Valakis was a planet that was home to two sentient humanoid species, the Valakians and the less technologically-advanced Menk.
Despite their differences, both physically and mentally as well as linguistically, the Valakians and the Menk coexisted peacefully. The Valakians provided land, food and in some cases, employment for the Menk.
During the 22nd century, a genetic mutation inherent to Valakian physiology resulted in a planet-wide epidemic and the death of some twelve million people. While some strides had been made in combating the illness, a cure evaded Valakian medical science, causing them to seek help from other worlds. Launching numerous pre-warp spacecraft, the Valakians attempted to enlist the aid of more advanced alien species. They were at some point prior to 2150 visited by the Ferengi and the M'klexa.
As of 2151, Valakis was a pre-warp, but had many ships and satelites in orbit. That year, the planet was visited by the Earth Starfleet starship Enterprise after that ship responded to a Valakian ship in distress. Returning ailing Valakian astronauts to their planet, the crew of Enterprise assisted in the search for a cure, until Denobulan Dr. Phlox uncovered evidence indicating that the illness was a step in an evolutionary process that would result in the extinction of the Valakians and the rise of the Menk. (ENT: "Dear Doctor")
Background
- According to the Star Trek: Star Charts,
- Page 53: Valakis was identified as the sixth planet in the Valakis system. An alternate name, "Menk", might have indicated a shift in power by the late 24th century. The book also described the planet as a Class M member of the United Federation of Planets, admitted in 2236, following their achievement of warp drive that same year. It went on to list the population of Menk as 2.8 billion, and Valakians as 730,000, indicating that they were unsuccessful in finding a cure. The official name for the government was the Commonwealth of Menk and Valakis, and the planet had no capital.
- Page 60: Valakis was located in the Beta Quadrant. Sometime between September 15 and October 1, 2151, the Enterprise visited this planet.
- The visual representing Valakis from space is a reuse of Qo'noS from "Broken Bow". The visual of the city was later reused to represent a futuristic city on Earth in the timestream in "Storm Front".