The Cataati were once a proud race, until they were assimilated by the Borg. Only 30 ships with a few thousand people escaped assimilation. Most of the ships were without basic supplies, they suffered from hunger and diseases. The worst of it all was that they could not replicate materials. The technology of the Cataati is based on thorium isotopes. During the assimilation they could not replicate those isotopes. Their sad destiny was to travel true space looking for thorium or beg for it. Nevertheless they still made their hard business reputation true. They even asked for a ransom for a federation starship. But they should have the right negotiations chip.