Zoq-Fot-Pik
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The Zoq, Fot, and Pik, together Zoq-Fot-Pik, are three fictional races of beings featured in the sci-fi Star Control computer game series.
| Zoq-Fot-Pik | |
|---|---|
 The Zoq-Fot-Pik themselves are unsure which is which.
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| Ship | Zoq-Fot-Pik Stinger |
| Homeworld | Alpha Tucanae I |
| Contacts | Chenjesu, Human, Kohr-Ah, Kzer-Za, Slylandro Probes |
| Quotes | "Please hurry back with word from your Poobah. Millions of lives are at stake! Not the least of which is mine." |
The Zoq, the Fot and the Pik evolved together on one planet.
All three races evolved as non-predators, which left a niche on the planet for another intelligent species to evolve: the Zebranky. The Zebranky preferred a threesome of foods: namely the Zoq, the Fot and the Pik.
To survive the predations of the Zebranky, the Zoq, the Fot and the Pik banded together, annihilated the Zebranky and formed a cooperative union. They have integrated so well that they no longer recall which of the races are Zoq, which are Fot, and which are Pik.
After the three races killed off the last Zebranky they faced a dilemma: whether to develop technological and cultural sophistication, or to return to the forests and relax, free from the Zebranky. They chose the latter.
For another five thousand years, the Zoq, the Fot and the Pik relaxed in the forests, until one day one of each race was walking up a steep path looking for something to eat, when a bolt of lightning struck nearby. The bolt of energy carved a wheel-shaped chunk of granite out of a cliff. As the rock began to roll down the hill, some dry grass got caught in its hole, and since the rock was still hot the grass caught on fire. Thus the Zoq, Fot, and Pik simultaneously discovered the wheel, fire, and religion. The wheel and fire were based on the rock, and religion developed when the Zoq was killed by the rolling rock and the remaining two decided that he had simply gone to "a better place" (one preferably without dangerous, flaming wheels of death).
The species is notable for the unique interactions between the three members of the union, and for its sport of Frungy, although it is unknown how the sport is played.
The three species are said to feed on airborne zooplankton, solar and ambient energies, and rocky fungal clingers. It's never said exactly which species feeds on what, but there are some clues - the one on the right of the communication screenshot is shown blowing air out the three holes on its head, and the one on the left exclaims "our favorite" when speaking of rock clingers. Also, the green one on the left seems to be a botanical species, from her appearance, and, at one point, threatening to "blow a cloud of spores" in the face of the blue one, so she seems to absorb the sunlight. The function of the armlike appendages on the leftmost creature are unknown, but possibly includes communication since they move when the creature "talks".
[edit] Frungy
An obvious satiric take on bad spectator sports, Frungy is wildly popular among the Zoq-Fot-Pik. Absolutely no details about the rules or concept (apart from the fact that it is to be played with gusto!) are actually disclosed, although the Zoq-Fot-Pik (or at least the one on the right) are very glad to comment on how great, fun and interesting it is, making numerous references to Frungy throughout the game. (See Calvinball and Mornington Crescent).
[edit] Zoq-Fot-Pik Stinger
The Zoq-Fot-Pik ship is a fairly maneuverable ship that fires a low damage, short ranged, anti-matter stream as its primary weapon. The secondary weapon is a close range 'stinger', which appears as a red tube that springs from the front of the ship (injecting the opponent with a super-heated plasma) and inflicts major damage to opponents at nearly point-blank range. The similarity between the aforementioned tube and a human tongue (in addition to the associated sound effect) gives this attack the affectionate name 'tonguing', and is surprisingly effective when employed by a skilled pilot. The ship itself is rather fragile, with a fairly low amount of crew and small energy reserves.
[edit] Zebranky
The Zebranky are referred to only by the coexistent intelligences of the Zoq-Fot-Pik. Although extinct, they play a large part in the three races' history. The homeworld of the Zoq-Fot-Pik, Alpha Tucanae I, originally harbored four sentient races—the Zoq, the Fot, the Pik and the Zebranky. Whilst not technologically advanced, the Zebranky preyed upon the other three races. Several thousand years ago, the Zoq-Fot-Pik banded together to wipe out the Zebranky. As of the time of Star Control II, the Zebranky are considered ancient history and their only legacy are bones scattered around Alpha Tucanae I.
