When initially discovered, Hawking appeared to be a perfect world for Humanity to colonize. There were abundant natural resources in its star system for space infrastructure to be constructed and a diverse biosphere of developed life on the planet itself. The early problems of trying to settle star systems like Atlantica were treated as lessons and sufficient space infrastructure was developed before trying to settle the planet itself.

Though Hawking was settled in 2191 by the American Union, the planet itself has long since belonged to its native population, the Grawla. Since as far back recorded Grawla history, powerful alien forces have tried to conquer the planet. They have used force of arms, killer robots, even planet wide nuclear bombardment to do so. Though sometimes this occupation has lasted several lifetimes, the Grawla have always prevailed… eventually.

By 2190, the Grawla society had developed a mash-up of technologies, cultures, and societies from the leftovers of their previous invaders. When humanity arrived, they mostly kept to their colony on the west, and sought peaceful, diplomatic, relations with the Grawla. While this has resulting in Grawla society mostly leaving humanity alone.

By 2324 much had changed. The star system had declared itself independent of its previous rules. The miner's rebellion of 2250 had finally spread to the rest of the system. Relations with the Grawla have continued to improve with some Grawla choosing to openly work with the single human settlement on the planet. The Grawla themselves are in the midst of a massive upheaval, as the Taboos regarding traveling into space are being reconsidered.