Beta III

Beta III is a Class M planet located in the C-111 system and is home to a humanoid species known as Betans.

Around 6,000 years ago, wars raged between the inhabitants of Beta III and a philosopher named Landru became concerned that they would ultimately destroy themselves and the planet. In order to bring a peaceful and harmonious nature to the planet, Landru built a sophisticated computer (also named Landru) which would absorb members of Betan society, which meant that the absorbed persons actions and emotions could be controlled by the computer. Once the influence had spread over the planet, Landru had eliminated war, disease, crime, fear, and conflict. The downside was that the people of Beta III now had no souls, wondering around in a blissful daze.

In 2167, Beta III was visited by the Daedalus-class Federation starship, USS Archon, which was on a survey mission. Unfortunately, the crew of the Archon were even absorbed by Landru or killed in the attempt, and the ship herself was eventually destroyed.

A century later, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) was dispatched to Beta III to attempt to ascertain the Archon 's fate. Like the crew of the Archon, the Enterprise crew were also confronted by Landru and threatened with absorption. But Captain James T. Kirk was able to destroy the Landru computer by convincing it that it had destroyed the very society it was supposed to protect, thereby creating a paradox in its programming, and destroying itself. With Landru gone, the Betans were now free, and Captain Kirk left Ensign Christopher Lindstrom and a team of sociologists behind to help guide the Betans in their new freedom. (TOS episode: "The Return of the Archons" and SCE novel: Foundations).