A member of the Dream species
Another member of the species
The "dream species" were a species found in the Delta Quadrant. They were humanoid with prominent head ridges and orange skin.
Although they were corporeal, they used technology to exist in a collective dream state. They broadcast this collective dream into the surrounding space and used it to trap starship crews in a shared dream. The crews then eventually perished as their bodies lacked consumption of food and water. This seemed to be a defensive measure although it may have been a method of attack. It is also unknown if this species operated real starships, because any seen in the dream state may have been illusionary.
The species (or at least a group of them) were found as hundreds of sleeping bodies in a cavern on a planet, near a machine that created a neurogenic field that allowed the dream state to exist.
The race was encountered in 2374 by the USS Voyager but was defeated by Lieutenant Commander Chakotay, who had unusual command of his dream using a technique called lucid dreaming. With this method, he was able to locate the sleeping aliens in a cavern on a planet. He then dismantled a transmitter that the aliens used for their dream attacks, ending the crew's nightmares. (VOY: "Waking Moments")
- The dream species might wake up from time to time as a collective, because most humanoids have to feed and reproduce, which they probably cannot do in their sleep mode.
- The "Dream Alien" was played by Mark Colson, the guard was played by Stewart Coleman.