Species 8472

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A member of Species 8472
Species 8472 blood cells
A close-up of the eye of Species 8472
Two members of Species 8472 courting
A console on a bioship
Note: This is NOT a PC and NPC rated species.



Species 8472 is the Borg designation for a non-humanoid species whose actual name is unknown. 8472 was first encountered by the Federation starship USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant in 2373.
The species originates from a dimension called Fluidic Space, accessible by quantum singularities. They are believed by the Borg to be the ultimate form of biological evolution.


Biology

Species 8472 is tripedal, around three meters tall, extremely muscular, and biologically unique. Their DNA is arranged in a triple helix formation, and is the most densely coded DNA ever encountered by Star Fleet. They appear purple to green depending on the lighting. They have very little soft tissue, and much of their skeleton is exposed, particularly around their necks. The species' immune system is able to destroy anything which penetrates their body systems: chemical, biological, or technological.

  • Their immune system can even be used as a means of attack. If cornered, they attack with their claws rather than with any other type of weapon.
    This allows Species 8472's cells to come into contact with a victim's, where the cells then infect every system of the victim, consuming it from the inside out.
    • In addition, Species 8472 are able to commit suicide by releasing a cellular toxin into their bloodstreams.


They usually emit a biogenic field around their bodies, which renders them nearly invisible to sensors, making it impossible to pinpoint their exact location. This field also interferes with normal transporters.
They are impervious to normal Borg assimilation methods.

  • Exactly how this biogenic field is produced is unknown.


With their dense musculature and increased height, Species 8472 possess great flexibility and can move much faster than either humanoids or Borg. They are able to penetrate force fields and rip through bulkheads with apparent ease. Species 8472 does appear to have nostrils, suggesting a sense of smell; however, they possess no ears or mouth and have distinctive cross-shaped pupils. As far as language goes, it is largely unknown, since this species communicates exclusively via telepathy.


Species 8472 are also able to withstand the vacuum of space; It is probable that in their natural Fluidic Space, they are able to swim through the organic matter. As far as Starfleet can tell, their space is similar to their ships, and share their unique physiology. They have been observed to have as many as five different sexes, each of which occupies a different region of their Fluidic Space realm. It is not known if Species 8472 is the only species to have evolved in Fluidic Space, or if they exterminated the others as they attempted to do in normal space.


In conjunction with the Borg, The Doctor developed modified nanoprobes, which were able to effectively combat Species 8472 and their bioships. The nanoprobes could be modified to either kill or sedate the creatures.


Technology

The "bioships" used by Species 8472 are very advanced, and share the species' unique genetic makeup. Every bioship carries only one crew member, who acts as the pilot. Their living, organic vessels are capable of warp speed, and are heavily armed and shielded.

  • Inside, the walls and floor appear flesh-like, and a spider web-like material is used in place of an EPS system.
  • Structural supports for the ship are made of bone, or bone-like materials.
  • A ship computer is similar to a humanoid nervous system.


The ships are native to Fluidic Space, and are able to function just as well in the organic matter of fluid space as they are in the vacuum of our normal space.
They are also equipped to detect pressure waves that are created when a vessel crosses into Fluidic Space from normal space.


  • Its hull is resistant to conventional weaponry, including Borg assimilation.
  • The hulls can also reflect sensor scans, as well as tractor beams.
  • Armaments include energy beam weapons.
    • These beams are able to inflict greater damage than Starfleet's equivalent.


Nine bioships can combine their firepower using an energy focusing ship, creating a planet killer.

It is unknown whether the ships evolved naturally or if they were engineered to fit their task by Species 8472.


Known History

Borg-Species 8472 War

In their search for species worthy of assimilation, the Borg first encountered Species 8472 after they found a way to enter Fluidic Space in the 2370s. However, Species 8472 turned out to be immune to the Borg's assimilation attempts, and the Borg's invasion of their dimension provoked a war between the two. This war quickly evolved into the first real threat the Borg had faced in thousands of years. With superior technology, Species 8472 was able to annihilate large amounts of Borg, their ships, and even planets. Species 8472 was forced to retreat when the crew of the USS Voyager, armed with modified warheads, became capable of destroying their bioships.


When they retreated to Fluidic Space, one member of Species 8472 was left behind, and was relentlessly hunted by a group of Hirogen hunters for several months. This individual was later rescued by the crew of the USS Voyager, and Captain Kathryn Janeway intended to return it to Fluidic Space. Seven of Nine, however, refused to open a rift to their natural dimension. Shortly afterwards, Seven of Nine took the opportunity, in defiance of Janeway's orders, to transport the individual to the Hirogen vessels, which then broke off their attack against Voyager.


The "Federation" Threat

Concerned about the threat Humanity now had, since the invention of their modified nanoprobe-warheads, Species 8472 created a simulation of Star Fleet Academy. This large-scale simulation was inside a Species 8472 "terrasphere," located in the Delta Quadrant, and acted as a training ground for a potential infiltration of the Federation. They modified many of their kind to look like Alpha Quadrant species. Their main goal was to uncover if the Federation was planning an invasion of their realm, and to try to better understand their enemy.


The Voyager crew discovered one of their training grounds, after tracking a transmission with a Federation signature. Once discovered, Species 8472 captured Voyager's First officer, now believing that a fleet was on its way. Voyager managed to convince Species 8472 that the Federation had no hostile intentions, and traded their nanoprobe technology for their First Officer's life.


Aftermath

For years, the Borg continued to patrol a border between our galaxy and Fluidic Space.


It is unknown whether enough Borg are still alive to patrol Fluidic space since the latest Federation-Borg War.