Bothan infiltrator (2372)
The Botha are a reclusive, apparently humanoid race who inhabit a region of space in the Delta Quadrant. Hostile to outsiders, most vessels which enter their space are never seen again. In 2372, the USS Voyager crossed their space and attempted to negotiate passage. Almost the entire crew was neutralized in an elaborate series of hallucinations which left them in catatonic states.
The hallucinations began with visions of various people from the target's memory, gradually becoming more inclusive until the person becomes trapped in a fantasy reality. They initially registered as a product of a biogenic field being projected by three Bothan ships. However, both the hallucinations and the ships themselves were a product of Bothan telepathy, as well as the Bothan which appeared aboard Voyager. Bothan telepathy can be defeated by telepathically "mirroring" its effects back onto the perpetrator. Kes was able to use this technique to disrupt the Bothan hold on the crew.
Once she did, the Bothan vanished from the ship, informing them that he had no reason for attacking them other than that he could. It was never discovered where the Bothan actually was. (VOY: "Persistence of Vision")
- The name of this species seems to be a homage to the Bothan race in the Star Wars films.