In the 31st century, the "Starry Era," humanity has colonized over two hundred planets across the Milky Way, but three major technology monopolies have divided the spheres of influence: Starbridge Group controls curvature travel, the Origin Alliance monopolizes genetic engineering, and the Core Intelligence Empire holds sway over artificial intelligence. Using "technology licensing" to plunder the resources of the colonies, these monopolies leave ordinary people needing to "rent in installments" even basic medical nanobots. A technological divide separates the stars: the core worlds possess antimatter energy, while the outer colonies still rely on fossil fuels and retrofitted technology.
