Emmet Longstreet - a shadowy figure with phenomenal wealth - forms GigaCorp, with the primary goal of conquest and commercialization of near-Earth space. For the next thirty years, Longstreet assembles teams of scientists and engineers to accomplish his goals. By 2033, Longstreet devises the “ALEXANDER Project,” an illegal program to develop humans better suited to operating in an orbital environment.

The early ALEXANDER experiments involved the creation of humans with faster reflexes, better eyesight, better adjustment to zero-g environments, and so on. Longstreet privately influenced the test subjects' thought patterns, hoping to create fierce loyal “Praetorian Guards.” As a result, early ALEXANDER subjects - codenamed Bios - viewed Longstreet as a father figure/messiah.

“Underground” journalists - guerrilla reporters that refuse to work for the corporate-controlled media - sneak into the ALEXANDER test site, discovered several “discarded” failures (genetically altered corpses). These “failed experiments” are being “recycled.” In the following year, these journalists hijack a GigaCorp communications relay and air the tapes. Public outcry is enormous, and the first wedge is driven between GigaCorp and the governments of the Earth.

As a result of the ALEXANDER controversy, and subsequent commercial failures, Longstreet's control over GigaCorp falters, ending with his expulsion from the corporate roster in 2056.

As his corporate rivals plot to remove him from control of GigaCorp, Longstreet “commandeers” (through creative redistribution of GigaCorp assets) a large transport ship, supplies, and the remaining ALEXANDER project subjects. The ship - which Longstreet christens the Long December - heads off into the outer regions of the system. Over the next few years, Longstreet and the Bios establish a hidden colony near Saturn. After developing food production facilities, the Bios begin launching infiltration missions into corporate and military facilities, gathering supplies and technology.

As Longstreet and his Bio confederates flee from Earth, GigaCorp scout ships discover Helium-3 - an ideal fuel for fusion reactors - in the Sol system asteroid belt. Scientists successfully extract He³ from asteroids and use it as fuel. Once this fuel “refining” process is perfected, GigaCorp begins to mobilize for long-term, widespread exploitation of He³ resources.

Longstreet dies at age 95; age is not the cause of death, however. Prolonged exposure to radiation and zero-g ultimately caused Longstreet's demise.

The Siege of Leonov begins. GigaCorp and Crimson Group (the principal GigaCorp rival) discover a large He³ deposit on the moon. Security forces from both factions dig in and attempt to secure the site. Within 14 hours, the firefight begins. Neither side backs off, though the siege is little more than a standoff.

In response to the weeks of fighting on the moon, the UN orders a Peacekeeping Coalition (composed largely of United States Marines) into space to defuse the situation. Within weeks, the Coalition forces decimate the corporate factions warring at Leonov.

GigaCorp scientists develop the “Mass Conveyor” for He³ harvesting. Asteroids are “captured” by mining ships, which then accelerate along a ballistic trajectory. Once a predetermined velocity is reached, the asteroid is released, continuing on course towards “catching” stations on Luna.

The “Catchers” are large spacecraft, with powerful thrusters, which “dock” with the incoming craft, slow them down, and guide them into refinery stations.

The initial tests are quite successful and GigaCorp immediately begins mining operations.

By early 2079, virtually every company in space has Mass Conveyor systems in place, and scores of asteroids enter lunar orbit daily. However, traffic control is still a problem, as many corporations prefer to rely on their own technology, not that of the Coalition. In addition, few corporations share traffic control info with each other, creating still more confusion.

In mid-2079, the Belt Conflict begins. Corporate asteroid prospectors start a minor firefight on a small asteroid. Each side calls in for support and, like the Siege of Leonov, the matter quickly escalates. Within months, a second battle on the moon ensues - the Battle of Mare Crisium. This time, Coalition forces are fought to a standstill, and both sides take heavy casualties.

GigaCorp deploys portable asteroid refineries, a more economical method of He³ harvesting than the Mass Conveyer system. Mass Conveyers are still in service, operated by smaller space-faring corporations.

Lunar secessionists declare independence. At the same time, corporate forces on Io begin warring. As a result, Coalition forces are forced to split into two elements to handle both conflicts. Coalition forces reach Io and engage the enemy on the surface. Led by a young officer, Derek Fisk, a strike team secures Io in a series of sneak attacks and commando raids.

Disaster strikes the Coalition on Luna, however. While Fisk's forces pacify Io, the Lunar rebels manage to destroy a command ship carrying the leader of Coalition forces on the moon. Fisk is rapidly promoted to command of Coalition forces.

Despite Fisk's command ability, the United Nations deems the Lunar pacification too costly. The Lunar Declaration of Independence is officially recognized. Fisk, in recognition of his achievements in the war over Io and Luna, is promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of Coalition forces.

A spatial anomaly is detected by a corporate scout ship. This anomaly - codenamed the “Aleph” - allows transit across hundreds of light-years. The scoutship inadvertently stumbles into the wormhole and ends up in orbit around a fiery, molten world nicknamed “Hades.”

Outlaw Mars broadcasters air the footage from the original pass through the Aleph.

Scientists launch scout craft beyond the boundaries of the solar system, discovering that there are, in fact, a number of Alephs, leading to other systems.

Scientists continue to examine the gates, discovering that there is a network of these star-gates, allowing exploration throughout the galaxy. They also determine that duplicating the Aleph jump is not possible except for short-range, short-duration hops. This technology (called “ripcording”) is incorporated into most spacecraft as a safety measure.

March 13, 2140: Disaster strikes. An asteroid, fired at a Lunar catching station by one of the remaining Mass Conveyor “Catching” stations, misses its target. Some witnesses report some kind of explosion prior to launch, and rumors of sabotage, deliberate genocide, and other conspiracy theories abound.

The asteroid - roughly 4 km in diameter - plunges into the Pacific ocean, vaporizing the water, cracking the mantle, and producing a massive wave of heat. Roughly 95% of Earth's population is killed by the impact. What survivors remain are scattered across the globe, cut off from communication, isolated, and slowly dying from lack of food.

General Fisk unites surviving military forces - from a variety of nations - under his banner, claiming it is the duty of the armed forces to restore order. Though some military personnel do not agree with Fisk's plan, thousands of troops flock to join the Coalition (trusting other soldiers more than civilians).

At the same time, GigaCorp moves to swallow up the remaining corporations, becoming a well-armed monopoly under the leadership of Mercedes Kelleher, a rising corporate exec with a shadowy agenda.

GigaCorp forces discover a Bio “enhancement facility” near Proxima Centauri. (Human captives are being genetically altered against their will.)

Later that year, The DataNet goes online. A pirate media network, it broadcasts “official” news snippets from all human factions. Relay stations on Mars, Luna and in the various Belter enclaves seem to be the source, though who really runs it is unknown. Their first broadcast is of GigaCorp footage of the Bio “enhancement facility.”

The Battle of Kapteyn's Star. Iron Coalition and GigaCorp forces clash over several He³ deposits. For the first time, GigaCorp fights Coalition forces to a standstill. Fisk's forces withdraw.

The “Junkyard Armada” - a collection of mercenary, pirate and prospector vessels fend off an attack by GigaCorp “claim jumpers” attempting to seize He³ deposits near Alpha Centauri. The armada is led by Orion Sholes, a somewhat shady trader and pirate, who has - through a combination of charisma and blind luck - become a folk hero among the Belter population.

The future is now in your hands.