A Metamorph
The Psychon race, due to its unique cellular and molecular structure, has the ability to metamorphose. Maya is able to change into any lifeform — insect, reptile, plant, mammal, humanoid (including ugly space monsters) — for about an hour. She has used her ability to get the crew of Moonbase Alpha out of a variety of problematic situations.
Maya was instructed on how to change form by Mentor, and from mastery of this skill has come to be known as a metamorph capable of molecular transformation. She achieves this transformation by concentrating on the molecular structure of the creature she wishes to emulate. While transformed, she retains her own knowledge and identity. In 'All That Glisters', it is noted that she can transform into anything organic. It is noted that Maya can only hold a form for one hour. In 'The Taybor', a kidnapped Maya is able to win her freedom from her captor by threatening to lock herself into a hideous transformation "forever" (one must assume she was understandably fibbing in this case). In the episode 'The Rules of Luton' is also implied that, after the hour, she must change back to her original form rather than transforming directly to a different form. (This was seen to not be true as Maya had been pictured changing directly from one animal form to another in 'The Metamorph' and 'The Taybor'.) Maya has also been witnessed transforming selected parts of her body; for example, her hairstyle. Her clothing and any accessories in contact with her body, if desired, can also be involved in the transformation.
When seriously ill or feverish, Psychons have been known to lose 'molecular control' and, in their delirium, transform uncontrollably into random lifeforms. During the events of 'Space Warp' a delirious Maya used her abilities to thwart any attempt to restrain or control her while transformed; her sub-conscious mind was still able to make appropriate transformation choices for each situation. The Alphans were finally able to capture her and nurse her back to health before she attained her delusional goal: to escape from the Moon and return to Psychon — to save her father.
The ability to shape-change is not known by all Psychons, as mentioned in the episode 'Dorzak' which featured the deranged Psychon prisoner of that name. He did not initially know how to transform, but used his powers of hypnosis on Maya to make her teach him how to do so. The fact that he learned it so quickly could indicate it is possibly a latent ability in all Psychons, but this is never expanded upon.
Although never stated in the programme, this talent may have something to do with the unique regenerative characteristics of the Psychon brain-stem, which is sought by their imperialistic enemies the Dorcons. The Dorcons have hunted Psychons throughout their history as they believe a Psychon brain-stem grants them virtual immortality when surigcally grafted onto a Dorcon brain. In an encounter with the Imperial Archon and his entourage in 'The Dorcons', the Alphans witnessed the infighting within the imperial court that destroyed the dying leader and his heir. There is no guarantee that other members of this species will not, some day, come searching for what they believe is the last of the Psychons.
Read more about this topic: Maya (Space: 1999)