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.