The Western Republic yearns to expand the human race to other worlds. The Columbia is Earth's first FTL capable ship and completed the first leg of their mission by successfully planting a scientific outpost on Epsilon Eridani 5 (now named Eden with the outpost called Babylon). Columbia was surprised to find a race of people there that referred to themselves as 'The Collective' because they formed a telepathic collective consciousness. After rescuing them from a planned conquest by the Basel Confederation, the Collective now joins the crew of the Columbia as they travel to Tau Ceti to plant another scientific outpost in preparation of colonization.