Well are we aware, that making an ares game out of an already existing fictional universe is much easier, and will probably result in a more cohesive story, and gameplay. Here are some universes out of good books that I have read:
The Foundation (Isaac Asimov)
Dune (Frank Herbert)
The Gap Series (Stephen Donaldson)
Ugghh... only 3, yet there are much much more. If anyone can think of a good book they've read with a space-set storyline, then post it's name and author here. I will promptly investigate it.
At the moment, I'm paying serious attention to the Gap Series, which present a fantastic forum for ares-style warfare.