Alpha Matter is a rare, highly energetic substance that is the foundation of modern galactic civilization. The unique properties of Alpha Matter have proven key to the establishment and growth of interstellar societies, making Alpha the most essential resource within the Milky Way.

Early space-faring species discovered that Alpha Matter has the unique ability to generate localized space-time distortions. When utilized within an FTL drive system, properly refined Alpha creates the Space Distortion Shell (SDS) that warps spacetime around the traveling vessel, permitting travel at many times the speed of light—without suffering the relativistic effects imposed on traditional drive systems as they approach light speed.

Additionally, scientists soon learned the Space Distortion Field (SDF) generated by Alpha Matter could be harnessed for power generation purposes, greatly outmatching other energy solutions. This discovery would eventually allow rapid colonization of newly discovered worlds, as even a small amount of Alpha Matter is capable of powering a planetary-scale civilization.