The Traveler A being who described himself as a Traveler , but whose real name he claimed was unpronounceable by Humans , was a humanoid from a mysterious species , encountered by Starfleet in the 2360s . Variously reported to be from Tau Alpha C and Tau Ceti , he himself claimed to be on a journey to experience " [ our ] reality " . He also claimed that while by his understanding he was not from another time , he might be according to Starfleet ' s understanding of time . ( ) The Traveler had certain abilities , like the ability to act like " a lens with focused thought " , which allowed him to alter space , time , and warp fields with the power of his mind . He could phase out of time and dimension and move between planets and starships . These abilities were based on his ability to focus the energy of thoughts and in his advanced understanding of the nature of reality . According to The Traveler , thought was the basis of all reality . In addition , Deanna Troi noted that his presence could not be detected with the empathic abilities of Betazoids . He could also shapeshift to appear as humanoids from other species with different clothing . ( ) Around 2364 , The Traveler had been trading his understanding of propulsion for passage on Starfleet vessels . This was the first time his species visited this culture . He claimed to be motivated by curiosity , his stated goal being experiencing " your reality . " During these travels , he became an assistant to Starfleet propulsion expert Kosinski , who claimed to have discovered a revolutionary new method of warp drive . Although some of his theories did have merit , Kosinski ' s formulas turned out to be bogus , as Wesley Crusher discovered that it was actually Kosinski ' s assistant , The Traveler , who was the driving force behind the propulsion method . Things went awry , however , and the was catapulted millions of light years to the M - 33 Galaxy . Later , while attempting to return back to the Milky Way Galaxy , the " Enterprise " instead traveled to the end of the universe , a billion light years away . The Traveler collapsed in exhaustion and was taken to sickbay , where he revealed the secret of his abilities . He eventually returned to engineering , where he helped return the ship and crew home to the Milky Way Galaxy . The Traveler noticed something special about the young Wesley Crusher , comparing him to a young Mozart . Inspired in part by this , Captain Picard promoted Wesley to an acting ensign in the traditions of Starfleet . The Traveler played a significant role in the destiny of Wesley Crusher . ( ) In 2365 , when the " Enterprise " encountered a duplicate version of Captain Picard , apparently transported six hours back in time , the contemporary Captain Picard briefly suspected The Traveler as a cause of this anomaly - noting that The Traveler was capable of movement through time using the power of his mind . Commander Riker , perhaps recalling The Traveler ' s largely benign nature , did not share this suspicion . ( ) The Traveler was next encountered by the " Enterprise " crew in 2367 , after a " warp bubble " experiment by Wesley Crusher went awry and trapped his mother Beverly Crusher in an alternate reality . Due to Wesley ' s increasing realization of his powers , the Traveler was drawn to him and sensed the predicament . He appeared and directed the crew on her rescue . He needed Wesley ' s help in opening a doorway to the other reality , and had to convince him he had the ability . They succeeded in rescuing the elder Crusher , while the younger Crusher continued his maturation . ( ) In 2370 , The Traveler appeared incognito as Lakanta , a villager on Dorvan V , to Wesley Crusher . Lakanta , who seemed to have intimate knowledge of Wesley , directed him to seek the answers to his troubled destiny . Wesley was , at the time , quite uncertain about his future in Starfleet . The Traveler guided Wes to the " habak " where Wesley had a vision of his deceased father telling him that his destiny lay somewhere " other " than with Starfleet . The cadet heeded the advice and resigned from Starfleet , after which in the middle of a riot he managed to dissociate himself from time ; it is then that The Traveler revealed his true identity and promised to mentor the young man on his new journey . ( ) Appendices . Background information . The Traveler was played by actor Eric Menyuk . Menyuk was a finalist for the role of Data , and was given the recurring role of The Traveler as a consolation prize . ( " " 2nd ed . , p . 36 ; ) An early draft of included the revelation that Boothby was in fact The Traveler . ( " " 2nd ed . , p . 290 ) According to the " " series , The Traveler even has a significant reputation among the Q Continuum ; when the female Q learned that Wesley had been chosen by The Traveler , she was almost impressed by this fact . A pair of his special effects make - up hands from was sold off on the It ' s A Wrap ! sale and auction on eBay .