I think I'm with Christopher and those here who don't see a real reason for Tuvok to want or need to ever rise further up the chain of command. I'm not sure there's any significant organic reason, given what we have seen of Tuvok over the years to go that direction. It likely won't be up to me, given that as of this writing he is still on the
Titan, as to whether or not he ultimately might move or be moved in that direction.
As to a few earlier questions....yes, Tuvok does appear in Pocket Full of Lies. It was a treat to get to write him again. I've wanted to for awhile and when I hit this particular moment in time - the beginning of the fleet's second year in the DQ - and found that he was available, I was just thrilled.
And yes...it is our timeline's Tuvok. I won't speak for any of the other characters on that one. February's not that far away.
As to the original thinking, I wasn't there for most of it.
Titan was in the works if not already released when I started to work on what would become Full Circle. It was simply part of the first mandate...Janeway's dead and Tuvok is on
Titan. Next...
But I do believe the choice was Marco's, along with Mike and Andy's, and while I miss him, I do support it. I like the sense of "reality" it adds to see him moving on and serving with distinction elsewhere. It has been hard enough to realistically bring everyone else back together in fits and starts and having Tuvok as a guest star worked well for PFoL...at least I think it did. You'll decide in a few months.
I don't think any precognition about the success of the Voyager books would have changed Marco's mind. And for what it's worth I don't think we would ever have gotten Hugh Cambridge as he is were Tuvok still around. Much as he was useful as the security/tactical officer, he was far more useful as Janeway's oldest friend and sounding board. Cambridge has taken that role (not the oldest friend part, obviously, but confidant to be sure) with Chakotay now. While I do think Chakotay and Tuvok share a deep respect for one another, I can't see Chakotay and Tuvok playing off one another the same way he and Cambridge do.
So, yeah. I'm good with it.
Best,
KMFB