USS Voyager in fluidic space in 2374.
A Species 8472 outpost with bioships in 2377.
Fluidic space was an extra-dimensional realm that was filled with an organic liquid medium rather than the open space of the Milky Way galaxy's dimension. Fluidic space was the home of Species 8472, and was accessible from the regular universe via quantum singularities. It was not possible to use either warp or transwarp drives within fluidic space. (VOY episode: "Scorpion"; ST video game: Armada II)
History and specifics[]
Properties[]
While it was believed that the Species 8472 Undine were the only inhabitants of this realm, this was not entirely true. In the beginning of the 25th century it was discovered that at least one cosmozoan lifeform known as the Gekli inhabited fluidic space. Furthermore, these massive organisms had humanoid symbionts within them known as the Hylasa. In addition, while the majority of fluidic space was filled with liquid medium, it was known that there were large organic-based land mass clusters of matter similar to coral reefs that were a rough equivalent of planets within this extradimensional realm. (STO - Undine Advance mission: "Fluid Dynamics")
Fluidic space disrupted the neural processes of Aetherians, a species from a parallel universe. (STO - Kings & Queens mission: "Scorpion's Abyss")
History[]
Early encounters[]
In 2373, fluidic space was discovered by the Borg Collective, who launched an invasion into the realm hoping to assimilate the highly biologically-developed Species 8472. The Borg's attempts proved futile and in response Species 8472 launched a counter attack, aiming to wipe out life in the galaxy, starting with the Borg.
After several months of heavy losses the Borg were contacted by the crew of the USS Voyager who agreed to help them develop a weapon to fight Species 8472 in exchange for safe passage through Borg space. The Borg agreed, and later in the development of the weapon forced Voyager to enter fluidic space to test the weapon on Species 8472 vessels.
The test was a success and Species 8472's forces retreated back into fluidic space. (VOY episode: "Scorpion")
Invasion[]
An extradimensional starship invading fluidic space.
In 2377, Species 8472 launched a new offensive on the Milky Way. They created three large rifts through which to enter the galaxy and also developed the fluidic gate, an organic structure which they used to make smaller quantum singularities to allow additional reinforcements to travel through from fluidic space.
Species 8472's renewed hostilities eventually prompted the Borg and the Federation to form an alliance to fight back. The combined forces of the Borg and Federation successfully captured the Alpha Quadrant end of one of the three rifts and then launched an offensive into fluidic space to destroy the Rift Maker, a large Species 8472 organism that was holding the three rifts open.
Upon destruction of the Rift Maker the allied forces made a swift retreat back into the Milky Way before the rifts collapsed, holding off Species 8472's invasion. (ST video game: Armada II)
Following the detonation of a multiverse-disrupting bomb by the rogue android Lore in 2378, the ambient temperature in fluidic space rose, beginning to boil its inhabitants. When the USS Theseus arrived from the primary universe, Species 8472 boarded the Starfleet ship. Acting captain Lieutenant Tom Paris and his crew outmaneuvered the boarders. Tandela/T'Lir engaged in telepathic contact. The fluidic natives' goal was to use the Theseus to escape their doomed universe. When a diplomatic solution was found, Captain Sisko resumed command and the Theseus moved to the Kelvin timeline. (ST - IDW - When the Walls Fell comic: "Part 1")
Path to the 25th century[]
Fluidic Space, home to the Undine.
In the years leading to 2409, it was revealed that Species 8472 had renewed their infiltration techniques and hostilities against the galaxy. (ST reference: The Path to 2409)
This led to hostilities not only against the Borg Collective but against the Federation and Klingon Empire. (STO - Klingon War mission: "Diplomatic Orders")
In an effort to end further hostilities with the Undine and thus remove the threat posed by them in order to focus on the Borg; Starfleet decided to send a diplomatic delegation into fluidic space by way of a quantum singularity found in the Zemet system. After entry into this extradimensional realm, the Starfleet force tried and failed to dissuade the Undine from further attacks. However, they did make first contact with another native race to this extradimensional realm known as the Hylasa. (STO - Undine Advance mission: "Fluid Dynamics")
Alternate realities[]
Kilana was abducted with her Jem'Hadar by the Caretaker. She attempted to rejoin the Dominion by returning to the Gamma Quadrant. In an alternate reality, she was found by Kathryn Janeway. After a deal with the Voth went wrong, she found herself trapped in fluidic space. (VOY - Myriad Universes - Infinity's Prism novella: Places of Exile)
Appendices[]
Appearances[]
- VOY episode: "Scorpion" (first appearance)
- ST video game: Armada II
- VOY - Myriad Universes - Infinity's Prism novella: Places of Exile
- STO - Undine Advance mission: "Fluid Dynamics"
External links[]
- Fluidic space article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Fluidic space article at Star Trek Online Wiki.