Even with the seemingly limitless areas of space available to mankind for colonisation and exploitation mankind's aggressive and pugnacious temperament resulted in continuing conflict and violence. This period saw the rise of numerous states, organisations and armed bodies known collectively as 'Factions'. There are basically three types of faction:

Political Factions

These range from the Old Earth powers such as the European Union or Imperial Russia to the newer multi-system powers such as Consys, to the self-governing, single system authorities.

• Imperial Russia
• Unit

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Companies

One of the side effects of humanity’s rapid expansion into space has been the opportunity offered to companies to extend their business base making enormous profits for their senior employees and shareholders. Multi-system companies such as ACME and USI maintain their own military forces and control entire planets.

Others

Human Space is home to mercenaries, pirates, religious fanatics, survivalists, social engineers and every other activity that has appeared in society from the dawn of history.