Medusan emblem.
The Medusans are a civilization of intelligent non-humanoids native to the planet Visalayan in the Xi Hydrae star system. Their outward appearance would drive a Human insane if they looked at one directly without a protective visor. (TOS video game: Starfleet Academy: Strategic Command)
Overview[]
The Medusans were highly intelligent nonphysical beings composed of electromagnetic energy. They demonstrated highly advanced scientific capabilities and had telepathic powers that were more advanced than any other race within the United Federation of Planets. When necessary, a Medusan was capable of traveling onboard a Federation starship, though this required them to be within highly specialized electromagnetic containers. There was a great deal of danger in such cases, as whilst their mental thoughts were sublime, their physical appearance was so hideous to humanoids that they would drive them insane. Special viewers were required by individuals who sought to see a Medusan outside their protective containers as they filtered out the dangerous frequencies, thus lessening the potential damage. (TOS episode: "Is There in Truth No Beauty?")
The Medusans were expert starship navigators and had developed interstellar navigation into a fine art, which was attributed to their unique sensory system. One theory suggested that the race was capable of electromagnetically identifying as well as locking onto guide stars, even those that were beyond deep sensor range. They had a distinct form of beauty and were delighted by the many forms of art available to them since their entry into the Federation. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation)
Their understanding of physics and mathematics were among the most advanced of the different cultures within the Federation. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
Medusan starships were equipped with specialist feeding chambers. (TOS novel: Spectre)
History[]
At a distant point in their history, the Medusans were a corporeal humanoid species until they reached a point where they evolved beyond their physical form. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
This current appearance/form of the species was achieved 600,000 years earlier. Around 150,000 years ago, the Medusans engaged in space exploration. (Last Unicorn RPG module: All Our Yesterdays: The Time Travel Sourcebook)
Contact with later era humanoid races led to such species suffering from severe psychological damage or even permanent brain damage as well as madness. Thus, to avoid accidental exposure, the Medusans seldom left their home system, and even when they did, it was under the strictest of conditions. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
Contact between them and the Federation was extremely limited. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation)
Despite this, they eventually joined the United Federation of Planets, where they held the position as one of the oldest species within their ranks by the 23rd century. (FASA RPG module: The Federation)
In the 24th century, Galaxy-class starships possessed an Interactive Navigational Control System for use by Medusan Specialists who were stationed on board. (FASA RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Officer's Manual)
Several Medusan navigators once visited Deep Space 9, where they were entertained by Quark. (DS9 - Millennium novel: Inferno)
In the late 24th century, a Medusan was imprisoned in the Tars Lamora prison complex in the Delta Quadrant. It was forced to expose newly arrived prisoners to its native appearance, turning them into mindless slaves. Eventually, it fashioned a containment suit and escaped confinement, becoming known as Fugitive Zero. Gathering other prisoners, Zero escaped aboard the USS Protostar. (PRD episode: "Lost and Found")
Known Medusans[]
External link[]
- Medusan article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.