I'm going to do my best.
If I miss anything, I hope somebody will point it out.
To gain more prestige from the start, you will need to alter your game slightly.
Before you alter your game, it's wise to have the original settings copied for reference, or in case it all goes potty.
Go into your c drive (or whichever drive has the game, and select Program Files, then sfcIII.
Create a folder (right click mouse in an empty space) and call this ORIGINAL SETTINGS.
Now go to the file called META ASSETS, select this.
In META ASSETS select SERVER PROFILES and select SINGLE PLAYER.
I would advise you to copy all the files from SINGLE PLAYER into ORIGINAL SETTINGS because you're going to be annoyed when you realise you're allied to the Klingons and want to change this and other things too.
In SINGLE PLAYER there is a file called CHARACTER.
It should open in Notepad, and by changing a numeric value in Notepad and saving the file (file drop down menu on top, click save after the alteration) this will change the settings when your game runs.
Alter Starting Prestige in CHARACTER to what you would like it to be. Then save.
The change you have made will only affect any NEW campaign you begin.
Look about the other things in SINGLE PLAYER. In Meta Map you can make Klingons and Feds enemies by setting theirstarting tensions to about 800 (i.e. for Feds, make Klinks 800, for Klinks make Feds 800).
Do not adjust the number for your own race. If you do, your computer will explode and you may be hurt. I.E. turning the starting tensions for Feds to 800 for Feds will make your computer explode and you could be cut or bruised.
This is the full extent of my modding abilities. But two handy things, since you don't have to be allies with anyone and you don't have to start in a Norway.
Have fun.
Don't adjust the number of your own race. I know you want to. But you must not.
Your computer will explode.
Hope this helps.
Azrael