Species 8472

Star Trek race|if=
bgcolor=#ffffff
Name=Species 8472


Caption=
Size=
BaseOperations=Fluidic space
Affiliation=None
Borgspecies=8472

Species 8472 is a fictional extraterrestrial race in the science fiction television series "" that inhabits another dimension called fluidic space. They are the only force other than the United Federation of Planets known to have defeated the Borg in battle, and are the only alien race from whom the Borg were known to have retreated because of this. To give perspective, if the Borg motto can be said to be "Resistance Is Futile", the apparent motto for Species 8472 is "The Weak Shall Perish".

Anatomy

Cellular characteristics

A designation given by the Borg (the species' real name is unknown, although the Hirogen refer to them as 'Fluidians'), Species 8472 has a dense genetic structure, with each cell containing more than a hundred times the genetic material than that of a human cell, because of a triple-helix DNA structure. On the cellular level, Species 8472's own somatic cells can become extremely virulent when in a foreign blood-stream, duplicating themselves rapidly. When a Species 8472 attacks a victim with its claws, some of the former's cells are left in the wound. These stray cells multiply, spreading out through the victim's entire body, consuming it from the inside out while the victim remains conscious. As the attacking cells employ the same advanced immune response as when inside the creature, they are able to resist conventional treatment methods.

Physiology

Species 8472's anatomy is unique in that they possess three five-jointed, even-toed ungulate feet or hooves. They have cross shaped pupils, and communicate exclusively through telepathy. They have a tall, thin, skeletal body that possess very little soft-tissue, and appendages appear to be supported by sinuous strands of muscle. Their outward appearance is marked mainly by bony crests located on their chest and disproportionately large heads, giving them a generally gangly appearance. They have as many as five genders, each of which apparently occupies a different region of Fluidic Space. Species 8472 can also survive the unprotected rigors of normal space, and appears not to need to breathe atmosphere, or even the organic fluid present in its own realm. Members of Species 8472 emit a biogenic field around their bodies which interferes with normal transporters and renders it partially invisible to sensors. It is one of the most evolutionarily advanced species encountered in the "Star Trek" universe. However, while species like the Borg have reached the pinnacle of technological achievement through assimilation, Species 8472 has established dominance based on their biological superiority. Their powerful biology renders them immune to most Federation scanning technology and has prevented their assimilation by the Borg.

Species 8472 possess incredible strength and stamina as demonstrated in the episode "Prey", when a single member of Species 8472 was attacked by a Hirogen hunting party with heavy weapons. Thinking it dead, they then took it back to their ship. They soon found out otherwise after the alien badly injured the Alpha Hirogen and decapitated his subordinate. When the alien made its way across Voyager's hull, it tore open a bulkhead to gain access to the ship. Though the alien was badly injured, it eventually regenerated its wounds, and it appeared to be capable of surviving and recovering from significant injury. Members of Species 8472 exclusively attack with their claws and raw strength; they never use a handheld weapon, instead allowing their superior immune system to be used in an offensive role.

Native environment

Species 8472 live in fluidic space, a different dimension (possibly outside our universe although it is stated that it is only definitely outside our galaxy). Fluidic space is a continuum filled with an organic fluid. Fluidic space has no stars, no planets and no nebulae.

Technology

Species 8472 uses a type of organic spacecraft known only as a bioship, controlled by a single pilot (or at least capable of being flown by a single crew member). Because bioships are made of the same organic material as their pilots, it is possible that Species 8472 control the ships telepathically, although Species 8472 have been witnessed operating a console to pilot the bioship. A bioship explored by the "Voyager" crew had a breathable atmosphere; however, as it was attached to a Borg cube at the time, it may have simply taken on air when it penetrated the hull.

Each bioship possesses an electrodynamic fluid circulatory system presumably for the distribution of power, a neurological computer core and an incredibly powerful biogenic energy weapon system; it is warp capable, can melt through various surfaces (such as that of a Borg vessel or a starship) and is also capable of rapidly regenerating damaged systems. The vessel can function effectively in both normal space and Fluidic space. The weapons of nine bioships can be linked with that of a larger tenth bioship of modified design; the collective weapon thus formed can destroy an entire planet in seconds.

History

Relevant episodes of "" in which Species 8472 appeared include Season 3 Episode 26 (season finale) "" and Season 4 Episode 1 (season premiere) "", Season 4 Episode 16 "Prey", and Season 5 Episode 04 "In the Flesh".

Species 8472 is discovered by the Borg in 2373 when they invaded fluidic space (as revealed in the episode "Scorpion, Part II") by opening a rift in space using a deflector dish. The Borg discovered Species 8472 in the Delta Quadrant and tried to assimilate its biotechnology which is more advanced than anything the Borg have seen. The Borg quickly realize that 8472 is immune to assimilation, and that contemporary Borg technology is no match for it. In fact, 8472 is one of the few species so advanced that its ships are able to destroy Borg cubes in seconds. Species 8472 then invades the Delta Quadrant in retaliation to Borg aggression and begins a systematic extermination of the Borg and innocent species as well. Over the course of five months, tens of billions of drones are lost, as well as several hundred planets. When the crew of Voyager realizes that it has no choice but to go through Borg space in order to continue home in any kind of timely manner, Captain Janeway hatches a plan to create a weapon to kill Species 8472 and use it as a bargaining chip with the Borg in exchange for safe passage through Borg space. The Borg accept. In conjunction with Janeway, the Borg develop a high-yield warhead armed with modified nanoprobes, developed by the Doctor, the ship's Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), from the Borg's own technology, that is extremely effective at killing 8472 and forces it to retreat to fluidic space. In return for Janeway's help, the Borg allow "Voyager" safe passage through their space for a limited time though not without first attempting to go back on their agreement.

A member of Species 8472 is left in the Delta Quadrant during the retreat and is relentlessly hunted by a group of Hirogen for several months.

Concerned about the threat posed by humanity, Species 8472 builds 13 "terraspheres" in the Delta Quadrant and recreates Starfleet Academy within as a staging ground for an intelligence gathering mission on Earth. The plan is uncovered by Voyager and peace talks commence. "Voyager" convinces 8472, led by an individual posing as Boothby, that the Federation has no quarrel with them - by that point, it had been learned that the Borg themselves started the war between the two species by invading fluidic space to assimilate the superior technology of Species 8472.

Computer/video games

Species 8472 appear as villains in the computer/video games and .

External links