A humanoid civilization of Malcor III, on the edge of warp flight, whose first contact was complicated when an undercover Riker landed in one of their hospitals.
The Malcorians are humanoids of Malcor III, a world on the verge of developing warp drive. Though similar to humans in outward appearance, they differ from them in internal anatomy.
The Federation studied Malcorian society in secret before approaching them. In First Contact, Commander William T. Riker was injured while posing as a Malcorian and was taken to hospital, where his alien anatomy was quickly discovered. Security minister Krola tried to use Riker to prove that the visitors were hostile.
Picard revealed himself to Chancellor Avel Durken, aided by science minister Mirasta Yale, who had long dreamed of contact with other worlds. Durken decided his people were not ready for the shock and chose to delay their warp programme. Mirasta asked to leave with the Enterprise, and Picard granted her request.