Vissian

The Vissians were a highly advanced (by Human standards in the 2150s) humanoid species native to the planet Vissia in the Vissia system.
==History==
According to historical records, the Vissians assert that they had successfully developed the warp drive technology during the 12th century. Despite having access to this technology for a significantly long period, the Vissians have shown a tendency to restrict their interstellar travel to their immediate vicinity. This inclination towards insularity is evident from the fact that, as of the 22nd century, their territorial expansion beyond their home planet Vissia appears to be limited.
In 2150, the Vissians sent Captain Drennik and his crew to study a Hypergiant star. They then made first contact with the Humans of the , captained by Jonathan Archer. Drennik offered to upgrade the ship to study the star in return for a visit to their ship. Relieving the whole crew, who had by that time had many difficult first contacts, Drennik said meeting other cultures was one of their primary goals.
During dinner, Drennik explained that the Vissian ship was made of Trinesium, and one of their stratopods had twice the shielding to go further. Two of the Enterprise crew, Trip Tucker and Malcolm Reed, mingled with the Vissian crew in the mess hall, where Tucker learned about the cogenitors, the third gender in Vissian society that were assigned to a male-female couple during procreation. Tucker became concerned about their treatment and raised the issue with T'Pol and Phlox. Archer embarked on a three-day visit with the Vissians to observe the star, and Tucker was tasked with downloading the movie database for the Vissians. Reed continued to mingle with the Vissians and became acquainted with Veylo, while Archer and Drennik exchanged facts about their history. Tucker became more concerned about the cogenitors' treatment and asked Phlox to perform a scan of their mental capacity, which he did. 
During the Vissian visit, Tucker learned that the cogenitors were not treated fairly, with no education provided and serving only one purpose in life. The language the engineer used suggested that the cogenitor was treated almost like a pet. Tucker became increasingly concerned about their welfare and tried to convince Archer to intervene, but Archer was more interested in improving relations with the Vissians. Reed and Veylo shared a cheeseboard and visited the armory, where they became closer. On the stratopod, Archer took a turn at the helm, and they descended into the photosphere. Meanwhile, Tucker convinced the cogenitor to run away with him, which triggered an incident with the Vissians. The Vissians' reaction confused the Enterprise crew, and Archer tried to reason with Drennik, but he was not receptive. They boarded the ship and demanded the return of the cogenitor. Archer agreed to return the cogenitor, and the Vissians left, and the Enterprise crew continued their mission. Later Drennik contacted Archer to inform him that the Cogenitor had committed suicide much to the devastation of Tucker. ()
==Physiology==
The Vissians were a humanoid species that possessed unique physical and biological characteristics. One of the most distinguishable features of the Vissians was the crescent-shaped, segmented ridges that encircled their eyes at the temple. 
In addition to their striking appearance, the Vissians also had a distinct reproductive system that differed from that of most Humanoids. The Vissians had three genders: male, female, and cogenitor. The cogenitors, who made up only 3% of the population, were an essential component of the Vissian reproductive process. The cogenitor did not pass on genetic material to the offspring but supplied an enzyme during the act which facilitated conception. Despite their crucial role in the continuation of the species, Cogenitors were treated as inferior by Vissian society and were often denied basic rights and freedoms.
In terms of cognitive ability, the Vissians were renowned for their remarkable memory and learning capabilities. They were able to read, learn, and retain vast amounts of information much more quickly and easily than Humans. This ability was believed to be linked to their unique brain structure, which contained a higher number of neural connections. ()
==Society and culture==
The Vissians possessed a unique cultural and philosophical beliefs. Their appreciation of food was based on aroma rather than taste, and they tended to enjoy varieties of cheese from Human cuisine. They were also more forward and liberal than Humans when it came to sexual relationships, preferring to engage in sexual intercourse first before continuing a relationship.
However, the Vissians had a troubling issue within their society. Cogenitors, who made up only three percent of the population, were highly valued for their services in reproduction. As a result, their services were in high demand, but they were not assigned a high position in Vissian society. Until at least the mid-22nd century, cogenitors were relegated to a social status far inferior to that of the male and female genders. Despite their rarity, cogenitors were not allowed to learn to read or write, were often dressed in the basic of clothing, and had no input as to what couples they would help procreate or when. They were not even given a name, highlighting the extent of their marginalization in Vissian society.
Despite possessing warp drive technology far longer than Humans, the Vissians tended not to travel far, believing that there was sufficient exploration close to their homeworld. This reluctance to expand their reach is evident in the fact that they had not expanded particularly far from their homeworld by the 22nd century.
However, the Vissians' primary goal was to meet new species, and they were willing to share their technology with other species. The crew of the Enterprise was able to communicate using the universal translator with the Vissians, despite the fact that they were unknown to Humans and Vulcans before the 22nd century. ()
==Technology==
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 two hundred natural elements. At that time Humans were only aware of 92.
At least one ship type was capable of withstanding temperatures higher than 11,000 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 's sensors to detect nucleosynthesis. ()
* Vissian starship
* Vissian stratopod
==People==
* Calla
* Charles
* Drennik
* Traistana
* Veylo
* List of unnamed Vissians
== Appendices==
===Apocrypha===
In the novel To Brave the Storm, Captain Archer unsuccessfully tries to convince the Vissian government to assist Earth during the Earth-Romulan War.
In the ebook The Future Begins, there was a Vissian woman serving in the Starfleet Corps of Engineers in the 24th century.
===External link===
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