Tarsus IV

Fourth planet of the Tarsus System, Tarsus IV is a Class M planet that was colonized by Humans in the early 23rd Century.

In 2246, the planet suffered a critical food shortage caused by an exotic fungus. With help months away, then Gov. Kodos had half of the colony's population put to death so the other half would not starve. He chose the victims based on his own views of eugenics. Help arrived earlier than expected from Earth, but too late to save the colonists. Authorities found a burned body and, believing it was Kodos, let the matter drop. Dubbed "Kodos the Executioner" by history, he nevertheless had escaped to Planet Q and eluded discovery for 20 years.

One of the survivors (and witnesses to Kodos' brutality) was a young James T. Kirk. (The Original Series: "The Conscience of the King")

Tarsus IV ultimately recovered from the incident, but never has forgotten. The colony now numbers some 600,000 citizens and has a solid economy.