A member of the Dream species.
Another member of the species.
The dream species are a race found in the Delta Quadrant. They are humanoid with prominent head ridges and orange skin.
Although they are corporeal, they use technology to exist in a collective dream state. They broadcast this collective dream into the surrounding space and use it to trap starship crews in a shared dream. The crews then eventually perish as their bodies lack consumption of food and water. This seems to be a defensive measure although it may be a method of attack. It is also unknown if this species operates real starships, because the one seen in the dream state might have just been an illusion.
The species (or at least a group of them) are found as hundreds of sleeping bodies in a cavern on a planet, near a machine that creates a neurogenic field that allows 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.