1 Prologue: Echoes of a Cosmic Clash

In a universe teeming with swirling galaxies and celestial wonders, five years ago, a colony was established on Mars, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Rentilian Empire. The Empress, celebrating her 10th Millennia in power, reveled in the discovery of Aether, a wondrous blue iridescent liquid pulsing with energy. This extraordinary substance had the power to indefinitely prolong the relatively short lifespan of the Rentilians, insectoid beings with an average life expectancy of merely five years.

However, the miraculous Aether was a double-edged sword. When in its raw form or escaping containment, it began breaking down the dark matter in the vicinity, rendering space travel impossible and much of Rentilian technology obsolete. The zones where Aether leaked or exploded were labeled "Hazardous Zones," diverting and restricting all space flights from those areas.

Aether played a pivotal role in dividing the Rentilian society into two distinct castes: the Aetherial, who were affluent enough to afford Aether and extend their lifespans, and the Limited, those unable to afford Aether, condemned to a life span of five years at most. A rising movement among the Limited sought to take control of Aether plants and distribute it equitably among Rentilians, aiming for equality as even the smallest drop could significantly extend their lifespan.

Despite its transformative potential, how other races under Imperial rule by the Aetherial Rentilians reacted to Aether remained unknown, as the substance was deemed too precious to be tested on "lesser beings." The Rentilian Empire, expanding its reach to the Sol System, established an Aether processing plant on Zektara IV, commonly known as Mars.

To initiate the processing phase on Zektara IV, a colossal batch of raw Aether needed to be transported to prime the factory. This raw Aether was carefully encased within asteroid geodes, fitted with massive Trans-system drives on the exterior for movement. The Aether transport asteroid departed from the minefield and set its course towards Zektara IV.

However, the plot thickened as Rentilian rebels, strategically positioned behind the second moon, awaited the carrier's arrival. Their objective was to seize control of the plant and the precious Aether-laden asteroid. An intense space battle ensued, with the carrier heavily guarded and fortified to protect its invaluable cargo.

Despite their valiant efforts, the rebels found themselves on the losing side of the conflict. In a last-ditch attempt, one fighter emerged with a single active torpedo. Covered by fellow fighters, it executed a kamikaze dive into the main thruster reactor of the carrier.

The result was a cataclysmic explosion, sending asteroid shards hurtling throughout the solar system. Zektara IV and its surrounding system were swiftly deemed a "Hazardous Zone" by the Rentilian Empire, forever altered by the events that unfolded during the fateful attempt to control the potent forces of Aether.

Yet, following the debris trail, millions of miles away lay a blue and green world: Zektara III, colloquially known as Earth.