Aleister Reynolds "Revelation Space" sounds exactly like what you're looking for. Also any of Iain M. Banks scifi. Both authors, especially Banks, write outstanding space opera which stand alone, but take place in the same respective continuities. Another suggestion for pulpier stuff would be Leigh Brackett.
As always, my personal library is at your disposal.
To boldly go where lots of men have gone before...
And I just responded to an old thread bumped by a spambot.
To boldly go where lots of men have gone before...
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