Echoes of Stardust)
**Core settings:**
* **Era background:** 2842 AD. Human civilization has spread throughout the solar system and established the first stable interstellar colony - "Alpha Outpost" in the "New Hope Galaxy" about 50 light-years away from the Earth. Faster-than-light travel is achieved through the "star gate" network, but the construction and maintenance of star gates are extremely expensive and technically complex. Currently, humans only have the coordinates and usage rights of a few fixed star gates.
* **Core Conflict:** When humans were exploring Iredia, an Earth-like planet in the New Hope galaxy, they discovered an unnatural crystal structure that contained huge energy. These "stardust crystals" not only provide nearly unlimited clean energy, but also seem to hide some kind of information or consciousness. The struggle and research surrounding the Stardust Crystal and the unknown dangers it may bring form the main line of the story.
* **Main forces:**
* **Earth United Space Agency (EASA):** Represents Earth's government and is committed to the regulation of scientific research and interstellar exploration.
* **Interstellar Frontier Corporation (ISC):** A huge commercial entity that pursues resource development and profit maximization and has powerful power in the New Hope Galaxy.
* **"Free Thought" Movement:** A loose alliance of pioneers, scientists and idealists who are dissatisfied with the Earth's government and big business, hoping that the new colonies can establish a more equitable society.
