When playing on the bigger maps, and engaging in war, it is often annoying how long it takes to get new ships from one side of the map to the other. I have a few ideas for a one time boost.
1) when building the ships, have a ship part that is a one time use rocket that gives a quick burst of speed across the galaxy.
2) be able to open up a ship info screen and pay for a boost of speed (liquid schwartz)
3) be able to use constructors to make a stargate and then another constructor to make another stargate that it connects to. Stargates make sense, since they are already a part of the story and I think could still be useful. Or you could develop the technology to make worm holes.