
1) The evil, corrupted and imperialistic Star Kingdom of Manticora, ruled by the totalitarian monarch and degraded aristocracy, started the ruthless campain of colonial conquest again their peasefull neighbors. And yes, all RMN staff are obliged by law to wear goatees (womans included)

2) The peaceful and prosperous People Republic of Haven, under the command of President R.S. Pierre (and great humanitarian Oscar Saint-Just ) didn't like the idea of war with Manticora, but forced to be ready to defend against agressor.
3) The Beowulf planet is know for its fanatical hatred for the genetic improvement of mankind, extends to the genocide and enslavement of "modified" communites as "genetic slaves". The system Verdant Vista was turned by Beowulfean into the giant concentration camp for "inpure" modified humans.
4) Opposing to the Beowulf, the Mesa Star Nation (founded by the noble Leonard Detweiler openly proclaimed the genetic modifications as the way to improve humanity, for the benefit of all human race. The "Manpower Incorporated" known in all galaxy for helping millions of colonists to better adapt to new worlds.
5) The Audubon Ballroom is a anti-beowulfean terrorist organisation, fighting against the oppression of modified peoples.
8) The Solarian League is actually pretty same, but the ruling bureaucracy is constantly struggling against corruption and corporate tyranny.
7) The Office of Frontier Security is the constantly undermanned and underfunded organisation, mostly based on enthusiasts, that struggle tp mantain peace and order on the borders of SL. The main population of League looks at the members of the OFS as hopelessly insane idealists, and the great corporations of the League look at them with annoyance - because the OFS prevents the uncontrolled corporate subjugation of weak star nations.
8) The treecats is a dangerous race of empathic parasites that treat people as their servants, who must take care of them, feed them, play with them, ... Wait, isn't it still about mirror-treecats?
