I would recommend reading the "Cluster" series.

Cluster is a series of science fiction novels by Piers Anthony. Anthony originally conceived of and wrote the series as a trilogy but later added two additional volumes.

* It includes materials you are all familiar with by now - like space amoeba and such.

* Travel through the power of the mind and the bio-electric fields of chemical reaction based species(aka Kirilian Quest).

* Races like the mechanical Mmrnmhrm from the original Star Control series, and not the current dumbed down abomination lol.
In the book they were totally mechanical and did not relay on chemical reaction in any way.
That made them similar to the race of invaders that was about to invade the galaxy as they both could not use the Kirilian Quest technology and have so had to relay on physical travel alone.


There's so much more that I'm forgetting...

If you are into such things I'd recommend also Poul Anderson who is the actual father of Master of Orion's Sakkra and the Alkari, at least.

Have fun and thanks to ogdinmar for this mod!