Talza was a traditionalist and resented changes to Rigellian society brought about in the build-up to Rigel VII's admittance into the Federation. In response she became involved in a conspiracy on the planet which led to a coup by the Kaylar warrior caste. On the night of the uprising, Talza was able to draw Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise into an ambush at the Zemtar fortress. Then, while Pike fought a Kaylar, Talza made her exit to check on a transmitter in the Rigellian Parliamentary Assembly which was putting out a jamming signal blocking communications from Starfleet personnel on Rigel VII with the Enterprise above. She reached the transmitter just as Pike's yeoman, Dermot Cusack, had finished disabling it, and in response she murdered him.