Star Trek Confirms An Awesome Power For An Iconic Species

Published Oct 17, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

Star Trek has confirmed an awesome new superpower for one of its most iconic species. The Star Trek universe is loaded with unique and cool alien races, be they the Klingons, the Andorians or the Saurians. Each of these species contributes to the vast tapestry that is Star Trek.

The Caitians, introduced in Star Trek: The Animated Series, are another such alien race. Felinoid in nature, the Caitians have since gone on to appear in other animated shows, such as Doctor T’Ana on Star Trek: Lower Decks. The Caitians have also made sporadic appearances in live-action, most notably with M’Ress (who served as the Enterprise’s Communications Officer on The Animated Series), showing up on Strange New Worlds. Despite their lack of appearances in live-action, the Caitians have managed to work their way into the hearts and minds of Star Trek fans.

The Caitians are still mostly a blank slate in the Star Trek universe. Not much of their history is known, other than they were once war-like, and preyed on Betazoids in the distant past. As members in good standing of the Federation, the Caiitans have committed themselves to the organization’s ideals. Now, Star Trek has revealed the Caitians have a special ability that has gone unnoticed in the lore.

The Caitians Can "Smell" Emotions, As Seen in Star Trek: Zero Point

In Star Trek: Zero Point #1, written by Charlie Jane Anders and drawn by Isaac Sanchez Gonzalez, fans meet Lieutenant Derril Zaf, a Caitian raised by the Ferengi. He is the Helmsman of the USS Endeavor, which has just been given a new mission: working with a new AI, christened “Sybil” by Starfleet, the ship confronts threats to the Federation, taking care of them at a formative stage before they can progress to a true problem.

Needless to say, the ship’s new mission does not sit well with some of the crew, including Junar Mot, a newly joined Trill who serves as the Endeavour’s Counselor. After Captain Raffi adjourns the mission briefing, Zaf approaches Mot on the bridge. Zaf tells Mot he (Zaf) can smell the Trill’s anxiety. Furthermore, Zaf is able to conclude that Mot is “the biggest mess on the ship. And that’s saying something.” Zaf then scurries off to his post.

Zaf sensed the young Trill’s doubts and fears, and called him out on it. Zaf’s comment about Mot being a “big mess” was out of line, but also the truth. The Ferengi sometimes make good points about human (or in this case, Trill) nature. Zaf, who spent his formative years with the hyper-greedy race, is cut from the same cloth as Quark and Rom.

The Caitians New Ability Makes Them Even Cooler

The Caitians Are Now In The Company Of The Vulcans

In their 52 years as part of the Star Trek universe, the Caitians have never demonstrated any kind of ability to “smell” or sense emotions in any way. This revelation in Zero Point’s first issue adds a cool layer to the Caitians. There are other species in the Star Trek franchise who can sense emotions, including the Caitians’ former prey, the Betazoids, but these abilities derive from brain structure and chemistry. The Caitians, on the other hand, can smell it, using shifts in pheromones as clues and indicators.

The Caitians stunning new ability also has some intriguing implications for the larger Star Trek universe. This power would make Caitians good for Counselor positions on starships. The Betazoid Deanna Troi used her inherent powers in her role as Ship’s Counselor on the Enterprise, and there is no reason Caiitans like Derrill Zaf cannot do the same. The issue does not dwell on it too far, and never discusses any limitations the power may have.

This new ability of the Caitians elevates them further in the Star Trek universe. Some of the franchise’s best races have some kind of psychic abilities, such as the Vulcans, and now the Caitians can count themselves in good company. The Caitians “blank slate” status in Star Trek continuity allows creators to do interesting stuff with them, like revealing they can detect emotions. Other cool aspects of Caitian's culture are no doubt waiting to be discovered as the franchise continues to grow.

Star Trek: Zero Point #1 is on sale now from IDW Publishing!