I hope you have a ship and equipment of sufficient caliber to start the real story.
Mind you, you might get through part of the story with the Tarsus, if all the equipment is up to snuff. But you may have to take time aside to trade or hunt your way to buy a good fighter and top notch equipment before you can finish the campaign. Whatever you do, don't take time aside while you are on a mission. If you find yourself needing money for new ship or equipment, then refuse to accept a campaign mission, go to make money, buy the better ship, and finally go back and now accept the mission. Else you might find yourself having to re-start the game from the beginning.