So, to be clear: ALL 7 planetary systems are up for grabs at the start? One way to work this would be to introduce a Capital designation that is above Headquarters. If so, the breakdown would look like this:
Capital
Headquarters
Stronghold
Outpost
Partisan
Partisan
Partisan
So, I'm willing to open up all 7 systems, but I'd modify the Strategic Bonuses so only Stronghold and above get them (conquering a stronghold would bump it down to outpost and the bonus would be lost). Is that fair?
I understand the concern for bringing up this request might be a money issue, and that there is so little money to go around at the start. If that's the reason for the request, we can simply bump up the individual system cash values. No? I'm more partial to that solution as then I wouldn't need to rewrite the victory conditions.
Originally the rules were written intending this game to be played between individual players, and not 2-3 person teams, so I apologize if the rules are confusing in that regard.