Just after the turn of the 25th century, humans were finally becoming a universe power again. Ultima Corporation was getting rich and had established campuses on each of the world of the Big Seven. They didn't have a whole lot of competition, and their prices raised. Many people got angry with how expensive things were costing. Hackers and Crackers took a stab at modifying their hardware and software. The communitity of people who were making mods grew so much, and so close together, they eventually formed the Crossbones Exchange. When ULP enacted laws giving the Corp more power, they came up with their Declaration of Technological Independance.