Planetary Capture

Just an off the wall idea, either a system or a singular planet. doesnt have to be fill with vandul or anything. just basic creatures, bugs, kopion whatever.

These creatures hives make EM clouds over the planets surface so you cant just fly in and out.

There can be areas or outposts you can drop down on and try and activate shields ect to protect the base. doing so triggers the classic Wave swarms as creatures rush the location. you defend the location long enough the EM clouds are removed over the protected area.

now with a foothold on the planet you can slowly move farther and farther out taking the planet over and making the creatures hordes go into hiding. freeing the world for all to enjoy.

overtime the creatures can come back and recover the planet with EM clouds then rinse and repeat if whatever citizens around cant hold it.

if you dont like it in your current system, make a random jump point that goes to a new system that we will never see again down the road. Hell make the whole system on the other side of the jump point instanced and only you and your org can actually unlock the resources for yourself until the portal closes.