Spike was the second planet in the Spikal star system in the Klingon Neutral Zone in the Alpha or the Beta Quadrant. It was home to an isolationist Orion Colony, where the Orions were known as Spikans. In the late 23rd century, Spike was ruled by Overlord Mentain the Strong, who continued the closed-world policy. Those who visited Spike were warned by Starfleet that they couldn't rely on it for protection or support; those who broke local law were likely to be held captive for a very long time waiting for a negotiation of extradition with the consulate.