Undine

An Undine

The Undine (known to the Borg as Species 8472) are a non-humanoid species indigenous to fluidic space, a parallel universe filled with organic fluid rather than vacuum. They are referred to by the Klingons as "qa'meH quv", meaning "replacers of honor with dishonor."

Physical features

Their DNA is formed by a triple helix which makes them very resistant to almost all forms of biological attack, including Borg assimilation. They stand approximately 3 meters tall and have a tripedal structure (three legs).

The Borg consider them to be "the apex of biological evolution".

Culture

A group of Undine

Little is known about Undine culture. They are quite xenophobic, and rule their part in fluidic space with force.

Technology

The Undine utilize organic technology comprised of the same material they themselves are made of. This makes their vessels unusually resilient against Borg attacks. They are also capable of shape-shifting using a form of genetic manipulation, and can switch between different forms at will.

History

• 2373:
  • The Borg discover the existence of the Undine, and invade fluidic space in an attempt to assimilate the species. The plan backfires, as the Undine are immune to their attacks and begin striking back at the Collective's territory in the Delta Quadrant.
  • The U.S.S. Voyager - having been stranded in the Delta Quadrant three years earlier - wanders into the crossfire and narrowly escapes destruction at the hands of a Nicor Cruiser. The crew discovers that the Undine intend to wipe out all life in the galaxy, and therefore represent a greater threat than the Borg. They form an alliance with the Collective, helping them to develop technology to use against the invaders in return for safe passage through Borg space.
• 2374:
  • Equipped with enhanced Borg technology, Voyager enters fludic space and destroys four Undine vessels in a show of force. After returning to normal space and defeating thirteen more, the Undine determine that the invasion is not worth the price and withdraw their ships.
• 2375:
  • Having identified the Federation as a greater threat than the Borg, the Undine prepare to infiltrate Starfleet using terraspheres as training ground for their agents. Voyager eventually discovers this, and Captain Janeway is able to open diplomatic channels and negotiate a cease-fire.
• 2395:
  • Ja'rod, the leader of the Klingon House of Duras, is attacked by three shape-shifting aliens during his shore leave on Rha'darus. He kills two of them and manages to incapacitate the third for further interrogation. The shape-shifter reveals that it is an Undine, and that it was sent to kill and subsequently impersonate Ja'rod to infiltrate the Klingon High Command.
• 2396:
  • Captain T'Vix of the U.S.S. Cochrane is relieved of duty, along with two senior officers, and detained at Facility 4028. All records of the incident are sealed.
• 2399:
  • The I.K.S. Kang returns to Qo'noS with evidence showing that Undine infiltrators are controlling the Gorn Hegemony and that they are responsible for the current conflict with the Klingon Empire. Chancellor J'mpok subsequently declares war on the Hegemony.
• 2400:
  • Worf makes a personal appeal to the Federation Council and Starfleet for Federation support of the Klingons' fight against the Undine infiltration of the Alpha Quadrant. When he is rebuffed, he cuts ties with the Federation.
• 2401:
  • Councilor Konjah of the Klingon High Council is revealed to be an Undine after he is attacked by Lethean Mercenaries. The members of the House of Konjah are killed or forced into hiding.
• 2404:
  • The Gorn Hegemony surrenders to the Klingon Empire, and the Klingons publicly execute more than a dozen Undine infiltrators in the Gorn government and military.

Politics

The Undine seem to have some form of state and military hierarchy, but neither the name nor the constitution are known.

Military

Starships

• Dahut Frigate
• Nicor Cruiser
• Vila Battleship
• Tethys Dreadnought

Ground forces

• Recruit
• Guardian
• Undine Aggressor
• Officer
• Psi Warrior
• Battle Leader
• Unit Commander
• Psi Commander
• Infiltrator
• Overseer
• War Master
• Psi Master

Bosses

• Ambassador Sokketh
• Admiral Zelle
• Captain T'Vala
• Terradome Commander

NPCs

See List of Undine NPCs

Missions involved

• “Diplomatic Orders”: The player's first encounter with an Undine is in the form of Ambassador Sokketh, who is an Undine in disguise.
• “Stop the Signal”: An Undine agent infiltrates a Klingon listening post in the Bomari System. When the player attacks the base, the agent retreats to its Tethys Dreadnought.
• “Divide et Impera”: An Undine impersonating Admiral Zelle sends the player on a wild-goose chase to the Vendor System in order to assume the identity of Commander Selok.
• “Facility 4028”: The player encounters the Undine who impersonated T'Vix during a prison break at Facility 4028.
• “Assimilation (Undine Front)”: The Borg have developed the technology needed to assimilate the Undine, and launch a second invasion of fluidic space. Meanwhile, a Cube begins assimilating the crew of a Vila Battleship in the NGC 4447 System.
• “Fluid Dynamics”: The player enters fluidic space and attempts to make peaceful contact with the Undine.
• “A Light in the Dark”: Celestara Mex, a powerful telepath, tries to make peace with the Undine.
• The Undine are one of the factions that will randomly attack a Federation starbase in:
  • “Fleet Alert”
  • “Fleet Transport Defense”
  • “Starbase Fleet Defense”
• “Colony Invasion”: The Undine are one of the factions that will randomly attack a Federation colony.

Notes

• The word "Undine" comes from the Greek word for "water", which relates to the nature of the Undine's realm, "fluidic space".
• When using the full Aegis set against Undine ships, the Reactive shielding procs both Antiproton and Plasma resistance. This indicates that the Undine energy weapon is some kind of Plasma/Antiproton hybrid, similar to the Plasma-Disruptor Hybrid Beam Array.

External links

• Species 8472 at Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki.
• Species 8472 at Memory Beta, the non-canon Star Trek Wiki.

---

Quick Faction Navigation Toolbar