[dogscoff]

Okay, but if I have my way they won't get the chance=-) I plan to cripple their production and hopefully they won't have the resources to maintain a SM fleet.

They have been isolated (on and off) for a while now so I imagine they are probably trying to build one. They ought to have the resources as well (for now at least) - their empire is about the same size as mine and I have 3 SM ships. I can only survive by converting loads of organics to minerals every turn, but the AI bonus is on, so they should be able to do it.

I also suspect that they have been building planets. If you like I can find out for sure, because there is a system that used to be full of rocks in their territory - I'll peek in next chance I get and see what it looks like now.

This is the best vsAI game I've ever had, and I've still only explored 1/3 of the galaxy and met 3 other races...