Chakotay
Encyclopedia
Chakotay played by Robert Beltran
, is a character in Star Trek: Voyager
. He is the First Officer of the USS Voyager
.
upbringing in his father Kolopak's unnamed tribe, with its sometimes strict spiritual and cultural traditions. He dreamed of entering Starfleet Academy
, which he finally managed to do at age 15, sponsored by Captain Sulu
. (Voyager episode "Tattoo
"). He attended Starfleet Academy from 2344 to 2348, where he engaged in the sport of boxing.
During his tenure in Starfleet, he was assigned as an instructor in Starfleet's Advanced Tactical Training and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. This may be a reference to the TNG
episode Preemptive Strike where Ro Laren
reveals that her tactical training instructor, a lieutenant commander, left Starfleet to join the Maquis. While not explicitly stated in the series, Chakotay's official biography on the official Star Trek website also states that he was Ro Laren's instructor at Advanced Tactical Training.
In 2370, Chakotay's home planet in the Demilitarized Zone was ceded to the Cardassian
s in accordance with a treaty between the Federation
and Cardassia. He subsequently resigned from Starfleet
and joined a rogue group known as the Maquis
. During his time as a renegade fighter against the Cardassians, Chakotay inducted into his Maquis cell the half-Klingon
woman B'Elanna Torres
who became his chief engineer. He also invited a Bajoran
named Seska and the two became involved in a romantic relationship for a time. However, unknown to Chakotay, Seska was actually a Cardassian spy who had been surgically altered to infiltrate the Maquis.
Chakotay was captain of the Val Jean raider (the ship's name appeared on a readout screen in the episode "Repression
"). This vessel was destroyed after both it and the USS Voyager were transported to the Delta Quadrant. Captain Kathryn Janeway
, the commanding officer of Voyager, offered the Val Jean crew a chance to serve on her ship, and appointed Chakotay as her first officer
with the provisional rank of Commander (in episode "Caretaker
"). Janeway and Chakotay eventually become close friends, though in the second season episode "Resolutions", they experienced romantic tension when they entered a state of self-imposed quarantine on an alien planet, after contracting a fatal virus. After several weeks on the planet, however, the Voyager crew managed to find a cure, and they returned to the ship.
Near the end of Voyagers seven-year journey in the Delta Quadrant, the former Borg
drone Seven of Nine
chose Chakotay to be the object of her affections in her continuation of her rediscovery of her humanity. In an alternate future, seen in the series finale "Endgame
", Seven and Chakotay married, though she died before Voyager reaches home and Chakotay dies in 2394.
Chakotay's character is a unifying presence on Voyager. He is well liked and well respected by both Starfleet and former Maquis crew members. As First Officer, he often serves as a mentor to the junior crew members and as an intermediary between the junior crew and the Captain.
Voyager relaunch novels In the non-canonical Voyager relaunch novels, written by Christie Golden
, the character Chakotay is promoted after the ship returns to Federation space, and became Captain of Voyager. He and Seven eventually break up. All of Voyagers Maquis contingent, Chakotay included, were given full amnesty for any crimes they may have committed while in the Maquis. Tom Paris
serves as Chakotay's first officer.
Later, Seven and Chakotay are shown comforting each other after the death of Kathryn Janeway. Chakotay becomes increasingly agitated with the situation and eventually leaves the ship, turning over command of Voyager to a new captain, Afsarah Eden. However, Chakotay eventually resumes the captaincy of the ship after Eden takes command of the new fleet of which Voyager is a part.
Robert Beltran
Robert Adame Beltran is an American actor, known for his role as Commander Chakotay on Star Trek: Voyager.-Early life:...
, is a character in Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
. He is the First Officer of the USS Voyager
USS Voyager (Star Trek)
The fictional Intrepid-class starship USS Voyager is the primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It is commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway....
.
Character biography
The character Chakotay was born in 2329. As a boy, he often rebelled against his Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
upbringing in his father Kolopak's unnamed tribe, with its sometimes strict spiritual and cultural traditions. He dreamed of entering Starfleet Academy
Starfleet Academy
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet Academy is where the future's recruits to Starfleet will be trained. It was created in the year 2161, when the United Federation of Planets was founded...
, which he finally managed to do at age 15, sponsored by Captain Sulu
Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by George Takei in the original Star Trek series, Sulu also appears in the animated Star Trek series, the first six Star Trek movies, one episode of Star Trek: Voyager, and in numerous books, comics, and video games...
. (Voyager episode "Tattoo
Tattoo (Voyager episode)
"Tattoo" is the 25th episode of Star Trek: Voyager, the ninth episode in the second season.- Plot :Upon discovering a cultural symbol drawn in the ground on a planet that was used by his ancestors to 'heal the land', Chakotay tries to contact the beings his tribe called the 'Sky Spirits.'The crew...
"). He attended Starfleet Academy from 2344 to 2348, where he engaged in the sport of boxing.
During his tenure in Starfleet, he was assigned as an instructor in Starfleet's Advanced Tactical Training and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. This may be a reference to the TNG
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode Preemptive Strike where Ro Laren
Ro Laren
Ro Laren is a recurring fictional character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, played by Michelle Forbes.Ro Laren was also planned to be a main character in the two following Star Trek television shows, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager...
reveals that her tactical training instructor, a lieutenant commander, left Starfleet to join the Maquis. While not explicitly stated in the series, Chakotay's official biography on the official Star Trek website also states that he was Ro Laren's instructor at Advanced Tactical Training.
In 2370, Chakotay's home planet in the Demilitarized Zone was ceded to the Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
s in accordance with a treaty between the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
and Cardassia. He subsequently resigned from Starfleet
Starfleet
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet or the Federation Starfleet is the deep-space exploratory, peacekeeping and military service maintained by the United Federation of Planets . It is the principal means by which the Federation conducts its exploration, defense, diplomacy and research...
and joined a rogue group known as the Maquis
Maquis (Star Trek)
In the American Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Maquis are a 24th Century paramilitary organization or terrorist group first introduced in the 1994 episode "The Maquis" of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who subsequently also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation and...
. During his time as a renegade fighter against the Cardassians, Chakotay inducted into his Maquis cell the half-Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
woman B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres is a main character in Star Trek: Voyager played by Roxann Dawson. She is portrayed as a half-human half-Klingon born in 2349 on the Federation colony Kessik IV. Torres joined the Maquis in 2370 and was serving on the Val Jean when brought to the Delta Quadrant...
who became his chief engineer. He also invited a Bajoran
Bajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
named Seska and the two became involved in a romantic relationship for a time. However, unknown to Chakotay, Seska was actually a Cardassian spy who had been surgically altered to infiltrate the Maquis.
Chakotay was captain of the Val Jean raider (the ship's name appeared on a readout screen in the episode "Repression
Repression (Voyager episode)
"Repression" is an episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager, the fourth episode of the seventh season of the series.-Plot:...
"). This vessel was destroyed after both it and the USS Voyager were transported to the Delta Quadrant. Captain Kathryn Janeway
Kathryn Janeway
Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew, is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise. As the captain of the Starfleet starship USS Voyager, she was the lead character on the television series Star Trek: Voyager, and later, a Starfleet admiral, as seen in the 2002 feature film Star Trek...
, the commanding officer of Voyager, offered the Val Jean crew a chance to serve on her ship, and appointed Chakotay as her first officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
with the provisional rank of Commander (in episode "Caretaker
Caretaker (Voyager episode)
"Caretaker" is the first episode of Star Trek: Voyager. It was originally shown as one double-length episode, but has been split into two parts for repeats...
"). Janeway and Chakotay eventually become close friends, though in the second season episode "Resolutions", they experienced romantic tension when they entered a state of self-imposed quarantine on an alien planet, after contracting a fatal virus. After several weeks on the planet, however, the Voyager crew managed to find a cure, and they returned to the ship.
Near the end of Voyagers seven-year journey in the Delta Quadrant, the former Borg
Borg (Star Trek)
The Borg are a fictional pseudo-race of cybernetic organisms depicted in the Star Trek universe associated with Star Trek.Whereas cybernetics are used by other races in the science fiction world to repair bodily damage and birth defects, the Borg use enforced cybernetic enhancement as a means of...
drone Seven of Nine
Seven of Nine
Seven of Nine is a fictional character on Star Trek: Voyager, portrayed by actress Jeri Ryan. Born human, she was assimilated by the Borg at the age of six. Eighteen years later, Voyager left Borg space with Seven on board, after attempts to negotiate passage through Borg space proved only...
chose Chakotay to be the object of her affections in her continuation of her rediscovery of her humanity. In an alternate future, seen in the series finale "Endgame
Endgame (Voyager episode)
"Endgame" is the title of the series finale of the Star Trek spinoff series, Star Trek: Voyager. Originally shown as a double-length episode and presented as such in DVD collections, it is shown in repeat broadcasts as two linked episodes.-Plot:...
", Seven and Chakotay married, though she died before Voyager reaches home and Chakotay dies in 2394.
Chakotay's character is a unifying presence on Voyager. He is well liked and well respected by both Starfleet and former Maquis crew members. As First Officer, he often serves as a mentor to the junior crew members and as an intermediary between the junior crew and the Captain.
Voyager relaunch novels In the non-canonical Voyager relaunch novels, written by Christie Golden
Christie Golden
Christie Golden is an award-winning author who lives in Loveland, Colorado, United States. She has written over thirty novels and several short stories in fantasy, horror and science fiction.-Career:...
, the character Chakotay is promoted after the ship returns to Federation space, and became Captain of Voyager. He and Seven eventually break up. All of Voyagers Maquis contingent, Chakotay included, were given full amnesty for any crimes they may have committed while in the Maquis. Tom Paris
Tom Paris
Thomas Eugene "Tom" Paris, played by Robert Duncan McNeill, is a character in the television series Star Trek: Voyager. Paris serves as the chief helmsman and an auxiliary medic aboard the USS Voyager...
serves as Chakotay's first officer.
Later, Seven and Chakotay are shown comforting each other after the death of Kathryn Janeway. Chakotay becomes increasingly agitated with the situation and eventually leaves the ship, turning over command of Voyager to a new captain, Afsarah Eden. However, Chakotay eventually resumes the captaincy of the ship after Eden takes command of the new fleet of which Voyager is a part.