Humans encounter alien races for the first time, and the first alien wars are fought. Aliens are called Xenos and are perceived as horribly other. Development of the STC, Standard Template Construct, is a machine or a program or a small factory (records are unclear) that can manufacture a single device out of whatever local materials are at hand. STC systems are sent out as planets are colonized, ensuring that the new colony can build vehicles, life support, or weapons from whatever resources are available.