It is the year 3000.
So much has changed since the massive colony vessel Sanctuary materialized near Demaria.
The Solar Consortium, shattered by the revolution of the Martian Republic and economically shaken by the collapse of Embryonix, is trying to pick up the pieces with the establishment of new trade policies. Work has begun on an orbital waystation called Prosperity Point, and Earth has opened New York to alien visitors. But not everyone agrees with this new openness.
The Timonae and Mystics have formed a tentative union on Antimone, trying to heal a breach that is millennia old.
The Nall in the Parallax have begun taking greater interest in external affairs for the first time since they eradicated the Kretonians in 2806.
Two disparate Demarian cultures share influence on the felinoid homeworld, as alien-friendly Demarians build an open community of New Alhira and a more traditionalist group of nobles begin to promote the old ways - the more xenophobic and aristocratic ways - in the town of Gleaming Star.
The Castori continue to sell their teleportal technology to other worlds, while the Odarite Merchants Guild begins raising its visibility among the Independent Worlds.
The G'ahnli promote commerce and try to aid prosperity on their homeworld.
Sivad finds itself torn over its political allegiances, while Luna plans for the future - a future that doesn't take a friendly Solar Consortium for granted.
The Grimlahdi and Zangali continue their uneasy alliance on Grimlahd, building a defensive fleet and a merchant organization.
The Centauran Freehold, held under the sway of the Ri'Kammi Hive Mind until the defeat of the Mindshard battle fleet at Sanctuary, has seen its own revolution, and has opened diplomatic relations with outsiders again.
Lord Boromov's underworld empire based on Ungstir continues to gain strength and influence.
The Qua and Vollistan Light Singers struggle to find their own place in this new interplanetary dynamic.
And the few remaining Mekke struggle to help their race survive and rebuild on Ist'thol'mek without a queen.
The saga continues...