Incubation
faster-than-light travel was usually only used to get ships between planets and jump gates. it was considered too high of an energy cost to use as the primary mode of travel across the galaxy.
A Different War
Habitable worlds became more numerous as mankind finally conquered faster-than-light travel. corporations took advantage as more planets stood ripe for the picking, or so it seemed.
New World, Part one: The bow is drawn
They had never developed faster-than-light travel and the empire wanted to be sure they never would. there were dozens of warning satellites orbiting with the gas giants of the obori system that would keep it that way.