The Luyten 728-8 or UV/BL Ceti system contains two flare stars. UV Ceti is considered to be an extreme form of flare star, BL Ceti is not as energetic. The moon Serpiente, which orbits the gas giant Balboa in the BL Ceti subsystem is known to have locally evolved life forms which have not been studies in any depth. It is known that the local life forms so far discovered have been microbial in size.

The system is situated only 3.2 light years from Tau Ceti and 5.0 light years from Epsilon Eridani. The Pelayo colony in Epsilon Eridani reached their first. Pelayon survey vessels arriving in the system in 2610. A small colony was established immediately on the moon christened Serpiente after the shape of the microbial life forms discovered there.

In 2639 a frigate of the Das Sternum Reich entered the system but did not apparently stay long, being content to carry out sensor probes of the Serpiente facilities. Development of the system was delayed first by the war between the United Worlds Commonwealth and the Das Sternum Reich, which ran from 2638 till 2640 then with Pelayon assets being tied up in occupying Beiro in the Tau Ceti system until 2642.

With the establishment of the Eridani Alliance the small Pelayon colony on Serpiente was offered full membership of the Alliance as part of an effort to increase development of the largely mining world. Serpiente accepted in 2651. The colony has been slowly growing, and has fostered trade with both Pelayo in Epsilon Eridani and Beiro in Tau Ceti.