Hello all!
Was wondering if anyone else wanted to see more of the ship than the bridge/view screen. I've enjoyed the "roam around the ship/base & meet people" sections of games like Mass Effect, and would like to see something similar in Star Control.
In addition to external/functional ship upgrades, perhaps we could also have species-specific internal upgrades? Have the "command staff" of the fleet assignable to different ship's functions. Off the top of my head: Operations, Medical, Engineering, Weapons/Security, and science. Have these assignments provide conversation options and/or gameplay perks based on their racial traits.
Ships Lounge - Social area where representatives of different races can relax. Basically passive meeting location for companion/crew conversations; albeit with hilarious commentary/conversations in the background between alien races. Can have visual upgrades/décor based on various completed tasks (Think Joey Ray's Bar/Hyperion Cantina from StarCraft II).
Captain's Cabin - Basically a place for the CO to decorate with awards/salvage/war trophies, and to nail the hot blue crewmember; same function as Mass Effect. 
Engineering - Place for some high-techery & visual impressiveness. Bonuses based on species: Max Energy (Chmmr), Shields (Yehat), Manuverability (Arilou), Armor (Spathi), etc.
Operations - Basically the bridge. Place where all the command staff can be found during conversations with other species; perhaps providing commentary based on racial biases (Arilou & Syreen don't trust Orz, Supox afraid of "infection" by Mycon, etc.). Can assign command staff from here. Access to meeting room for conversation events based on plot. Ops officer bonuses to build/repair times (Mhrmrhm), resource/credit gathering (Druge), increased fuel efficiency (Androsynth).
Weapons - Tactical bonuses to weapon fire speed (Supox), accuracy (human), spread (Utwig), energy consumption (Slylandro).
Science - Upgrade research. Racial bonuses to reduce time (Shofixti. Also provides option for "announcements" regarding lab safety & recurring need for replacement scientists. Kieee!), unlock additional conversation options (Syreen), extend travel range, etc.
Supply - Increased resource generation, unlocable upgrades based on trade with other races.
Security - Increased lander armor/shields, damage reduction, etc.
