Ulesek

Ulesek is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Vernor Vinge. It is a world inhabited by the Tines, a species characterized by their pack-like social structure and their unique biology, where each individual is composed of multiple independent dog-like creatures that function as a single entity. These Tines are known for their intelligence, their strong sense of community, and their inherent distrust of outsiders, stemming from their evolutionary past.

The planet Ulesek is described as a relatively harsh and primitive world, where the Tines have developed a society that is both complex and deeply rooted in their biological imperative for cooperation and survival. Their technology is advanced, but their social organization remains central to their identity. The Tines of Ulesek play a significant role in the narrative of "A Fire Upon the Deep," serving as both allies and obstacles to the main characters, particularly in their quest to understand and combat a galaxy-wide intelligence-destroying force known as the Blight. Ulesek represents a fascinating example of alien life and societal development within Vinge's expansive fictional universe.