[@Malta307] I had an idea of an old Austrian-style monarchy whose glory days had long passed and was ready to collapse at a slight breeze, but I think i'd be better to avoid it in this instance, given that's the focus of the main story at hand. Another idea I had was a collection of outlaw and pirate outfits who had, over time, coalesced their forces into a united front and eventually formed a loose, federative republic (while still partaking in the lion's share of loot and pillage). The idea behind that one was a rift forming between factions who would want to "settle down" and start developing themselves more into a trading power, given the sheer amount of starfleets at their disposal, and the more free-styled pirates who more viewed the Republic as a giant alliance of mutual convenience, not as a true government, and would want to keep it that way so they can, y'know, keep being pirates.