I'm still determined to run a game.

And I'm going to be using FATE. Which you can find here

The important thing about FATE is it is really a role-play system as opposed to a stat-driven game. Pathfinder, for example, is driven by numbers. Characteristics, saving throws, hit points, etc. In FATE, you don't have those. You don't even have characteristics. Instead, a FATE character is defined by Aspects; the traits and background that define him/her/it. The key to an aspect is that it should both define the character and drive plots for both good and bad.

As an example, I'll build my oldest and most beloved character, Sir Arameth Gridlore, free trader and ethically challenged merchant, in FATE. When I first rolled him him many years ago for a Traveller game, he had low strength and endurance, decent dexterity and high intelligence and education. Since I was a rabid Larry Niven fan, I saw him as being like Beowulf Shaffer: tall, reedy, and not one for physical violence.

Let's translate that into FATE.

First we need to define the High Concept. This is the elevator pitch for the character, one line that defines him.

Canny Free Trader Captain. OK, this is good. It establishes what he does and that he's quick-witted.

Next, we need a Problem. The push that explains why the character is safe at home. In Traveller, Free Traders face nigh-impossible financial burdens, which require them to take the more interesting jobs. So,

One step ahead of the bank. Captain Gridlore lives on the financial edge, and owes a lot of money to various creditors. Of course, he might be offered the occasional job to clear a debt, but it will be tricky . . .

Now we can pick some other attributes to further define the character. The rulebook strongly suggests that this should be done as a group so your story aspects explain why the party is together. I'm going to skip that and just use three Aspects that really fill out Gridlore.

Born and bred spacer. Arameth Gridlore was born and spent most of his life in microgravity, living in various stations and ships. On the positive side, he won't suffer penalties for zero-G, knows ship/station protocols by heart, and can reasonably be considered to be familiar with any common equipment used in space. On the downside; he's agoraphobic and a neat freak. clutter and dirt can kill you in a ship, so he really doesn't deal well with them anywhere. He also has the build I describe above. He is not a prime physical specimen.

The Imperial Court knows my name. Due to some past exploits, Sir Arameth is known to various people in powerful offices. Again, this is a two-edged sword; he can get some favors and name drop to get out of trouble, but those friends will come to him with missions that he can't deny. He also has enemies at court, some of whom want him dead.

I've made some modifications . . . Gridlore's ship, the Driver Carries No Cash, has been extensively modified using black market parts and some alien tech. The upside is the ship can do surprising things. The downside is things sometimes stop working for no reason.

Now we pick Stunts. These are personal shticks that affect the flow of game play. I get three free. Taking more reduce the rate at which you regenerate Fate Points.

Been there. I can spend a Fate Point to remember a fact about a place.

Space-based MacGyver. I can spend a Fate Point to jury-rig equipment used on spacecraft and stations.

Now how much would you pay? When using the Rapport skill in a trading or bartering situation I can spend a Fate Point to get a +2 boost to my skill.

Now skills.

Great (+4) Starship Operations (I figured this was a catch all for someone who lives on a ship. He can do all the jobs and minor repairs, but lacks the in depth knowledge of an engineer.)
Good (+3) Rapport
Good (+3) Will
Fair (+2) Contacts
Fair (+2) Lore
Fair (+2) Shoot
Average (+1) Drive
Average (+1) Notice
Average (+1) Resources
Average (+1) Stealth

And there you go.