wife, announced food was on the table. The family was so large now they just filled their plates and found places to sit within the house. After eating the entire clan moved out into the backyard without a word being said, and sat around on the grass in various postures of either sitting or lying down. Jonathan sat quietly in the chair they had previously had Bartu use. Soon Kolopak asked Jonathan, "Dad, how about telling us a story?"

As Jonathan looked up, Joshua, Jonathan's three year old Great, Great Grandson and the first born son of Jeremiah, stood as tall as he could get. "Grandpa, may I tell a story?"

Jonathan smiled and motioned for him to come stand beside him. "You want to tell a story do you? Which one might that be?"

Joshua walked smartly up to Jonathan and proudly announced he wanted to tell the Angry Warrior Legend.

A murmur went up from the families and a few gasps. Could a three year old remember that legend?

But Jonathan didn't hesitate, smiled and nodded his head. "All right Joshua. Tell us about the Angry Warrior."

Joshua smiled in delight and turned and faced the crowd and told the story in a loud and clear voice. Everyone sat in complete silence as they listened to the small voice recite in minute detail this favorite story. When he finished he turned and looked at Jonathan and upon seeing tears on his Grandfather's cheeks became alarmed.

"Did I tell it wrong Grandfather?" he asked as his face began to scrunch up in anguish.

Jonathan quickly reached out and pulled Joshua to him and hugged him tightly as he whispered. "No Joshua, you told it just right. It was beautiful." Then leaning back he asked him if he knew the meaning of the legend.

"Yes Grandfather. It was the very first time Grandpa Chakotay told Grandma Kathryn how he felt about her and though Grandpa didn't say the words I love you, Grandma knew what he meant because they joined hands."

Everyone laughed in delight as Jonathan told Joshua he was right. As Joshua moved to sit back down on the grass, Mahkayla, another youngster stood and asked if he could also tell a story. Jonathan beckoned him and he walked forward and told a story. Of course, this was followed by some of the other children, all wanting to be involved and showing they knew the legends and stories as well. Some stumbled a bit and were gently prodded by Jonathan. Finally no one else came forward and Jonathan thanked them, saying they all had done well and that Grandpa and Grandma Chakotay would be so proud of them. The children all giggled and smiled.

Various conversations began within the group but Jonathan's mind turned to Maori and he looked lovingly at The Family. Before long various families started to leave, saying they would be back tomorrow to help sort out Maori's belongings. Jonathan nodded. It wouldn't involve too much as Maori had already stated who would get her things and those individuals were extremely proud. The rest of her belongings would be taken by whoever wanted something. Jonathan had asked only for a picture of Maori and had already told Kolopak it was to be put beside him in his coffin when the time came.

Once that chore was finished his Great Grandson Jeremiah and his family would move into the house as everyone had decided he would be the next occupant. Kolopak had his own home and felt at 75 he did not want to move. With his son Chakotay stationed on DS15 for the next five years, Kolopak felt one of the younger members of the clan should have the house, so Jonathan suggested either of his Great Grandsons Jeremiah or Mahkayla. However, Mahkayla was away a lot on Starfleet missions and deferred to Jeremiah. He, of course, was absolutely delighted to be moving into Kathryn and Chakotay's house and felt tremendous honor and pride at his selection.

Time went by and things eventually settled back to a rather normal routine. The families still gathered at the house every Sunday for dinner, but it had gradually become a Potluck, with all contributing something to take the burden off Cassie, Jeremiah's wife. Previously Maori had done it all, absolutely refusing to give up cooking for everyone. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed the gatherings, and it was her way of continuing the ritual her parents had started.

Six weeks after Maori had passed away the families were again gathered for their ritual Sunday get-together. Talk and laughter filled the house and as Kolopak sat in the front room he suddenly sat upright and felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He quickly looked around the room. Rising he walked through the Family Room then headed upstairs. His pace quickened and he hurried down the stairs and through the kitchen, his eyes alertly scanning everyone.

Walking out onto the patio he looked out at The Family and his heart lurched. He ran over to the statue, but stopped dead in his tracks a few feet away and just stared wide-eyed, then he collapsed on his knees, buried his face in his hands and moaned, "Oh no, no ... "

Jonathan sat at the base of The Family, leaning against the father and with one hand on the father's leg and the other arm stretched across the mother's lap. His head lay against the mother's leg.

Jeremiah, having become aware of Kolopak's movements through the house followed him outside and knelt down beside him, placing his hand on his shoulder as he glanced over at The Family and saw Jonathan. He knew instinctively that Jonathan was gone and as Kolopak became aware of him and said through his sobs, "Poppa is gone," Jeremiah squeezed his grandfather's shoulder and after rising walked slowly to Jonathan, bent over and checked his pulse.

"I'm sorry Grandpa," he said softly as he returned to Kolopak's side and embraced him tightly.

The next three days were full of tears and sadness. As Jonathan had been a 'shining light' and highly revered member of Starfleet, they had elected to give him a fitting memorial. After discussion with the family it was decided to have a memorial the same as they had given Chakotay and Kathryn - the coffin on a caisson and pulled by a team of horses, with one horse having an empty saddle and boots reversed in the stirrups, and following a route through the city to the cemetery, thus allowing the public to pay their respects. A memorial at the outdoor amphitheatre followed, where not only family and friends were in attendance, but the general public as well.

As usual the family invited friends to the house afterwards, where in a time-honored tradition, they shared their memories, laughter and tears. Kolopak was now the senior member of the clan, and as he stood before The Family he silently vowed, even knowing it wasn't necessary as he looked down at the children paying their loving respect before leaving for home, to keep the Chakotay Legend alive forever.

 

Epilog - Chakotay and Kathryn's Family Tree

The Chakotay legacy did indeed flourish, starting of course, with Kathryn and Chakotay. They had four children, Adam, Katie, Jonathan and Maori. Jonathan also had four including Kolopak who had six children. His son Chakotay had two sons and two daughters, foremost among them being Jeremiah, now living in Chakotay and Kathryn's house and keeper of The Family. Jeremiah had two sons and daughters as well, including the aforementioned Joshua who bravely recited The Angry Warrior at three years of age for everyone, and went on to become very prominent in Starfleet, rising to Admiral. His six children were also involved in Starfleet in one way or another and one of his sons, Chakotay, who was extremely proud of his name, kept the family names alive through his four boys and a girl, Chakotay, Jonathan, Jeremiah, Kolopak and Kathryn.

Kolopak became the next in line and broke slightly from tradition, naming his children Katie, Nathan, Maori, Matthew and Daniel. However, Nathan reverted to long-standing family names for his five children, having Kolopak, Chakotay, Kathryn, Jaimie and Hirato.

Hirato, from an early age had declared his children would be named after the first family of Kathryn and Chakotay and their children Jonathan, Adam, Maori and Katie, missing only Kathryn, when his wife had an untimely passing. Adam carried on the legacy, having six children, including a son Mahkayla. Among his six children was a daughter named Jaimie, who would prove to be exceptional.

Jaimie became a legend in Starfleet, but as a young girl, and with her unsurpassed physical skills and memory, learned everything about Voyager and it's Captain Kathryn Janeway and First Officer Chakotay. She graduated at the top of her class from Starfleet, and was much liked with her jovial manner and personality. But Jaimie had one idiosyncrasy - a very blunt and vocal dislike of rank and protocol. However, she was such an invaluable member of Starfleet they eventually accepted this 'insubordination' after realizing they couldn't change her. Jamie, after refusing promotions to Captain several times, transferred to the Time Travel division and became it's number one Time Traveler.

As fate would have it she had to travel back in time 500 years on one assignment, to save Kathryn and Chakotay's lives and prevent history from changing, and thus came face to face with her eleventh Great Grandparents. This confrontation, although quite prickly at first, became a love affair of great proportions between all three, and she made many stops to visit Voyager as they made their way back from the Delta Quadrant. Eventually, but after a long period of time, she told them who she was.

When her brothers Kolopak, Chakotay and Jeremiah died in action or due to sudden illness, and before marrying or having children, Jaimie proclaimed herself as the one to keep the Chakotay legacy alive and her children, named Kolobek, Chakotay, Roman and Hirato, accepted this mantle with pride. Chakotay's children were Jonathan, Jeremiah and Katelyn. Although Jeremiah died in a tragic time travel incident his children, Chakotay, Kathryn, Mahkayla and Jaimie carried on the legacy.

So the Kathryn and Chakotay union, which brought four children into their lives, had created a legacy that had endured for over 500 years, and undoubtedly would extend much further. Their love for each other was legend and became part of the passed on stories. As for The Family statue in the backyard - well it endures as well, even though well worn from loving, caressing hands over all those centuries.

The End

Feb 2000

Please use my feedback form              Back