 Radioactive Thaddium formed into a cylinder (above) Thaddium in Lead Container (A) / (B) / (C)  Thaddium Elemental Diverter (A) / (B) Thaddium Explosion Age of Kaine Painting |
The radioactive Thaddium, the lethal zirradiated ore, was created and refined by Thaddeus Kaine in the first half of the tenth century. Usually formed into a pocket-sized glowing metal cylinder, this dangerous mineral must be shielded by lead (either in a special container or in a Thaddium Elemental Diverter (TED)). If exposed to air, Thaddium particles begin to immediately disintergrate. Without containment, all life forms within a radius of five miles will be consumed by fire moments after their blood begins to boil from intense microwave exposure.
The Thaddium Elemental Diverter (TED) is a cylindrical lead transformer shaped like a portable electric screwdriver. Combining Thaddium with the TED creates a power source. Kaine invented a battle tank that ran on Thaddium when a TED was placed into its Power Transducer Unit. As many of Kaine's inventions were prototypes, the TED upset the battle tank from time to time by producing a Thaddium energy spike which was required to be released immediately. This buildup was released through the tank's barrel.