Zoq-Fot-Pik

The Zoq-Fot-Pik are a conglomeration of sapient species who evolved simultaneously, grew up together mutually on a solitary, jungle-like home planet. Confusing while at the same time amusing, none of them can outright state which species is the Zoq, which is the Fot, and which is the Pik. Zoq-Fot-Pik look like little green plants/cobra snakes (possessing very limited psychic abilities), blue springy things, and brown one-eyed creatures,1 although they resemble frogs/toads,2 and even they can't say which name belongs to which creature.3 Having once been threatened by the carnivorous Zebranky they formed an alliance and destroyed them.

This alliance led to very big technological advances which eventually formed the current Zoq-Fot-Pik race. They spend much time together and usually argue about many things, including Frungy, which is a sport some Zoq-Fot-Pik, notably Pik, are obsessed with. Their fighter-ship is called the Stinger and is known for its deadly tongue attack.

In the 2150s, The Zoq-Fot-Pik first entered the galactic fray when they found their colony worlds were playing host to terrible space battles. These battles unleashed titanic forces as the two sides fought, and when they missed each other the small Zoq-Fot-Pik colonies suffered.

Having heard from "the great crystal ones", most likely a reference to the Chenjesu, of several races who often helped each other, the Alliance of Free Stars, they set about making contact. The Alliance by this point however was already defeated. Years later The Captain meets with them at Rigel. They relay their dismays to him and beg for his help. It turns out that the battle taking place in their space is the Ur-Quan ceremonial Doctrinal Conflict.

The militarily weak Zoq-Fot-Pik are only marginally helpful in defeating the Ur-Quan, but the value of the information they bring early on to the New Alliance of Free Stars cannot be denied. They also witness the Supox and Utwig offensive against the Kohr-Ah and, apparently, make contact with the two attacking races.

Stinger
The Stinger is a fairly lightly armored yet maneuverable ship that 'spits' a minute anti-matter stream as its primary offensive tactic. This weapon is highly caustic and will corrode through a tiny section of a vessel's hull, releasing colossal amounts of heat and light. Unfortunately, it is a wildly inaccurate attack, leaving it open for use as interceptor fire to neutralize incoming attacks.

The secondary weapon is a close range 'stinger' or 'tongue' in the form of a rigid red alloy tube, which springs forth from the front of the ship, with the intention of boring a hole straight through the hull's metal plating and injecting the target's vessel with a high-pressure stream of super-heated plasma into its interior. Unlike the fairly weak primary weapon, the secondary weapon is capable of inflicting massive damage to the inner workings of the ship. This procedure is affectionately referred to as "tonguing".

These vessels rely on maneuverability and speed to survive, as they are manned by a small crew complement and small energy reserves.

Frungy
The Zoq-Fot-Pik's most popular sport is known as "Frungy". Little is known about it to outside races beyond that it is a professional team sport, and that it is played "with gusto".

Known Zot-Fot-Piks

 * Buppo
 * Fod
 * Haffy
 * Jiff
 * Rogi
 * Tun
 * Yip

Gameplay notes
Sources of information

One of the first reports from Commander Hayes regards an unknown transmission coming from Rigel; the source of the transmission is a single Zoq-Fot-Pik Stinger seeking contact with the old Alliance of Free Stars. The captains of this ship can give the coordinates of the Zoq-Fot-Pik homeworld.

Relevance to the plot
While relations with the Zoq-Fot-Pik are not necessary, they provide quite a lot of valuable information, as well as the blueprints to their Stinger starships.

Soon after an alliance is established, Hayes relays an urgent plea for help from the Zoq-Fot-Pik whose homeworld is under attack from a battle group of Kohr-Ah Marauders. Without immediate assistance, the Zoq-Fot-Pik are obliterated.

Notes and references

 * 1The one-eyed creature never says anything during any of the conversations. At one point the Captain can ask, "Does that guy in back ever say anything?" The other two creatures reply, "Nope. Not a word." From the 2007 IRC chat with Toys for Bob (robot is Fred Ford, PR3 is Paul Reiche III):

23:26 <@Meep-Eep> < Elerium> Speaking of which, does the guy in the back of the ZFP have any future plans? We all know he doesn't say anything, but I like to think of him as some super genius who sadly doesn't have the ability to speak. 23:28 <+PR3> He got fed up with the other two and has temporarily 'broken up the band'. You will need to get them back together, because as solo artists they suck. 23:28 <+PR3> (I mean the guy in back of the ZFP).

3In-game it is never clearly stated which one is the Zoq, the Fot, or the Pik; the characters themselves argue over who is the Fot. However, the source code names the green one "Zoq", the brown one "Fot" and the blue one "Pik".
 * 2When first contacting the species at their homeworld, it is possible to say, "SILENCE BLATHERING TOADIES! We are your new masters." This is probably not a reference to their appearance, however, as "toadie" is a slang term for an ill-regarded or sycophantic servant.