[PvK]

Another way to increase construction: build orbital space yards. Doesn't increase single ship rate, but you can build as many as you like.

Many AI aliens will get mad if you have ships or colonies in systems that they claim. See the Borders map. If you start out too close to their homeworlds, peace may not be possible.

Some AI are actually relatively peaceful. Toltayans and EEE seem pretty easy-going.

For Babylon 5, I'm not sure but if it is for the pre-Gold Version still, then it might not work. I would ask in the Babylon 5 forum thread here.

PvK