Gaian Empire

The Gaian Empire is the central government which controls the area of space surrounding the human homeworld Earth. Gaia began out of necessity: 300 years ago, overpopulation and Earth's deteriorating environment was threatening humanity's survival as a species. The race was divided into some 200 sovereign nations, all competing for the dimininshing resources. Democratic solutions were proving unsuccessful, and as a last resort, a small number of the planet's most powerful nations made an alliance with one specific goal: survival at any cost.

The fledgling Gaian Alliance, as it was then known, immidiately declared martial law and began systematically subjugating opposing nations. This sparked a brief series of resistance wars, but Gaia was ultimately successful in unifying Earth under a single government.

With complete control of Earth's resources in hand, Gaia then turned its eyes toward the stars. Space exploration became the sole focus of the Empire's efforts, and in only a few short decades, the first experimental ripple drive had been developed, allowing for faster-than-light travel. This ushered in an era of expansion as humanity discovered and colonized hundreds of new worlds.

After first contact was made, Gaia enjoyed civil and often lucrative relations with the Xukumid Dominion for more than a century before the outbreak of the Expansion Wars. The war was devastating to both sides, and today, Gaia's economic strength and sphere of influence is much diminished.