Prehistory
In the beginning of 21st century a group of scientists from MSU invented a jumper, a device allowing FTL travel. But distance of every jump is a constant — about 12.3 light years, so travelling requires high navigation skills and a good dose of luck. Additionally, all power is drained from active devices during a jump, and all active data carriers are wiped. Soon after, the scientists are hired by NASA and begin working on the prototype, converting a space shuttle into a jump-capable ship. During one of the first interstellar flights, the shuttle Enterprise encountered and was captured by an alien race...
So the Humankind joined a conglomerate of non-humanoid races, known as the Conclave. It is an utterly rational organization, and this may be seen as cruel. Races are divided into the Strong and the Weak — the Strong are ancient powerful civilizations and the real rulers of the Conclave. While the younger Weak races with restricted rights may overcome the Strong ones in some areas — so, Human starships with outdated engines are the fastest (species of other races are killed or driven mad during jumping, while for Humans it's pure ecstasy that rivals sex or drugs), military fleets of mouse-shaped race Alary are the most powerful, Counters perform calculations better than any computer, etc. — nevertheless, narrow specialization is a characteristic feature of Weak races — and the reason why the Conclave needs and uses them, while civilizations of no value are simply exterminated. This even applies to races that are of no threat to the Conclave.
Of course, there are Weak races malcontent with the status-quo — Humans, Alary, Counters, and Kualkua (symbiotic shapeshifters who can biologically merge with most other races). All are trapped in frames of their specializations — without any way out, as the political situation is stable.
Suddenly, things change.
Read more about this topic: The Stars Are Cold Toys