[rdouglass]

I'm sending 2 sizeable fleets (now legendary) into the heart of enemy AI territory. They have support (mine sweepers, solar collectors and resupply, repair and SY, etc.) - They're esssentially 'self sustaining'. The enemy are an oxygen breather and a methane breather (can't remember the names of 'em). I want both their pop since I'm a Hydrogen breather.

So, these 2 fleets are deep in enemy territory since I want them to strike a few major installations (homeworlds, construction yards, resuplly, etc) to soften them up a little for plucking. They're heavily distracting forces and generally wreaking havoc.

Now I take one of my stellar manip ships and close the WP to the enemy area (I'm playing in a cluster system). I closed it to seal off a flank since I'm fighting another war on another front with another Hydrogen breather. I want to genocide the H's since they're essentially fodder to me - no value at all. It (the WP) is an original WP that was about 250 ?clicks? away. The WP closes and suddenly I have no contact with the O and M races! I'm bummin 'cause I'm only Stellar Manip level 1 and can only open WP 100 clicks.

I am not in contact?!?!?! I got 46 friggin' ships glassing planets for cryin' out loud!! Since I'm not in contact, I can't crew insurrect or PPP.

Now my question: What exactly is the criteria for Contact. It seems at least 1 criteria is a WP path to Homeworlds. If that is the case, how are people trading comm channels??? Does anyone know the exact, complete requirements??? IIRC this has changed! It didn't used to be like this.......

[This message has been edited by rdouglass (edited 26 June 2001).]