Changes: Species 8472

Revision as of 17:43, 9 February 2007

A member of Species 8472

"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. (VOY: "Scorpion", "Scorpion, Part II") They are believed by the Borg to be the ultimate form of biological evolution.

In their search for further 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 invasion of their realm provoked a war, which quickly evolved into the first real threat the Borg had faced in thousands of years. With their superior technology, Species 8472 was able to annihilate large amounts of Borg and their ships and even planets. Species 8472 was forced to retreat when the crew of the USS Voyager armed warheads with modified nanoprobes capable of destroying their bioships. (VOY: "Scorpion", "Scorpion, Part II", "Prey")

Species 8472 close-up — A member of Species 8472.

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 USS Voyager, and Captain Kathryn Janeway intended to return it to fluidic space. Seven of Nine, however, refused to open a rift to Species 8472's realm. Shortly afterwards, in a struggle with one of the Hirogen hunters aboard Voyager, 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. (VOY: "Prey")

Concerned about the threat posed by Humanity with its modified nanoprobe-warheads, Species 8472 created a simulation of Starfleet Academy on Earth inside a Species 8472 biosphere in the Delta Quadrant as a training ground for a potential infiltration of the Federation. However, the plan was uncovered and eventually stopped by the crew of the USS Voyager, who convinced Species 8472 that the Federation had no hostile intention toward them by giving them their modified nanoprobe warheads in hope that Species 8472 could adapt their vessels. (VOY: "In the Flesh")

The Borg continued to patrol a border between our galaxy and fluidic space. Axum suggested that he would try to make contact with Species 8472 after he was liberated from "Unimatrix Zero". (VOY: "Unimatrix Zero, Part II")

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 Starfleet. They are known to have as many as 5 sexes. The Species' immune system is able to destroy anything which penetrates their body systems: chemical, biological, or technological. They are impervious to normal Borg assimilation methods. 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 allowing Species 8472's cells to come into contact with a victim's where they will infect every system and consume it from the inside out. In addition, if threatened, Species 8472 are able to commit suicide by releasing a cellular toxin into their bloodstreams.

Species 8472 eye — A close-up of the eye of Species 8472.

Physiologically, Species 8472 is non-humanoid. They are able to withstand the vacuum of space. It is probable that in fluidic space they are able to swim through the organic matter similar to their ships, which share their unique physiology. They communicate exclusively via telepathy. Kes was able to make contact with Species 8472 while they were in conflict with the Borg; they vowed 'the weak will perish'. They also generate a biogenic field, which makes them difficult to find with conventional sensors. 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.

They have very little soft tissue, and much of their skeleton is exposed, particularly around their necks. 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. They appear purple to green depending on the lighting and have 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. (VOY: "Scorpion", VOY: "Scorpion, Part II", VOY: "In the Flesh", VOY: "Someone to Watch Over Me"; Star Trek: The Magazine: Issue 5)

Technology

Species 8472 working on console — A console on a bioship.

The bioships used by Species 8472 are very advanced and share their unique genetic makeup. They are living organic vessels capable of warp speed, and are very heavily armed and shielded. Inside, the walls and floor appear to be flesh; spider web-like material is used in place of an EPS system. The structural supports are made of bone. The ship's computer is similar to a nervous system and uses neuropeptides. The ships are native to fluidic space and are able to function as well in the organic matter of fluid space as they are in the vacuum of normal space. They are also equipped to detect the pressure wave created when a vessel crosses into fluidic space from normal space.

A bioship carries only one crew member, who acts as the pilot. Its hull is resistant to conventional weaponry, including Borg assimilation, and also reflects sensor scans and tractor beams. The bioships are armed with energy beam weapons. Although the beam appears less coherent than either Starfleet or Borg weapons, it is able to inflict greater damage; Voyager was knocked off course by a beam that just missed it. Several bioships can combine their firepower to destroy entire planets.

It is unknown whether the ships evolved naturally or if they were engineered to fit their task by Species 8472. (VOY: "Scorpion"; Star Trek: The Magazine: Issue 5)

Appendices

Appearances

VOY:
- "Scorpion"
- "Scorpion, Part II"
- "Prey"
- "In the Flesh"
- "Someone to Watch Over Me"

Apocrypha

Species 8472 is also one of the main species shown in the non-canon game Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force. In the game, the player must infiltrate a Borg cube infested with 8472 to locate a material called 'isodesium'. They are also the main enemy of the Borg in Star Trek: Armada II.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Image:Species8472frontview.jpg|thumb|A member of Species 8472]]
-"'''Species 8472'''" is the [[Borg]] [[borg species designations|designation]] for a [[non-humanoid]] [[species]] whose actual name is unknown. 8472 was first encountered by the [[Federation]] [[starship]] [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] in the [[Delta Quadrant]] in [[2373]].  The species originates from a dimension called [[fluidic space]], accessible by [[quantum singularity|quantum singularities]]. ({{VOY|Scorpion|Scorpion, Part II}}) They are believed by the Borg to be the ultimate form of biological evolution.
+"'''Species 8472'''" is the [[Borg]] [[borg species designations|designation]] for a [[non-humanoid]] [[species]] whose actual name is unknown. 8472 was first encountered by the [[Federation]] [[starship]] [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] in the [[Delta Quadrant]] in [[2373]].  The species originates from a dimension called [[fluidic space]], accessible by [[quantum singularity|quantum singularities]]. ({{VOY|Scorpion|Scorpion, Part II}}) They are believed by the Borg to be the ultimate form of [[biology|biological]] [[evolution]].
-In their search for further 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 invasion of their realm provoked a [[Borg-Species 8472 War|war]], which quickly evolved into the first real threat the Borg had faced in thousands of years. With their superior technology, Species 8472 was able to annihilate large amounts of Borg and their ships and even planets. Species 8472 was forced to retreat when the crew of the [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] armed [[warhead]]s with modified [[nanoprobe]]s capable of destroying their [[Species 8472 bioship|bioship]]s. ({{VOY|Scorpion|Scorpion, Part II|Prey}})
+In their search for further 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 invasion of their realm provoked a [[Borg-Species 8472 War|war]], which quickly evolved into the first real threat the Borg had faced in thousands of [[year]]s. With their superior [[technology]], Species 8472 was able to annihilate large amounts of Borg and their [[ship]]s and even [[planet]]s. Species 8472 was forced to retreat when the [[crew]] of the [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']] armed [[warhead]]s with modified [[nanoprobe]]s capable of destroying their [[Species 8472 bioship|bioship]]s. ({{VOY|Scorpion|Scorpion, Part II|Prey}})
 [[Image:Species 8472 close-up.jpg|thumb|left|A member of Species 8472.]]
-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 [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']], and [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] intended to return it to fluidic space. [[Seven of Nine]], however, refused to open a rift to Species 8472's realm. Shortly afterwards, in a struggle with one of the Hirogen hunters aboard Voyager, [[Seven of Nine]] took the opportunity, in defiance of Janeway's orders, to [[transporter|transport]] the individual to the Hirogen vessels, which then broke off their attack. ({{VOY|Prey}})
+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 [[month]]s. This individual was later rescued by the crew of USS ''Voyager'', and [[Captain]] [[Kathryn Janeway]] intended to return it to fluidic space. [[Seven of Nine]], however, refused to open a rift to Species 8472's realm. Shortly afterwards, in a struggle with one of the Hirogen hunters aboard Voyager, [[Seven of Nine]] took the opportunity, in defiance of Janeway's orders, to [[transporter|transport]] the individual to the Hirogen [[vessel]]s, which then broke off their attack. ({{VOY|Prey}})
-Concerned about the threat posed by [[Human]]ity with its modified nanoprobe-warheads, Species 8472 created a simulation of [[Starfleet Academy]] on [[Earth]] inside a Species 8472 [[biosphere]] in the Delta Quadrant as a training ground for a potential infiltration of the Federation. However, the plan was uncovered and eventually stopped by the crew of the [[USS Voyager|USS ''Voyager'']], who convinced Species 8472 that the Federation had no hostile intention toward them by giving them their modified nanoprobe warheads in hope that Species 8472 could adapt their vessels. ({{VOY|In the Flesh}})
+Concerned about the threat posed by [[Human]]ity with its modified nanoprobe-warheads, Species 8472 created a simulation of [[Starfleet Academy]] on [[Earth]] inside a Species 8472 [[biosphere]] in the Delta Quadrant as a training ground for a potential infiltration of the Federation. However, the plan was uncovered and eventually stopped by the crew of the USS ''Voyager'', who convinced Species 8472 that the Federation had no hostile intention toward them by giving them their modified nanoprobe warheads in hope that Species 8472 could adapt their vessels. ({{VOY|In the Flesh}})
-The Borg continued to patrol a border between our galaxy and fluidic space. [[Axum]] suggested that he would try to make contact with Species 8472 after he was liberated from "[[Unimatrix Zero]]". ({{VOY|Unimatrix Zero, Part II}})
+The Borg continued to patrol a [[border]] between our [[galaxy]] and fluidic space. [[Axum]] suggested that he would try to make contact with Species 8472 after he was liberated from "[[Unimatrix Zero]]". ({{VOY|Unimatrix Zero, Part II}})
 ==Biology==
 [[Image:Species 8472 blood cells.jpg|thumb|Species 8472 blood cells.]]
-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 Starfleet.  They are known to have as many as 5 sexes.  The Species' immune system is able to destroy anything which penetrates their body systems: chemical, biological, or technological.  They are impervious to normal Borg [[assimilation]] methods.  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 allowing Species 8472's cells to come into contact with a victim's where they will infect every system and consume it from the inside out.  In addition, if threatened, Species 8472 are able to commit suicide by releasing a cellular toxin into their bloodstreams.
+Species 8472 is tripedal, around three [[meter]]s tall, extremely [[muscle|muscular]], and biologically unique.  Their [[DNA]] is arranged in a triple helix formation, and is the most densely coded DNA ever encountered by [[Starfleet]].  They are known to have as many as 5 [[gender|sexes]].  The Species' [[immune system]] is able to destroy anything which penetrates their body systems: [[chemistry|chemical]], biological, or technological.  They are impervious to normal Borg assimilation methods.  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 allowing Species 8472's [[cell]]s to come into contact with a victim's where they will infect every system and consume it from the inside out.  In addition, if threatened, Species 8472 are able to commit [[suicide]] by releasing a cellular [[poison|toxin]] into their [[blood]]streams.
 [[Image:Species 8472 eye.jpg|thumb|left|A close-up of the eye of Species 8472.]]
-Physiologically, Species 8472 is non-humanoid.  They are able to withstand the vacuum of space.  It is probable that in fluidic space they are able to swim through the organic matter similar to their ships, which share their unique physiology.  They communicate exclusively via [[telepathy]].  [[Kes]] was able to make contact with Species 8472 while they were in conflict with the [[Borg]]; they vowed 'the weak will perish'.  They also generate a biogenic field, which makes them difficult to find with conventional [[sensor]]s.  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 field]]s and rip through [[bulkhead]]s with apparent ease.
+[[Physiology|Physiologically]], Species 8472 is non-humanoid.  They are able to withstand the vacuum of [[space]].  It is probable that in fluidic space they are able to swim through the [[organic]] [[matter]] similar to their ships, which share their unique physiology.  They communicate exclusively via [[telepathy]].  [[Kes]] was able to make contact with Species 8472 while they were in conflict with the Borg; they vowed 'the weak will perish'.  They also generate a [[biogenic field]], which makes them difficult to find with conventional [[sensor]]s.  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 field]]s and rip through [[bulkhead]]s with apparent ease.
 [[Image:Species 8472 courting.jpg|thumb|Two members of Species 8472 courting.]]
-They have very little soft tissue, and much of their skeleton is exposed, particularly around their necks.  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.  They appear purple to green depending on the lighting and have 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.
+They have very little soft tissue, and much of their [[skeleton]] is exposed, particularly around their necks.  Species 8472 does appear to have nostrils, suggesting a sense of smell; however, they possess no [[ear]]s or mouth and have distinctive cross-shaped [[eye|pupils]].  They appear purple to green depending on the [[light]]ing and have 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 [[extinction|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. ([[VOY]]: "[[Scorpion (episode)|Scorpion]]", [[VOY]]: "[[Scorpion, Part II]]", [[VOY]]: "[[In the Flesh]]", [[VOY]]: "[[Someone to Watch Over Me]]"; [[Star Trek: The Magazine]]: Issue 5)
+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 [[death|kill]] or sedate the creatures. ([[VOY]]: "[[Scorpion (episode)|Scorpion]]", [[VOY]]: "[[Scorpion, Part II]]", [[VOY]]: "[[In the Flesh]]", [[VOY]]: "[[Someone to Watch Over Me]]"; [[Star Trek: The Magazine]]: Issue 5)
 ==Technology==
 [[Image:Species 8472 working on console.jpg|right|thumb|A console on a bioship.]]
-The bioships used by Species 8472 are very advanced and share their unique genetic makeup.  They are living organic vessels capable of warp speed, and are very heavily armed and shielded.  Inside, the walls and floor appear to be flesh; spider web-like material is used in place of an [[EPS]] system.  The structural supports are made of bone.  The ship's computer is similar to a nervous system and uses neuropeptides.  The ships are native to fluidic space and are able to function as well in the organic matter of fluid space as they are in the vacuum of normal space.  They are also equipped to detect the pressure wave created when a vessel crosses into fluidic space from normal space.
+The bioships used by Species 8472 are very advanced and share their unique [[gene]]tic makeup.  They are living organic vessels capable of [[warp speed]], and are very heavily [[weapon|armed]] and [[shield]]ed.  Inside, the walls and floor appear to be flesh; [[spider]] web-like material is used in place of an [[EPS]] system.  The structural supports are made of [[bone]].  The ship's [[computer]] is similar to a [[nervous system]] and uses [[neuropeptide]]s.  The ships are native to fluidic space and are able to function as well in the organic matter of fluid space as they are in the vacuum of normal space.  They are also equipped to detect the [[pressure wave]] created when a vessel crosses into fluidic space from normal space.
-A bioship carries only one crew member, who acts as the pilot.  Its hull is resistant to conventional weaponry, including Borg assimilation, and also reflects sensor scans and [[tractor beam]]s.  The bioships are armed with energy beam [[weapon]]s. Although the beam appears less coherent than either Starfleet or Borg weapons, it is able to inflict greater damage; ''Voyager'' was knocked off course by a beam that just missed it.  Several bioships can combine their firepower to destroy entire planets.
+A bioship carries only one crew member, who acts as the [[pilot]].  Its [[hull]] is resistant to conventional weaponry, including Borg assimilation, and also reflects sensor scans and [[tractor beam]]s.  The bioships are armed with [[energy]] beam weapons. Although the beam appears less coherent than either Starfleet or Borg weapons, it is able to inflict greater damage; ''Voyager'' was knocked off course by a beam that just missed it.  Several bioships can combine their firepower to destroy entire planets.
 It is unknown whether the ships evolved naturally or if they were engineered to fit their task by Species 8472. ([[VOY]]: "[[Scorpion (episode)|Scorpion]]"; [[Star Trek: The Magazine]]: Issue 5)
@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 === Apocrypha ===
-Species 8472 is also one of the main species shown in the non-canon [[game]] [[Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force]]. In the game, the player must infiltrate a [[Borg cube]] infested with 8472 to locate a material called 'isodesium'. They are also the main enemy of the Borg in [[Star Trek: Armada II]].
+Species 8472 is also one of the main species shown in the [[canon|non-canon]] [[game]] ''[[Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force]]''. In the game, the player must infiltrate a [[Borg cube]] infested with 8472 to locate a [[material]] called 'isodesium'. They are also the main enemy of the Borg in ''[[Star Trek: Armada II]]''.
 [[Category:Species|Species 08472]]