Quite interested here! Gives me that wonderful aforementioned Dune/Foundation vibe.

How would you feel about the concept of a vessel (and crew) whose origins lie in the Maalik System, or one of the four systems the king intends to seize? Perhaps a family which was ousted by its peers and now seeks to maneuver itself into a position to regain lost lands, titles, and wealth through service to their big, secure neighbor? Might make for an interesting bit of culture clash and setting/character development.