Thasteron

Thasteron is a mineral that is very important in the creation of fuel for sublight interplanetary travel. In the Pact Worlds system, it is primarily found on the planet Akiton. Since the introduction of Drift engines, which don't require thasteron, the demand for the mineral has plummeted, with only a small niche of enthusiasts still employing Thasteron-based engines and boosters.

Khefaks, a bio-engineered species of 20-legged arthropods, were created by Khefak Biogenetics for the purpose of consuming scrap material and excreting purified Thasteron for re-use. This process was rather dangerous for their handlers and breeders as it would eventually cause them to become radioactive over time. With the collapse of the Thasteron industry at large, many of these Khefak have broken loose and have become a major pest on Akiton.