We are not alone in the cosmos. All civilizations in this galaxy sector are aware of at least one other. One, whose appetite for expansion is only matched by its skill in warfare.
Ours.
Hundreds of other civilizations look at the millions of stars owned by the Empire of Man with respect, admiration and a healthy dose of fear. The Empire was forged in the fires of the Unification War, when The First Emperor defeated the Cyborg Theocracy. Since then, every human had a choice: whether to stay home and embrace the comfort of a settled planet or fly into the unknown. After some reached for the stars, their children faced the same dilemma. Many decided to go even further. They claimed the next barren rock, the next poisonous atmosphere, the next bug-infested jungle and turned them into gardens worthy of the name ... paradise.
The Citizens of the Border Worlds stand at the end of this nearly 2-million-year chain of generations unbroken by void, alien or promises of comfort. Derev is one such world.
340-year-old Governor of Derev and Albert, a promising 19-year-old student in the elite Academy, are shocked to discover that a massive unidentified alien armada is heading towards their star system.
This armada is seemingly undeterred by Humanity's massive expansion, our undefeated record in space warfare, or the understanding that we only ask for peace ...
Once.