Object

USS Phoenix Transponder Frequency

Secure digital code sequence that uniquely identifies the USS Phoenix for precise tracking and targeting. This transponder frequency enables external forces (e.g., Cardassian ships) to locate, pursue, and neutralize the vessel by overriding its stealth modes and dismantling its shields. In the episode, Gul Macet demands this frequency from Picard on the Enterprise bridge, arguing it would allow Cardassian ships to intercept Maxwell faster. Picard initially rejects the request, but later directs Worf to transmit the codes to Macet's warship, despite protests from Riker and Worf about exposing Starfleet tracking technology. Data processes the relay, and Picard's grim nod seals the command. The frequency plays a critical role in the narrative tension between Starfleet's principles and the urgent need to pursue the Phoenix.

3 appearances

Purpose

Enables targeted tracking and interception of the USS Phoenix

Significance

Sparks direct clash between Picard and Macet, exposing fragile Federation-Cardassian trust. Picard's refusal prevents unilateral Cardassian action, preserving diplomatic control amid war risks.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments

S4E12 · The Wounded

Picard Denies Macet Access to Maxwell

The Phoenix’s coded transponder frequency is the object of Macet’s demand, representing a critical tactical advantage. He argues that Cardassian ships could intercept Maxwell more quickly if they had access to this frequency, allowing them to lock onto the Phoenix’s signal. Picard’s refusal to share it underscores the Federation’s reluctance to cede control over the pursuit, as well as the distrust between the two powers. The frequency symbolizes the fragile balance of power and the high stakes of the confrontation—its disclosure could tip the scales toward conflict, while its withholding risks allowing Maxwell to act unchecked.

Before: Known to Starfleet but not disclosed to the Cardassians. It is a closely guarded asset, tied to the Phoenix’s operational security.

After: Still under Federation control, as Picard refuses to share it with Macet. Its secrecy remains a point of contention, reinforcing the tension between the two powers.

View full event

S4E12 · The Wounded

Picard sacrifices Starfleet secrecy to stop Maxwell

The Phoenix’s transponder codes are the linchpin of the event, representing both a tactical vulnerability and a diplomatic bargaining chip. Picard’s order to relay them to the Cardassians is the pivotal moment—it exposes Starfleet’s surveillance capabilities while potentially saving the supply ship. The codes are not just data; they symbolize the erosion of trust between the Federation and Starfleet, as well as the moral compromise Picard makes to prevent war. Their transmission is the physical act that seals the deal, leaving the Phoenix defenseless and the crew emotionally scarred.

Before: Securely held within Starfleet’s encrypted databases, known only to the Enterprise crew. Their existence is implied but not confirmed to Macet.

After: Transmitted to the Cardassian warship, now in the hands of Gul Macet. The codes are no longer a secret, and the Phoenix’s shields can be dismantled at will.

View full event

S4E12 · The Wounded

Picard sacrifices Starfleet security to stop Maxwell

The Phoenix’s transponder codes are the linchpin of this event, the critical tactical asset that Picard reluctantly surrenders to the Cardassians. These codes are not just a string of numbers—they are a betrayal of Starfleet’s trust, a concession that exposes the Phoenix to Cardassian retaliation, and a symbol of the erosion of Federation security. When Worf transmits the codes, it is a moment of irreversible compromise: the Phoenix’s shields can now be dismantled, its crew left vulnerable. The codes are also a metaphor for the larger conflict—Picard’s decision to share them represents the fragile peace between the Federation and the Cardassians, a peace built on mutual distrust and the constant threat of betrayal. Their transmission is the event’s pivotal action, the point of no return.

Before: Securely encrypted within Starfleet’s databases, known only to authorized personnel. They are the Phoenix’s shield against detection and interception, a safeguard of its operational independence.

After: Compromised and transmitted to the Cardassian warship. The codes are now a liability, a vulnerability that could be exploited at any moment. The Phoenix’s fate is no longer in Starfleet’s hands.

View full event