Introduction to the Space Opera Universe The era of the starships depicted in the Space Opera universe occurs about five centuries from the present. The Space Opera universe centers on the major four star-faring powers in the 300 light year sphere of known space centered on Sol system. Two of these, the Humanasol League and the Kruegarian Protectorate, are run by humans. The other two, the Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation and the Klolodian Empire, are run by carbon-based, oxygen breathing aliens. The Ventronians are taller and thinner than humans, with four arms and four legs. The Klolodians are shorter and squatter than humans with three-arms and three-legs. The Humanasol League is the smallest, poorest and weakest of the four major powers. It occupies a 100 light year diameter sphere and consists of Sol system and its first generation colonies. The 1000 warship Humanasol League Fleet is primarily defensive and has the smallest ships of the major powers. The Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation occupies a 100 light year diameter sphere directly spinward from the Humanasol League. Like the Humanasol League Fleet, the 1200 warship Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation Fleet is primarily defensive with a significant portion devoted to interstellar exploration. The Ventronians posses slightly most advanced star-faring technology than the rest of the major powers. Bordering the Humanasol League on its coreward and anti-spinward sides is the expansionist Kruegarian Protectorate, consisting of human colonies established by the first generation colonies. These second generation colonies broke away from the Humanasol League about fifty years ago to form their own interstellar government based on the colony world Kruegar. The 2000 warship Kruegarian Protectorate Starfleet is primarily engaged in holding and expanding its territory. Bordering the Kruegarian Protectorate, Humanasol League, and Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation along their rimward borders is the expansionist Klolodian Empire. The Klolodian Imperial Starfleet boasts almost 4000 warships and is bent on expanding its influence into the territories occupied by Humans and Ventronians. Basically, the still occasionally antagonistic Kruegarian Protectorate and Humanasol League, along with the neutrality seeking Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation, need to work together to thwart to expansionist ambitions of the Klolodian Empire. The Kruegarian Protectorate Starfleet is powerful and well-equipped but spread out. The Humanasol League Fleet is concentrated but lacking in economic resources. The Ventronian Interstellar Consolidation Fleet has the technological edge but is hesitant to aid the ever-squabbling Humans. Finally, the Klolodian Imperial Starfleet is large with plenty of resources, but may face other foes in parts of space beyond the range of Human exploration. Its ability to maintain an extended campaign against the three other major powers, should they present an united front, is unknown.