CHANGE OF COMMAND
Part three: Influence
By: Lauren Taylor

"Tuvok." Kes began, "Tuvok was one of the greatest people in my life. He
helped me through some of the worst situations I've been in, and was
always there when I needed him. I could trust him with anything. When I
found out that he'd been killed, all I could think about was how I was
going to get through life without him." she paused, trying to collect her
thoughts, but it was no use. She broke down, and walked off slowly
towards Harry, who wrapped his arms around her as she cried.
        B'Elanna knew it was her turn. She'd given herself the job of
speaking about Chakotay. She looked over at Tom, who rubbed her shoulder
reassuringly. She walked out to the middle of the mess, and looked down
for a moment, getting everything together in her jumbled up mind.
"I can't remember a time in my life without Chakotay. It's impossible to
imagine a life without him, without his stories, and soothing words to
calm your nerves. I have always held Chakotay in the highest respect
possible, and that will never change. It's been less than a day since his
death, and I already wish he was here. In a situation like this one, he
would be the first person I'd go to for help. I'll always remember him
for just being there, no matter what time of day or night it was. I'll
never forget you, Chakotay." she said, as she paced around the room. As
she  watched the looks on everyone's faces as she spoke, she could tell
that she wasn't the only one who felt that way. She walked back towards
Harry and Kes, and gave Tom a slight nod.
        Tom began speaking as he walked more on the edges of the room.
"Kathryn Janeway gave me a second chance at life. I owe everything to
her. She gave all of us a life. She allowed the Maquis to become a member
of this crew, and never gave up hope on getting her crew home. She's been
a great influence in my life, and most of everyone here on Voyager. She
promised herself that she would get Voyager home, and now it's up to us
to keep her promise alive."
        B'Elanna walked out to him, and gave him a hug. The rest of the
crew gathered there began splitting up, talking to others, and sharing
memories of the three people that had been lost, only one day before.

TO BE CONTINUED