[dogscoff]

I think this is one of those issues where gameplay takes precedence over realism - This is a complex idea which touches on quite a few of SEIV's more abstract simulations - for example, wouldn't it be more realistic if you simply lost contact with damaged / destroyed/ captured ships rather than know for sure what happened to them (and who did it)? Changing the implementation to better model that though would be a LOT of work for MM and wouldn't necessarily make for a better game.

My vote would be for a small intel boost and/ or "pre- paid" intel project as a reward for capturing enemy planets and ships.

As for the Enigma thing- I'm no historian, I just know that that film got it wrong, and I was keen to correct its ignorance. I can understand your frustration with your thread drifting off topic, Maverick. However I don't think it's such a bad thing, especially if it stays within the wider topic of military history (ie examples in military strategy.) Occasionally talking about something different gives us a better idea of what ppl are really like.

------------------
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so Brain, but how are we gonna teach a goat to dance with flippers on? "