Commander of the First Federation flagship Fesarius who conducted his people's first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2266. A childlike being by human standards, Balok employed a fierce, though false, representation of himself to intimidate potential enemies. He threatened to destroy the U.S.S. Enterprise but backed down in the face of Captain Kirk's "corbomite" bluff. He was actually testing the Enterprise crew to ascertain if their intentions were truly peaceful, and when he was visited by Kirk and other crew members, a diplomatic relationship was formed over drinks of Tranya. Lt. David Bailey offered to remain with Balok on the Fesarius in a cultural exchange.