I have to admit that I really like your idea to play as a neutral after one is discovered. It would be very advantages to this game is Malfador would allow technology level set ups for each individual empire during game set up. That way you could set the technology level of each player where you wanted it, and thus play as the strongest or the weakest player in the game.
Thanks for the game idea here.
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"We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats! They invade our space and we fall back -- they assimilate entire worlds and we fall back! Not again! The line must be drawn here -- this far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!" -- Patric Stewart as Captain Picard
UCP/TCO Ship Yards