Efati

The Efati are a humanoid race that inhabits the Class L planet of Efata, hidden within the Phendrana Drifts in the Alpha Quadrant. Nothing was known of this species until 2386, when in response to several ships missing near the Drifts, the USS Eclipse was dispatched to investigate. It was discovered that the Efati had long been known by the neighboring Arbazan, who refused to share the intelligence with the Federation.

Given their hostility and secrecy aided by the nearby Drifts, the Efati history and original culture is a mystery. Several large ancient stone pyramids are located around the planet, which appear to serve as the centers of Efati life. However, it was discovered by the Eclipse crew that sometime in their past the people came in contact with the Borg. Although how this contact came to be is unknown, the mostly pre-industrial and pagan peoples began to worship and immolate them. The entire society shifted to one intent on becoming Borg, although technology and intelligence-wise they were nowhere near as advanced. It is believed that the Efati began to use, copy, and develop Borg technology that had crashed on their planet many years ago. Lacking an industrial, scientific, and medical base, they resolved to use captured alien equipment and tech in their own method of "assimilation". There is no use of cybernetics (again, something they don't understand); the Efati instead use biological (typically viral) means to achieve a Borg-like state and do their best to act the part.

Like their gods, the Efati use inferior copies of Borg starships to prowl the Drifts for people and technology to assimilate.