Freespace

Freespace refers to cosmo-political areas of the galaxy that are not controlled by any greater galactic government or planetary territories such as the Galactic Confederacy or Imperial Federation of Worlds.

The term is unanimously given to the non-aligned “international waters” of space that exist between some borders of territorial lines where species have either not yet expanded due to resource limitations or have denounced the area due to internal politics; usually the area is unclaimed due to various political or geospatial reasons; most species simply do not tend to expand beyond the capability of their government’s infrastructure and resource management. Both the Imperial Federation of Worlds and Galactic Confederacy also do not tend to encroach on more archaic worlds close to hyperspacial development that have a potential territorial expansion zone. (the haze, however, do).

This gives Freespace unique opportunities in growing independent colonies, but as they are not governed by any higher power, are also open to rogue groups such as pirates, raiders, gangsters and the likes of The Haze or more powerful independent species who do not respect small-time colonists, and colonising within Freespace means defending the colony free from the aid of governments; in most cases this means colonies form local protectorates and security firms, sometimes even employing mercenary outfits like Flarestar or the Xott Militia, some even employ gangster families as protection rackets.

The Freespace Purity Movement was born out of a need to protect the independency of Freespace worlds, particularly colonies and will attempt to fight against invaders for a small price and politicize Freespace issues and disputes.

Because intergovernmental bodies like the Confederacy and Imperial Federation expand by contracting and annexing worlds as part of their shared territories, it leaves areas that are not inhabited, or areas within which are independent worlds free of their influence and jurisdiction.

While this gives independents and Co-Cols freedom from their rules, it can leave them open to invasions and conquest from more advanced worlds from the likes of the Haze and sometimes an independent world may seek help from a greater government outside of their world if an invasion or attack occurs.

While the Imperial Federation are rather callous on ignoring worlds that do not join them, the Confederacy will aid freespace worlds regardless, although often try to convince them to join their alliance as was the case with Royal Narool in the wake of the Z'Khan's attack on Earth in 2984.

As Freespace harbours great deals of criminal activity and both the Confederacy and Federation often send spies into these networks to ascertain if they are a threat to their security despite no government from either side having any lawful jurisdiction.