Nucleogenic lifeform A nucleogenic lifeform is an entity whose molecular structure is capable of storing a great deal of a form of energy which can be used to drastically augment a vessel ' s warp propulsion system . In 2376 , the crew of the encountered a series of sentient nucleogenic lifeforms which originated from an extra - dimensional realm . Capable of gaining access to the normal spacetime continuum via the generation of interspatial fissure s , they were only able to survive outside their own realm for short periods of time before they were forced to retreat back through the fissure . The " Equinox " crew was introduced to these lifeforms by the Ankari , a species native to the Delta Quadrant , who regarded the lifeforms as " spirits of good fortune . " Deciding to assist the " Equinox " crew , whose ship was badly damaged and running low on essential supplies , they provided fuel and parts , and then summoned their " spirits " in order to bless the crew ' s journey home . Scanning the lifeforms , the " Equinox " crew discovered that they were emitting high levels of antimatter , and subsequently constructed a multiphasic chamber to confine the lifeforms for the purpose of study . During the course of their examination , however , the " Equinox " crew found they were unable to release the lifeform from the chamber , resulting in the lifeform ' s death . Examining the remains , the crew discovered that they could be converted into a source of fuel with which to augment their warp drive . The crew performed this action by modifying the multiphasic chamber with a polaron grid and a submolecular resequencer to convert the remains into a crystal line compound . They then biochemically altered the compound to extract the base proteins , thereby gaining access to the nucleogenic energy stored within . Instituting the necessary warp core modifications , the " Equinox " successfully traveled over ten thousand light year s in less than two weeks . However , since the energy extracted from a single lifeform was only useful in increasing their warp factor by 0 . 03 percent for a single month , the crew began to systematically murder more of the lifeforms and perform the procedure repeatedly , presenting them with the possibility of returning to the Alpha Quadrant in mere months . The lifeforms , however , were not incapable of defending themselves , and began attacking the " Equinox " . Although the " Equinox " s shields were effective in preventing the lifeforms from opening their fissures within the habitable volume of the ship , the lifeforms were able to systematically drain their shields by opening the fissures in close proximity to the shield perimeter , attacking and killing " Equinox " crewmembers by inducing a fatal thermolytic reaction through physical contact upon penetration of the shields . The " Equinox " was weathering one of these retaliatory attacks when they were discovered by the crew of the , another Starfleet vessel which had been stranded in the Delta Quadrant . Using their own shields to reinforce the " Equinox " s , the " Voyager " crew assisted in defending against the attacks . Personnel from both vessels cooperatively developed an auto - initiating security grid which would trap the lifeforms behind a multiphasic force field whenever one appeared . After the " Voyager " crew uncovered the illegal actions of " Equinox " crew , however , the " Equinox " crew stole " Voyager " s field generator and withdrew , planning to continue their experiments . ( ) Meanwhile , the lifeforms continued to besiege " Voyager " . As the crew was unable to capture the " Equinox " or develop a translation matrix for the lifeforms ' language , Commander Chakotay suggested that they seek out the Ankari as intermediaries . Through them , Captain Janeway promised the lifeforms that she would allow them to destroy the " Equinox " if they halted their attacks . When " Voyager " finally intercepted the " Equinox " , Rudolph Ransom , the ship ' s captain , agreed to surrender to Janeway , having experienced a change of heart . In response , Ransom ' s first officer , Lieutenant Maxwell Burke , staged a mutiny , taking command and attempting to destroy " Voyager " . Ransom was able to gain access to transporter control and beam the majority of the surviving crewmembers to " Voyager " . Upon the disengagement of the " Equinox " s shields , the lifeforms gained access , killing the remaining crewmembers and destroying the ship by attacking the warp core . Upon the destruction of the " Equinox " , the lifeforms retreated back to their native realm . ( )