Irregulars
In the 26th century war was the way of the galaxy. Empires with near limitless resources waged war and traded border territory like a child may play with toys. That was before the rebellions. Tired of the constant war the citizens of the empires rose up in a series of widespread independent rebellions. These rebellions devastated the empires, and between the targeted attacks on military infrastructure and production facilities and the increased number of troops required internally to keep order, the empires all but had their ability to attack outward eliminated. Now, with their regulars still tied up in maintaining order, fearing another uprising, and many independent planets unable to field a proper military of their own rely on irregulars. Various militia groups and mercenary organizations frequently do not outlive their first contact with a hostile force, but, for those who do there is great profits to be made in the proxy battles across explored space.
