You need to learn that nodes can be refreshed. If you really care about starring something quickly, that is what you need to do.
Second of all, f2p have always had to pick and choose where to put resources. The talk around the new system was about getting more use out of marquees and starting people in the same place, but the reality is, I suspect, that before long f2p are going to have unused marquees sitting in their roster just like before. They will just be sitting at higher gear.
So choose what factions you want to invest in.