The planetary territory under the central government (hereafter “CG” for ease of writing) was unscathed. The war had spilled into the independent human colonies as a byproduct of the fighting, and while there had never been an intent to use the independent colonies as a buffer, that is what ended up happening.

After the war many citizens and leaders inside CG took their success, and the contrasting collapse of the independent colonies as vindication of CG policy to focus on internal betterment rather than expansion. A small fraction, most of whom were retired veterans of the old CG exploratory corps, took the situation as a warning of what could happen to an unprepared civilization. The fact that the CG came out unscathed was more random chance than the result of some enlightened policy. This small but vocal minority was successful in getting the exploratory corps restarted, although with very minimal support. This restarted corps has moved into former colonial space and gone even further into the destroyed former Arweli and Groupthink space in an effort to gather intelligence, research technology.

The humanitarian crisis from the destruction of the colonies did impact the CG. Although many colonial refuges ended up in corporate space, others sought refuge in the successful CG territory. One of CG’s most highly enforced rules was that power crystals were the property of the government and could not be privately owned. As the crystals were essential to faster than light travel, it meant that colonials entering CG territory for asylum in their own ships were making a one way trip, as the ship would be confiscated as part of processing. Other colonials unable to afford their own ships bought seats on ships that would jump into CG space and then jettison them in escape pods towards CG patrolled space.

The CG response was to set up large refugee zones on some of their less populated planets. The zones took the form of blocks of prefabricated buildings, and centralized infrastructure. Colonists were thought to be too disruptive to allow into wider society wholesale, and the CG desired to ensure an education and certification program before allowing colonial refugees into CG society. The refugee zones were clean, safe, and orderly but very minimal. Many colonial refugees found themselves stuck in the frustrating bureaucracy which seemed designed to keep them out. Many CG citizens held the belief, although not spoken aloud, that the colonials had brought destruction on themselves and resented having to provide aid.

There is a belief held by many colonials and CG citizens, that the two are genetically different strains of people, owing to earth’s nuclear war history. The belief is that CG citizens are descendants of those who lived in large, well stocked multi-generational survival bunkers while colonials are the descendants of those who scraped by on the surface. One group pre-dispostioned to following orders, living in tightly packed groups, and valuing security; while the other group values daring, open space, freedom. There is some historical evidence that this is partially true, but academics have many disputes over if it is true and the nuances of if it has any bearing on the current social split.

(My biggest weakness is being terrible coming up with the names of groups, people and places)