Fan Casting A long way to a small angry planet

A sci-fi story set in the far future where most of the galaxy lives in relativity peace under a benevolent UN-style galactic federation called the Galactic Commons. The story follows the crew of the Wayfarer, a tunneling ship that performs the dangerous work of creating wormhole infrastructure which often places them on long-haul trips to connect the most remote parts of the galaxy - part long haul trucker part age of exploration sea voyage but with the possibility of messing up and creating holes in space-time. The focus of the story is on the mixed-species crew of the wayfarer and their wholesome interactions over the course of a new job opportunity that offers life-changing money but takes them to the center of the galaxy in the territory of the newest and most unpredictable species that is constantly at war with itself.