Ten months ago, Voyager was pulled into the Delta Quadrant
- by the Caretaker. - Not enough time!
When he died, Voyager's chance of getting home died with him.
But he revealed one hopeful possibility.
There is another like me.
She left hundreds of years ago, but she's out there somewhere.
Open yourself to the impressions around you.
The thoughts, the minds that are on this ship.
What do you hear?
Voices... So many voices.
I believe you are sensing the thoughts of crew members on board.
- What should I do? - See if you can isolate a voice.
Image you are listening to a symphony and focusing on a single instrument.
It's working.
Try to maintain your emotional equanimity.
Don't be concerned with success or failure.
Don't touch the sideburns.
It's Neelix! I can hear Neelix's thoughts.
That is not unexpected.
You're attachment to him may have drawn your focus.
My scalp itches. Maybe I should tell him about that shampoo of his.
- I think he's getting a haircut. - Oh, no! He's trimmed the ear hairs!
I told him the ear hairs were the perfect length. Not the ear hairs.
If you are to hone your abilities, you must control these outbursts.
Outburst? It was a giggle.
Tomorrow I will teach you a Vulcan technique
that will help you inhibit your "giggles”.
- Thanks, Tuvok. - You may go.
- You're late. - Sorry. My lesson went a little long.
Today, yesterday and the day before. You'd think he'd be more punctual.
- I'll try to keep a closer eye on the time. - So, how was school today?
Wonderful. Tuvok helped me to focus.
We worked on my precognitive skills and the hypergogic mental state.
- Sounds stimulating. - He says I'm making excellent progress.
I had no doubt that you would.
But I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't let these mind studies interfere with...
- What's that? - I don't know.
- Lifesigns? - Apparently.
But before I could analyse them, they ceased.
I'm scanning the remains on all biospectral frequencies.
It's completely inert. Dead.
It's hard to believe that it came to life for several seconds.
I concur. However, dead or alive,
these are the remains of an alien entity.
It may be prudent to place it in a containment field.
Agreed. But first I want to look at...
I'm picking up sporocystian lifesigns.
The Caretaker was sporocystian.
But the lifesigns aren't coming from the remains.
They are responding to an external energy source. Some other life-form.
- Where? - Let's find out.
Mr Kim, begin scans for a sporocystian life-form.
Aye, Captain. Stand by.
I've got it.
A sporocystian energy burst approximately ten light years distant.
But I can't get a fix on its location.
- The lifesigns are gone. - These remains
could be responding to the Caretaker's mate.
Then maybe we could use them to track her down.
If we can find her, she might have the ability to send us home.
Torres to Janeway.
The remains are in a hexiprismatic field.
When it responds to sporocystian energy, the field will indicate the source.
- You're using it like a compass. - Exactly.
Keep us apprised. Janeway out.
Captain, the Caretaker was a being of considerable power
and we were at his mercy. I do not care to repeat that experience.
And if we meet his mate you'd like it to be on more even ground?
Precisely. I have studied the Doctor's biochemical analysis of the remains,
and I believe we can create a sporocystian toxin,
which might debilitate the life-form.
Sounds like a sensible precaution. Get on it.
I'm picking up sporocystian energy.
Chakotay to engineering. Is your compass working?
Stand by. Activate the field.
I can't get a bearing on the source. Increase the spatial resolution.
Spatial resolution at maximum.
The lifesigns are fading and I still can't get the coordinates.
Boosting the signal gain.
We've got it, Captain. Bearing 272, mark 19.
Acknowledged. Mr Paris, set a course and engage at maximum warp.
Captain, we're picking up an artificial structure on long-range sensors.
- It appears to be a space station. - Slow to impulse and put it on screen.
- That looks like the Caretaker's Array. - The configuration is similar.
So is its composition, but it's one tenth the size.
Are there any sporocystian life-forms on board?
No, but I am picking up over 2,000 carbon-based life-forms.
They appear to be... Wait a second.
Confirming.
Captain... they're Ocampa.
- We're approaching the station. - All stop. Hail them, Mr Tuvok.
No response. I am reading an energy surge.
- Possibly weapons. - Shields!
- Definitely weapons. - Shields are holding.
- Incoming message from the Array. - Let's hear it.
You're not wanted here.
We pose no threat. I'm Captain Janeway of the...
You have been warned.
- They are Ocampa? - That's right. An entire colony.
According to our sensors, the station is at least 300 years old.
Kes, is there any Ocampa history about people who left your planet,
or were captured by aliens?
No. The idea that they could be anywhere but on the homeworld
has never been considered. I thought I was the only one.
Since you're the only one on Voyager, I want you to act as an intermediary.
- Gladly. What should I do? - The first step is to arrange a meeting.
Let's see if we can get that far. Hail the Array.
This is becoming tiresome. If you force us to take further action...
I have someone here who wishes to speak with you.
My name is Kes. I'm an Ocampa.
- This is some kind of trick. - I assure you, it's not a trick.
What would an Ocampa be doing on an alien starship?
It's a long story.
But I'd like to know what an Ocampa is doing on an alien space station.
- That is also a long story. - Then I suggest we meet.
- May we come aboard your station? - No. But I will come to your ship.
We've identified a sporocystian life-form.
- We've been looking for it for months. - Why? To destroy it?
No. On the contrary. We believe its technology could send us home.
Captain, are you aware of how your ship is regarded?
That when it appears, people fear destruction?
- It is known as the ship of death. - What?
You have quite a reputation. You killed the Caretaker,
declared war on the Kazon, raided planets...
None of that is true. We've only attacked in self-defence.
And the Caretaker died of natural causes.
Mr Tanis, please try to understand. We only want to find this entity.
I want to talk to you alone.
Our sensors tell us she's in this region. Can you help us find her?
Captain, I'd like to speak to Tanis alone if I may.
Very well.
- Why should I believe any of this? - These are kind people, Tanis.
They saved my life at great risk to themselves. They wouldn't lie to you.
I will admit these people are hardly what I expected.
But more unexpected is finding you here, Kes.
I had no idea any Ocampa had left the homeworld so recently.
I have about a thousand questions to ask you.
And I'm going to try and answer them.
- Is this where you spend your time? - You mean in this room?
No. This is where the bridge officers usually meet.
I want to see where you live. I want to see the place that is special to you.
- You did all this? - I had help, but most of it is my work.
You've done well. Bringing something so beautiful into a place so sterile.
Sterile? Voyager?
Look around you, Kes. This is a cold and barren place.
There are over 150 people here. I'd hardly call that barren.
There are people, but there's so little life.
A part of me weeps to see you here. You're so isolated.
Corridors, bulkheads, all cutting you off from the world.
You live on a space station. How is it different?
I assure you, it's very different. You're very young, aren't you?
Two years.
Would it surprise you to know that I'm 14 years old?
That's not possible. The oldest Ocampa only lived to be nine.
You know so little about your own people.
There's so much for you to learn about yourself, about the galaxy...
Being on this ship is holding you back.
These people are helping me. I'm a member of the crew.
I suppose we were like you once. Innocent, naive.
But when Suspiria brought us here 300 years ago,
she taught us how to become stronger.
Suspiria. Is that your Caretaker?
We don't think of her as a "Caretaker". Her species is actually the Nacene.
Then you do know her. Where is she?
Nearby. But she's so different from the entity you knew.
He was only interested in maintaining the status quo.
He kept our people servile and weak.
Suspiria taught us to develop our psycho-kinetic skills
that had lain dormant for so long.
We have abilities far beyond anything you can imagine.
Like what?
We can enhance life. And that's only the beginning, Kes.
I have to return to the station. We'll talk again.
Sounds like you've established a dialogue with Tanis.
- It's an excellent beginning. Good work. - Thank you, Captain.
Kes...
- Is there something wrong? - Not exactly.
I'm just a little overwhelmed.
I always believed that we had the potential to be more,
that our mental abilities could be heightened.
Now I've met someone who's has realised that
and I don't know whether to be excited or frightened.
A non-emotional response would be more useful.
But since you're not a Vulcan, I'd say a mixture would be appropriate.
It's exciting and I'm very happy for you.
But remember that we know very little of these Ocampa.
Be cautious in your dealings with Tanis.
I will. But I just have a good feeling about him.
I've met with the Ocampa girl. She has potential.
I don't care about the girl. She's yours. Bring me the ship.
This is delicious! Mr Tanis, is it true you're 14 years old?
Yes. That's quite common with my people here.
Suspiria helped us develop a technology to extend our life span.
My father lived to be 20 years.
- Would that technology work for Kes? - Possibly.
Does Suspiria live on another Array?
Nothing so corporeal as that. She exists as pure sporocystian energy.
She assumes physical form to communicate.
Does she occupy our space-time continuum?
I don't know. All I know is, when we need her, she comes.
I'll take you to the meeting place. I'm sure your questions will be answered.
You'll enjoy meeting her. As well as the other Ocampa.
- I'd love to visit the station. - Visit? Why not stay with us?
Stay?
Yes, you could learn a lot from us. We from you.
We haven't been in contact with our homeworld for hundreds of years.
- We'd love to hear about our cousins. - That sounds wonderful, but...
Kes, you don't have to decide something this important right now.
- Give it some thought. - She's absolutely right. There's no rush.
I appreciate that. I am curious about your mental abilities. They're so great.
Do not underestimate your potential. Your abilities are rapidly maturing.
I might be able to help you.
No offence to Mr Tuvok, but I'm more familiar with the Ocampa mind.
- I would appreciate your insight. - Good. Maybe later this evening.
It is a highly reactive sporocystian toxin.
I analysed the Caretaker's remains, and discovered a critical enzyme.
This energy is formulated to break down that enzyme.
- It would result in temporary paralysis. - Mr Tanis says she's harmless.
I hope we only have to use it as a precaution.
Very well. Proceed.
In your mind, visualise your hand.
Reach out and grab the teacup.
Reach out with the fingers of your mind. Grasp it.
Do you have it?
I can feel the handle and the texture, but I can't move it.
Don't try to move it. Just take a drink from it.
- See? You can do it. - I don't get it. I didn't try to move it.
No, you just tried to drink from it. What would you do to take a drink?
- I'd reach out and pick it up. - That's right.
But you wouldn't think about it. You'd simply do it.
That's what you've just learnt. Focus on the goal, not the task.
When you wanted the tea, it came to you.
- Excuse me... - We're not finished.
I know you're tired, but I want you to try one more thing.
It's cold. Wouldn't it taste better if it were hot?
See past the liquid. Not with your eyes, with your mind.
Your eyes only show you the surface of reality. Look deeper.
There is no liquid. There is no cup.
There's only a collection of molecules and atoms, moving, vibrating...
- They're barely moving. - That's because they're cold.
- How would you heat them up? - With a fire.
That's right. With the fire of your mind.
How?
Focus on the goal, not the task.
Don't think about creating the fire, just use it.
- I see it now. It's so simple. - That's right.
But that's enough for tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the next level.
Until then, good night.
- May I say something now? - Of course, Neelix.
I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it.
- This is a new beginning for you. - I know. What if I did go?
Go?
To the Ocampa Array. If I decided to live with Tanis and the others...
would you go with me?
I'd go anywhere with you.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We've arrived at the meeting place, the region where Suspiria exists.
Nothing on sensors, Captain.
- May I access your equipment? - Of course.
I've sent out a carrier wave.
Suspiria should respond within the next 47 hours.
- We'll let you know when she arrives. - That won't be necessary.
I'll know when she's here.
Tanis has shown me the psycho-kinetic manipulation of matter.
That is a large step for someone who is still undisciplined.
Nevertheless, I am intrigued.
- May I? - Please.
He showed me how to use the fire in my mind.
Fascinating. However, I would advise caution until you have mastered the...
I have to stop the fire. How do I stop the fire?
Tuvok? Tuvok, can you tell me what to do?
Tuvok!
Lieutenant, can you hear me?
- What happened? - You had hyperthermal induction.
The temperature of your blood rose by 37 degrees.
You were in shock, and I resuscitated you.
I'm restricting you to light duty for the next three days. Try and rest.
That will not be necessary.
My Vulcan healing techniques do not require convalescence.
Vulcans make the worst patients.
Fine, but if you feel nauseous or dizzy, report to sickbay.
Of course.
- Tuvok, I'm so... - You are feeling remorse, possibly guilt.
I advise you to look on this as a learning experience.
- It's not that easy. I almost killed you. - That is correct. But you did not.
Try to remember that. I will see you tomorrow at 1500.
- Assuming you still want to train? - You still want to teach me?
If this experience proves anything, it is that you need further instruction.
And I would regret not continuing as your instructor.
Thanks, Tuvok.
How is the Vulcan? Is he going to recover?
- You heard? - In a manner of speaking.
- I was aware of what happened. - He'll be all right, no thanks to me.
- Tanis, I don't know if I'm ready for this. - What's wrong?
If I can't control my abilities, there might be another accident.
It won't get any easier, Kes.
You're already manifesting abilities far beyond your imagination.
Soon, you'll look at the other beings on this ship as they look at pets.
They're not pets. They're people, they're my friends.
I'm sure you care for them very much. I'm sure they're wonderful.
They certainly seem that way to me,
but it's time you began to accept how different you are.
The people here live trapped inside their primitive skulls,
depending on flesh and bone to tell them what the universe is like.
They don't know what it is to see beyond the physical.
Touch it. This is how they know their universe.
They touch the flower, their nerve impulses travel to the brain,
and in their mind, they sense the moisture of the petals,
the texture of the leaves, the sharpness of the thorns
and they think they know what it feels like, but they don't.
Now touch it.
Reach out with your thoughts. Feel it for the very first time.
Think of nothing but the flower.
It's the only object in the universe. Know it.
Know it in a way only an Ocampa can.
- Can you see it? - Yes.
It's more than seeing. It's more than touching. I know this flower.
You can do more. Reach out. Feel all the life in this room.
Yes, I can feel it. I know them all. They're so beautiful.
It can be more beautiful. Bring the fire.
How did it feel?
They're dead.
They're all dead. Amazing.
You felt life. You embraced its essence with your mind
and you transformed it.
- There's nothing else like it. - I killed those plants.
Just like I almost killed Tuvok. But I don't want to hurt anybody.
Of course you don't. That's not the point.
Hurt people, help them, give life, kill, it's all the same.
Once you see beyond the physical, you see the universe as it truly is.
Now you know why you can't stay here. You have to come with me.
Come back to the station. We'll care for you. We'll train you.
Oh, I don't know...
- I need more time to think about it. - Take all the time you want.
But when you meet Suspiria, I think you'll decide to join us.
- Why? - Because Suspiria is your future.
She's part of us and we're part of her.
All the Ocampa here are connected in a way that can't be put into words.
If you develop your abilities enough
Suspiria will invite you to go with her to Exosia.
Exosia?
A place the humanoids call a "subspace layer".
A place of pure thought, pure energy. A place of the mind.
Think about it, Kes. When you're ready, Suspiria will embrace you.
Good night.
Torres to bridge. The Caretaker's remains are resonating again.
It's definitely reacting to a sporocystian life-form which is right on top of us.
Acknowledged.
- Captain, a rupture is forming ahead. - Yellow Alert.
Janeway to Tanis, I believe we've made contact with Suspiria.
I know, I'm on my way.
We should run a biospectral analysis. These readings are strange.
And get me the sensor logs on that subspace rupture out there.
Captain, there are strange readings in engineering.
- A plasmatic energy field is forming. - Janeway to Torres.
We have some odd plasmatic readings. Can you confirm? Janeway to Torres.
Security, meet me in engineering.
- It's time to go. - Go? Where?
Back to the Ocampa station. Everyone's waiting for you, Kes.
The connection has been made. You're part of us now.
Your future has already begun.
Tuvok to bridge.
- The female Caretaker is here. - Commander, you have the bridge.
Can't you feel the connection? Your people are calling. Listen to them.
Yes.
- I can hear them. All of them. - And can you hear Suspiria?
Tuvok?
- Who are you? - Suspiria.
- I was looking forward to meeting you. - Why?
Because I had the opportunity to talk to your companion before he died.
Yes, I know.
I can feel her presence. She's powerful...
...turbulent.
- She's upset. She's angry! - Kes...
She wants to destroy the ship!
Kes, listen to me. There's nothing to worry about.
Am I interrupting?
He told us that you were curious and went off to explore the galaxy.
We're explorers too, but your friend brought us here against our will.
And we haven't found a way back.
- Is that why you killed him? - We didn't kill him.
You destroyed the Array and you took his remains.
- I assure you... - No.
You killed him. And now I will kill you.
Now you will know what frail, small creatures you truly are.
- What's going on? - I don't know.
It's like the molecular structure of the ship is coming apart.
Red Alert. Bridge to Janeway.
- We're losing hull integrity. - Increase power to reinforcement.
- Forget them. You're beyond them. - No.
Leave her alone, Tanis.
Remember how you felt in the airponics bay?
- You've never felt that way, have you? - Get away from me!
- That was only the beginning, Kes. - I said, leave her alone!
- Neelix! - Leave him! Leave him, Kes.
He's nothing compared to you. Nothing! You have to trust.
- Oh, Neelix. - Suspiria!
So now you kill me as you did my mate?
No. I told you we didn't kill him.
Please try to understand. We don't want to hurt you.
We don't want to hurt anyone. We just want to get home.
Tuvok, release the force field.
- Captain... - Do it.
You'd show me mercy after what I did to you?
Yes, I would.
Take me with you, please.
- She went into subspace. - Can you track her?
Negative. The rupture has been sealed.
She's gone, Captain.
Captain's log, supplemental. We've resumed our course.
But the Caretaker is still out there, with the power to send us home.
And I will use all my power to find her and convince her to do just that.
I tried to make the tea boil, but nothing happened.
Without Tanis, I can't do it.
Nevertheless, your abilities are still part of you. They might resurface one day.
- I refuse to see that part of me again. - To which part are you referring?
To the part of me that got pleasure from destroying plants.
The part that was tempted to leave. I never knew I had such dark impulses.
Without the darkness, how would we see the light?
Do not fear your negative thoughts. They are part of you, of every being.
- Even Vulcans. - You?
The Vulcan heart was forged out of barbarism and violence.
We learnt to control it, but it is still part of us.
To pretend it does not exist is to create an opportunity for it to escape.
Let us begin.
Open yourself to the impressions around you.
The thoughts, the minds that are on this ship.