These are two simple suggestions i thought of, they may have already been suggested beforehand and/or multiple times.
Combat Zones -
In the free-roam/campaign mode i found one of my bigger gripes was that Non-player fleets just seemed to take one or two potshots at an opposing fleet and take out half of them out with it. Perhaps they could initiate some form of combat zone that the player could spectate or join in on. Or similarly to a game i played called S.P.A.Z (Space pirates and zombies) have constant combat area's the player could scrounge parts from and pick off hostile ships. By doing this you could possibly improve your relations with the fleet fighting aside you. (So you'd get hedgemony 'points' for picking off stray Tri-tacyon or pirate ships in a combat zone)
Fighter-Carrier Leash -
As a lover of carriers and fighters, i found that fighters didn't seem to have much of a care for their own lives with certain commands put upon them. Most disturbingly light escort on a carrier, this has managed to get be boned more then once in a situation that i could stall until they were repaired.
Basically, fighter-Carrier leash would be;
- Fighters are leashed to a target, escorting it basically.
- If an enemy they're targeting gets a certain distance away, they go back to escorting unless told otherwise.
- Should they take damage or lose a fighter (This option would preferably have some form of damage bar that you could choose a certain amount of hull points/units left until..) they go back for repairs.
Possible extras:
- If following a ship with their shields up, the bombers or fighters could use said shield for protection.
Idea's and feedback would be appreciated, whether positive or otherwise.
EDIT1:
If they ever add multiplayer, combat zones could be used to simulate battles. They could possibly be locked to prevent free player intervention if need be.