The Centauri Union is a democratic coalition of worlds located in the Southern regions of the stellar neighborhood and currently includes the Human colonies in the Alpha Centauri, Sirius, Procyon, and Groombridge 1618 star systems.

The Alpha Centauri colonies were the first permanent Human settlements established outside of the Sol system.  These early pioneers were accustomed to living under the corporatocracy of the United Earth Conglomerate, but with FTL travel still in its infancy; their relative distance from Earth required them to become more self-reliant.  Bourne Industries and the Reinhold Corporation had cultivated a close business relationship for several decades and the colonies that they helped to establish continued to work together on a variety of financial ventures.  The provisional governments in these systems even instituted a free trade agreement between their respective worlds; culminating in an exchange of ideas, cultures, and technologies.

When the UEC attempted a military occupation of the 82 Eridani system in 2198, many of Earth’s other colonies were firmly opposed to what they viewed to be a blatant act of aggression.  The colonies of Alpha Centauri, Sirius, Procyon, and Groombridge 1618 all came together once again to defend, not only this subjugated system, but also the colonists of Tau Ceti who had been their allies for many years.  This resulted in a long and bitter civil war as more and more systems declared their independence from Earth.

After eight long years, the UEC’s military forces were prepared to concede defeat.  For the independent colonies, the war had definitely taken its toll and they were more than eager to put an end to the conflict.  Two months after a ceasefire was announced, representatives from Earth and each of its colonies convened together in the Sirius star system to discuss a treaty that would be beneficial to all.  When a final agreement was made, this “Contract of Sovereignty” not only acknowledged the independence of nine different systems, but also recognized the absolute autonomy of the Centauri Union, the Commonwealth Alliance, and the Free Worlds League.  It also established official boundaries for each system stating that anything beyond a light-year from the host star would be considered interstellar space.  This contract additionally provided concessions for the independent colonies to establish a tentative trade agreement with Earth as well as to relinquish all of their remaining corporate assets in the Sol system.

The Centauri Union became the official government of four of Earth’s most prominent former colonies.  This democratic union of worlds is responsible for supporting all of its members who now maintain an equal role in its leadership.  It also deals with critical issues such as; the complex intersystem economy, security and defense, as well as relations with other colonies.   The city of Knossos on Kentaurus Prime was established as the official capital and remains the center of all government activity in the Southern regions.