A Writer's Block

I've run up to a relatively big problem.

I'm trying to build up a good enough political background to allow my player (who is, by the way, my lovely spouse) to have interesting political adventures in a sandbox of sorts. However, I'm both a little scared of getting into such big politics in the game AND I'm not sure that the ORV can provide the right amount of opportunities for such a game, with its many low-pop backwater worlds and little actual politics (except for competition between the megacorps, that is).

I'm also unsure about my ability to provide enjoyable high-level political intrigue of the kind my spouse would like to have in play.

I'll warmly welcome any advice about setting up high-level politics that will allow the players to adventure more in the diplomatic way of things rather than in the exploration/stealth/frontier-work that I'm more comfortable in running...

I might be using the following stuff from the old JTAS magazine in my campaign:

Tree Karkens (JTAS #1) are cool critters - I think I'll place them on Gollere.

The Model 317 Pressurized Shelter (JTAS #6) seems to be quite useful in general as an outpost, though I might prefer more interesting shapes.

Springers (JTAS #9) are interesting and might fit the same planet I'll set Safari Ship on.

Bwaps (JTAS #11) are a bit far from their home in the ORV, but a few will be present, especially in the Imperial administration.

Miniphants (JTAS #16 are quite an interesting example of genetic engineering.

Luugiir (JTAS #18) are very cool critters; I think I'll place them on some of the Vilani-colonized worlds.

JTAS #20 has Aslan Phylosophies - perfect as background to this campaign!