The Core's technological and economic triumphs have allowed humanity to colonize most of the Milky Way and enjoy peace and prosperity. Story / Background In the distant future, the galaxy is ruled by a central body of humans and artificial intelligences called the Core (a contraction of 'Consciousness Repository'). For each side, the only acceptable outcome is the complete elimination of the other.

Both sides now crippled beyond repair, the remnants of their armies continue to battle on ravaged planets, their hatred fuelled by over four thousand years of total war. The Core and the Arm have all but exhausted the resources of a galaxy in their struggle for domination.

What began as a conflict over the transfer of consciousness from flesh to machines escalated into a war which has decimated a million worlds.