More than four billion years ago a lone humanoid species seeded the oceans of many young worlds with genetic code, giving rise to the galaxy's humanoid peoples.
More than four billion years ago an ancient humanoid species explored the galaxy and found no other beings like itself. Before passing from existence, its members scattered genetic material into the primordial seas of many worlds, encoding a pattern that would steer evolution toward bodies resembling their own.
Ages later the result was the wide family of humanoid species, among them humans, Klingons, Cardassians and Romulans. In 2369 Picard completed the research of his murdered mentor, Professor Galen, and at Vilmor II a holographic message from the ancients explained their purpose and their hope that their descendants would recognise a shared heritage.