Grey Zones

"Grey zones" go by many individual names, but they are universally recognized as regions of space not claimed by an interstellar power- or at the very least, not actively occupied as if they were claimed. Thusly, they are usually considered to be uncivilized and largely unpopulated, but this is not entirely the case.

With the exception of frontier space- the territory outside the most extreme borders of any power- grey zones do tend to have colonies, outposts, and even roving fleets, however all of these come shaded in extralegal characteristics. Namely, pirates, criminals, and those who would otherwise prefer not to be noticed by authorities make their havens in grey zones. Generally, this makes civilian travel through grey zones dangerous, however some will attempt to do so regardless, at the prospect of the pristine mining and scientific hauls that could be found in them.