[rdouglass]

Another thing that may have happened - a random event. IIRC, the "planet breaking away and forming an independant empire" is not just an Intel Op (Anarchy Groups), but a random event. However, I'm a little suspicious of you not getting a Log message. I have had that random event thing happen to me, but I always got a Log message.

PS.. I too have had bases zapped across the galaxy, but I also have been locked into 2-3 systems early in a game and had a colony ship transported by that "spacial anomoly" thing across the galaxy and suddenly was blessed with more systems to pilage and a strategic advantage by being able to "outflank" many AI later in the game. Now THAT was COOL....