Unveiling the Enigmatic Realm of Fluidic Space in Star Trek

Highlights

Star Trek: Voyager introduced fans to fluidic space, an unexplored region in the Delta Quadrant, where the Borg encountered the powerful Species 8472.

Species 8472's telepathic abilities and robust immune system render them resistant to assimilation by the Borg, inadvertently sparking a conflict between them, the Borg, and the remaining entities in the galaxy.

Fluidic space, an alternate dimension devoid of stars, planets, or other heavenly bodies, consists of organic fluid. Species 8472 utilizes organic materials to construct bioships and exhibits a preference for biological technology over cybernetics.

Star Trek: Voyager premiered in 1995, offering fans a glimpse into an entirely new sector of space. The crew of Voyager not only ventured into the uncharted territory of the Delta Quadrant, but they also encountered strange dimensions and anomalies along their journey. Among these uncharted regions was fluidic space, a previously unknown area within the Star Trek universe.

Producer Jeri Taylor, along with Brannon Braga and CGI Effects Director Dan Curry, developed this unique region and its inhabitants for the series. The introduction of fluidic space captivated both fans and Kate Mulgrew. Despite being featured in a few episodes, fluidic space remains largely unexplored. Both Starfleet and fans have limited knowledge about this mysterious space that was first encountered by the Borg. However, one thing that is certain is that opening certain doors can lead to unforeseen consequences, as the Borg discovered.

What Resides in Fluidic Space?

The Borg represent one of the most formidable threats in the Star Trek universe. These beings, driven by the pursuit of perfection, assimilate their enemies and rely on phaser fire as their primary means of attack. They have never encountered an alien species that they couldn't assimilate, until they came face-to-face with Species 8472. Unlike most aliens encountered in Star Trek, Species 8472 is non-humanoid and is only recognized by its designated name, given by the Borg themselves.

In the final episode of season three, titled "Scorpion," Captain Janeway and the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager have their first encounter with Species 8472. They are taken by surprise when they witness Borg vessels fleeing from a smaller ship that inflicts significant damage upon the Borg cubes. This unusual behavior raises questions for the crew, as the Borg are typically portrayed as the terrifying antagonists of the Star Trek universe.

The Voyager crew discovers that Species 8472, a telepathic alien race, possesses an extraordinary immune system that renders them immune to assimilation by the Borg. In season four, it is revealed that the Borg accidentally initiated a conflict with Species 8472 when they created a pathway to their home, known as fluidic space. As a result, a war broke out involving Species 8472, the Borg, and the rest of the galaxy. Species 8472 became determined to eradicate all life in the Milky Way and established a staging ground for a preemptive attack.

To gain a better understanding of their enemy, Species 8472 replicated Starfleet Academy in San Francisco and covertly assumed the identities of Starfleet members. This revealed their ability to shapeshift. However, Commander Chakotay and Tuvok managed to infiltrate the staging ground and gain the trust of "Commander Valerie Archer" and the leader disguised as Boothby, a well-known groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy. Through negotiations, Chakotay and Tuvok were able to win over Boothby and establish a friendly relationship with Species 8472. Subsequently, the species returned to fluidic space and has since remained there.

What is Fluidic Space?

Although Voyager and Borg cubes are capable of traversing fluidic space, it is vastly different from the normal space in the Milky Way galaxy. In order for beings from the normal space to enter fluidic space, they can only do so through interdimensional rifts created by quantum singularities. (This can be achieved using the deflector array to execute complex maneuvers and create an opening.)

Fluidic space exists as an alternate dimension and serves as the exclusive domain of Species 8472. There are no other inhabitants, including stars, planets, or other celestial bodies. It is not a welcoming environment for outsiders, as the entire dimension is filled with organic fluid, leading to the name "fluidic space." Entities from Species 8472 possess the ability to detect the movements of other beings throughout fluidic space, making it virtually impossible to enter the dimension undetected.

However, the organic nature of the space is not the only remarkable aspect. Species 8472, known for their preference for biological technology, constructs their "bioships" using organic materials. Interestingly, these bioships are designed to mimic the genetic composition of the species themselves, blurring the line between pilot and ship. The hulls and structural supports of these ships are crafted from bone and flesh, while their central computers bear a resemblance to humanoid nervous systems, as observed by the crew of Voyager.

Similar to starships traversing fluidic space, the bioships of Species 8472 possess the ability to navigate both normal and fluidic space effortlessly. They are equipped with warp capabilities, defensive shields, and formidable weapons. Although it remains uncertain whether this extradimensional species inhabits a single planet, the absence of celestial bodies in fluidic space suggests otherwise. This raises questions about their origins and the processes involved in their ship manufacturing. Perhaps, in the future, Star Trek will delve deeper into the exploration of this species and provide a more comprehensive understanding of fluidic space.