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Talosian

For the mirror universe counterpart, see Talosian (mirror).

The Talosians were the sentient humanoid natives of Talos IV.

History and specifics[]

Over 100,000 years ago, the Talosians fought a nuclear war, leaving most of the planet's surface uninhabitable. They moved underground and developed their mental abilities to create realistic illusions, although their technological knowledge atrophied.

In 2236, the S.S. Columbia, a scientific survey ship from Earth, crashed on the planet. The Talosians retrieved the sole survivor, a human woman named Vina, and repaired her injuries, although their lack of knowledge of human anatomy hindered their efforts.

In 2254, the Talosians used a false distress signal to lure the USS Enterprise to Talos IV. They kidnapped Captain Christopher Pike in an effort to provide Vina with a mate. Pike and the Enterprise were eventually allowed to leave. Given the extreme threat of the Talosians' powers of illusion, Starfleet issued General Order 7, forbidding any travel to Talos IV, under penalty of death.

Commander Burnham and Lieutenant Spock on Talos IV in .

Commander Burnham and Lieutenant Spock on Talos IV in 2257.

In 2257, Michael Burnham took her foster brother Spock to Talos IV in the hopes that the Talosians could heal him with their advanced mental abilities. The Talosians complied, but in return they demanded that Burnham share with them her memories of her estrangement from Spock. After some hesitation, Burnham willingly shared those memories, and the Talosians were able to heal Spock. (DSC episode: "If Memory Serves")

In 2267, Lieutenant Commander Spock kidnapped then-Fleet Captain Pike and hijacked the Enterprise to Talos IV. Given the specific circumstances, General Order 7 was rescinded, and Pike allowed to live the rest of his life with Vina and the Talosians. (TOS episodes: "The Cage", "The Menagerie")

By 2320, thanks to the efforts of Christopher Pike, Talos IV and Talosian culture had been revitalized. Ambassador Spock was summoned again to witness this change. (TOS novel: Burning Dreams)

By 2373, the Talosians became active participants in the so-called Telepathy War with the Dominion. Many Talosians were affected by the Meme Virus, as were many telepathic races within the Federation. Several Jem'Hadar invaded Talos IV, but Omega Squad, led by a telepathic recreation of Christopher Pike, helped repel the invasion. (SA comic: "Telepathy War")

Sometime prior to the year 2378, the classified nature of the Talosian species and the death penalty for visiting Talos IV were lifted by Starfleet. By this time, Starfleet had apparently developed scanning instruments that could detect the difference between reality and Talosian illusions. Nonetheless, travel to the planet was strictly prohibited without authorization and the details of both Pike and Kirk's visits to the planet remained classified. Off the record, the Federation also placed a quarantine on Talos IV, preventing the Talosians from leaving the planet. (TNG novel: Q & A & DFT - Another Piece of the Action comic: "Part 3")

In 2378, Berlinghoff Rasmussen escaped Federation custody and made for Talos IV, hoping to capture a Talosian and sell their powers in the galactic underworld only for his ship to be disabled by the USS Defiant when he landed. Wanting to leave the planet, the Keeper allowed Rasmussen to believe he was in charge before Spock appealed to the Keeper's morals and to turn over Rasmussen left. Though the Keeper asked to depart aboard the Defiant, Worf was forced to deny the request. Instead, he consciously chose to leave behind Rasmussen's runabout for the Talosians. (DFT - Another Piece of the Action comic: "Part 3")

Talosians[]

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