The Republic, in today's Renney Sector, is infested with pirates. You can take over the territory by eliminating pirates. At the start of the game, each player starts in the Republican Territory, where you cannot be attacked by others. In this territory you are generally safe from danger and will have time to learn and develop your space station until you decide to leave the Republican Territory, and of course, you can always choose to leave this safe zone.
While the Republic offers this protective area, outside the territory, there will be rarer rewards and higher Exp. However, you must think twice before you choose to leave this area, because you will not be able to return once you're out.