Welcome back! I returned recently myself and I'm having a very good time. There's a nice opportunity with the Veteran Aid Program where you can get some ships and creds to help you get back into the game. The Retrofit Transport ship is only available this way. A friend suggested flying around for a week or two before jumping right into factions as many things have changed. It was good advice I now pass along to you.
"Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality" - Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland)
