1. No name yet. Mammalian. Descended from carnivorous primates.
2. Collectivist, militaristic, extreme expansionist.
The highest good is expansion of the race. Worlds are populated to the brim, often to the point of urbanization of nearly the entire surface. Cities reach many levels below ground and high into the sky. Orbital platforms are home to many millions who maintain and build the fleets. As such, almost no natural births occur. It is a point of pride that females have been freed of this task. Females that refuse have their reproductive organs removed are considered highly selfish, and arrogant.
The military is lead by the Warlord and Emperor of the entire Empire. It is seen as having a holy duty to both keep the empire safe and prepare new worlds for colonization. Rather than exterminate other races they seek to overthrow their governments, religions and other social structures so that the people may flourish under proper civilized rule.
Everything is steeped in tradition. The Empire dates back many thousands of years. The title of Warlord was given to the chief of a number of large warrior tribes. The faith of many of these tribes forms the basis of the Imperial Cult. Warlords cannot rule without support of their soldiers. Soldiers are considered brothers due to the harsh conditions they lived in forcing cooperation. New births are celebrated since they mean new soldiers, or new mothers to birth new soldiers. The priesthood of this religion formed the first standing army of the tribe that would one day unite the Empire. All religions were destroyed, their holy books sealed away for thousands of years only to be reopened for academic purposes, by official historians. Since establishment of the Empire, the priesthood has been separated from the military to a degree, but they are still highly important. The priesthood sees the education of the people, perform the initiation ceremonies upon adulthood, bless official actions, control/motivate populations, follow soldiers into battle, and drag their mangled asses back to the surgery centers.
Scientists live outside tradition in their own communities and worlds. These are places where usual "ethical and moral" considerations do not apply. They are tolerated because the Empire requires technological progress to stay ahead of threats, and also to support the prolonging of individual lives. Preservation of life is 2nd to creation of new life. A high priest is appointed to each scientific community to search for signs of rebellion, and that no knowledge is being withheld.
The common people don't mind much what the military/government and imperial cult do since they aren't affected much. Everything is provided by the government. People work a minimum required amount at government approved jobs. There is no difference between wartime, and peacetime economy. The Imperial Cult is the only tolerated religion. Atheism is commonplace, and well tolerated. Priests are seen as a bit fanatical.
3. Military dictatorship.
Government is lead by the Emperor. The emperor is considered governor of the home world and system governor of the home star. The Emperor is also supreme warlord of the military. The Emperor is selected by the imperial cult from the royal family's young children who have grown up in the central palace, being taught by observation of the old Emperor. The strongest child must gain support of the military to become the new Emperor.
Clusters of stars are watched over by admirals. Larger groupings are overseen by higher ranked admirals. The empire as a whole answers to the high military council of the home star system. Of course this council answers to the Emperor. Individuals world are ruled by elected governors (a non military rank). Star systems elect one of the governors to be in charge of the entire system, including non-planetary bases, and colonies not large enough to warrant a governor. Only the Emperor and High Council can make laws, system and world governments only see to the administration, and implementation of laws. Admirals are responsible for defense and sometimes enforcement of laws.
Economy is command economy of course. Citizens receive everything they need, in return work a minimum amount each day. Each world must provide recruits and material for the military. Usually tribute is in the form of fully crewed star ships.
4. Non-federated. Other races are seen as children needing to be educated. A races is worth is measured by it's likeness to the Empires race. Every effort will be taken to assimilate conquered races. A race that proves equal will be given complete citizenship rights and no longer considered a distinct species. A race that can not or will not assimilate will be destroyed.
5. Only one religion is tolerated, atheism is tolerated and commonplace.
6. Prolonging life, terraforming, weaponry.
7. Missiles. Laser for point defense.
8. Like a star destroyer but without the exposed command decks, that make it hilariously easy to incapacitate, and painted black to be hard to see against space background.
http://media.moddb.com/images/mods/1/13/12466/AllianceShot399.jpg
9; FTL is wormholes.