Character

Alien Probe

disruptive tactically evasive (withdraws after strike) elusive inscrutable intent non‑corporeal/energetic resistant to conventional weaponry intrusive predatory enigmatic rapid

An unnamed, non‑corporeal alien energy presence that initiates sudden, catastrophic shipboard and planetary assaults. The Intruder appears as a glowing, predatory force that resists conventional countermeasures (phasers and physical containment), disrupts ship systems, and incapacitates or injures personnel (notably zapping O'Brien during a Transporter Room Three incursion). It acts without discernible diplomacy or motive and functions as a recurring catalytic antagonist whose incursions expose strategic vulnerabilities aboard the Enterprise. (Appears in multiple TNG episodes including 'The Bonding' and 'Evolution'.)

6 appearances

Starship Internal Systems Disruption

Also known as: glowing energy form, intruders, Alien Probe, assailants, energy force, attackers, the intruders, alien intruder

Alien Probe's Journey

A timeline through the narrative

6 moments

S1E13 · The Big Goodbye

Alien Probe Traverses Enterprise, Causing System Flicker

Unfeeling and mechanical, operating with a single-minded purpose to infiltrate and disturb the ship's normal function.

The alien probe aggressively traverses the internal corridors of the USS Enterprise, physically penetrating the ship’s secure interior and causing a brief, unsettling disruption in the ship’s systems as evidenced …

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S3E1 · Evolution

Ultimatum in Sickbay: Stubbs' Plea

Not personified in scene; characterized as an external, threatening presence provoking fear and calls for extermination.

The Intruder is referenced by name only—Stubbs pleads 'Kill them'—and functions as the implied source of the renewed nanite assault that causes shipwide shudders and lights flickering, escalating the crisis.

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S3E5 · The Bonding

Incursion at Transporter Room Three

Alien and inscrutable — its actions are purposeful but lack human emotion; its behavior reads as predatory and utilitarian.

The Intruder manifests as a glowing energy form in Transporter Room Three, emits a forceful zap that drives O'Brien from the console, repels arriving security and briefly withdraws back into …

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S3E5 · The Bonding

Phantom Slips Worf; Marla Tightens Her Hold on Jeremy

Calculated and possessive — projects comforting familiarity to gain control over Jeremy while eluding technical containment.

Non‑corporeal energy that darts through Transporter Room Three components, leaves the room, and manifests as Marla to shepherd Jeremy possessively into their quarters, physically blocking Troi from taking the child.

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S3E5 · The Bonding

Transporters Offline, Forcefields Contain the Illusion

Predatory calm—it seeks connection through imitation and possession rather than open aggression.

The Intruder manifests as Marla, leads Jeremy into the corridor, places a possessive arm around him, resists Troi's intervention, and probes the ship's physical boundaries—it is both predator and seducer, …

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S3E5 · The Bonding

Picard Breaks the Field — Marla Clutches Jeremy

Non-human predatory focus; coldly instrumental, using imitation and possessiveness to control the child.

The Intruder manifests as Marla, leads Jeremy out of his quarters, places a possessive arm around him, physically rebuffs Troi, and uses the corridor force-field trap to attempt to keep …

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