Cold Fire : Episode 26 Part A :: EPISODE GUIDES :: Janet's Star Trek Voyager Site

COLD FIRE : Episode 26
Part A

Ten months ago the crew of Voyager was pulled into the Delta Quadrant by an entity known as the Caretaker. When he died, Voyager's best chance of getting home died with him, but he revealed one hopeful possibility. The Caretaker told Janeway: "There is another like me. She left hundreds of years ago but she's out there, somewhere."

1
Voyager was caught in the Caretaker's powerful displacement wave....
2
.....which brought the starship to the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light-years from home.

3
the Caretaker's Array, containing the technology he used to bring Voyager to the Delta Quadrant
4
Janeway asked the Caretaker, who appeared here in the form of an old man, to send Voyager home but he said there was no time.

5
Dying Caretaker: "There is another like me. She left hundreds of years ago but she's out there, somewhere."
6
The dying Caretaker, seen here in his true form, begged Janeway to destroy his Array to prevent the warlike Kazon from seizing his technology in order to conquer the Ocampa.

7
Janeway held the dead remains of the Caretaker.
8
The Caretaker's Array exploded - Janeway destroyed it as asked. This saved the Ocampa from the Kazon but also stranded her crew and that of Chakotay's Maquis crew in the Delta Quadrant. The Maquis crew joined Voyager's to form a single Starfleet crew.

In Tuvok's quarters, Kes is receiving tutelage from Tuvok on how to develop her mental abilities.
Tuvok: "Open yourself to the impressions around you, the thoughts, the minds that are on this ship. What do you hear?"
Kes: "Voices, so many voices."
Tuvok: "I believe you are sensing the thoughts of various crewmembers on board."
Kes: "What should I do?"
Tuvok: "See if you can isolate one of the voices. Imagine you are listening to a symphony and focussing on a single instrument."
Kes: "It's working."
Tuvok: "Try to maintain your emotional equanimity. You should not be concerned with success or failure."
One voice in particular becomes clear enough for her to understand the words. Don't touch the sideburns.
Kes: "It's Neelix! I can hear Neelix's thoughts."
Tuvok: "That is not unexpected. You have an emotional attachment to him which may have drawn your focus."
Maybe I should tell him about that shampoo of his.
Kes: "I think he's getting a haircut."
Oh, he's trimming the ear hairs. I told him the ear hairs were the perfect length. Not the ear hairs!
Kes giggles.
Tuvok: "If you are to succeed in honing your telepathic abilities you must learn to control these emotional outbursts."
Kes: "Outburst? It was a giggle!"
Tuvok: "Tomorrow I will teach you a Vulcan mind-control technique that will help you inhibit your giggles."
Kes: "Thanks, Tuvok."
Tuvok: "You may go."

Kes enters Sickbay. standard doors
Doctor: "You're late."
Kes: "Sorry. My lesson with Lieutenant Tuvok went on a little long today."
Doctor: "Today, yesterday and the day before. You'd think a Vulcan would be more attuned to punctuality."
Kes: "I'll try to keep a closer eye on the time from now on."

Doctor: "So, how was school today?"
Kes: "Wonderful. Tuvok helped me with a sensory focus exercise, we worked on my precognitive skills and I learned how to self-induce a hypagogic mental state."
Doctor: "Sounds stimulating."
Kes: "He says I'm making excellent progress."
Doctor: "I had no doubt that you would, but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let these mind studies interfere with your-"
He stops, interrupted by an unusual high-pitched vibrating sound coming from the lab.
Kes: "What's that?"
Doctor: "I don't know."

They find the source of the sound. It is coming from the remains of the dead Caretaker which are kept in storage. The remains are vibrating heavily, as if they are alive! But after a moment the vibration stops.

Janeway examines the dead Caretaker remains, having been informed of the Doctor's and Kes' discovery about them. "Lifesigns?"

Doctor: "Apparently so. But before I could analyse them, the lifesigns apparently ceased."

Torres: "I'm scanning the remains on all bio-spectral frequencies." She reports the read-out. "It's completely inert. Dead."
Janeway: "Somehow I find it hard to believe this rock suddenly came to life for several seconds."
Tuvok: "I concur. However, dead or alive these are the remains of an alien entity we never fully understood. It may be prudent to place it in a level 3 biohazard containment field."
Janeway: "Agreed. But first I want to take a look-"
It starts vibrating again, and again it gives off a high-pitched sound.
Torres: "I'm picking up lifesigns - sporocystian."

Janeway: "The Caretaker was a sporocystian lifeform."
Torres: "But according to my readings, the lifesigns aren't coming from the remains. The remains are simply resonating in response to an external energy souce - some other lifeform.
Doctor: "Where?"
Janeway: "Let's find out." She opens a com. channel. "Janeway to bridge. Mr Kim, begin scans for a sporocystian lifeform."
Kim, via comms: "Aye, Captain. Stand by." He conducts the scans. "I've got it, Captain. A sporocystian energy burst approximately ten light-years distant, but I can't get a precise fix on its location."

Torres: "The lifesigns are gone."
Janeway: "These remains could be responding to the Caretaker's mate."
Torres: "If that's true, maybe we could use them to track her down."
Tuvok: "And if we can find her, she might have the ability to send us home."

In engineering, the Caretaker's remains are kept inside a canister. Torres and Kim are examining it.

Torres, via comms: "Torres to Janeway."
Janeway, via comms: "Go ahead."
Torres, via comms: "We've placed the remains in a hexaprismatic field, Captain. The next time it responds to sporocystian energy the field should give us a heading to the source."

Janeway, via comms: "You're using the remains like a compass."
Torres, via comms: Exactly."
Janeway, via comms: "Good work. Keep us apprised. Janeway out."

On the Bridge, Tuvok makes a suggestion to Janeway.
Tuvok: "Captain, the Caretaker was a being of considerable power, and although his intent was not hostile we were essentially at his mercy. I do not care to repeat that experience."
Janeway: "And if we are about to meet his mate, you'd like it to be on more even ground."
Tuvok: "Precisely. I have studied the Doctor's biochemical analysis of the Caretaker remains and I believe it is possible to create a sporocystian toxin, something which might debilitate the lifeform."
Janeway: "Sounds like a sensible precaution. Get on it."
Paris: "I'm picking up sporocystian energy."

Chakotay, via comms: "Chakotay to Engineering. We're picking up lifesigns. Is your compass working?"

Torres, via comms: "Stand by." To Kim: "Activate the field. I can't get a bearing on the source. Try increasing the spatial resolution."
Kim: "Spatial resolution at maximum."

Torres: "The lifesigns are fading and I still can't get a lock on the co-ordinates."
Kim: "Boosting the signal gain."
Torres, via comms: "We've got it, Captain. Bearing 272 mark 19."

Janeway, via comms: "Acknowledged." To Paris: "Mr Paris, set a course and engage at maximum warp."

Paris: "Aye, Captain."

Voyager goes to warp speed.

Later, Paris reports: "Captain, we're picking up an artificial structure on long-range sensors. It appears to be a space station of some kind."
Janeway: "Slow to impulse and put it on screen."

Chakotay: "That looks a lot like the Caretaker's Array."
Kim: "The configuration is similar. So is the surface composition, but it's only about one-tenth the size."
Janeway: "Are there any sporocystian lifeforms on board?"
Kim: "No, but I am picking up over 2,000 carbon-based lifeforms. They appear to be, wait a second, confirming. Captain, they're Ocampa."

Paris: "We're approaching the station, Captain."
Janeway: "All stop. Hail them, Mr Tuvok."
Tuvok does so. "No response. I am reading an energy surge from the station, possibly weapons."

Chakotay: "Shields." The ship is jolted by weapons fire. "Definitely weapons."
Kim: "Shields are holding."

Tuvok: "Incoming message from the Array."
Janeway: "Let's hear it."
An Ocampan man on the Array, named Tanis, states: "You're not wanted here."
Janeway: "We pose no threat to you. I'm Kathryn Janeway-"
Tanis: "You have been warned!"

Later, Kes is on the Bridge. "They're Ocampa?"
Janeway: "That's right. There appears to be an entire colony and according to our sensors the station's at least three hundred years old."
Chakotay: "Kes, is there any Ocampa history about people who left your planet or were captured by aliens and taken away?"
Kes: "No. The idea that there could be Ocampa anywhere but on the homeworld is something no one ever considered. I thought I was the only one."
Janeway: "Since you're definitely the only one on Voyager, I want you to act as an intermediary."
Kes: "Gladly. What should I do?"
Janeway: "The first step is to arrange a meeting. Let's see if we can get that far." She orders: "Hail the Array."

Tanis answers the hail. "This is becoming tiresome, Captain. If you force us to take further aggressive action-"
Janeway: "I have someone here who wishes to speak with you."

Kes steps out from behind Janeway and into view, surprising Tanis.
Kes: "My name is Kes. I'm an Ocampa."
Tanis: "This is some kind of trick."
Kes: "I assure you it's not a trick."
Tanis: "What would an Ocampa be doing on an alien starship?"
Kes: "It's a long story, but I'd like to know what an Ocampa is doing on an alien space station."
Tanis: "That is also a long story."
Kes: "Then I suggest we meet and tell each other our stories. May we come aboard your station?"
Tanis: "No, but I'm willing to come to your ship."

TOP BACK NEXT EPISODE INDEX SEASON INDEX SITE HELP BRIDGE

1 Voyager was caught in the Caretaker's powerful displacement wave....	2 .....which brought the starship to the Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light-years from home.
3 the Caretaker's Array, containing the technology he used to bring Voyager to the Delta Quadrant	4 Janeway asked the Caretaker, who appeared here in the form of an old man, to send Voyager home but he said there was no time.
5 Dying Caretaker: "There is another like me. She left hundreds of years ago but she's out there, somewhere."	6 The dying Caretaker, seen here in his true form, begged Janeway to destroy his Array to prevent the warlike Kazon from seizing his technology in order to conquer the Ocampa.
7 Janeway held the dead remains of the Caretaker.	8 The Caretaker's Array exploded - Janeway destroyed it as asked. This saved the Ocampa from the Kazon but also stranded her crew and that of Chakotay's Maquis crew in the Delta Quadrant. The Maquis crew joined Voyager's to form a single Starfleet crew.

	Kes enters Sickbay. standard doors Doctor: "You're late." Kes: "Sorry. My lesson with Lieutenant Tuvok went on a little long today." Doctor: "Today, yesterday and the day before. You'd think a Vulcan would be more attuned to punctuality." Kes: "I'll try to keep a closer eye on the time from now on."
	Doctor: "So, how was school today?" Kes: "Wonderful. Tuvok helped me with a sensory focus exercise, we worked on my precognitive skills and I learned how to self-induce a hypagogic mental state." Doctor: "Sounds stimulating." Kes: "He says I'm making excellent progress." Doctor: "I had no doubt that you would, but I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let these mind studies interfere with your-" He stops, interrupted by an unusual high-pitched vibrating sound coming from the lab. Kes: "What's that?" Doctor: "I don't know."
	They find the source of the sound. It is coming from the remains of the dead Caretaker which are kept in storage. The remains are vibrating heavily, as if they are alive! But after a moment the vibration stops.

	Janeway examines the dead Caretaker remains, having been informed of the Doctor's and Kes' discovery about them. "Lifesigns?"
	Doctor: "Apparently so. But before I could analyse them, the lifesigns apparently ceased."
	Torres: "I'm scanning the remains on all bio-spectral frequencies." She reports the read-out. "It's completely inert. Dead." Janeway: "Somehow I find it hard to believe this rock suddenly came to life for several seconds." Tuvok: "I concur. However, dead or alive these are the remains of an alien entity we never fully understood. It may be prudent to place it in a level 3 biohazard containment field." Janeway: "Agreed. But first I want to take a look-" It starts vibrating again, and again it gives off a high-pitched sound. Torres: "I'm picking up lifesigns - sporocystian."
	Janeway: "The Caretaker was a sporocystian lifeform." Torres: "But according to my readings, the lifesigns aren't coming from the remains. The remains are simply resonating in response to an external energy souce - some other lifeform. Doctor: "Where?" Janeway: "Let's find out." She opens a com. channel. "Janeway to bridge. Mr Kim, begin scans for a sporocystian lifeform." Kim, via comms: "Aye, Captain. Stand by." He conducts the scans. "I've got it, Captain. A sporocystian energy burst approximately ten light-years distant, but I can't get a precise fix on its location."
	Torres: "The lifesigns are gone." Janeway: "These remains could be responding to the Caretaker's mate." Torres: "If that's true, maybe we could use them to track her down." Tuvok: "And if we can find her, she might have the ability to send us home."

	In engineering, the Caretaker's remains are kept inside a canister. Torres and Kim are examining it.
	Torres, via comms: "Torres to Janeway." Janeway, via comms: "Go ahead." Torres, via comms: "We've placed the remains in a hexaprismatic field, Captain. The next time it responds to sporocystian energy the field should give us a heading to the source."
	Janeway, via comms: "You're using the remains like a compass." Torres, via comms: Exactly." Janeway, via comms: "Good work. Keep us apprised. Janeway out."
	On the Bridge, Tuvok makes a suggestion to Janeway. Tuvok: "Captain, the Caretaker was a being of considerable power, and although his intent was not hostile we were essentially at his mercy. I do not care to repeat that experience." Janeway: "And if we are about to meet his mate, you'd like it to be on more even ground." Tuvok: "Precisely. I have studied the Doctor's biochemical analysis of the Caretaker remains and I believe it is possible to create a sporocystian toxin, something which might debilitate the lifeform." Janeway: "Sounds like a sensible precaution. Get on it." Paris: "I'm picking up sporocystian energy."
	Chakotay, via comms: "Chakotay to Engineering. We're picking up lifesigns. Is your compass working?"
	Torres, via comms: "Stand by." To Kim: "Activate the field. I can't get a bearing on the source. Try increasing the spatial resolution." Kim: "Spatial resolution at maximum."
	Torres: "The lifesigns are fading and I still can't get a lock on the co-ordinates." Kim: "Boosting the signal gain." Torres, via comms: "We've got it, Captain. Bearing 272 mark 19."
	Janeway, via comms: "Acknowledged." To Paris: "Mr Paris, set a course and engage at maximum warp."
	Paris: "Aye, Captain."
	Voyager goes to warp speed.

	Later, Paris reports: "Captain, we're picking up an artificial structure on long-range sensors. It appears to be a space station of some kind." Janeway: "Slow to impulse and put it on screen."
	Chakotay: "That looks a lot like the Caretaker's Array." Kim: "The configuration is similar. So is the surface composition, but it's only about one-tenth the size." Janeway: "Are there any sporocystian lifeforms on board?" Kim: "No, but I am picking up over 2,000 carbon-based lifeforms. They appear to be, wait a second, confirming. Captain, they're Ocampa."
	Paris: "We're approaching the station, Captain." Janeway: "All stop. Hail them, Mr Tuvok." Tuvok does so. "No response. I am reading an energy surge from the station, possibly weapons."
	Chakotay: "Shields." The ship is jolted by weapons fire. "Definitely weapons." Kim: "Shields are holding."

	Later, Kes is on the Bridge. "They're Ocampa?" Janeway: "That's right. There appears to be an entire colony and according to our sensors the station's at least three hundred years old." Chakotay: "Kes, is there any Ocampa history about people who left your planet or were captured by aliens and taken away?" Kes: "No. The idea that there could be Ocampa anywhere but on the homeworld is something no one ever considered. I thought I was the only one." Janeway: "Since you're definitely the only one on Voyager, I want you to act as an intermediary." Kes: "Gladly. What should I do?" Janeway: "The first step is to arrange a meeting. Let's see if we can get that far." She orders: "Hail the Array."
	Tanis answers the hail. "This is becoming tiresome, Captain. If you force us to take further aggressive action-" Janeway: "I have someone here who wishes to speak with you."
	Kes steps out from behind Janeway and into view, surprising Tanis. Kes: "My name is Kes. I'm an Ocampa." Tanis: "This is some kind of trick." Kes: "I assure you it's not a trick." Tanis: "What would an Ocampa be doing on an alien starship?" Kes: "It's a long story, but I'd like to know what an Ocampa is doing on an alien space station." Tanis: "That is also a long story." Kes: "Then I suggest we meet and tell each other our stories. May we come aboard your station?" Tanis: "No, but I'm willing to come to your ship."