A faction is considered independent when they lack organized leadership and as such the tools that allow a faction to work together. They are however not the same as the outcast.

The most notable independent faction are The Lost, who are present in many realities and are scattered all across the universe. However, there have been others, e.g. the Vagabonds or the Cosmic Ballet.

Being independent deprives people not only of coherent leadership, but potentially also of a habitable homeworld. Independents my find themselves either on harsh worlds or lacking resources - it's a dice roll. However, many like the absence of imminent threats or the consequences that come with clumsy diplomacy.