Gáktis

Gáktis is a fictional planetary body appearing in the science fiction universe of the novel *A Fire Upon the Deep* by Vernor Vinge. It is a world located in the Tines' Galaxy, a region of the galaxy characterized by the presence of a "Beyond" zone, where the laws of physics are different and more powerful entities, known as the Powers, are believed to exist. Gáktis itself resides within the "Slow Zone," a less dangerous area of the Tines' Galaxy where faster-than-light travel is possible but interaction with the Powers is limited.

The planet is notable for being the homeworld of the Tines, a species of sentient, pack-based beings. Tines are characterized by their unique biology, where a single individual is comprised of multiple small, independent, canine-like creatures that cooperate to form a single sentient mind. These individual creatures are known as "tines." The Tines' social structure and development are intrinsically linked to their pack nature and their planet of origin. Gáktis is a significant setting for the early parts of the narrative, establishing the nature of the Tines and their place within the broader galactic context. The planet's environment and the evolutionary pressures it exerted are implied to have played a crucial role in shaping the Tines' unique biological and social evolution.