I don't know, I kind of like the idea idea of a fourth (fifth?) player in the group. Three works, for sure, but additional players add something to the dynamics, I think... Perhaps the trick to smoother recruitment could be:
1. DON'T do fitrst come, first served; ask for a completed character, with background, and choose the best.
2. Specify that submitters have to come up with a believable way for the character(s) to come into the group and must build that into their character submission. That should help a lot with character integration into the group's "chemistry", and it shows at least a minimum of reading/dedication from would-be applicants.
Off the top of my head: Sloor has been trying to recruit personel since day one (sec guard at Sel Zom, Biker chick recently, etc). Maybe he could finally succeed? (Potentiel targets for this: Darga personnel (one of Zayda's team even?), future imperial personnel coming with the delegation (and wishing to deffect after seeing the horrors of the Sarlacc project?)). Or it could be any of the slaves we hear Darga has been keeping, or Bicker chick (with a frekking good explanation as to why she buggered off), or how about Radden himself, he's got good reasons to re-locate (and maybe his -hum- character flaws were mostly caused by spice addiction? Sobber it's like he's a whole new person
)?
I can't help feeling that, in a perfect world, adding another character - without adding another *player* - (So just to beef-up our combat efficacity?), shouldn't be our first choice.