"The stars don't look bigger, and they don't look brighter." Corporate dystopia has overtaken not only Equus, but the entirety of inhabited bodies across the universe. Those who sought freedom from the heavy-hooved corporations have been systematically destroyed and erased from the news and ponies' minds, until the Free System of the Other Galaxy declared its sovereignty. The eleven planets nestled there can take care of themselves, and no amount of damage control can keep the Free System out of the minds of the masses. Siliv was the first planet in the galaxy to declare its freedom from the Grand Equestrian Alliance. It went easily until the trade embargo made a quick example of a planet already known for its barbaric practices. Any businesses there were gone in days, their supplies depleted, and, with no way to obtain resources nor a viable currency, they settled into bankruptcy. Siliv became a hub for the black market and hideout for shady figures. The government was disbanded, and any half-honest business was destroyed. Xylexa is a Siliv native to the bone. She worked for her parents' business until the separation, flying diplomacy and scavenging missions for their company. Now that she is no longer considered a citizen of the GEA, she takes the Godmare on dangerous missions into Restricted Space to try to keep herself afloat. + + + + + + cover & art by me