Gamma Trianguli VI was a class M planet in the Alpha Quadrant, the sixth planet of the Gamma Trianguli system. It was the homeworld of a humanoid race called the Vaalians, controlled by a computer called Vaal for approximately 10,000 years.
Specifics[]
Even at its poles, its four or five continents exhibited a jungle climate with a mean temperature of 76°. No moons were evident. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation)
Its primitive population numbered less than 1,000. (ST reference: Star Trek Maps)
Volatile surface rocks that exploded upon contact in the 23rd century were believed to be an unintended byproduct of the processes which maintained the planet's idyllic conditions. (TOS novel: No Time Like the Past)
History[]
According to one account, the world was inhabited by the a small faction of settlers from the planet Arret who, after seeing the devastation wrought on their world, decided to prevent the potential of happening to their newly adopted home. To accomplish this, they stored their collective knowledge within the supercomputer known as Vaal which wiped the memories of the settlers past. The computer was then charged with guiding the inhabitants while ensuring that they never advanced to the state where they could threaten to destroy the world itself.
Another chronological estimate maintains that the Vaalians were originally placed on the planet by members of Sargon's race millions (not tens of thousands) of years earlier, with the Vaal computer-entity being tasked with a similar purpose. Despite appearing as a stable living planet, Gamma Trianguli VI was a synthetic world that was held together by Vaal. Without the guidance of the computer, the planet would have self destructed. (TOS comic: "Devil Down Below!")
At least 10,000 years ago, Vaal was installed on the planet. (TOS episode & Star Trek 6 novelization: The Apple, ST reference: Star Trek Chronology)
Gamma Trianguli VI was visited by the USS Enterprise in 2267, at which time Captain James T. Kirk destroyed Vaal. (TOS episode & Star Trek 6 novelization: The Apple)
A review board determined Kirk's actions were justified. However, Federation deputy commissioner for interspecies affairs Moriah Wayne believed that Kirk violated the letter of the Prime Directive. (TOS novel: From the Depths)
Commodore Julius Merrill compared the situation on Gamma Trianguli VI to another world he had visited circa 2237. (TOS - Constellations short story: "Fracture")
In 2270, the Enterprise returned to Gamma Trianguli VI after a time traveling Seven of Nine found a temporally displaced crystal fragment inscribed out of phase with stardate 3715.3, the date of the crew's visit, and believed a second fragment would be located there. Seven reviewed log entries in preparation for the visit. When personnel beamed down, Seven became time displaced and materialized prior to the ship's first visit, where she was nearly overcome by Vaal's transmitted directives. Within Vaal's caverns she located another crystal wedge. When she merged the two crystals together, she shifted back to 2270. Before the landing party could return to the ship, they were attacked by Orions from the Navaar who killed security officer Jadello. The newly found crystal was inscribed with 5730.8, the date of the ship's visit to Cheron. (TOS novel: No Time Like the Past)
In 2273, Tilono believed Starfleet officers intentionally killed gods whenever they were encountered, noting Kirk's actions on Gamma Trianguli VI, Yonada, and Beta III. (TOS novel: Ex Machina)
In 2286, during the starship USS Enterprise-A's return mission to the planet, James T. Kirk compared Gamma Trianguli VI to a Genesis Planet. (TOS comic: "Past Perfect")
After returning to the Nexus following his death in 2371, Kirk watched a recreation of his crew's first visit to Gamma Trianguli VI, then met Guinan again. (TOS - Crucible novel: The Star to Every Wandering)
Alternate realities[]
In the mirror universe, James T. Kirk conquered Gamma Trianguli VI. (Decipher RPG module: Through a Glass, Darkly)
Appendices[]
Connections[]
planets visited by the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) (2286-2293) | |
---|---|
2286 | Earth • Luna • wishing planet • Rontelm • Gamma Trianguli VI • Briar Patch • Christofi IX • Vulcan • Sector 9 Romulan colony • Miraud • Triaminus IV • Endicor • Omicron Ceti IV • Chapin I |
2287 | Nimbus III • Sha Ka Ree • New Ketira • Skylord planet • Casmus III • Chronian III • New Brinden • Tau Gamma II • Earth • Yko • Temaris IV • Cetacean Probe homeworld • Vega IX • Calligar homeworld |
2288 | Uninhabited chroniton-discovery world • Datugad • Venus • Oyolo • Pavak • Sumno • Claneia I • Karimea • Kristenian world • Rimbor • Needra • Tyrion Defense Zone • Starbase 29 • Dinar IV • Sandar IX • Lerik IV • Skellen III • Horan system • Javik VI • Kurat I • Earth • Sigma Iotia II |
2289 | Arbutus VIII • Earth • Pilkor III • Metaga V • Zuyna • Pallas 14 star system • Tree of Life planet • Sumellian-adjacent star system • Sumellian homeworld • Deneva • Quatrin Alpha • Quatrin Beta |
2290 | Earth • Tabuka III • Tabuka IV • Epsilon Kitaj • Starbase 99 planet • Arnebius IV • Alpha Darwin • Kondo Nebula • Mardelva • Nirobi III • Thevos • Casmus III • Largo star system • Theata Leonis • Gateway • Calufrax IV • Babel • Gribbin II • Bupahr mining colony • Gamma Kestra • Nara • 'Gi • Zantak Prime • Kreth |
2291 | Devidia IV • Musgrave IV • Varba II • Varnex • Mestiko • Tiranax • Earth • Kaskadia IV |
2292 | Osor Prime • Hiberna Base • Earth • unnamed asteroid belt |
2293 | Rura Penthe • Khitomer • Faramond • Vulcan • Qo'noS • Patelva • Freelan • Pacifica • Rigel V • Duparre Asteroid Belt • Yquitra • Yko • Earth • Alpha Gederix IV • Prestor V • Sigma Draconis Sector • Chal |
Appearances[]
- TOS episode & Star Trek 6 novelization: The Apple
- TOS comic: "Devil Down Below!"
- TOS comic: "Past Perfect"
- TOS - Crucible novel: The Star to Every Wandering
- TOS novel: No Time Like the Past
References[]
- TOS novel: The Fate of the Phoenix (as Vaal's planet)
- ST reference: Star Trek Maps
- Stardate Magazine vol. 2, Issue 11: "Worlds of the Treaty Exploration Zone"
- ST reference: The Star Trek Compendium
- ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation
- ST reference: Star Trek Chronology
- ST reference: The Star Trek Encyclopedia
- Fact Files Issue 29: "File 3, Card 3M: Alpha Quadrant - Gamma Trianguli VI"
- Fact Files Issue 29: "File 18, Card 22: The People of Vaal"
- Fact Files Issue 79: "File 87, Card 3: A-Z Database Access Point: Gamma Trianguli VI"
- TOS novel: Ex Machina
- Decipher RPG module: Through a Glass, Darkly
- TOS - Constellations short story: "Fracture"
- DTI novel: Forgotten History
- TOS novel: The Weight of Worlds
- TOS novel: A Contest of Principles
External link[]
- Gamma Trianguli VI article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.