Photonic Lifeform

Photonic lifeforms (also called photonics or photonic entities) refers to any form of sentient life based on particles of light and energy. Some photonic lifeforms are naturally occurring but the term also refers to artificially-created holograms (for example the Emergency Medical Hologram).

On Stardate 20805.05 a natural photonic entity (or entities) took over several decks of the USS Copernicus, GEC-9035, hijacking a Terran World War II simulation being run in the holodeck, and trapping a number of crew members including the Captain and most of the senior officers in the simulation with no safety mechanisms. The entities appeared in their natural state as balls of light which changed colour. The colour changes may be a form of communication or signs of emotional expression, though the entities were also able to communicate vocally in Federation standard. The lifeforms, which are of immense intelligence and possess the ability to manipulate space and matter, were intensely interested in studying Federation species and organic, corporeal life. Eventually they ended their 'experiment' on the Copernicus crew and left the ship (see Copernicus Mission Logs "Into the Void."). It is not known if these are the exact same entities later found on the USS Challenger, though they appear to be the same species of photonic lifeform.

The Intelligence ship USS Challenger, CX-1986 housed several photonic entities appearing identical to those earlier encountered by the USS Copernicus. The entities were guests on the ship as part of a cultural exchange to develop inter-species understanding.

This information was provided by Jane Fields