Vissian

			Intelligent Lifeform Index

Vissian
Four Letter Code	VISS
Federation Status	Members
Planet of Origin	Vissia
Encountered	ENT: Cogenitor
T/E Rating	T0/E0
Current Tech Level	N
List of Named Vissians
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"The gaining of knowledge is a journey best enjoyed one step at a time."

a Vissian proverb.

The Vissian are a species that requires 3 sexes in order to procreate and have a thirst for knowledge.

Home System

• Quadrant: Beta
• Location: Donatu Sector (coordinates B23-0002-1300)
• Proper Name: Vissia system
• Star: It orbits a class F (Yellow-White) star
• Distance from Star:its orbit is approximately 38 million km
• Companions: It is the 2nd of 8 planets in the system
• Moons: it has 2 moons.

Home World

• Proper Name: Vissia (Sometimes called Vissia Prime)
• Diameter: 21,210 km (13,179 miles)
• Gravity: 0.97 standard gravity with a density of 3.2
• Axial Tilt: 12.7%, with normal seasonal changes
• Orbital Period: 369 days
• Rotational Period: 22.9 hours
• Classification: M
• Surface Water: 52%
• Atmosphere: 1.28 % is a high standard pressure with 73% nitrogen, 26% oxygen, 1% trace chemicals
• Climate: Mainly a temperate planet with a large arctic poles region.
• Terrain: It has forests, rolling plains, hills, swamps, deserts and mountains.
• Population: Just over 6 billion

History

The Vissians have had a fairly peaceful history, one with no internal wars, conflicts or revolutions to mar there peaceful search for new knowledge. They expanded to cover the entirety of their world, developed swiftly but surely with quick advances in agriculture, building and transportation. These were then followed by advances in the various medical fields and lastly in the sciences and engineering.

There are four main continents on Vissia -- Vondar, Maarik, Drennar, and Thillan. Male surnames are a combination of the continent on which they were born and their mother's last names. Female names remain unchanged through generations. Cogenitors can choose either designation, or make their own. Many people take their cogenitor's name into their own as a middle name.

They mastered warp technology in the 12th century and did not expand, content to explore and discover everything they could about their tiny corner of the universe before they ventured out any further in to it.

While they had established peaceful first contact with a small number of minor species it was not till they made first contact with the NX-01 Enterprise in 2153 that their view on the universe and other species started to change. While this meeting generally proceeded well, the interference of the humans into what the Vissians believed was a logical procreative system forced them to examine and abolish that system that had lasted for generations in regard to their 3rd gender called the cogenitors.

Further contact was established between the Vissians and the humans which resulted in the sudden introduction and installation of photonic torpedo technology on the Enterprise by Starfleet only four months after the first contact with the Vissians. This was a direct result of the growing friendship between the two species.

As a result it was no surprise that a delegation of Vissians were present and allowed to observe the deliberations that eventually resulted in the creation of the Federation.

In 2156, the Enterprise visited Vissia Prime so that Jonathan Archer and T'Pol could request that the Grand Moot bring Vissia into the Earth-Romulan War on Earth's side. The Vissians denied Jonathan Archer's request that they enter the war even though the Enterprise was damaged while protecting a Vissian outpost.

After the end of the war contact and negotiations continued between the Vissians and the Federation. With the complete overhaul of their outdated thinking in regards to their 3rd gender called the cogenitors they requesting admission and in 2187 they became members of the Federation.

Since that time they have been firm supporters of most of the Federations policies, especially those that impacted on the search for new knowledge.

Government

The Vissians have a progressive and democratic central government which has always been willing to do whatever was needed to ensure the safety and prosperity of both their people and their world. As a result after their initial friendly contact with the humans in 2153 further contact was established which eventually resulted in their becoming members of the Federation in 2187.

Grand Moot

The leader of their government is called the Grand Moot. It is an elected position that requires an individual with exceptional educational credentials and proven mental facilities that will allow them to consider many factors and reach a logical and productive decision quickly.

Vissian Minister of Science

The Minister of Science is a member of Vissia Prime's government responsible for scientific advancement. Some even consider the position to be almost equivalent to a deputy Grand Moot position as it may be the second most powerful position in their government.

In 2156, BoteJ'Ref served as the Minister of Science and because of his influence with the government in 2157, he was able to use his position to have the Enterprise repaired after it attempted to save a Vissian outpost.

Cogenitor Services and Affairs

This could be the most important branch of their government when it comes to the survival of their species. It controls, creates and governs the system and rules by which couples can apply for and receive the services of a cogenitor which is a mandatory requirement in order for them to procreate.

Description

Vissians are typical humanoids distinguishable by crescent-shaped, segmented ridges circling their eyes on the side of their heads in the region known as the temple. Other than that they come in a variety of sizes, shapes and hair color just like humans.

Physiology

As with most intelligent humanoid species they have a very complex system with specialized organs, and unique hormones, chemicals and enzymes. They are typical humanoids with most of the physical, mental and biological medical problems that seem to plague most humanoids.

Their sense of smell is especially acute. Though not as nuanced as a Terran dog, their range of scent is wider than a typical Human. They have the ability to detect things like fear and anger. Thus, Vissian appreciation of food is based on aroma rather than taste. Of Human foods tried, they tend to like the different varieties of cheese the most.

Unusually (for Human standards) the Vissians had three genders: Male, female, and cogenitor. The third gender make up only 3% of the population and were treated as inferior, existing only for facilitating reproduction between males and females. That believe and treatment ended prior to their being admitted into the Federation. Now those members of the cogenitor minority gender have just as much freedom to pursue knowledge, occupations and experiences however most of them never leave their homeworld and those few that do, do so only for short periods of time. This is mainly due to their knowledge that the future of their species is dependent on them.

All three genders are necessary for reproduction. Males and females act very similar to Humans, providing the sperm and egg, respectively. The cogenitor produces enzymes that act as catalysts for inception and pregnancy. They also make nutrients required during the pregnancy process that females cannot produce on their own.

Vissians are able to read, learn, and retain large amounts of new information much more quickly and easily than Humans.

Psychology

Vissians were more forward and liberal than Humans are with regards to copulating. They preferred to have sexual intercourse first before continuing a relationship.

Vissians tended not to travel far, believing that there was sufficient exploration close to their homeworld: this is the reason why they had not expanded particularly far from their homeworld, despite possessing warp drive far longer than Humans had. Their primary goal was to meet new species. They were willing to share their technology with the Enterprise.

Since becoming members of the Federation many of them have traveled far from their homeworld, some even living most of their lives among other species but what has not changed is their thirst for knowledge, their desire to explore and discover. As a result many of them eagerly strive for positions within long term research facilities and other explorative sciences.

Religion

They do not have any formal religious beliefs, merely a deep respect for the individual and a never ending thirst for knowledge. This thirst is first fueled at a young age by the myths, fables and tales of their ancestors. It is during this period that the basis for their cultural moral and ethical code gets instilled into every citizen.

Mythology

They have a large and colorful collection of early tales, myths and fables that they still use to entertain and educate their young children with. All of them teach a moral, ethical lesson or educate them in some other fundamental truth.

Society

They have well laid out cities with access to all amenities and facilities. Plenty of education, recreational, medical and support services, with little crime and a progressive penal system dedicated to justice for all. Things are clean, pleasant, vibrant with prosperity, possibilities and opportunities.

In fact they also have a number of educational facilities that attract students from light years away, all seeking the chance to learn under the best conditions possible.

Culture

While the search for knowledge takes precedent in most of their lives they all have a healthy and curious interest in and enjoyment of most forms of artistic expression. Since becoming members of the Federation they have managed to ship in copies of just about every known species different styles of visual artistic forms as well as the various musical types and styles available to them.

They may not create a lot of art themselves but the influence on what they do create caused by their contact with other species can be seen in everything they produce. As a result they have a unique style that blends the best of those belonging to a wide and varied selection of different species.

Customs

Under the current system cogenitors organize and select which couples they wish to assist and in what order they will do so. They have formed their own branch of the government that has to do with procreation and have set the rules and regulations under which they will operate. These rules are considered exceptionally fair and in many cases even better than the ones forced on them before they gained their independence and freedom.

Technology

Vissian starships were advanced craft by human standards in the 2150s employed by the Vissians during the mid-22nd century.

The Vissians claimed to have developed warp drive around the 12th century. In the 2150s, Vissian space travel utilized superior warp core and sensory technology compared with Humans. They were also using photonic weapons, rechargeable with sarium microcells.

The Vissians claimed to have developed a polymer composed of over 200 natural elements. At that time Humans were only aware of 92.

At least one ship type was capable of withstanding temperatures higher than 1100 degrees to withstand exploration within a stellar corona. Their stratopods were able to pass through the hydrogen layer of a hypergiant. The Vissians offered to modify NX-01 Enterprise's sensors to detect nucleo synthesis.

Vissian starship

The engine core of this class was constructed of over 200 elements, and had no need for magnetic confinement due to special fuel injection processes. It also emits omicron radiation during its operation. Humans require inoculations to get in close proximity to an active engine core.

Much larger than an Earth NX-class starship, the ship could support family-style quarters and carried at least one stratopod for scientific operations. Its hull was constructed of trinesium which can withstand temperatures up to 18,000 degrees. This class was first encountered in 2153 by the starship Enterprise.

Stratopod

The Vissian stratopod was a small two-man shuttlepod, utilized by the Vissians, equipped with a large round viewport at the bow. A stratopod carried twice the deflector shielding of the larger Vissian starships, and its navigation control was based on five spatial axes.

Currently the Vissians still produce one of the best constructed and equipped stratopods available. The 8th version of their first successful model it is now capable of holding up to 5 people for up to 48 hours within the lower hydrogen layer of almost any star, after this survival quickly drops to nil within a matter of a couple hours.

Economy

While they were completely self-sufficient and did a little trading prior to joining the Federation they have since become firm supporters and economic traders with many of the different member species, colonies and facilities within the borders of the Federation. Due to this they have one of the strongest and most resilient economies anywhere near them.

Military

They were fortunate enough to never truly need one for defensive purposes and since joining the Federation shortly after its initial conception have been a firm supporter of its beliefs, concepts and ideals.

As a result many of them have served in Starfleet over the years and some have risen very high within the fleet. On the flip side only a few have ever enrolled in the Marines. This may be due to their inquisitive natures which seem to be better suited to activities in Starfleet than they are to service in the Marines.

Federation Intelligence Files

Captain Drennik took Captain Archer to survey a hyper giant star and the two were able to pass through its hydrogen layer in a stratopod.

Despite being unknown to Humans and Vulcans by the 22nd century, their language was immediately picked up and understood by the Enterprise's universal translator.

The sudden introduction of photonic torpedo technology installed on the Enterprise by Starfleet only four months after the first contact with the Vissians can be attributed to a technological exchange between Earth and Vissia.

The planet's atmosphere is thick enough so that the sun could be viewed without squinting.

In 2156, the Enterprise visited Vissia Prime so that Captain Jonathon Archer and T’Pol could request that the Grand Moot bring Vissia into the war.

In 2156, Bote J'Ref served as the Minister of Science. He informed CaptainJonathan Archer that he was grateful for Archer's rescue of his son. In 2157, J'Ref used his position to have the Enterprise repaired after it attempted to save a Vissian outpost.

At least one Vissian woman served as an engineer in the Federation Starfleet, serving under Captain Montgomery Scott in the S.C.E.. She was berated by him for not completing a report on a Martian time corridor generator fast enough.

Sources

Both Memory Alpha and Memory Beta were used as references as well as the following TV episodes, ENT: Cogenitor and ENT: The Expanse.

Also used was the following written works, ENT - The Romulan War novel: To Brave the Storm and SCE eBook: The Future Begins.

SDC

This file was updated and approved by the SDC on 23 July 2014

Content from this article may have
come partially, or entirely from
 Memory Alpha

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