Humanity has just emerged from the lowest point in its collective history, and the closest it has been to extinction since the advent of agriculture. By the year 2304, the Coalition of humans and their alien allies the Jinu had spread across the stars, and thought themselves powerful. But the Outsiders, an alien empire occupying vast reaches of Rimward space, proved them wrong. First, contact between the two allies was severed, and suddenly humanity was alone. Then the Outsiders attacked in force, and human planets and governments fell one by one.

It was the apocalypse.

But contrary to the beliefs of many, not all hope was lost. After five years, a single starship, the Percival Lowell, returned from Rimward space, bringing with it the means to nullify the Outsiders' greatest weapon. With this, and the help of many other brave pilots, the occupying Outsiders were driven off human worlds and back to where they came from.

Humanity is now trying to rebuild, and trying to regain what it has lost. The Outsiders are finished with occupation, and now desire only to see humans extinct. New threats and new mysteries seem to appear every day. In the midst of it all, civilian starships span the stars, maintaining an open threat against any new invasion and trying to make a few credits while they're at it.

You too have felt the lure of this; the desire for a unique freedom that most citizens will never know, the drive to explore, the need to defend your species, and yes, greed for the vast wealth that is to be had.

It is time to take to the stars.