As Julian travels to Heinessen to accept his commission in Phezzan; he thinks about how Yang's background in history. Julian reviews the history of humanity during this long trip. The history lesson starts with the birth of the Galactic Republic in 2801 and man's continued expansion into space. The lesson then touches on space piracy, the increase in military powers, and the eventual decadence which let to the rise of the Galactic Empire. The final parts of the lesson include the creation of the Alliance up to the first military conflict between the Alliance and Empire. (thetvdb.com)