yeah quadrants are a bit larger than 16ly. i suspect Sir Emi was working on radius, not diameter perhaps. Anyway, on point #4
4. Aliens. Yes, we have big plans for an alien encounter. There will be stories / sightings complete with news coverage. Captains will have the opportunity to embark into a campaign against alien ships & facilities, in an effort to help Earth when the threat breaks out into war as communications degrade. Aliens will make bases and expand, and it will be up to the captains and independent corporations to protect their territories. Lucrative opportunities may arise from the conflict, and all will be covered by news.
This would be great to bring in after you bring in carrier. We need carrier to coordinate decisive strikes at an enemy location. Also gets a vote in my book to keep my pilots occupied. They are getting restless with all this peace and may start hunting member pirate corporations again shortly LOL
Any plans to acknowledge good service to Earth via means of medals of honor to pin to our captains (or corporations) collective chests? for services provided....etc etc. I know we dont belong to the [SOL] corp and therefore are probably considered freelancers and not strictly working for the SOL military, but we are fond of our blue marble still and [SOL] wouldnt be the first org to employ para-military soldier of fortune troops lol