Star Trek: Voyager (TV Series)

Caretaker (1995)

Kate Mulgrew: Capt. Kathryn Janeway

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Quotes 

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager.

  Harry Kim : Thank you, sir!

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Mr. Kim... at ease, before you sprain something.

• Neelix : Let me guess: you were whisked away from somewhere else in the galaxy and brought here against your will.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : It sounds as though you've heard this story before.

  Neelix : Sadly yes - thousands of times. Well, hundreds of times. Maybe fifty of times.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : I spoke to your family before I left.

  Tuvok : Are they well?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Well - but worried about you.

  Tuvok : That would not be an accurate perception, Captain. Vulcans do not worry.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : They... miss you.

  Tuvok : As I do them.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I'll get you back to them. That's a promise, Tuvok.

• Harry Kim : Captain, there's something out there.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I need a better description than that, Mister Kim!

  Harry Kim : I don't know. I'm reading... I'm not sure what I'm reading.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : [to Chakotay]  Commander, you and I have the same problem. I think it makes sense to try and solve it together, don't you?

• Neelix : [introducing himself]  Neelix. And since you're not interested in my debris, I'm delighted to know you!

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Captain Kathryn Janeway, of the Federation starship Voyager.

  Neelix : A very impressive title. I have no idea what it means, but it sounds very impressive.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like being addressed as "sir."

  Harry Kim : I'm sorry... ma'am.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : "Ma'am" is acceptable in a crunch, but I prefer "Captain."

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : I don't know what you need, and frankly, I don't care. I just want our people back and I want us all to be sent home.

  The Caretaker : Oh, well now, aren't you contentious for a minor bipedal species.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : This minor bipedal species doesn't take kindly to being abducted!

• Tom Paris : You asked to see me, Captain?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Mr. Paris... you have a problem.

  [Paris gives her a puzzled look] 

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I've invited Chakotay and the other Maquis to become part of this crew. It seemed the only reasonable thing to do under the circumstances.

  Tom Paris : Will you provide a bodyguard for me, Captain?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : It seems you already have one.

  Tom Paris : I do?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Mr. Chakotay said something about his life belonging to you. He'll be taking responsibility for your safety.

  Tom Paris : I think I'm going to enjoy this.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Don't be so sure. He'll also be my First Officer. Everyone aboard this ship will report to him, including the Lieutenant assigned to conn.

  Tom Paris : Me?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I've entered into the ship's log on this date that I'm granting a field commission of Lieutenant to Thomas Eugene Paris.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Ensign Kim, this is your station. Would you like to take over?

  Harry Kim : Yes, ma'am.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : It's not crunch time yet, Mr. Kim. I'll let you know when.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Officially, you'd be a Starfleet observer during the mission.

  Tom Paris : Observer? Oh, hell, I'm the best pilot you could have!

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You'll *be* an observer. When it's over, you're cut loose.

  Tom Paris : The story of my life.

• Chakotay : If the array is the Ocampa's sole source of energy, why would the Caretaker seal the conduits?

  Tuvok : He would seal them if he no longer intended to use them, to protect the Ocampa from their enemies. Captain, there is now enough evidence to form a reasonable hypothesis. I believe that the Caretaker is dying.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Explain.

  Tuvok : First, he increases the energy supply to provide the city with a surplus to last at least five years, then he seals the conduits. The logical conclusion is that he does not intend to continue his role as Caretaker.

  Chakotay : That doesn't necessarily mean he's dying. He could be leaving.

  Tuvok : Doubtful. Not after a millennium of providing for these people. I believe that the Caretaker owes something to the Ocampa. I believe the debt that can never be repaid is very likely a debt to them. In addition, there were his frequent references to running out of time. I think he knew his death was imminent.

• B'Elanna Torres : What do you think you're doing? That array is the only way we have to get back home!

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I'm aware everyone has families and loved ones at homes they want to get back to. So do I. But I'm not willing to trade the lives of the Ocampa for our convenience. We'll have to find another way home.

  B'Elanna Torres : What other way home is there?

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : [of Kim]  I barely knew him... I never seem to have a chance to get to know any of them. I have to, um... I have to take more time to do that. It's a fine crew, and I've gotta get 'em home.

• Tuvok : Captain - any action we take to protect the Ocampa would affect the balance of power in this system. The Prime Directive would seem to apply.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Would it? We never asked to be involved, Tuvok. But we are. We are.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : [of the Caretaker]  If he dies, how the hell are we supposed to get home?

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Did you ever consider allowing the Ocampa to care for themselves?

  The Caretaker : [laughs pitifully]  They're children.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Children have to grow up. We're explorers too. Most of the species we've encountered have overcome all kinds of adversity, without a caretaker. It's the challenge of surviving on their own that helps them to evolve. Maybe your "children"... will do better than you think.

• Tom Paris : [after being promoted to lieutenant]  For the first time in my life I don't know what to say.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You've earned this, Tom. I'm only sorry your father won't know.

  Tom Paris : Oh, he'll know - when we get back.

• [last lines] 

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Mr. Paris, set a course... for home.

  Tom Paris : Aye, Captain.

• The Doctor : That's enough. This is a sickbay, not a conference room. Visiting hours are over. Everyone except my patient is to leave immediately.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Computer, end medical holographic program.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : That's only one of the mysteries we're dealing with, Mr. Tuvok.Take a look at this: It's virtually a desert. Not one river. Not one ocean. It has all the basic characteristics of an M-class planet except there are no nucleogenic particles in the atmosphere.

  Tuvok : That would mean the planet is incapable of producing rain.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I've studied thousands of M-class planets. I've never seen an atmosphere without nucleogenics. There must have been some kind of extraordinary environmental disaster. As soon as repairs are complete, we'll set a course for the 5th planet.

• Tuvok : Captain, I can access the system to send us back to Federation space, but it will take several hours to activate.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Unless you help us.

  The Caretaker : Oh. I wish I could, but I have very little time left. So I have initiated a self-destruct program.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : If you destroy the array, we'll have no way to get home.

  The Caretaker : The Ocampa's enemies cannot be allowed to... to control this installation. In minutes, it will be destroyed. You have to go. Go, now!

• Jabin : Be advised, Captain. I have called for additional ships.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I'm calling to warn you to move your vessels to a safe distance. I intend to destroy the array.

  Jabin : You can't do that.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I can and I will. End transmission.

• Rollins : Captain, two Kazon ships are approaching the array.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Set a course. I'm on my way.

  Chakotay : We've got to get back to our ship.

  The Doctor : I strongly advise you to rest. I will not be held responsible for the consequences.

• The Caretaker : Well, you're nothing if not persistent.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We need you to send us back where we came from.

  The Caretaker : Oh... that isn't possible. I... barely have enough strength to complete my work.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You're sealing the conduits before you die.

  The Caretaker : If I don't, the Kazon will steal the water. But in a few years, when the Ocampa's energy runs out, it won't matter. They'll be forced to come to the surface, and they won't be able to survive.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Something you did turned their planet into a desert, didn't it? That was the debt that could never be repaid.

  The Caretaker : Well, we're explorers from another galaxy, but we had no idea that our technology would be so destructive to their atmosphere. Two... two of us were chosen to stay behind and care for them.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : There's another like you here?

  The Caretaker : Not anymore. No, no. She... she went off to look for more interesting places.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Why were you bringing ships here, infecting people with a fatal illness?

  The Caretaker : Oh, they... they didn't die of an illness. They died because they were incompatible.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Incompatible?

  The Caretaker : I've been searching the galaxy for a compatible bio-molecular pattern. Now, in some individuals, I found cellular structures that were similar, but I...

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You've been trying to procreate?

  The Caretaker : I needed someone to replace me. Someone who'd understand the enormous responsibility of caring for the Ocampa. Only my offspring could do that.

• Jabin : Have you come to investigate the entity's strange behavior, too, Captain?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : All we care about is getting home, Jabin. We're about to transport over to the array to see if we can arrange it.

  Jabin : I'm afraid I cannot permit that.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We have no dispute with you.

  Jabin : I have a dispute with anyone who would challenge us.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : This is ridiculous. We have no intention of challenging you.

  Jabin : And I have no intention of letting anyone with your technological knowledge board the array.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Jabin, can we discuss this like two civilized...

  [Jabin ends the transmission] 

  Tuvok : They're powering up their weapons.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I guess we can't.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : We'd appreciate any help you could give us in finding these Ocampa.

  Neelix : I-I-I really wish that I could help you, I-I do. But as you can see, there's just... there's so much debris for me to investigate today. You'd be surprised the things of value some people abandon.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Of course, we'd want to compensate you for your trouble.

  Neelix : Ah. Well, there's really very little that you could offer me. Unless...

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Yes?

  Neelix : U-Unless, of course, you had... water?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : If you help us find our missing crew members, you can have all the water you want.

  Neelix : Well, that... that sounds like a very reasonable arrangement.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Good. We'll beam you over and tow your ship into our shuttle bay. Mr. Tuvok, go to transporter room 2 and meet our guest.

  Neelix : Beam?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We have a technology which can take you instantly from your ship to ours. It's quite harmless. May we?

• Neelix : The Caretaker has been bringing ships here for months now.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : The Caretaker?

  Neelix : That's what the Ocampa call him. They live on the fifth planet. Did he kidnap members of your crew?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : As a matter of fact, he did.

  Neelix : It's not the first time.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Do you know where he might have taken them?

  Neelix : Just that they're brought to the Ocampa. Nothing more.

• Chakotay : Where are our people?

  The Caretaker : They are no longer here.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : What have you done to them?

  The Caretaker : You don't have what I need. They might. No. You'll have to leave them.

  Chakotay : We won't do that.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We are their commanding officers. We are entrusted with their safety. They are our responsibility. That may be a concept you don't understand.

  The Caretaker : Oh, no. I do understand, but I have no choice. There just is not enough time left.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Left for what?

  The Caretaker : I must honor a debt that can never be repaid, but my search has not been going well.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Tell us what you're looking for. Maybe we can help you find it.

  The Caretaker : You?

  [laughing] 

  The Caretaker : I've searched the galaxy with methods beyond your comprehension. No. There's nothing you can do.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You've taken us 70,000 light-years from our home. We have no way back unless you send us, and we won't leave without the others.

  The Caretaker : But sending you back is terribly complicated. Don't you understand? I don't have time. Not enough time!

• Kes : I never should have gone to the surface. I'm too curious. I'm told it's my worst failing.

  Neelix : No. No. It's a wonderful quality; your most endearing.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Would you be willing to take us underground to look for our missing crew?

  Kes : I'm afraid Jabin was right. There's no way to get down. The tunnel I came out of has been sealed.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We don't need a tunnel. We have the ability to transport there directly.

• Jabin : How can we help someone so powerful they can create water out of thin air?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : [indicating Neelix]  This man led us here suggesting we might find a people called the Ocampa. Do you know where they are?

  Jabin : Ocampa?

  [pointing to Kes] 

  Jabin : She is Ocampa. Why would you be interested in such worthless creatures? They live only nine years. They make poor servants. We caught her when she wandered to the surface.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : To the surface? You mean they live underground?

  Jabin : The entity in space that gives them food and power also gives them sole access to the only water on this world; two miles below the surface.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : This same entity has abducted two of our people. We believe they might be with the Ocampa.

  Jabin : There's no way to get to them. We tried. The entity has established some kind of subterranean barrier we cannot penetrate.

  Chakotay : But she got out.

  Jabin : Occasionally, some of them do find their way to the surface. We don't know how. But the Ocampa seal the tunnels afterwards.

  Neelix : Maybe she can help these good people find a way down.

  Jabin : [laughing]  You'd be wasting your time. I've used every method of persuasion I know to get her to help us. She won't!

  Neelix : Then she's worthless to you. Let us trade you water for this scrawny little thing.

  Jabin : I'd be more interested in acquiring this technology that allows you to create water from thin air.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : That would be difficult. It's integrated into our ship's systems.

• Tuvok : Captain, our sensors did not pick up any indication of an underground civilization. The subterranean barrier Jabin described may be responsible. It might also block our transporter.

  Kes : There are breaches in the security barrier where it's begun to decay. That's how I got out.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Have the transporter room begin a sweep for any breaches we might be able to beam through.

  [Tuvok nods and leaves] 

  Neelix : Kes can tell you where to go, but now that she's free, we're leaving this system together.

  Kes : Neelix, these people rescued me.

  Neelix : I rescued you.

  Kes : With their help. It would be wrong not to help them now.

• Chakotay : [learning Tuvok was working on his crew undercover]  I see you had help.

  Tom Paris : [sarcastic]  It's good to see you, too, Chakotay.

  Chakotay : At least the Vulcan was doing his duty as a Starfleet officer, but you... you betrayed us for what? Freedom from prison? Latinum? What was your price this time?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You are speaking to a member of my crew. I expect you to treat him with the same respect as you would have me treat a member of yours.

• Daggin : We thought we'd never see you again. How did you get back?

  Kes : These people rescued me from the Kazon. I'm trying to help them find two of their crewmen. Does anyone know where the aliens are kept; the ones the Caretaker sends here?

  Daggin : I think they're at the Central Clinic.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Can you take us there?

  Toscat : No, she cannot.

  Kes : They can't speak telepathically, Toscat. Please talk aloud.

  Toscat : I didn't mean to be rude, but you should not be here.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : We'll be glad to leave once we find our crewmen.

  Toscat : That won't be possible. We cannot interfere with the Caretaker's wishes.

  Chakotay : Maybe you can't, but we can.

  Toscat : You don't understand.

  Kes : That's right. They don't understand. They have no way of knowing that the Ocampa have been dependent on the Caretaker for so long, we can't even think for ourselves anymore. They don't understand we were once a people who had full command of our minds' abilities.

  Toscat : The stories of our ancestors' cognitive abilities are apocryphal; at the very least, exaggerated.

  Kes : We lost those abilities because we stopped using them.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Do you know this area of space well, Mr. Neelix?

  Neelix : I am famous for knowing it well. How may I be of service?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Do you know anything about the array that's sending energy pulses to the fifth planet?

  Neelix : I know enough to stay as far away from it as possible.

• Mark Johnson : So when are you leaving?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : As soon as I approve these system status reports.

  Mark Johnson : All right, then I won't bother you anymore.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Hey. You never bother me. Except the way I love to be bothered. Understand?

  Mark Johnson : I'll remember that.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : See you in a few weeks. Oh, Mark, go by my house and pick up the doggy bed. She'll be more comfortable.

  Mark Johnson : I already did. An hour ago.

• Tom Paris : You'd like me to lead you to my former colleagues. I was only with the Maquis a few weeks before I was captured, Captain. I don't where most of their hiding places are.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You know the territory better than anyone we've got.

  Tom Paris : What's so important about this particular Maquis ship?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : My chief of security was on board; undercover. He was supposed to report in twice during the last six days. He didn't.

  Tom Paris : Maybe it's just your chief of security who's disappeared.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Maybe. That ship was under the command of another former Starfleet officer named Chakotay. I understand you knew him.

  Tom Paris : That's right.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : The two of you didn't get along too well, I'm told.

  Tom Paris : Chakotay will tell you he left Starfleet on principle; to defend his home colony from the Cardassians. I, on the other hand, was forced to resign. He considered me a mercenary, willing to fight for anyone who'd pay my bar bills. The trouble is he was right. I have no problem helping you track down my "friends" in the Maquis, Captain. All I need to know from you is what's in it for me?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You help us find that ship, we help you at your next outmate review.

• Mark Johnson : The doctor called.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : And?

  Mark Johnson : And I was right.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : She's pregnant?

  Mark Johnson : Puppies are due in seven weeks.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Oh, Mark, you've got to take her home with you.

  Mark Johnson : With me? I just got the rugs cleaned.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : She's with child. I can't leave her in a kennel while I'm..

  Mark Johnson : Is this another "love me, love my dog" demand?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Yes.

  Mark Johnson : Hmm. How could I ever refuse you?

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Your father taught me a great deal. I was his science officer during the Arias expedition.

  Tom Paris : You must be good. My father only accepts the best and the brightest.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I'm leaving on a mission to find a Maquis ship that disappeared in the Badlands a week ago.

  Tom Paris : I wouldn't if I were you.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : Really?

  Tom Paris : I've never seen a Federation starship that could maneuver through the plasma storms.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : You've never seen Voyager.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Tom Paris? Kathryn Janeway. I served with your father on the Al-Batani. I wonder if we could go somewhere and talk?

  Tom Paris : About what?

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : About a job we'd like you to do for us.

  Tom Paris : I'm already doing a job... for the Federation.

  Captain Kathryn Janeway : I've been told the Rehab Commission is very pleased with your work. They've given me their approval to discuss this matter with you.

  Tom Paris : Well, then I guess I'm yours.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : Captain's log, supplemental. The Maquis ship and Voyager have encountered a debris field, where sensor have detected a small vessel. One humanoid life-form is on board.

• Captain Kathryn Janeway : We're alone - in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We've already made some friends here, and some enemies. We have no idea of the dangers we're going to face. But one thing is clear: both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive. That's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew - a Starfleet crew. And as the only Starfleet vessel assigned to the Delta Quadrant, we'll continue to follow our directive: to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear. Even at maximum speeds, it would take 75 years to reach the Federation. But I'm not willing to settle for that. There's another entity like the Caretaker out there somewhere who has the ability to get us there a lot faster. We'll be looking for her. And we'll be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts, or new technologies to help us. Somewhere, along this journey, we'll find a way back.