Tarkalean

A Tarkalean male (2153)

Tarkalean inner workings

The Tarkaleans are a humanoid species native to the planet Tarkalea.

In 2153, a Tarkalean freighter was attacked and boarded by the Borg. The Starfleet vessel Enterprise responded to the distress call, discovering two Tarkaleans in the upper deck of the freighter. Dr. Phlox was able to initially assist the Tarkaleans; however, he discovered that the Borg nanoprobes had infiltrated their autonomic systems and that their renal glands were replaced with cybernetic devices. The Tarkaleans eventually succumbed to the Borg and one of the Tarkaleans attacked and injected Phlox with nanoprobes. The Tarkaleans later escaped sickbay and attempted to modify the systems of Enterprise, forcing Captain Archer to eject the two into space. (ENT: "Regeneration")

The Tarkaleans are well known for their special blend of Tarkalean tea. (DS9: "Past Prologue", "Trials and Tribble-ations")

In 2372, the Ferengi imposed an unfair six percent tariff on woolen goods they traded with the Karemma, claiming that the tax was added to help offset the "lost income of Tarkalean sheep herders." (DS9: "Starship Down")

In 2374, an adult Molly O'Brien attacked and injured a Tarkalean who was visiting Deep Space 9. (DS9: "Time's Orphan")

The Tarkalean Molly attacked actually looked more like a Markalian. It is possible that Sisko was mistaken when he referred to the alien as a Tarkalean.

See also

• Tarkalean flu
• Tarkalean hawk
• Tarkalean condor
• Tarkalean tea

Individuals

• Madrat
  • List of unnamed Tarkaleans

Background

The Tarkaleans, though mentioned often in Star Trek, made their first appearance in "Regeneration".

In "Time's Orphan", a Markalian extra is used as the person stabbed by 18-year-old Molly O'Brien, and was accidentally called a Tarkalean. In the extra features of "Regeneration", the writing staff specifically note that "this is the first appearance of the often mentioned but never seen Tarkaleans".

'Tarkalean' was incorrectly spelled in the script for "Starship Down" as 'Tarkalian', but it believed to be a simple typographical error. A similar error was made in the script for "Hippocratic Oath" where the spelling 'Tarkalian' appeared in the pronunciation guide, but the spelling was later corrected to 'Tarkalean' later on in the script.

In the 22nd century, T'Pol says she's observed a demonstration of a Tarkalean instant food replicator ("Dead Stop"), which Starfleet won't develop until the 24th century.