I think the issue is complicated somewhat by how 'soon' in the campaign this narrative arc occurs.
We have run 0-0.5 adventures with our characters in the cosmic era setting. Thus, we as players don't have many connections with the world, even though the characters would be connected to their associates, fixers, military comrades, friends, enemies, contacts...
Many outside forces act upon them now, and the scope of the adventure is very wide; due to the characters' isolation, they naturally slip into the role of victims of the story, and not so much active agents.
I'd like the characters to take on more agency, to drive more of the story, but don't see a good way how. Any ideas?