For millennia, two galactic empires have been locked in an interstellar cold war. Dissent to each empire's ideology is considered treason, and neutrality is incomprehensible. As each empire has expanded, newly-discovered sentient species have always joined one side or the other -- whether they want to or not. In the year 2028, Earth is the latest planet in the path of expansion. It has barely any space capability, no system defenses, and no allies. The nations of Earth therefore must voluntee...