The Terran Empire is taking it's first steps into the surrounding region. However, two systems with wrecks and one with a confirmed enemy presence has made them wary of further exploration. They are upgrading their technology to build a new series of bigger and better ships to properly conquer any aliens that dare oppose them.
EDIT: That save was destroyed by a series of errors, so I started a new game with 12 max systems, real stars off, and one starting NPR. I SMed all tech under 10,000 RPs, as well as ion drives and box launchers. Exploration of the first three systems outside Sol yielded some Precursors, an empty system, and a generic large system. The system with the Precursors had a jump gate on both sides, so I sent an 18,000 ton battlecruiser, armed with ASMs and AMMs, escorted by two 12,000 ton gauss escorts. After a general engagement, it was determined that neither side could penetrate the other's PD, so we retreated.