I appreciate the feedback! I agree that a nation RP sounds unwise for what I have planned here. I also wholeheartedly agree that the science should not take precedence over the story. It's cool and all, but it's the people that make the story go. But I am prone to focusing on the fun science stuff, so I will certainly take your advice to heart.

You made a good point about PvP. I'll have to mull over how to mediate that.