Rough idea....
All players start with base pool of credits (unit of tender TBD) and natural resources. Nothing else.
Player chooses race - same races can be chosen. Based on chosen race you get more or less credits/resources.
Players choose leaders/mercenaries. Player A picks a leader or mercenary. for predetermined credits. If another player of same race (leaders only) or mercenaries (any race) also want the same then a bid war begins. High bid gets leader/merc.
Each item in game costs credits and resources. These numbers will be low to make calculations easier. Player will get some ships, vehicles and troops as a base and need to spend credits to improve upon their army. Various resources can be mined/gathered onsite at planet for onsite army improvements (this is risky cause you dont know what you can find)
suggestions? Nothing written in stone here