Dionae History

History
The Dionae's history is highly debated - with no significant evidence, xenoarcheological or actual, towards an origin point - most notably due to the tendency of space-bound gestalt's seeds to travel immense distances. The species itself does not have concrete information on this subject - however many people of all species have linked them to mythological being, as it is thought that the species is old enough to have spread to a significant portion of the galaxy, including all of the currently colonized areas, some even being recorded in Vaurca histories, half-way across the galaxy.

Discovery, Part One - The Conglomerate
"The first discovery was unexpected, and changed my view of the Stars forever. It seemed impossible to be true, but the more I dwelled on it, the more I began to see the truth..." - Weirun Tup's Deathflower journal - 2426

The first discovery - the one that proved their existence, in 2320 - was an immense pod-like gestalt. It is theorized to have contained upwards of a thousand nymphs, protected in a thick, haphazard organic shell that took the shape around whatever body it hit and integrated within itself. The entity was put into observation by its Skrell discoverers, being labeled as a simple organic anomaly - the lack of atmosphere and contact making communication not even a thought. Interaction did not happen until nine years later, 2329. Skrell scientists created a device to translate the chirping and popping of the pod, and exchanged greetings. This sent interest through Skrell society, as these Diona were the first sentient beings that the Skrell had met. The Skrell put forward more simple communications, and found out what this pod of life was. The two parties spoke in simple information exchanges, and this led to the Dionae pod explaining how to better communicate with each other - via blood samples.

With this new-found information, the large object - the Original Conglomerate - was finally officially contacted by ambassadors of the Skrell. The contact delivered a wealth of information - about star movement, physics behaviors, material properties, and so on. In the end, the "Original Conglomerate" was towed, with their glee, in orbit of Nralakk, where it remains to this day the main source of Dionae pods, cyclopes, nymphs, and seeds. Diona have gradually gained a better standing in Skrell society, and the Federation began slowly integrating Diona into their workforce in the late 2360's.

Discovery, Part Two - The Organic Craft - "DSS Ophion"
"This second discovery, funnily titled by the humans as the ship it devoured, was agile and beautiful in the stars. The way it swam reminded me of a child on Homeworld. It swam with such grace and poise that it seemed to be able to manipulate the void." - Weirun Tup's Deathflower journal - 2426

The Dionae were found, the second time, in 2426, almost a full hundred years after the first encounter. An anomalous reading tipped off a scout ship - part of a Human-Skrell joint practice operation. A low-intensity yet high-frequency energy signature in the middle of seemingly nowhere, far in deep space. Upon investigation, a large mass - now known to be the result of six hundred nymphs being overgrown - was present. It was definitely organic - yet it showed readings similar to a space craft, including a simple (and empty) supermatter reactor and some sort of rudimentary drive. It seemed inactive.

However, upon approach - the craft took life, quickly dashing towards one of the human frigates, shrugging off the firepower and attaching itself to a ship called the Ophion. It moved like nothing they had ever seen - a captain of the nearby frigate even provided this description: "Like a fish moving as if space was an ocean". It quickly infiltrated the Ophion, bending hull and causing breaches, eventually reaching the ship's own power plant, siphoning power off. The ship saw no further damage - however, it was already done, all the engineering decks were breached and the ship no longer had enough power for the engines. Under the orders of the Skrell Fleet Admiral (at least the equivalent of it) and with the approval of the incapacitated ship's captain, the exercise was cancelled and the ships returned home, requesting a few science vessels and a rescue shuttle to be sent to them. Unfortunately, when they did arrive roughly a week later, no life was found aboard. The ship was considered derelict - and the vessels returned home, with a warning being placed on both of their star maps about a possibly hostile lifeform there.

This event also caused a rigorous security increase in the observation of the first structure, causing the Dionae to be officially labelled as "potentially hostile to Humans and Skrell". The Fleet returned later with a science ship, and a Dionae ambassador. The ambassador communicated with the colossus surrounding the Ophion, and the Ophion responded, stating it was simply 'Growing'. Of course, with the current status, the question was asked: where is the crew? Correlated with the logs acquired later, the scenario became clear. The Diona's infiltration of the power plant not only caused the engines to fail, but life support. With all the breeches present, it did not take long for the crew to suffocate and die. And once that was done, the Diona (and it is quoted) "simply assimilated their form to learn about your species and conserve matter".

Culture: Jokingly given the nickname "Dionae Space Station Ophion, Keeper of Life", the Ophion Cyclopes are regularly hauled between Ophion and Tau Ceti - as while they are seen as methodical and even cold, there is no denying their scientific methodology. However - all stations whom host one are instructed to keep an eye on them, should they become hostile for whichever reason.

Discovery, Part Three - The Planet of Eden
"They deserve to experience the stars as I did. It will be my final gift." - Weirun Tup's Deathflower journal - 2439

The final time the Dionae were found was in Epsilon Ursae Minoris (EUM) in 2430, discovered by Skrell Captain Weirun Tup who had been exploring stars on the behalf of the Jargon Federation in order to find new habitable planets for expansion. Upon passing through a particular sector, a planet was analyzed from afar to have possibly desirable conditions for life. But upon drawing closer, the planet itself seemed to be alive- the expedition team picked up strange sounds from their equipment, haunting songs being broadcasted on their radios when there should have been the white noise of static. Dumbfounded and excited, the team worked to understand the cause of this anomaly. Unfortunately, their equipment was not up to the challenge, leaving the team no choice but to send out a few experimental signals in an attempt to copy and possibly communicate with whatever was creating the sounds, and send an exploratory team to the surface to see if they could locate the cause. Descending with the crew was Captain Weirun Tup, out of excitement and concern for his crew alike.

Upon landing, it was immediately noted that the planet was rich in untouched wilderness. The crew had touched down near a site with a strong signal of the strange sounds and cautiously pushed forth through the alien flora and fauna to happen upon something that was even more alien. It was a large structure made of a living creature, and one that was already a previously discovered oddity. It was a colony of Dionae Colossus, a massive tower constructed out of Nymphs that acted as a radio tower while a village of Argus and Cyclopes worked and moved around it. The team was warmly welcomed and after exchanging genetic samples, communications were established between the crew and a Cyclops that acted as their guide. It was explained that the planet's only sapient creatures were the Dionae that have colonized the entirety of the surface, the species themselves finding the low gravity and thinner ozone to be beneficial to their purposes. They had also deemed to leave the landscape otherwise untouched and leave the local wildlife alone while taking the more uninhabitable areas for themselves, stating that it was "their home", while the Dionae were merely "guests" to the visiting team.

The exploration crew had contacted their main vessel and sent a report back to Jargon of their find. The team members had decided to remain for the duration of their expedition to learn more about this colonized planet and it's inhabitants, finding that the Dionae present contained a vast wealth of information. Working together, the scientists and Dionae managed to create a device capable of deciphering long-distance Rootsong so crew aboard the main vessel may communicate with the Dionae as they studied the planet. A team of researchers were sent to the ground as well, with Captain Weirun Tup often accompanying them to engage in discussion with their hosts. After a short time of consideration, an agreement was made between the Jargon Federation and the Dionae. The colony would supply the Federation with what information they could as well as provide a workforce while the Federation would enrich the Dionae with opportunities to further their interests, supplying both materials (organic and otherwise) as well as the equipment to do so. There was another condition that was mutually agreed upon; the Dionae seemed rather protective of the planet, and while the visitors remained they were to follow the Dionae's example and were to leave the landscape undisturbed for the most part.

When the time came for the expedition to return back to the Jargon Federation, a permanent agent was requested to act as an ambassador between the two species. Having learned more about the Dionae and finding to have a fondness with them as well as wanting to learn more of what they knew, Captain Weirun Tup volunteered to step down from their position of Captain and remain behind. A few other expedition teams visited EUM and the planet the Dionae considered home, nicknaming it Eden for it's wealth in natural resources and wildlife. A small colony of Skrell were established upon Eden to assist the now esteemed researcher and ex-Captain Weirun Tup over the years, and all was well. After nine years, however, now Director Weirun Tup had suddenly disappeared after walking off into the nearby forest at night, saying that they wanted a "clearer view of the stars before I sleep" according to his colleagues. By morning, Weirun's effects were returned to the researchers cryptically stating that the man was "well and a part of them, now". When further questioned, the Dionae stated that the man had been suffering a terminal illness and had decided to become a part of the collective. This had left the other Skrell sceptical, as their Director had not been showing signs of said illness.

Despite the mysterious disappearance of their beloved Director in 2439, the man was venerated by other Skrell as the first of their kind to have truly ascended and become a part of something greater, and it is said that one can still speak to the Director through a Gestalt that remains with the Skrellian settlement. Since then, Skrell from the Federation have often made pilgrimages to and from Eden as a spiritual journey- others choosing it as their final resting place through "reincarnation", following Director Weirun Tup's example and becoming a part of the Dionae residents. The process has never been observed before, but friends and families of the "ascended" hold fast in their beliefs that there is undisputed proof that such a thing is real.

Culture: The largest Dionae to have communicated with other sapients, Dionae from EUM have become highly focused on being efficient, having learned and adapted to Skrell culture. Most notably - the system has become notorious for being a checkpoint shipyard as the Dionae there within orbit most often specialize in engineering tasks while those planetside excel in the natural sciences. Of course - the exposition to the Skrell has made them wary of synthetic intelligence. Furthermore, they are the only known group with a unified creation theory - according to them, Dionae have been at home in "the Great Void" - as paraphrased - since the beginning of their existence, and their creation should have been nothing short of impossible.

Venter's Cetus, Reade's Argus, and Other Groups
A recent discovery, Venter's Cetus is one of the few known Cetus-class Dionae. Rather reclusive, they seem to have an immense amount of knowledge in atmospheric systems, having designed a circulatory array within themselves. Slow and meticulous - this group has elected to provide the Sol Alliance with Cyclops bodies in exchange for large amounts of biomass from various species - with supplementary "credit" for sapient specimens. They do not seem to fear extinction at the phase they have found themselves to be in, with "shards" of the gestalt being of almost nil importance.

Discovered in orbit of Reade, there is also an isolated and small group that is sometimes seen on facilities across Tau Ceti. They are reported to be highly social, a Biesel bar even boasting an occasional Dionae bartending experience. This particular gestalt seems rather knowledgeable about the goings of supply and civilian departments- though they are often seen with distrust due to the rumours of Reade. Of course, these are the large known groups. Among these two more recent additions, there is a total of eighty-one known subgroups with various traits - and an unknown amount of yet undiscovered groups. More information will be added when available.

Integration in Society
Their value, however - along with general helpfulness, high curiosity and impressive intelligence, even to the Skrell (who have approved them onto titles as high as Representatives since 2432) - gave the Dionae enough going for them that they were not phased out, and are commonly seen aboard space stations and spacecraft, especially human-owned. The Skrell have, however, started a new program to find and appropriate any other Dionae groups to ensure proper incorporation - or destruction, should the group be too dangerous. This program has already uncovered four dozen gestalts.

Mythological associations
Bearing a wood-like appearance, a small bulbous nymph and with the tales of necrophagy, the Dionae have been said to actually have been the species behind several mythical creatures - such as the humans' Green Man and Leshy, and even the Mandragora and Man-Eating Tree. Most notably - it has been linked to a wise, ancient God of Life by some Skrell - the Oernabi (Tree-God), who was said to be benevolent to those deemed worthy. Such a belief spawned the Dienabi religion - the term literally meaning "tree child" - which stipulates that it is possible to ascend to the status of a noble Diona by protecting them with your life - after which they absorb and transform the martyr. Captain Weirun Tup is considered to be the first "ascended" of this kind, earning him almost as much veneration.

Beyond the Knowledge
As seen with reports of Ophion, this species is still mostly unknown - in capabilities, origins and intentions. Many scientific organizations are willing to pay a good price for any useful data on the Dionae.