If you feel TNE was "too militaristic", then you must've absolutely hated MT, because I've never heard of a group that wasn't a mercenary-type.
I long ago devised most of a trading campaign set in the RC that had space battles as part of the color, but it's not like it "had to be there". But wars are interesting to people, because war is the ultimate statement of conflict, and there is no story of any kind without some sort of conflict.
Should I buy ice cream, or should I buy cake? Should I date my best friend's girl friend, or should I not? Should I sell my goods for less and leave the planet sooner, or will holding out for better prices pay off in the long run? These are all examples of conflict that don't require combat.
I notice a lot of people who whine about one variant or another have a serious lack of imagination. CT had no background material at all! You had to make it all up! That's why those people are so in love with that game; they have a lot of imagination, and CT started out requiring that of its players and refs.
Only later on did we start developing this concept of "canon" material. If you want to use that material, go right ahead. If you want to ignore it, do that too! There are plenty of sites out there which use a game system, but completely invent their own background, or use only little pieces here and there. Sure, it makes it harder to share future-histories with other people, but the players of the campaign are what's important. As long as they have fun, and the GM remembers that they are there to help him tell his story, not to just witness it, that's what matters.
Who cares about the Virus or the Empress Wave or even the Fifth Frontier War? 5FW doesn't have to happen any more than the breakup of the Imperium. YOU are the writer. To hell with Dave and Marc and Loren, when it comes to YOUR campaign, and I'm sure they would agree with that.
On the other side of the coin, I like knowing what's going on in the "official" stroy line. I want to know what Dave Nilsen had in mind; after all, Marc Miller left GDW. I also want to know what Marc has in mind. I don't care how it conflicts with Dave's story. These two people have a story to tell, and I want to hear it. Sometimes I have a story to tell, and I want to tell it, but the difference between MY stories (and your stories) and those of Marc or Dave or Loren) is that I (and you have other people to help me (and you) tell them; whereas the big guys are writing fiction. You and I have players. They don't. They have an audience.
So pick your rules system. Pick your background. If no one else has developed what you want, MAKE YOUR OWN! If you're not bright enough to make your own, or not imaginative, that's YOUR fault!
The difference between ignorance and stupidity is that ignorant people can be taught, or can ask questions or ask for help. Stupid people won't do that. They'd rather continue being as they are.
If I don't know something, I ask. If I have no one to ask, or the answers don't satisfy me, I make up my own answers. If you can't make up your own answers, you can ask people what they would do, and if you don't like what they suggest, it's YOUR world. Go ask some one else.
But stop griping about how terrible this or that is. DO something about it. Make up your own rules. Make up your own background. It's YOUR game.
