The galaxy can be a dangerous place, if you let it. Humanity's two largest factions have been embroiled in war for hundreds of years, while the non-humans are more worried about not getting dragged in themselves. Most sentients do their best to forget there even is a war; though, that's easy to do if your live on a world far from the front lines. You can just live your life on your peaceful world, watching the lifetimes of content available at your finger tips and not worry about the universe beyond your daily life.
That is, if you're content with living a boring, safe life. But you wouldn't be here if you were, eh?
For people like you and me, our lives are what we decide to make them. And the place to do that's out in Freelance space, away from all the rules and regulations of the major governments. Out here we live and die by our own hands. Each colony has its own rules, its own way of doing things, and if you're unlucky or stupid, you get to find out they have their own sense of justice, too.
There's always plenty of work out this way. Privateer crews ship out from most of the larger colonies, though just where their actual bases are is a secret they'll take to the grave. You've got your mercenaries, your mobster, smugglers, you name it. Hell, even legit business men just looking to make an honest dollar.
Sure, I know you've seen the recruitment posters. You could go join the military, and fight in this stupid war, and die for someone else. Or, you could say screw all that, and come out to the galactic core and live life by your own rules. Your choice. But I can tell from that look in your eyes you've already made up your mind.
In that case, good luck. Next round's on me, Freelancer.