Kvarkeja

Kvarkeja is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Last Starfarer" by Elara Vance. It is described as a terrestrial world located in the Kepler-186 system, orbiting a red dwarf star. The planet is characterized by its dense, methane-rich atmosphere which gives its skies a perpetual twilight hue. Its surface is predominantly covered in vast, shallow oceans of liquid ethane, interspersed with continents of a dark, volcanic rock.

The indigenous lifeforms of Kvarkeja are believed to be silicon-based, adapted to the planet's extreme temperatures and chemical environment. These organisms are often described as crystalline structures that slowly grow and reproduce through a process of electrochemical accretion. The planet's gravity is approximately 0.8 times that of Earth, and its axial tilt results in mild seasonal variations.

Kvarkeja's significance in the narrative lies in its potential as a source of unique energy crystals, which are vital for interstellar travel in Vance's universe. The search for these crystals drives much of the plot, leading the protagonists into dangerous encounters with the planet's harsh environment and its enigmatic, non-carbon-based inhabitants. The planet is depicted as a place of both scientific wonder and perilous challenge.