//------------------------------//
// Preface 
// Story: Dominion 
// by Xzenocrimzie 
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Preface

The darkness of the cosmos is a forbidding, violent place. Claimed to be the final frontier of all who live in this desolate and empty universe, it claims its toll on all who inhabit it. The universe indecisive on whether to bring forth to the explorers and the residents of it's ever expanding borders peace or destruction. Although it's great power is surely both dangerous and rewarding, ponies took to the stars just as quickly as they had taken their first step. With the fire of curiosity in their eyes, and the sound of riches quickening the beat of their hearts, they offered themselves to the universe. When one is asked what their definition of the cosmos is, a miner might claim it to be the seeds of their existence. An ensign might call it a battlefield. A pirate might call it their hunting ground. To all the ponies who are forced to take up residence here, they all call it their home. 

Ever since the EVE event, the world for this new civilization of ponies has been rough. This event brought the ponies from Equestria to a new galaxy of stars through a gigantic wormhole, sending their vessels to an unknown location light years away. The resources and riches of this new land that they were transported to were left exploitable, something that the ponies' appetite could not resist. So they ventured forth, through the wormhole from their world and brought themselves to the land of New Equestria to sow the fields, and feed their ever growing industrial and political hunger. This land was to be conquered and exploited by the rich and the powerful, it's boon transported back to Equestria to help the development of their land, to serve as fields to plant the crops of abundance. 

That is, until the day when the EVE wormhole disappeared. The gateway between their homeland and New Equestria, broken. Their communication ceased, and no chance for there ever to be another journey home. Nothing remained of the great gateway, only the black background of thermonuclear stars. A species now separated from their home world, they were forced to take up residence in this new land. Left to fend for themselves, the ponies trapped in New Equestria fought each other for territory, resources, and their own survival in a massive war that lasted hundreds of years.

The group that owned the most star systems was the religious Amarr Empire, who's dedication to their old Princesses pushed them forward through the conflict. Below their pedestal of power, the Caldari State, a loosely defined conglomerate of mega corporations, all operating in a super saturated environment of competition and pure capitalism. The Gallente Federation, who's only goal was to bring freedom of choice and personal liberty to all of New Equestria, amassed the power of a thousand suns. They waged war unlike any other; none being able to snatch an outright victory when all seemed to be lost.

The fourth, and weakest faction is the Minmatar. A slave republic established after widespread rebellion and desertion from their Amarr overlords, the Minmatar fight every day for the survival of their culture. Only finding sactuary under the protective wing of the Gallente, these proud zealous people speak only of the day they will be granted the priviledge of exacting retribution on their former owners. 

It is here where we end up, a stalemate between the four factions. The Amarr and Caldari Alliance formed after the rebellions, while an alliance between the Minmatar and the Gallente Federation to counter it. 

It is not just these four fanatical groups of ponies who are bidding for control over New Equestria. The pirates move freely throughout lawless space, claiming the heads of helpless pilots travelling through their systems, and accumulating the bounties worth billions. It is here, where a sinister plot is brewing, that will change the course of history for New Equestria forever.