Speculation is the mother of all rumours Zac
So, I see Chapter 4 being an extension of what we have with new elements for teamplay. Maybe even a civil war in the Alliance?
The unnamed era sounds interesting. If squadron carriers (speculation rising) cannot be introduced in chapter 4, I suspect its down to how the game works (P2P) and how such connectivity is too "fragile" across the player base for it to be a viable. Therefore (rumour control at full volume here) we may be looking at a complete new approach to multi-player provision and a move away from P2P and into the realms of "other games" methods of delivery. Once up and running then we get the introduction of carriers (rumour mill now smoking as the gears overheat) as paid for content.
Maybe space legs too (not my favourite mode but it keeps the speculation ambling along) and....nukes?
I'm off to pour mineral oil onto the cogs at the rumour mill, we cannot let this opportunity to create higher levels of speculation pass.