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. 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 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 numerous Borg planets, thousands of Borg ships and billions of Borg drones. Species 8472 was forced to retreat when the crew of the Voyager armed warheads with modified nanoprobes, 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 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. It later proved to be irrelevant because in a struggle with the Hirogen, Seven of Nine transported the individual to the Hirogen vessels, which then broke off their attack.

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.

Biology

The anatomy and biology of Species 8472 is unique and totally unlike that observed in any species native to the Milky Way Galaxy. They have a dense genetic structure with a triple-helix arrangement of bases and a powerful immune system, which makes them resistant to invasion by chemical, biological, and mechanical contaminants; including Borg assimilation, although Borg nanoprobes have been modified and used as a weapon against Species 8472's bioships. They possess three legs and communicate exclusively via telepathy. Furthermore, their species is composed of five different sexes. Their starships and weapons are mainly composed of biological components.

Technology

All technology of Species 8472 is based on biological components, like their biologically-engineered bioships. Eight bioships are able to combine their firepower, which creates enough destructive energy to destroy entire planets.

8472 as Gods

Sometime after word of 8472 reached the Alpha Quadrant, a mysterious cult known as the Brotherhood of Kro'al formed. The Brotherhood believes that the members of Species 8472 are the rightful Gods of this realm, and have conducted numerous acts of terrorism in attempts to open a permanent gateway into Fluidic space.