Tau Omega III was a planet, the third planet of the Tau Omega system, located near the Romulan Neutral Zone in the galaxy's Alpha or Beta Quadrants. It was the homeworld of a developing reptilian civilization.
History and specifics[]
Tau Omega III orbited its star at an average distance of 0.75 AU and was geologically normal, its rocks mostly made of silicates. Its surface consisted of the giant continent Bennitia and thousands of islands with a surface area totaling 408,060,015 square kilometers. From orbit the continent appeared solid green, with details resolving below 2,000 meters. Its climate was predominantly tropical, with surface features such as rivers, lakes, and swamps, but it had mountain ranges with colder climates to the north. Its mineral content was fairly ordinary: 33% normal, 23% radioactives, 10% gemstones, 8% industrial crystals, and 2% special minerals.
Life was similar to that of Earth during its Upper Cretaceous Period. Vegetation was wildly diverse in its dense jungles, but all secreted poisons. Animal life included small tan-colored lizard-like reptiles as well as gray slugs that performed the ecological role of insects. The presence of sentient Tau Omega III harpies gave the world a technological/sociopolitical index of 111120-33. (Stardate Magazine vol. 1 (1984), Issue 3/4: "Tau Omega III: Planetary Survey")
In 2268, the USS Enterprise shuttlecraft Copernicus crash landed on a plateau on Tau Omega III. Doctor James Brennan was killed inside the wreck when an omegasaurus crushed it. The crew encountered the harpies, but were unable to locate a universal translator to establish communications. The Enterprise eventually orbited the planet and rescued all of the surviving landing party members except for senior botanist Carl Perez, who was presumed dead as he could not be located with sensors.
Perez eventually made first contact with one of the inhabitants. (TOS - FASA RPG short story: "Planetfall")
Lifeforms[]
- aquasaurus
- omegasaurus
Notable residents[]
- Fistus
- Renus
Appendices[]
Connections[]
Appearance[]
- TOS - FASA RPG short story: "Planetfall"
Reference[]
- Stardate Magazine vol. 1 (1984), Issue 3/4: "Tau Omega III: Planetary Survey"