Zodian

Zodians are an aggressive humanoid species in the the galaxy's Alpha or Beta Quadrant.

Background
The Zodians are an advanced space-faring civilization that lived by a formal code of. They formed the Zodian Empire, an organization hostile to the Federation.

History
In 2265, Zodians mounted an expedition to the planet. Within a week, however, their base was overrun by dinosaurs, and only six members of their team remained. Fuel stores had been destroyed, stranding the survivors on the planet without enough fuel to leave orbit in their remaining spacecraft.

Starfleet Intelligence suspected the existence of the base and sent the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) to investigate. The Zodians saw a chance to escape the planet, and immediately fired two volleys at the starship. Shields easily blocked the shots, then the Zodians quickly surrendered. Once aboard, they described their circumstances to James T. Kirk and Spock.

Kirk took the shuttlecraft Galileo to investigate the base. His shuttle was quickly batted out of the sky by a stegosaurus-like animal, and its crew knocked unconscious. The Zodians offered to rescue Kirk as a means of reclaiming the honor they had lost when they had been captured. Spock granted permission and lent them the Galileo. The Zodians blew up their shuttle against the head of the dinosaur, killing it to save Kirk's shuttle. Kirk hoped that their two governments would learn from the Zodians' example.