Editing Zefram Cochrane (section)

==Fictional character biography==
Cochrane was born in 2030, according to ''Star Trek: First Contact'' (though the novelization of that film gives his year of birth as 2013). He constructed humanity's first warp-capable vessel, the ''[[Phoenix (Star Trek)|Phoenix]]'', in [[Bozeman, Montana]], out of an old [[LGM-25C Titan II|Titan{{nbsp}}II]] [[nuclear fission|nuclear]] [[ballistic missile|missile]].<ref name="Encyc">{{cite book|title=[[The Star Trek Encyclopedia]]|author=[[Michael Okuda|Okuda, Mike]] and [[Denise Okuda|Denise]], with Debbie Mirek|publisher=Pocket Books|isbn=0-671-53609-5|year=1999}}</ref><ref>''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'' referenced only "central [[Montana]]"; Bozeman was later identified by [[Hoshi Sato]] in the 2002 ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Desert Crossing]]".</ref> He started the project for financial gain, and found the accounts of his future accolades as told by the crew of the ''Enterprise-E'' from the future disturbing and embarrassing.<ref name="Encyc"/><ref name="firstcontact">Cochrane's statements in ''Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996); [[Paramount Pictures]]</ref>

On April 5, 2063, Cochrane made [[Earth]]'s first warp flight. The ''Phoenix's'' warp flight was detected by a Vulcan survey ship, the ''T'Plana Hath'', which then made peaceful first contact with humans, including Cochrane, at the ''Phoenix's'' launch site.<ref name="Encyc"/>

The [[aphorism]] "Don't try to be a great man, just be a man. And let history make its own judgments," is attributed to Cochrane, who is said to have uttered it in 2073.<ref>Riker mentions this to Cochrane as they prepare for the ''Phoenix''<nowiki/>'s launch in ''Star Trek: First Contact''.</ref> In 2119, Cochrane was present at the dedication of Earth's first Warp{{nbsp}}5 Complex, as seen in a video viewed by the characters in the 2001 pilot episode of ''Star Trek: Enterprise''. On that occasion, Cochrane stated, "This engine will let us [[To boldly go where no man has gone before|go boldly where no man has gone before]]", making him the earliest known person in the fictional timeline of ''Trek'' to say that phrase.<ref>[[Berman, Rick]]; [[Braga, Brannon]]. "[[Broken Bow (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Broken Bow]]"; ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' ([[UPN]]). September 26, 2001.</ref>

The ''Phoenix'''s launch facility became a historical monument. A 20-meter marble statue was erected there, depicting Cochrane heroically reaching toward the future. Cochrane's name became revered among humans, with entire universities, cities and planets named after him.<ref>[[Gene L. Coon]]. "[[Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Metamorphosis]]"; ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]''; November 10, 1967</ref> ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|Enterprise-D]]'' and ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-E)|Enterprise-E]]'' [[Chief Engineer]] [[Geordi La Forge]], for example, attended Zefram Cochrane High School.<ref name=GeordiSTFC>[[Geordi La Forge|Geordi LaForge]] mentions this to Cochrane during the Earthbound scenes of ''Star Trek: First Contact''.</ref>

According to the original ''Star Trek'' episode "[[Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Metamorphosis]]", Cochrane was presumed dead after disappearing from [[Alpha Centauri]] in 2117 (though the ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise]]'' episode "[[Broken Bow (Star Trek: Enterprise)|Broken Bow]]" later [[Retconned|retcons]] the year of Cochrane's disappearance to be 2119 or later). [[James T. Kirk]], [[Spock]] and [[Leonard McCoy]] find Cochrane living on an asteroid with a being he calls the Companion, an ethereal presence of pure energy who rejuvenated the aged, dying Cochrane 150 years earlier, and has held him captive— and in a state of youth and vigor— ever since. Nancy Hedford, who was traveling with the three [[Starfleet]] officers, is an ill [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]] commissioner. The Companion, who loves Cochrane, merges with the commissioner, ridding her of her illness and providing the Companion with a corporeal (but now mortal) form. The combined entity no longer has the power to force Cochrane to stay with her, but Cochrane chooses to stay out of love and gratitude. Before departing, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy promise not to reveal Cochrane's existence.<ref name="Encyc"/>

===Mirror Universe===

In the [[Mirror Universe (Star Trek)|Mirror Universe]], rather than reciprocating the Vulcans' peaceful greeting, Cochrane and the other humans kill the Vulcans and loot their ship.<ref>{{Cite episode|title="[[In a Mirror, Darkly|In a Mirror, Darkly, part I]]"| series= Star Trek: Enterprise|credits = [[Mike Sussman (TV series writer/producer)|Mike Sussman]], [[James L. Conway]]|network=[[UPN]]| airdate= April 22, 2005}}</ref> Humans conquer other worlds as part of the brutal Terran Empire.<ref>{{Cite episode|title="[[Mirror, Mirror (Star Trek: The Original Series)|Mirror, Mirror]]"|series= [[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]|credits = [[Marc Daniels]], [[Jerome Bixby]]| network= [[NBC]]| airdate= October 6, 1967}}</ref>