[dmm]

You know, a "Probe" class would be awesome, especially if higher-level Versions were long-range, fast, and maybe long-Lasting.

And what would be REALLY great, would be if these were fitted into a proper diplomacy system. So, probes could pass through fleets, minefields, and systems of non-enemies without requiring permission or generating ill feeling. But warships could NOT do that. They would either need special permission or would need a higher level of treaty (e.g., partner). Also, maybe you should need to be in actual contact with another race to send Messages. ("Actual contact" here means you have a ship, planet, or probe in the same system as a ship, planet, or probe of the other race. One problem would be the "loss-of-contact amnesia" that the AI suffers from. But that bug ought to be squashed anyway.)