Some Talisman ships? That's the understatement of the year.
Ah, it isn't the trashtalk section of the thread here.
I would say to drop Mark a PM asking him about what he intends to do with this game. If he decides to stop playing here, a replacement would probably be best, or perhaps you could surrender his Empire to you Slynky. While it will allow you a better coordination, you will lose a part of your income as the partnership treaties will be void. That, and other disavantages as well. Or perhaps even something along the lines of "you play both Empires", if no replacement can be found.