[Chronon]

I think intel should be more like money. If you want the blueprints for one of your enemies ships, you should put a certain amount of intel points into the project (up to a maximum, of course). The more points you put in, the greater the chance of success( again up to a maximum). The cost would be modified by your level of intel (there should be a lot more than three levels), the target's level of intel, and how much the target empire was spending on counter-intel. There should always be a chance for success (however small), and there should always be a chance for failure.

Also, I think the puppet political parties and the ship mutiny projects should be eliminated. They are just too far-fetched. A whole planet switching sides? I just can't see it.