Gamma Trianguli VI was an inhabited planet. This was the homeworld of the Vaalians, a pre-warp capable humanoid species. This was, also, the home of the pod plants. It was the sixth planet in the Gamma Trianguli planetary system. This system was located in the Gamma Trianguli sector, which was a region of space in the Alpha Quadrant. Vaal, a machine with rudimentary intelligence, controlled this planet and its inhabitants for approximately 10,000 years until 2267. (TOS: "The Apple"; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, production art; ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II", display graphic)
The location of Gamma Trianguli on "The Explored Galaxy" wall chart
The planet, described as an "Eden"-like paradise, consistently enjoyed a tropical climate of 76 °F, with only minor variation at the poles. These conditions were previously thought to be impossible, and were only made possible under the direct environmental control of Vaal, which extended deep beneath the planet's surface over the entire globe. The atmosphere was oxygen-nitrogen. The majority of the flora was very attractive. The soil was remarkably rich and fertile, excellent for husbandry. Its atmosphere filtered out all harmful radiation from its sun. Aside from the natives, no animal life was encountered by initial surveys. Vaal was obviously constructed on Gamma Trianguli VI by a species to care for the native inhabitants for some unknown purpose, although the natives had no memory or historical record of this.
Although an Eden at first glance, under Vaal's control the planet soon proved to be the opposite. When a USS Enterprise landing party beamed down on a survey mission, they were immediately assaulted by the planet's dangerous defense mechanisms. Deadly flora, artificial lightning strikes, and explosive mineral formations killed three crewmembers and injured a fourth. The initially friendly natives, at Vaal's behest, also became hostile and assaulted the landing party, killing a fourth crewmember. Vaal itself also began pulling the Enterprise out of orbit, prompting Captain James T. Kirk to take retaliatory action and destroy Vaal. After its destruction Kirk predicted a hard time for the natives, but eventually they would learn to organize their lives themselves. (TOS: "The Apple")
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