The Steltek are an ancient race that ruled a powerful empire that existed 2.4 billion years before humanity in the Wing Commander Universe.
They were once a prosperous race until they lost control over their own technology. They used their advanced technologies to fight each other, only to bring themselves to near-extinction when they found that their weapons were far too powerful to control. Following their disastrous downfall, the Steltek abandoned their empire and fled deep into the galaxy. They have made it their personal duty to destroy any technology they might have left behind, and often send vessels to destroy these weapons. They hope to spare any other race from the destruction they caused to themselves.