Humans are one of the newest players on the galactic stage, having only become aware of alien life within the past few hundred years, whereas many other species have coexisted for millenia. Their technology is rather primitive in comparison to the other races, but they are spreading like wildfire nonetheless, their numbers and tenacity fueling their expansion.
Humanity is split into two different factions, the Commonwealth of Earth and the Independent States of Perseus. The Commonwealth is highly patriotic, and stresses unity above all else, while the ISP struggles to maintain its independence from the rest of the galaxy.
Given the rather oppressive nature of the Commonwealth, and the reclusive nature of the ISP, many of the more established races are wary of humanity, and many are outright hostile to them. However, there are humans striving to bring their species into the fold, and integrate into this new world they have discovered.