A useful and deadly power, energy shards can be used to power ship engines or provide a home with energy needed for light and heat. However, energy shards can also be tuned to produce the explosive energy blasts or concentrated energy bullets expelled from sword-gun weaponry.
Most energy shards are typically in one of two states; fully powered or recharging. Once energy is spent, the shard switches states and cannot be used again until fully charged.
Some energy shards have been found to still be usable while charging, but these are incredibly rare and valuable.