[dogscoff]

OK, I've applied to join the game. I can handle the turnload, and I'm a pretty reliable player.

Will you hold out for a full complement of 20 players or are you prepared to start with less?
If you have any spare slots, maybe you could dump a load of AI-controlled races (neutrals?) in your "gamesmaster" system to provide you with additional populations and ship/ unit designs to send out into the "real" galaxy. Might cause problems with diplomacy though, unless you conquered them all on turn 3, in which case you lose the ability to own ships in those AI's 'colours'.

What size is the galaxy? Big, small or secret?