Not a huge fan of combat, but I might take you up on that, Evans.

EDIT: As for side factions, maybe something like, now this is just off the top of my head, The United Trans-Universal Sultanate of Bey-Gaush, a highly territorial semi-republican empire that does not regard either SE or the UMMA as legitimate authorities, known for strong-arming nearby universes into joining up with their empire. Their military power, while less than the collective might of the UMMA or SE forces, is still enough to be considered a major threat by both sides because neither faction can spare the men needed to actually fight a war with the Sultanate. 

As such, missions in Sultanate-controlled universes are a lot less focused on shooting mans and a lot more focused on lying low, wheeling-and-dealing with the local authorities, and not pissing off the natives because the cavalry won't be coming in to save your ass if you screw things up.