[Growltigga]

S-J, I like the sound of that

My suggestion would be for a 'empire raid' scenario

You would need to use an islands or clusters style galaxy for this one.

The idea is you start off as normal. In one of the clusters is the remains of a highly technically advanced empire that has been ravaged by civil war. Lots of techs to purloin, lots of advanced ships to salvage, every world is a veritable feast of advanced technologies to wet any new races' appetite etc

The flip side is that there are still a lot of automated defensive systems active on the ravaged worlds, weapons platforms, bases, satellites, mines etc.

The second flip side is that this cluster is actually just a sector of a large empire that has been through a devastating civil war. The civil war has finished and the empire wants its turf back, and particularily doesnt like a lot of upstart new races (especially those bloody Phong)
plonking around in its backyard. The empire is big, resourceful and higher tech than the players (save what they have nicked) which means the players will have to band together before the juggernaut takes them out

I have no idea how this could be set up but there you go